Unique Driving Characteristics
Hybrid Electric Vehicle
This hybrid vehicle combines the electric motor and the gasoline engine to provide optimum performance and efficiency. It runs on regular fuel and does not need to be plugged in.
Note: You may notice a higher engine speed when starting. This temporary phenomenon is normal: it warms up the vehicle and reduces emissions.
Starting:
turn the ignition on when the transmission is in Park (P).
A green indicator appears on the instrument cluster to inform you that the vehicle is ready to drive.
The engine may not start because this vehicle is equipped with a silent start system. This fuel-saving feature allows your vehicle to be ready to drive without using the gasoline engine. This indicator remains on while the vehicle is in Ready mode (whether the engine is running or not) to show that the vehicle can be driven (with the electric motor, the gasoline engine, or both). Generally, the engine does not start unless the vehicle is cold, you change the air conditioning settings, or you press the accelerator pedal.
Driving: the gasoline engine starts and stops automatically, which allows it to supply power when needed and saves fuel when the battery is charged. If you coast at low speed, come to a stop sign, or remain stopped, the gasoline engine shuts off and the vehicle operates in 100% electric mode. The reasons the engine starts or keeps running may include the following:
- Hard acceleration of the vehicle
- Vehicle speed above 137 km/h. However, the maximum speed in 100% electric operation may be lower if you drive on a slope or if the outside temperature is high.
- Driving uphill
- High-voltage battery nearly discharged.
- Outside temperature very high or very low (to operate the air conditioning or heating).
- Engine too cold to heat the vehicle to the temperature requested by the passengers.
Stopping: the gasoline engine may shut off to save fuel when you stop. No restart procedure is required. Simply press the accelerator pedal when you are ready to move off.
Transmission operation: thanks to a state-of-the-art, electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, you do not feel gear changes as you would in a conventional vehicle.
Note: Because engine speed is controlled by the transmission, it may sometimes seem high. This is normal in hybrid operation and helps reduce fuel consumption and improve performance. Neutral: it is not recommended to let the engine idle in Neutral (N) for a long period, as this discharges the high-voltage battery and increases fuel consumption.
The engine does not start and cannot supply power to the hybrid system in Neutral (N).
Low range: low range (L) is designed to replicate the enhanced engine braking of conventional vehicles. Shifting to low range increases engine speed to provide the necessary engine braking. This is normal and does not damage your vehicle. In low range, the gasoline engine runs more often than in Drive (D).
Unique hybrid operating characteristics
Your vehicle behaves differently from a conventional vehicle.
The main differences are as follows:
Battery: your hybrid vehicle is equipped with a high-voltage battery. A cool battery provides greater driving range and the best possible performance.
The high-voltage battery is cooled by cabin air drawn through the air vents located at the rear parcel shelf. Do not place objects on the rear parcel shelf, as they may block the air flowing into the air vents.
If you do not use your vehicle for more than 31 days, jump starting may be necessary. See Jump Starting in Emergencies (page 222).
Engine: the engine speed of your hybrid vehicle is not directly linked to its vehicle speed. The transmission and engine of your vehicle are designed to provide the necessary power at the most efficient engine speed. During hard acceleration, your hybrid vehicle may reach a high engine speed (up to 6,000 rpm).
If you drive on mountain roads for an extended period, you may notice a change in engine speed without any action on your part. This is a deliberate measure to prevent the battery from discharging. If you drive downhill for an extended period, you may also notice that the engine keeps running instead of shutting off.
During engine braking, the engine remains running but does not consume fuel.
You may also hear a slight whine while the vehicle is operating. This is normal operation of the electricity generator in a hybrid system.
In some situations (for example, during vehicle maintenance), the 12-volt low-voltage battery may be disconnected or deactivated. Once the battery is reconnected and the vehicle has been used, the engine may continue to run for three to five seconds after the ignition is switched off. This is normal.
Braking: your hybrid vehicle is equipped with a standard hydraulic braking system and a regenerative braking system. Regenerative braking is provided by the transmission, which recovers energy from braking and stores it in the high-voltage battery.
Driving to Optimize Fuel Economy
Note: when the engine is running, this does not always mean inefficiency.
In some cases, this mode is more efficient than driving in EV mode.
Your fuel economy should improve as your hybrid vehicle goes through its break-in period.
As with any vehicle, your driving and the use of accessories can significantly affect your fuel consumption. For optimal results, keep these tips in mind:
- Inflate your tires correctly and use only the recommended size.
- Aggressive driving increases the amount of energy needed to move your vehicle. In general, slow to moderate acceleration and deceleration results in better fuel economy. Moderate braking is especially important because it allows the regenerative braking system to recover more energy.
Additional tips:
- Do not carry extra loads.
- Be sure not to add any accessories that could increase aerodynamic drag.
- Obey posted speed limits.
- Have all scheduled maintenance performed in full.
- It is not necessary to warm up the engine. The vehicle is ready to drive immediately after turning the ignition on.
EV+ Mode
Your vehicle recognizes your frequently visited destinations and allows you to use EV mode more when you approach them. For example, when you approach your home, it should be easier to remain in EV mode.
The EV indicator displays EV+ when this mode is activated. It appears about 1/8 mile (200 meters) from a frequently visited destination. See Information Displays (page 89).
Note: your vehicle stores your frequently visited destinations after two to four weeks of use. You can delete these destinations by resetting the driving history from the Settings menu.
Note: you can turn the EV+ function on and off from the driving assist section of the settings menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
| What are the clicking sounds from the cargo area when I turn the ignition on for the first time? | The high-voltage battery is electrically isolated from the rest of the vehicle when the ignition is off. When you turn the ignition on, the high-voltage contactors inside the battery close so that the engine and generator can use electricity to power the vehicle. The clicks you hear are the sound produced by these contactors opening and closing when you turn the ignition on or off. |
| Why does the engine sometimes start when the ignition is on? | The vehicle's computer determines whether the engine needs to start when the ignition is on. Silent start allows the engine to start if it is necessary to heat the cabin, defrost the windshield, or if the outside temperature is low. |
| Why does it take so long for the engine to shut off? | There are several reasons why the engine may keep running for a while when you turn the ignition on for the first time. One main reason is to make sure the emission control components are hot enough to reduce exhaust emissions. When temperatures are low, the engine run time is extended. |
| Why doesn't the engine shut off above 137 km/h? | The engine must run above this speed to protect the transmission system. |
| Why does the engine keep running when it is extremely cold outside? | To ensure that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system can heat the cabin or defrost the windshield as soon as the driver requests it, the engine coolant must be kept at a sufficiently high temperature. The engine must therefore keep running to maintain a minimum coolant temperature. |
| Why does the engine rev so high when I accelerate? | Your vehicle's transmission and engine are designed to provide the required power at the most efficient engine speed. Engine speed may be higher during hard acceleration and may vary under normal driving conditions. These are characteristics of an Atkinson-cycle engine and transmission technology that help optimize the fuel economy of your hybrid vehicle. |
| What is the fan noise I hear at the rear of my hybrid vehicle? | The noise comes from a fan located outside the high-voltage battery. This fan operates when the battery needs to be cooled. The fan speed and the associated noise level depend on the amount of cooling needed to ensure good performance. |
Keeping the battery temperature in optimal conditions also extends its service life and helps optimize your fuel economy. Do not place objects on the rear shelf, as this may block the air flowing into the hybrid vehicle battery's cooling vents.
However, you can drive up to about one mile at a speed of 48 km/h with a normal battery charge level.
Test yourself
A quick Ford Mondeo quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.