Hybrid Electric Vehicle Information
A hybrid vehicle has an electric motor and a high voltage battery combined with a gasoline engine.
The hybrid vehicle combines electric and gasoline propulsion to provide optimal performance and improved efficiency.
The gasoline engine starts and stops to provide power when required and to save fuel when not needed. When coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop or standing, the gas engine normally shuts down and your vehicle operates in electric-only mode.
Conditions that may cause the gasoline engine to start or remain running include:
Your hybrid vehicle also comes with standard hydraulic braking and regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is performed by your transmission and captures brake energy and stores it in the high voltage battery.
You could also notice that your engine continues to run instead of shutting off during extended downhill driving. The engine stays on during this engine braking but is not using any fuel.
You could also hear a slight whine or whistle when operating your vehicle. This is the normal operation of the electric motor in the hybrid system.
Low engine use mode maintains proper engine lubrication at sufficient temperature and activates when you drive your vehicle with limited engine operation.
When in low engine use mode, your vehicle runs the engine as necessary. When low engine use mode begins, a message appears in the information display. If low engine use mode does not complete before you switch your vehicle off, it continues the next time you start your vehicle and the message reappears.
Note: Cold temperatures affect the engine warm up time and the low engine use mode may operate more frequently.
Note: An oil change is not required but gives you the option of not running a low engine use cycle. Resetting the oil life monitoring system suspends the low engine use mode.
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Cold temperatures affect the engine warm up time and the low engine use mode could operate more frequently.
An oil change is not required but gives you the option of not running a low engine use cycle. Resetting the oil life monitoring system suspends the low engine use mode.
When you start your vehicle, a green READY indicator light appears in the instrument cluster
letting you know that your vehicle is ready for driving.
The engine may not start because your vehicle has a silent key start feature. This fuel saving feature allows your vehicle to be ready to drive without requiring the gas engine to be running.
The indicator remains on when your vehicle is on, whether the engine is running or not, to indicate your vehicle is capable of movement using the electric motor, gas engine or both.
Typically, the engine does not start unless the vehicle is cold, a climate control change is requested or you press the accelerator pedal.
The high voltage battery system is designed to last the life of your vehicle.
The high voltage battery does not require maintenance.
Refuel and start your vehicle normally. The engine will recharge the high voltage battery.
The vehicle's computer will determine if an engine start is required at key-on. It starts the engine when necessary for cabin heating, windshield defrost, or if the outside temperature is low.
Your hybrid vehicle can use E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline) fuel, but you may notice slightly reduced fuel economy because ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline. Your hybrid vehicle is not designed to use E85 (85% ethanol).
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There are several reasons the engine stays on for an extended amount of time when you first start it. One common reason is to make sure that the emissions components are warm enough to minimize tailpipe emission.
As the climate gets cooler, the engine-on time is extended.
In order to make sure that the climate control system can begin heating the cabin or defrosting the windshield as soon as a driver requests it, the engine coolant temperature has to be kept sufficiently hot. Keeping the engine on is required to maintain the correct coolant temperature.
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