Ford C-MAX Hybrid / Energi (2016 year). Manual - part 55

Low Engine Use

 (If Equipped)

The low engine use mode is equipped on
Energi models only. The low engine use
mode keeps the engine oil quality in good
condition when you drive your vehicle with
limited engine use. If your vehicle is in low
engine use mode when you start the
vehicle, a message appears in the
information display. When your vehicle is
in low engine use mode, your vehicle runs
the engine as necessary.

Selecting EV Now mode when your vehicle
is in the low engine use mode suspends
the low engine use mode for as long as you
continue driving your vehicle. The low
engine use mode resumes the next time
you start your vehicle.

Changing the engine oil and resetting the
oil life monitoring system suspends the low
engine use mode.

ENGINE COOLANT CHECK

WARNINGS

Do not add engine coolant when the
engine is hot. Steam and scalding
liquids released from a hot cooling

system can burn you badly. Also, you can
be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine
parts.

Do not put engine coolant in the
windshield washer fluid container. If
sprayed on the windshield, engine

coolant could make it difficult to see
through the windshield.

To reduce the risk of personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure

relief cap. The cooling system is under
pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened
slightly.

Do not add coolant further than the
MAX mark.

Engine Coolant and Inverter
System Controller Coolant

Your vehicle has two separate cooling
systems. One is for cooling the engine and
one is for cooling the inverter system
controller that is specific to the hybrid
operating system. The two systems
operate similarly, with the inverter system
controller cooling system generally
operating at a lower temperature and
pressure.

Checking the Engine Coolant

When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the engine
coolant at the intervals listed in the
scheduled maintenance information.  See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 348).

Note: Make sure that the level is between
the MIN and MAX marks on the engine
coolant reservoir.

Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the MAX mark.

Note: If the level is at the MIN mark, below
the MIN mark, or empty, add coolant
immediately. See Adding Engine Coolant
in this chapter.

The coolant concentration should be
maintained within 48% to 50%, which
equates to a freeze point between -30°F
(-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).

Note: For best results, coolant
concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Robinair® Coolant
and Battery Refractometer 75240. We do
not recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentrations.

Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Do not use engine coolant
or antifreeze or windshield washer fluid
outside of its specified function and vehicle
location.

Checking the Inverter System
Controller Coolant

When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the inverter
system controller coolant at the intervals
listed in the scheduled maintenance
information.  See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 348).

Note: Make sure that the level is between
the MIN and MAX marks on the inverter
system controller coolant reservoir.

Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the MAX mark.

Note: If the level is at the MIN mark, below
the MIN mark, or empty, add coolant
immediately. See Adding Inverter System
Controller Coolant in this chapter.

The coolant concentration should be
maintained within 48% to 50%, which
equates to a freeze point between -30°F
(-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).

Note: For best results, coolant
concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Robinair® Coolant
and Battery Refractometer 75240. We do
not recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentrations.

Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Do not use engine coolant
or antifreeze or windshield washer fluid
outside of its specified function and vehicle
location.

Adding Coolant

Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants, or additives as they can
cause damage to the cooling or heating
systems. This damage would not be covered
under your vehicle’s warranty.

Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.

Note: It is very important to use coolant
meeting the Ford specification in order to
avoid plugging the small coolant
passageways. Use of concentrated coolant
and water may cause coolant passageway
plugging and void the warranty.  See
Capacities and Specifications (page 276).

•

Do not mix different colors or types of
coolant in your vehicle. Make sure the
correct coolant is used. Mixing of
coolants may harm your cooling
system. The use of an improper coolant
may harm the engine, inverter system
controller, and cooling system
components and may void the
warranty.

•

In case of emergency, a large amount
of water without engine coolant may
be added to the engine cooling system
in order to reach a vehicle service
location. In this instance, the engine
cooling system must be drained,
chemically cleaned with Motorcraft
Premium Cooling System Flush, and
refilled with engine coolant as soon as
possible. Water alone (without engine
coolant) can cause engine damage
from corrosion, overheating, or freezing.
DO NOT use this method for the
inverter system controller cooling
system. The inverter system controller
cooling system operates close to
ambient temperature, and is
susceptible to freezing in any
subfreezing environment in the
absence of coolant.

•

Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or
any engine coolants mixed with alcohol
or methanol antifreeze (coolant).
Alcohol and other liquids can cause
engine damage from overheating or
freezing.

•

Do not add extra inhibitors or additives
to the coolant. These can be harmful
and compromise the corrosion
protection of the engine coolant.

Adding Engine Coolant

1.

Unscrew the engine coolant reservoir
cap slowly. Any pressure will escape
as you unscrew the cap.

2. Use a funnel to add engine coolant to

the engine coolant reservoir. Make sure
that the level is between the MIN and
MAX marks on the engine coolant
reservoir. Use engine coolant meeting
the Ford specification.  See Capacities
and Specifications (page 276).

3. Close the engine coolant reservoir cap.

Whenever you add coolant, check the
coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir
the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough engine coolant to
bring the engine coolant level to the proper
level.

Adding Inverter System Controller
Coolant

1.

Open the inverter system controller
coolant reservoir cap.

2. Use a funnel to add coolant to the

inverter system controller coolant
reservoir. Make sure that the level is
between the MIN and MAX marks on
the inverter system controller coolant
reservoir. Use coolant meeting the Ford
specification.  See Capacities and
Specifications (page 276).

3. Close the inverter system controller

coolant reservoir cap.

Whenever you add coolant, check the
coolant level in the inverter system
controller coolant reservoir the next few
times you drive the vehicle. If necessary,
add enough coolant to bring the inverter
system controller coolant level to the
proper level.

Recycled Engine Coolant

Ford Motor Company does not recommend
the use of recycled engine coolant since a
Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.

Used engine coolant should be disposed
of in an appropriate manner. Follow your
community’s regulations and standards
for recycling and disposing of automotive
fluids.

Severe Climates

If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•

It may be necessary to have an
authorized Ford dealer increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.

•

A coolant concentration of 60% will
provide improved freeze point
protection. Engine coolant
concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection
characteristics of the engine coolant
and may cause engine damage.

If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•

It may be necessary to have an
authorized Ford dealer decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.

•

A coolant concentration of 40% will
provide improved overheat protection.
Engine coolant concentrations below
40% will decrease the freeze and
corrosion protection characteristics of
the engine coolant and may cause
engine damage.

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use coolant meeting the
Ford specification for optimum cooling
system and engine protection.

What You Should Know About Fail-
Safe Cooling

If the engine coolant supply is depleted,
this feature allows the vehicle to be driven
temporarily before incremental component
damage is incurred. The “fail-safe”
distance depends on ambient
temperatures, vehicle load and terrain.

How Fail-Safe Cooling Works

If the engine begins to overheat, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will move to
the red (hot) area and:

The coolant temperature
warning light will illuminate.

The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.

If the engine reaches a preset

over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating
cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the engine.

When this occurs the vehicle will still
operate. However:
•

The engine power will be limited.

•

The air conditioning system will be
disabled.

Continued operation will increase the
engine temperature and the engine will
completely shut down, causing steering
and braking effort to increase.

Once the engine temperature cools, the
engine can be re-started. Take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer as soon as possible
to minimize engine damage.

When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated

WARNINGS

Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate your
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long

as necessary to bring your vehicle to rest
in a safe location and seek immediate
repairs. When in fail-safe mode, your
vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and
may completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine power,
power steering assist, and power brake
assist, which may increase the possibility
of a crash resulting in serious injury.

Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap while the engine is running or hot.

Note: Driving the vehicle without repairing
the engine problem increases the chance of
engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.

You have limited engine power when in the
fail-safe mode, so drive the vehicle with
caution. The vehicle will not be able to
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine will run rough. Remember that the
engine is capable of completely shutting
down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:

1.

Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and turn off the engine.

2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to

an authorized dealer.

3. If this is not possible, wait a short

period for the engine to cool.

4. Check the coolant level and replenish

if low.

5. Re-start the engine and take your

vehicle to an authorized dealer.