Page 177 of 575

•Changes in engine behavior.•ECO cruise control activation.
HYBRID VEHICLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AnswerQuestion
The high voltage battery is electrically isolated from the rest of thevehicle when the key is off. When you switch the key on, high voltagecontactors inside the battery are closed to make the electricity avail-able to the motor and generator and enable the vehicle to drive. Theclicks are the sound of these contactors as they close and open duringstart up and shut down.
What are the series of clicks from the cargo area when I first turn thekey in the ignition?
The vehicle's computer will determine if an engine start is requiredat key-on. Silent key start will start the engine if it is necessary forcabin heating, windshield defrost, or if the outside temperature is low.
Why does the engine sometimes start at key-on?
There are several reasons the engine stays on for an extended amountof time when you first start it. One common reason is to make surethat the emissions components are warm enough to minimize tailpipeemissions. As the climate gets cooler, this engine-on time is extended.
Why does it take a long time before the engine shuts down?
The engine is required to turn on above this speed to protect thetransmission hardware.Why does my engine never shut down above 85 mph (137 km/h)
174
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Unique Driving Characteristics
Page 178 of 575

AnswerQuestion
In order to make sure that the climate control system can begin heatingthe cabin or defrosting the windshield as soon as a driver requestsit, the engine coolant temperature has to be kept sufficiently hot.Keeping the engine on is required to maintain the correct coolanttemperature.
Why does my engine stay on when it is extremely cold outside?
Your vehicle's engine and transmission are designed to deliver thepower you need at the most efficient engine speed. This may behigher than expected during heavy accelerations, and may fluctuatewhen driving at a steady speed. These are characteristics of theAtkinson engine cycle and the transmission technology that helpmaximize your hybrid's fuel economy.
Why does my engine rev up so high sometimes when I accelerate?
The fan noise comes from a fan located next to the high voltagebattery pack. This fan turns on when the battery requires cooling air.The fan speed, and associated noise level, will change according tothe amount of cooling required to maintain good performance. Main-taining the battery temperature at optimal conditions also prolongsthe useful life of the battery and helps to achieve better fuel economy.
What is the fan noise I hear from the rear of my hybrid?
Change the engine oil every 10,000 mi (16,000 km) or once per yearunder normal operating conditions.What is the engine oil change service interval?
Your hybrid vehicle can use E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline) fuel, butyou may notice slightly reduced fuel economy because ethanolcontains less energy per gallon than gasoline. Your hybrid vehicle isnot designed to use E85 (85% ethanol).
Can I put E15 or E85 in my vehicle, and how will it affect my fueleconomy?
175
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Unique Driving Characteristics
Page 179 of 575
AnswerQuestion
The high voltage battery system is designed to last the life of thevehicle and requires no maintenance.How long will my high voltage battery last? Does it need maintenance?
There are no provisions for charging the high voltage battery from apower supply external to the vehicle.Can you charge the battery with a plug into an A/C outlet?
Yes. Your hybrid vehicle can be flat towed without modification. SeeTowing (page 258).Can I tow the hybrid behind my motor home with all four wheels down?
176
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Unique Driving Characteristics
Page 180 of 575

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Do not overfill the fuel tank.The pressure in an overfilled tank may causeleakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
WARNING: The fuel system may beunder pressure. If you hear a hissing soundnear the fuel filler inlet, do not refuel until thesound stops. Otherwise, fuel may spray out,which could cause serious personal injury.
WARNING: Fuels can cause seriousinjury or death if misused or mishandled.
WARNING: Fuel may contain benzene,which is a cancer-causing agent.
WARNING: When refueling always shutthe engine off and never allow sparks oropen flames near the fuel tank filler valve.Never smoke or use a cell phone whilerefueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardousunder certain conditions. Avoid inhalingexcess fumes.
Follow these guidelines when refueling:
•Extinguish all smoking materials and anyopen flames before refueling yourvehicle.
•Always switch the engine off beforerefueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful or fatalif swallowed. Fuel is highly toxic and ifswallowed can cause death or permanentinjury. If fuel is swallowed immediatelycall a physician, even if no symptoms areimmediately apparent. The toxic effectsof fuel may not be apparent for hours.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling fuelvapor can lead to eye and respiratorytract irritation. In severe cases, excessiveor prolonged breathing of fuel vapor cancause serious illness and permanentinjury.
•Avoid getting fuel in your eyes. If yousplash fuel in your eyes, immediatelyremove contact lenses (if worn), flush withwater for 15 minutes and seek medicalattention. Failure to seek proper medicalattention could lead to permanent injury.
•Fuels can be harmful if absorbed throughthe skin. If you splash fuel on your skin,clothing or both, promptly removecontaminated clothing and thoroughlywash your skin with soap and water.Repeated or prolonged skin contactcauses skin irritation.
•Be particularly careful if you are takingAntabuse or other forms of Disulfiram forthe treatment of alcoholism. Breathingfuel vapors could cause an adversereaction, serious personal injury orsickness. Immediately call a physician ifyou experience any adverse reactions.
FUEL QUALITY
Choosing the Right Fuel
177
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Fuel and RefuelingE161513
Page 181 of 575

Your vehicle is designed to operate onregular unleaded gasoline with a minimumpump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in highaltitude areas, offer fuels posted as regularunleaded gasoline with an octane ratingbelow 87. The use of these fuels could resultin engine damage that will not be coveredby the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engineperformance, premium fuel with an octanerating of 91 or higher is recommended. Theperformance gained by using premium fuelis most noticeable in hot weather.
Do not be concerned if the enginesometimes knocks lightly. However, if theengine knocks heavily while using fuel withthe recommended octane rating, contact anauthorized dealer to prevent any enginedamage.
We recommend Top Tier detergentgasolines, where available to help minimizeengine deposits and maintain optimal vehicleand engine performance. For additionalinformation, refer to www.toptiergas.com.
Note:Use of any fuel for which the vehiclewas not designed can impair the emissioncontrol system, cause loss of vehicleperformance, and cause damage to theengine which may not be covered by thevehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
•Diesel fuel.
•Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
•Fuel containing more than 15% ethanolor E85 fuel.
•Fuels containing methanol.
•Fuels containing metallic-based additives,including manganese-based compounds.
•Fuels containing the octane boosteradditive, methylcyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
•Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel isprohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compoundssuch as methylcyclopentadienyl manganesetricarbonyl (commonly known as MMT), whichis a manganese-based fuel additive, willimpair engine performance and affect theemission control system.
Fuel Freshness Mode (If Equipped)
This helps keep the fuel system functionaland the fuel fresh.
If you mainly use your vehicle in electricpower mode without refueling, the gasolinein the fuel tank may become stale due toaging. Stale gasoline can damage theengine and fuel system.
Your vehicle automatically switches to fuelfreshness mode if you do not refuel yourvehicle with fresh fuel within an 18-monthperiod. Fuel freshness mode protects yourvehicle from potential engine and fuel systemdamage caused by using stale fuel.
Note:If you do not add new fuel during an18-month period, fuel freshness mode willuse fuel until approximately 1.2 gal (4.5 L) offuel remains in the fuel tank.
178
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Fuel and Refueling
Page 182 of 575

During fuel freshness mode:
•The information display will indicate fuelfreshness mode is active.
•The vehicle will only run in hybrid mode. EV Now mode will not be available.
•Most of the plug-in power will be storeduntil fuel freshness mode is completed.
Note:EV Now mode resumes when less than1.2 gal (4.5 L) of fuel remains in the fuel tank.
Note:When the fuel level is less thanone-quarter full, refueling your vehicle willend fuel freshness mode.
Note:We recommend you use a fuelstabilizer if you use less than a full tank offuel during an 18-month period.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is under the luggagecompartment floor covering.RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Avoid running out of fuel because thissituation may have an adverse effect onvehicle components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•To start the vehicle with a keylessignition, just start the engine. Crank timewill be longer than usual.
•Normally, adding 1 gal (3.8 L) of fuel isenough to restart the vehicle. If thevehicle is out of fuel and on a steepgrade, more than 1 gal (3.8 L) may berequired.
•The service engine soon indicator maycome on.
Refilling With a Portable Fuel Container
WARNING: Flow of fuel through a fuelpump nozzle can produce static electricity.This can cause a fire if you are filling anungrounded fuel container.
WARNING: Do not insert the nozzle ofa fuel container or an aftermarket funnel intothe fuel filler neck. This may damage the fuelsystem filler neck or its seal and cause fuelto run onto the ground.
179
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Fuel and RefuelingE256472
Page 183 of 575

WARNING: Do not try to pry open orpush open the capless fuel system withforeign objects. This could damage the fuelsystem and its seal and cause injury to youor others.
Note:Do not use aftermarket funnels; theywill not work with the capless fuel systemand can damage it. The included speciallydesigned funnel works safely with yourvehicle.
When filling the vehicle’s fuel tank from aportable fuel container, use the funnelincluded with the vehicle.
The funnel is located in the rear of thevehicle, inside the load compartment,underneath the load floor carpet and isaccessible from the trunk.
1. Locate the portable funnel that comeswith your vehicle.
2. Slowly insert the funnel into the caplessfuel system.
3.Fill the vehicle with fuel from the portablefuel container.
4.When done, clean the funnel or properlydispose of it. You can purchase extrafunnels from your authorized dealer ifyou choose to dispose of the funnel.
REFUELING
WARNING: Do not overfill the fuel tank.The pressure in an overfilled tank may causeleakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
180
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Fuel and RefuelingE163066 E157279 E157280
Page 184 of 575

WARNING: Do not try to pry open orpush open the capless fuel system withforeign objects. This could damage the fuelsystem and its seal and cause injury to youor others.
WARNING: Do not remove the fuelpump nozzle from its fully inserted positionwhen refueling.
WARNING: When refueling always shutthe engine off and never allow sparks oropen flames near the fuel tank filler valve.Never smoke or use a cell phone whilerefueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardousunder certain conditions. Avoid inhalingexcess fumes.
WARNING: Stop refueling when thefuel pump nozzle automatically shuts off forthe first time. Failure to follow this will fill theexpansion space in the fuel tank and couldlead to fuel overflowing.
WARNING: Wait at least 10 secondsbefore removing the fuel pump nozzle toallow any residual fuel to drain into the fueltank.
WARNING: The fuel system may beunder pressure. If you hear a hissing soundnear the fuel filler inlet, do not refuel until thesound stops. Otherwise, fuel may spray out,which could cause serious personal injury.
WARNING: Read and follow all theinstructions on the pump island.
1. When you stop your vehicle, shift intopark (P) or neutral (N) and switch theignition off.
Note:Beijing district only.
2. Press the button on the driver door toopen the fuel filler door. The fuel fillerdoor can take up to 15 seconds to openbefore you can insert a fuel filler nozzle.
181
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Fuel and RefuelingE146221