Ford Fusion Hybrid / Fusion Energi (2018 year). Manual - part 55

TOWING A TRAILER

WARNING

Never tow a trailer with a
Fusion Hybrid. This

powertrain is not designed to tow.

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS

Emergency Towing

In the event your vehicle becomes disabled
(without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport
vehicle), it can be flat-towed (all wheels
on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission configuration)
under the following conditions:
•

The vehicle is facing forward so that it
is towed in a forward direction.

•

Place the transmission in position N. If
you cannot move the transmission into
N, you must override it and enable stay
in neutral mode. Failing to do so may
result in damage to the transmission.
See Transmission (page 172).

•

Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).

•

Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

Recreational Towing

Note:  Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle.  See
Climate Control (page 119).

Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational (RV) towing. An example
of recreational towing would be towing
your vehicle behind a motorhome. These
guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.

Your vehicle can be towed with all four
wheels on the ground using the Neutral
Tow feature, or with all four wheels off the
ground using a vehicle transport trailer. If
you are using a vehicle transport trailer,
follow the instruction specified by the
equipment provider.

Neutral Tow

If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground:
•

Tow only in the forward direction.

•

Release the parking brake.

•

Place the vehicle in Neutral Tow mode
by doing the following:
•

Put the ignition in accessory mode
(ignition on, engine off).  See
Keyless Starting (page 141).

•

Select the neutral tow option in the
information display.

•

When prompted by the information
display, press the brake pedal and
select Neutral on the transmission.
Make sure the parking brake is off.
If done successfully, a confirmation
message appears in the display.

•

Shut the ignition off.  See Keyless
Starting (page 141).  If the process
is completed successfully, the N on
the transmission slowly blinks and
a confirmation message appears
in the display.

•

Do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).

•

Start the engine and allow it to run for
one minute at the beginning of each
day. With the engine running and your
foot on the brake, shift into position D
and then into position R before shifting
back into position N.

BREAKING-IN

You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics. The engine
also needs to break in. Avoid hard
accelerations and driving too fast for the
first 1,000 mi (1,600 km). If possible, avoid
carrying heavy loads up steep grades
during the break-in period.

ECONOMICAL DRIVING

Your fuel economy depends on:
•

How you drive your vehicle.

•

How you maintain your vehicle.

•

The conditions you drive your vehicle
in.

You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these in mind:
•

Drive your vehicle at reasonable
speeds. Traveling at 65 mph
(105 km/h) uses about 15% less fuel
than traveling at 75 mph (121 km/h).

•

Drive at steady speeds without
stopping.

•

Anticipate stops. Slowing down your
vehicle may eliminate the need to stop.

•

Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.

•

Switch off the heater if you do not need
it.  When you have the heater on, keep
it at the lowest blower and
temperature setting necessary to be
comfortable.

•

When it is cold outside, park in a sunny
location or a climate-controlled
environment.  This may save fuel by
reducing the energy needed to heat the
cabin.

•

Switch off the air conditioning if you do
not need it.  When you have the air
conditioning on, keep it at the lowest
blower and highest temperature
setting necessary to be comfortable.

•

When it is hot or sunny outside, parking
in a shaded or climate-controlled
environment will save fuel by reducing
the energy needed to cool the cabin.

•

Switch off the heated seats if you are
not using them.

•

Switch off the defroster when you no
longer need it for visibility.

•

Shift into low gear (L) when enhanced
engine braking is needed. Otherwise,
use drive gear (D) shift position.

•

Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving. A warmed up
engine works more efficiently. When
running errands, go to the farthest
destination first and then work your
way back home.

•

Close the windows for high-speed
driving.

•

Use the recommended engine oil.  See
Capacities and Specifications (page
305).

•

Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.  See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 467).

•

Use the coach and brake coach display
to get feedback on your economical
drive style.  See Information Displays
(page 97).

Avoid these actions because they reduce
your fuel economy:
•

Avoid sudden or hard accelerations and
decelerations. Accelerate and slow
down in a smooth, moderate fashion.

•

Avoid revving the engine before
switching off your vehicle.

•

Avoid long idle periods.

•

Do not warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.

•

Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.

•

Avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
Approximately 1 mi (1.6 km) per gallon
or 0.2 mi (0.4 km) per liter is lost for
every 400 lb (180 kg) of weight carried.

•

Avoid adding accessories that increase
aerodynamic drag to your vehicle such
as bug deflectors, car top carriers and
ski or bike racks.

•

Avoid driving with the wheels out of
alignment.

Things to keep in mind when you refuel
your vehicle:
•

Fuel generates fewer vapors when it is
cool and dark outside.  Refuel your
vehicle in the early morning or late
evening.

•

Use the recommended octane-rated
fuel. Using fuel below the
recommended rating will lower your
fuel economy.

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

WARNING

Do not drive through flowing or deep
water as you may lose control of your
vehicle.

Note: Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.

Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.

Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the front
rocker area of your vehicle.

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When driving through standing water,
switch the engine off and drive through in
EV mode, if available.

Drive very slowly and do not stop your
vehicle.  Your brake performance and
traction may be limited.  After driving
through water and as soon as it is safe to
do so:

•

Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.

•

Check that the horn works.

•

Check that the exterior lights work.

•

Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.

FLOOR MATS

WARNINGS

Use a floor mat designed to fit the
footwell of your vehicle that does not
obstruct the pedal area. Failure to

follow this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle, personal
injury or death.

Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal

injury.

WARNINGS

Secure the floor mat to both
retention devices so that it cannot
slip out of position and interfere with

the pedals. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death.

Do not place additional floor mats
or any other covering on top of the
original floor mats. This could result

in the floor mat interfering with the
operation of the pedals. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death.

Always make sure that objects
cannot fall into the driver foot well
while your vehicle is moving. Objects

that are loose can become trapped under
the pedals causing a loss of vehicle control.

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To install the floor mats, position the floor
mat eyelet over the retention post and
press down to lock in position.

To remove the floor mat, reverse the
installation procedure.

Note: Regularly check the floor mats to
make sure they are secure.