HYBRID VEHICLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answer
Question
The high voltage battery is electrically isolated from the rest of the
vehicle when the key is off. When you switch the key on, high voltage
contactors inside the battery are closed to make the electricity avail-
able to the motor and generator and enable the vehicle to drive. The
clicks are the sound of these contactors as they close and open during start up and shut down.
What are the series of clicks from the cargo area when I first turn the
key in the ignition?
The vehicle's computer determines if an engine start is required at
key-on. Silent key starts the engine if it is necessary for cabin 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 sure
that the emissions components are warm enough to minimize tailpipe
emissions. As the climate gets cooler, this engine-on time is extended.
Why does it take a long time before the engine shuts down?
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If the service engine soon indicator remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some
malfunctions detected by the OBD-II may not
have symptoms that are apparent, continued
driving with the service engine soon indicator
on can result in increased emissions, lower
fuel economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness and lead to more
costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state and provincial and local
governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to
inspect the emission control equipment on
your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
If the service engine soon indicator
is on or the bulb does not work,
your vehicle may need service.
See On-Board Diagnostics. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the
service engine soon indicator is on or not
working properly (bulb is burned out), or if
the OBD-II system has determined that some
of the emission control systems have not
been properly checked. In this case, the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle
’s engine or transmission has
just been serviced, or the battery has
recently run down or been replaced, the
OBD-II system may indicate that the vehicle
is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the
ignition key to the on position for 15 seconds
without cranking the engine. If the service
engine soon indicator blinks eight times, it
means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator
stays on solid, it means that your vehicle is
ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system checks the emission
control system during normal driving. A
complete check may take several days.
If the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, you
can perform the following driving cycle
consisting of mixed city and highway driving: 1. 15 minutes of steady driving on an
expressway or highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at
least four 30-second idle periods.
2. Allow your vehicle to sit for at least eight
hours with the ignition off. Then, start the
vehicle and complete the above driving
cycle. The vehicle must warm up to its
normal operating temperature. Once
started, do not turn off the vehicle until
the above driving cycle is complete.
If the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing,
you need to repeat the above driving cycle.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: This battery pack should
only be serviced by an authorized electric
vehicle technician. Improper handling can
result in personal injury or death. WARNING: Apply the parking brake,
shift into park (P), switch the ignition off
and remove the key before you open the
hood or have any service or repair work
completed. If you do not switch the ignition
off, the engine could restart at any time.
Failure to follow this instruction could result
in personal injury or death. WARNING:
Do not touch the
electronic ignition system parts after you
have switched the ignition on or when the
engine is running. The system operates at
high voltage. Failure to adhere to this
warning could result in serious personal
injury or death. WARNING:
Keep your hands and
clothing clear of the engine cooling fan. Your vehicle consists of various high-voltage
components and wiring. All of the
high-voltage power flows through specific
wiring assemblies labeled as such or covered
with a solid orange convolute, or orange
striped tape, or both. Do not come in contact
with these components.
The high-voltage battery system is a
high-voltage, lithium-ion battery system. The
pack is located underneath the vehicle. The
high voltage battery system uses an
advanced active liquid heating and cooling
system to regulate high voltage battery
temperature and help maximize the life of
the high voltage battery.
Note:
The high-voltage battery does not
require regular service maintenance. CHARGING THE HIGH VOLTAGE
BATTERY - PLUG-IN HYBRID
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING:
In Canada, do not use
the 120 volt convenience cord in
commercial garages. WARNING:
This equipment has
arcing or sparking parts. Do not expose to
flammable vapors. Position this equipment
at least
18 in (450 mm) above the floor.
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift into
park (P). Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury or death. WARNING:
Do not apply the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal
simultaneously. Applying both pedals
simultaneously for more than a few
seconds will limit engine performance,
which may result in difficulty maintaining
speed in traffic and could lead to serious
injury.
Note: You cannot shift out of park (P) unless
the intelligent access key is inside your
vehicle.
Understanding Your Transmission
Selector Positions
Your vehicle has an electronic transmission
shifter. The transmission selector is on the
center stack below the touchscreen. Park.P
Reverse.
R
Neutral.
N
Drive.D
The instrument cluster displays the current
gear. Park (P)
With the transmission in park (P), your vehicle
locks the transmission and prevents the
wheels from turning. Always come to a
complete stop before putting your vehicle
into and out of park (P). An audible tone
sounds once you select park (P).
When you switch the ignition off, your vehicle
shifts into park (P). If you switch the ignition
off while your vehicle is moving, the
transmission first shifts into neutral (N) until
it reaches a speed less than 3 mph (5 km/h)
and then shifts into park (P).
The electric parking brake could apply when
you shift to park (P) without the brake pedal
fully pressed. The electric parking brake
applies when you shift to park (P) on large
slopes. The electric parking brake releases
with the drive away release function, or
manually as described in the Releasing the
Electric Parking Brake section.
See Electric
Parking Brake (page 258).
Note: A warning tone sounds if you open the
driver door and you have not shifted the
transmission selector to park (P).
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Manual Park Release
WARNING: When doing this
procedure, you need to take the
transmission out of park (P) which means
your vehicle can roll freely. To avoid
unwanted vehicle movement, always fully
apply the parking brake prior to doing this
procedure. Use wheels chocks if
appropriate. WARNING:
If the parking brake is
fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not
be working properly. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle
until you verify that the stoplamps are
working.
Use the manual park release to move your
transmission from the park (P) position in the
event of an electrical malfunction or
emergency. Activating the Manual Park Release Cable
1. Apply the parking brake.
See Electric
Parking Brake (page 258).
Note: If vehicle battery is dead, for example,
no electrical power is available, you could
require an external power source to apply
the parking brake.
2. Using the key or a flat head screwdriver 4.7 in (120 mm), carefully open the access
cover under the arm rest console.
3. Turn the vehicle ignition on without starting the vehicle. Press the push to
start button without pressing the brake. 4. Once in the driver seat, fully apply the
brake pedal and hold. Do not release.
5. Insert a screwdriver or your car key into the Manual Park Release lever slot, pull
the Manual Park Release lever toward
the rear until the detent in the slot pops
up against the screwdriver or key. Allow
0.3 in (7 mm)
of full upward travel of the
detent, which locks in the park override
mode, and you can remove the
screwdriver or key. If done correctly, a
message on the instrument cluster
displays Park Not Available, Transmission
Not in Park or Shift System Fault. 248
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Note:
A screwdriver tool longer than 4.7 in
(120 mm) could hit the underside of the
armrest console before you achieve full
travel of the detent.
6. With your foot still fully applied on the brake pedal, disengage the parking
brake. See Electric Parking Brake (page
258
).
7. Your vehicle remains in neutral (N) for emergency towing purposes.
8. Switch off the ignition.
9. Once it is safe to do so, and there is no risk of your vehicle rolling, disconnect
the negative, black, battery cable from
the battery.
Returning Your Vehicle to Normal Mode
1. Once it is safe to do so, reconnect the negative, black, battery cable to the
battery.
2. Apply the parking brake.
See Electric
Parking Brake (page 258).
Note: If the vehicle battery is dead, you
could require an external power source to
apply the parking brake. 3.
Fully apply the brake pedal and hold, do
not release.
4. Insert the screwdriver or car key fully into
the Manual Park Release lever slot. Push
the tool downwards. The system detent
releases and the Manual Park Release
lever moves forward, allowing the vehicle
to go back into the park (P) position.
Remove the screwdriver or car key.
5. Install the access cover.
6. With your foot fully applied on the brake
pedal, start your vehicle. Confirm that
your vehicle is in the park (P) position and
that the instrument cluster indicates park
(P).
7. If the instrument cluster does not display
the park (P) position or there is a
message stating Park Not Available,
Transmission Not In Park or Shift System
Fault, apply the parking brake before
exiting your vehicle. Contact an
authorized dealer. If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or
Snow
Note:
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission could occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a minute or damage to the transmission and
tires could occur, or the engine could
overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in the mud or snow,
you can rock it out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
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Driving in Special Conditions With All-
Wheel Drive (AWD)
Note:
Use of the AWD system in slippery,
deep snow and sand drive modes on dry
surfaces could produce some vibration and
driveline bind up and, or excessive tire wear,
as the intent of these drive modes are for
slippery and loose surfaces.
Note: You can use AWD vehicles for driving
on sand, snow, mud and rough roads and
have operating characteristics that are
somewhat different from conventional
vehicles, both on and off the highway.
Basic Operating Principles in Special
Conditions
• Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• Be extremely careful when driving on
pavement made slippery by loose sand,
water, gravel, snow or ice. If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the
Pavement
•
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the
pavement, slow down, but avoid severe
brake application, ease the vehicle back
onto the pavement only after reducing
your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the
road surface.
• It could be safer to stay on the apron or
shoulder of the road and slow down
gradually before returning to the
pavement. You could lose control if you
do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
• It often could be less risky to strike small
objects, such as highway reflectors, with
minor damage to your vehicle rather than
attempt a sudden return to the pavement
which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover.
Remember, your safety and the safety of
others should be your primary concern. If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNING: Apply the parking brake,
shift into park (P), switch the ignition off
and remove the key before you leave your
vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury or death. WARNING: If the parking brake is
fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not
be working properly. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. WARNING:
Do not spin the wheels
at over 34 mph (55 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it
could be rocked out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
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(If Equipped)
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in reverse
(R) and when using the sensing system. WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care and
attention. Failure to take care may result
in a crash. WARNING:
Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, external
motors and fans may affect the correct
operation of the sensing system. This may
cause reduced performance or false alerts. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
Note: If your vehicle has MyKey™, the sensing
system cannot be switched off when a
MyKey™ is present.
See Principle of
Operation (page 76). Note:
Keep the sensors on the bumper or
fascia free from snow, ice and large
accumulations of dirt. If the sensors are
covered, the system’ s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to the
bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned or
bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alerts.
Note: Certain add-on devices installed
around the bumper or fascia may create
false alerts. For example, large trailer
hitches, bike or surfboard racks, license plate
brackets, bumper covers or any other device
that may block the normal detection zone
of the system. Remove the add-on device to
prevent false alerts.
Note: When you connect a trailer to your
vehicle, the rear parking aid may detect the
trailer and therefore provide an alert. Disable
the rear parking aid when you connect a
trailer to prevent the alert. The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on.
You can switch the system off through the
touchscreen, information display or from the
pop-up message that appears once you shift
the transmission into reverse (R). If your
vehicle has a parking aid button, you can
switch the system off by pressing the button.
If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information display.
See
Information Messages (page 140).
REAR PARKING AID WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care and
attention. Failure to take care may result
in a crash. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
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