Hybrid
Information
instrument
Cluster
Your new hybrid combines the power of a
gasoline engine with the efficiency of an
electric motor to minimize fuel consumption
and maximize performance. These components
work together to automatically adjust to
changing driving conditions. For example,
your gasoline engine will start when needed to
provide power and also stop at times when it is
able to save energy, such as when your vehicle
comes to a stop or is coasting. In addition,
your instrument cluster is also specifically
designed to help optimize fuel economy and
performance, by providing information such
as instantaneous fuel economy and efficiency
information. Your hybrid requires no special
fuels and never has to be plugged in. All you
have to do is get in and drive, now more
efficiently than ever and in an environmentally
conscious manner.
In order to help you fully understand
and appreciate the features and unique
characteristics of your new vehicle, we
invite you to explore this easy-to-use Quick
Reference Guide.
Please also refer to your Owner’s Guide
for more information.
Normal Hybrid
Vehicle Operation
Unique Hybrid
Operating Characteristics
Starting
Your hybrid starts just like a
conventional vehicle. However,
when you turn the ignition
on, your engine may not
‘start’ as your hybrid vehicle is
equipped with Silent Key Start
(SKS). This fuel saving feature
allows your vehicle to be ready
to drive without requiring your
gas engine to be running.
The gas engine may or may
not start depending on
environmental conditions.
The ‘ready to drive’ indicator
light (
) will illuminate in
two places when your vehicle
has been successfully started,
indicating the vehicle is ready
to drive (even if you don’t hear
the gasoline engine running).
Note: One of these lights will
remain on after startup.
Driving
The gas engine automatically
starts and stops to provide
power when it’s needed and
to save fuel when it’s not.
While driving at low speeds,
coming to a stop or idling,
the gas engine normally
shuts down and the vehicle
operates in Electric Vehicle
(EV) mode. For a complete
list of conditions that may
cause your gas engine to
start or remain running, refer
to your Owner’s Guide.
HigH voltage Battery
This battery provides power
to the vehicle’s electric motor.
The ‘charge’ level is shown
in the instrument cluster and
also on the Navigation system
HEV screen (if equipped) and
will increase and decrease
during normal operation.
Located behind the rear seat
of the vehicle, the battery is
cooled when needed by cabin
air drawn from vent holes
below the rear seat cushions.
Ensure that you do not place
objects at the vent holes, as
doing so would block airflow.
In addition, you may hear
air movement coming from
the trunk area as the battery
fan operates. The fan may
continue to operate for a short
duration after the vehicle has
been turned off. Your hybrid
high voltage battery may
periodically recondition itself
to ensure maximum efficiency.
When this happens, you may
hear a series of clicks from
the cargo area when you first
turn the key in the ignition.
This sound is the high voltage
contactors closing to allow
you to start your hybrid. You
may notice slight changes in
drivability during this process,
but it’s an important part of
your hybrid’s high voltage
battery optimization feature.
Stopping
The gas engine may turn off
as you come to a stop to
conserve fuel. You do not
need to restart your vehicle.
Simply step down on the
accelerator when you are
ready to drive.
tranSmiSSion
operation
Due to the technologically
advanced, electronically
controlled Continuously
Variable Transaxle (eCVT),
you will not feel shift
changes like those of a non-
hybrid vehicle. Your hybrid’s
transmission is designed
to do its work seamlessly.
However, you may feel the
transition when the system
changes from Electric Vehicle
(EV) mode to gas mode. This
is normal. Since your engine
speed is controlled by the
transmission, it may seem
elevated at times. This is also
normal hybrid operation as it
helps deliver fuel efficiency
and performance.
neutral (n)
It is not recommended to
idle the vehicle in N (Neutral)
for extended periods of time
because this will discharge
your high voltage battery
and decrease the fuel
economy. Also, the engine
cannot provide power to the
hybrid system in Neutral.
low gear (l)
Low gear is designed to
mimic the enhanced engine
braking available in non-
hybrid vehicles. Low gear
may result in high engine
speeds to provide necessary
engine braking. This is
normal and will not damage
your vehicle. Your response
during acceleration should
be the same as in D (Drive).
In L (Low), the gas engine will
remain on more often than in
D (Drive).
engine
The engine speed in your
hybrid is not directly tied
to your vehicle speed.
Your vehicle’s engine and
transmission are designed
to deliver the power you
need at the most efficient
engine speed. During heavy
accelerations, your hybrid may
reach high engine speeds
(up to 6000 RPM). This is a
characteristic of the Atkinson
cycle engine technology
and helps to maximize your
hybrid’s fuel economy. In
prolonged mountainous
driving, you may notice
changes in engine speed
without your input. This is
by design and maintains the
battery charge level. You may
also notice during extended
downhill driving that your
engine continues to run
instead of shutting off. During
this “engine braking,” the
engine stays on, but it’s not
using any fuel. You may also
hear a slight whine or whistle
when operating your vehicle.
This is the normal operation
of the electric generator in the
hybrid system.
electric motor
The electric motor is
activated automatically and
powered by the engine/
generator and the high
voltage battery. Depending
on your instrument cluster
and/or navigation settings
(if equipped), your gauges
may indicate when you are in
Electric Vehicle (EV) mode.
regenerative Braking
Your hybrid vehicle is
equipped with standard
hydraulic braking and also
regenerative braking. The
use of hydraulic braking
and regenerative braking is
automatically controlled as
you bring your vehicle to a
stop. Regenerative braking is
performed by the powertrain/
transmission system and it
captures brake energy and
stores it in the high voltage
battery. In conventional
vehicles, when you brake, the
energy is lost as heat. With
regenerative braking, the
electric motor captures this
energy and sends it back to
the high voltage battery for
later use. So whenever you
apply your brakes, you are
essentially recharging the high
voltage battery.
Stop Safely
HazarD warning
ligHt
Indicates a hybrid
component fault/failure that
will cause the vehicle to
Your fuel economy should
improve throughout your
hybrid’s break-in period.
As with any vehicle, fuel
economy can be significantly
impacted by your driving
habits and accessory usage.
For best results, keep in
mind these tips:
Driving HaBitS
In general, better fuel
economy is achieved
with mild to moderate
acceleration and braking,
since aggressive driving
increases the energy required
to move your vehicle.
Moderate braking allows
you to capture the most
energy with the regenerative
braking system. Keeping a
safe following distance and
anticipating the traffic ahead
can also make smooth driving
much easier. Highway fuel
economy can be improved
by lowering your speed and
driving with a steady foot
on the accelerator pedal (or
using cruise control on flat
terrain). A warm engine is
more efficient, so combining
several short trips back-to-
back will help to increase
your average fuel economy
for the entire outing.
NOTE: Your hybrid vehicle
is designed to use the
most efficient energy
source (gasoline or electric
energy) at all times. It
is not an indication of
inefficiency if the gasoline
engine is running.
climate control
Your hybrid is equipped
with an electrically driven
A/C compressor that
provides cooling regardless
of whether the gasoline
engine is running or not.
Like other accessories,
the A/C compressor uses
electrical energy and reduces
fuel economy. With the
Smart Dual Zone feature,
the passenger side air
temperature will default
to the driver side setting if
the passenger seat is not
occupied. In A/C mode,
using AUTO and/or choosing
a higher temperature setting
will improve fuel economy.
Keeping your vehicle from
becoming very hot or cold
by parking in a garage or in
a shaded location can also
help reduce climate control
energy usage.
Driver information
Your hybrid vehicle is
equipped with several
levels of driver information
in the instrument cluster.
Instantaneous and average
fuel economy are available
on every level. One way to
optimize fuel economy is to
notice what fuel economy
you achieve and how it
changes under different
conditions. Then you can
begin to understand how
you can increase your
fuel economy.
aDDitional tipS
Keep tires properly
inflated and use only the
recommended size and
specification. The tires
supplied on your vehicle are
low rolling resistance tires.
Do not carry extra loads.
Minimize use of accessories
that use electrical energy
and reduce fuel economy. Be
mindful of adding external
accessories that may increase
aerodynamic drag. 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.
Ways to Optimize
Your Fuel Economy
shutdown, fail to
start or enter into a limited
operating mode. Note: If
the vehicle is still running, the
vehicle may soon shutdown
without further warning and
should be stopped safely.
tHrottle control/
powertrain
malfunction
Illuminates when a
powertrain fault has been
detected which may cause
the vehicle to enter into a
limited operating mode.
If the indicator stays on
or continues to come on,
contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
cHarging SyStem
warning ligHt
Illuminates when the
low-voltage battery is not
charging properly. If this
stays on while the vehicle
is running (‘Ready to Drive’
indicator is illuminated),
there may be a malfunction
with the charging system.
Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Learning About Your New Instrument Cluster
Your new hybrid vehicle has a SmartGauge™ instrument cluster which allows you
to customize the cluster to your exact preferences. Lincoln highly encourages you
to familiarize yourself with these new features by taking advantage of the ‘Demo’
and ‘Tutorial’ features of your message center. The Demo feature will briefly
display each available gauge while the tutorial provides a brief overview of the
instrument cluster features.
• Press SETUP on the
steering wheel controls
repeatedly until ‘Demo’ or
‘Tutorial’ is highlighted in
the message center display.
• Press RESET to select and
enter that menu.
• When ‘Start Demo’
or ‘Start Tutorial’ is
highlighted, press RESET
to select.
to acceSS Demo anD tutorial
once you have chosen your desired cluster, you can then choose to
customize certain individual features within those displays such as:
inStantaneouS fuel economy
The instantaneous fuel economy is displayed in miles
per gallon (or liters per 100 kilometers) from 0 to
60 mpg (or 0 to 30 L/100km). Your vehicle must be
moving to calculate instantaneous fuel economy. You
may turn this gauge on or off at any information level.
efficiency information
Allows you to view a graphical representation of the
fuel economy over the past 10, 20 or 60 minutes, or
to view ‘efficiency leaves’ which displays more or less
leaves and vines depending on your driving efficiency.
Your vehicle will also display efficiency flowers when
you have achieved long term driving efficiency. The
more flowers that display, the more efficiently you have
driven. Once earned, the flowers will remain unless the
long term fuel efficiency is reset.
trip Summary
When the ignition is turned off, the instrument cluster
will transition to a trip summary screen. On this screen,
information is displayed regarding trip distance,
trip fuel economy, fuel used, and trip efficiency (via
efficiency leaves) during your most recent drive. Long
term fuel economy is also displayed, showing the fuel
economy of the vehicle from the last customer reset.
Refer to the Instrument Cluster and Maintenance and Specifications sections of the Owner’s
Guide for more information about optimizing fuel economy.
• Press SETUP repeatedly
until the desired choice
is highlighted.
• Press RESET to select the
highlighted item and move
to the right in the menu.
• Press SETUP again until
the desired selection is
highlighted and then
press RESET to select
the item.
Refer to your Owner’s Guide for complete information on these features.
to make any of tHeSe aDjuStmentS wHile in tHe ‘DiSplay SettingS’ menu:
Use extreme caution when using any device or feature
that may take your attention off the road. Lincoln
recommends against the use of any hand-held device
while driving and that you comply with all applicable
laws. Your primary responsibility is the safe operation
of the vehicle.
