Ford C-MAX HYBRID 2015 Owner's Manual page 135

Unique Driving Characteristics
Note: Cold temperatures will affect the
engine warm up time and the low engine
use mode may operate more frequently.
Frequently asked questions
Question
What are the series of clicks from the cargo
area when I first turn the key in the ignition?
Why does the engine sometimes start at
key-on?
Why does it take a long time before the
engine shuts down?
Why does my engine never shut down
above 85 mph (137 km/h)
Why does my engine stay on when it is
extremely cold outside?
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review
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 will suspend the low engine use
mode.
The high voltage battery is electrically isol-
ated from the rest of the vehicle when the
key is off. When you switch the key on, high
voltage contactors inside the battery are
closed to make the electricity available to
the motor and generator and enable the
vehicle to drive. The clicks are the sound of
these contactors as they close and open
during start up and shut down.
The vehicle's computer will determine if an
engine start is required at key-on. Silent key
start will start the engine if it is necessary
for cabin heating, windshield defrost, or if
the outside temperature is low. (For C-MAX
Energi vehicles, the engine may not be
required to operate these functions.)
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
emissions. As the climate gets cooler, this
engine-on time is extended.
The engine is required to turn on above this
speed to protect the transmission hard-
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 main-
tain the correct coolant temperature.
132
Answer
ware.