2014 Ford C-MAX Energi Owner Manual - Page 134

Unique Driving Characteristics During certain events (such as vehicle servicing) your low voltage 12-volt battery may become disconnected or disabled. Once the battery is reconnected and after driving the vehicle, the engine may continue to operate for three to five seconds after the key is turned to off. This is a normal condition. Braking: Your hybrid is equipped with standard hydraulic braking and regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is performed by your transmission and it captures brake energy and stores it in your high voltage battery. Driving to optimize fuel economy Note: Having your engine running is not always an indication of inefficiency. In some cases, it is actually more efficient than driving in electric mode. Your fuel economy should improve throughout your hybrid's break-in period. As with any vehicle, your driving habits and accessory usage can significantly impact your fuel economy. For best results, keep in mind these tips: • • Keep the tires properly inflated and only use the recommended size. Aggressive driving increases the amount of energy required to move your vehicle. In general, you can achieve better fuel economy with mild to moderate acceleration and deceleration. Moderate braking is particularly important since it allows you to maximize the energy captured by the regenerative braking system. Additional Tips: • Do not carry extra loads. • Be mindful of adding external accessories that may increase aerodynamic drag. • Observe posted speed limits. • Perform all scheduled maintenance. • There is no need to wait for your engine to warm up. The vehicle is ready to drive immediately after starting. EV+ Mode Your vehicle will recognize your frequent destinations and allow for more EV driving as you approach them. For example, when nearing your home it should be easier to stay in electric mode. The EV indicator will display EV+ when this mode is active. You should see this approximately 1/8 mile (200 meters) from a frequent destination. See Information Displays (page 88). Note: Frequent destinations are learned by your vehicle after two to four weeks of use. You can clear these destinations with a Driving History reset through the Settings menu. Note: The EV+ feature can be turned on or off through the Driver Assist section of the Settings menu. 132 C-MAX (CCG)