2013Chuck Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 (edited) We have a 2013 C Max Hybrid SEL. Twice now we've had the splash shield come loose and get ripped/torn off. We've also scraped the underside of the front bumper. I've measured the clearance of the bumper and it's only 7 1/2". Two questions- 1. Is there a reasonable way to raise the height of the vehicle a few inches? 2. Are there tougher after-market splash shields that won't tear & rip so easily? Really, we aren't "off roading" with this, but we do apparently scrape on something. In the most recent incident we heard a scraping sound as we back out of our (normal) concrete driveway. I stopped & looked under the car and the shield was partially hanging down. Only the front right and back left screws were still attaching it. The other screws were in place but the shield had been torn free. I undid the remaining screws by hand and we're currently doing (limited) driving sans-shield. Edited September 21, 2017 by 2013Chuck WanderingSingers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Looks like you need a new cover, not sure if you could find a good used one. Otherwise try to reinforce and glue the old back together and making sure all the screws are attached at all times. My clearance maybe slightly more, 1/4 inch maybe and I'm been running 50 psi for 150k mi. I guess you could do like the NASCAR guys do and put spring rubbers in some how. LOL Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowStorm Posted September 21, 2017 Report Share Posted September 21, 2017 Be sure the shield is installed properly after oil changes. There are two places on the back edge where the shield slides or hooks into place in some steel parts under the car. Then all the screws go in. If the shield isn't clipped in properly, it might hang down a bit on the back edge and get caught when backing up. Just a theory. I too wish there was more clearance up front and would have liked the shield to be sturdier - but mine is still in quite good shape after 136k miles. ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizzurp Posted September 26, 2017 Report Share Posted September 26, 2017 I had to bust out the zip ties to get some extra clearance in the rear center of my under tray as it would drag on the crest on dirt roads. Zip ties worked fine, I just replace them every time I change the oil. Just find useful non exhaust items to attach to and get it as high up as possible. ptjones and obob 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRGTi Posted September 26, 2017 Report Share Posted September 26, 2017 On other cars, I'd recommend getting slightly larger diameter tires, but not with the C-Max's tight fender wells and wide turning circle. But if anyone wants to try that, please let us know! The lack of suspension tuning products is my biggest disappointment with this car so far. Wonder what Europe offers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NRGTi Posted September 26, 2017 Report Share Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) Prevention is always a good idea. I simply refuse to pull my C-Max up close to anything. The sight lines always make me feel like the car's two feet longer than it is, so it's easy to remember. The front radar has warned me about a few of the taller curbs I've encountered, five inches or taller. I'm very wary of this hazard. My last car, a GTI, sustained $3500 worth of damage when I hopped a tall curb that was hard to see. A month later, my daughter sheepishly told me she had driven her own C-Max over a parking lot curb she didn't see...amazingly, a full inspection found no damage at all! Edited September 26, 2017 by NRGTi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted September 26, 2017 Report Share Posted September 26, 2017 On other cars, I'd recommend getting slightly larger diameter tires, but not with the C-Max's tight fender wells and wide turning circle. But if anyone wants to try that, please let us know! The lack of suspension tuning products is my biggest disappointment with this car so far. Wonder what Europe offers?I believe someone has put larger tires on, to me it doesn't look like there is any extra room. :sad: Prevention is always a good idea. I simply refuse to pull my C-Max up close to anything. The sight lines always make me feel like the car's two feet longer than it is, so it's easy to remember. The front radar has warned me about a few of the taller curbs I've encountered, five inches or taller. I'm very wary of this hazard. My last car, a GTI, sustained $3500 worth of damage when I hopped a tall curb that was hard to see. A month later, my daughter sheepishly told me she had driven her own C-Max over a parking lot curb she didn't see...amazingly, a full inspection found no damage at all! I did the same thing at night once and it sounded bad, but I couldn't find any problems. :yahoo: Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbov Posted September 26, 2017 Report Share Posted September 26, 2017 I've added a couple thing to the underside, with good and bad results. The 1.5" side skirts have been fine for several years,. The 2" front chin spoiler, attached at the front of that cover, didn't make it through the first winter. The damage occurred right where yours did, when I made a left turn coming off a speed bump, hit a pot hole and the corner of the spoiler caught pavement. I find it's the suspension travel that's getting us into trouble... Best of luck,Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obob Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 I find it's the suspension travel that's getting us into trouble... Perhaps it is related to the front shocks getting weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowStorm Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 Prevention is always a good idea. I simply refuse to pull my C-Max up close to anything. The sight lines always make me feel like the car's two feet longer than it is, so it's easy to remember. The front radar has warned me about a few of the taller curbs I've encountered, five inches or taller. I'm very wary of this hazard. My last car, a GTI, sustained $3500 worth of damage when I hopped a tall curb that was hard to see. A month later, my daughter sheepishly told me she had driven her own C-Max over a parking lot curb she didn't see...amazingly, a full inspection found no damage at all! I've started thinking about mounting a "back-up" camera on the front grill. I'm forever inching as close as I dare, then checking to see how I did after getting out! Maybe there's a system out there that can receive two cameras - put one on front and back. Or perhaps some kind of home-brew proximity detector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr08 Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 If you have MyFord Touch, look into the Lockpick devices. They have two MFT compatible models. One adds the option to integrate a second (front facing camera) among other features. There's also another model that adds an additional two inputs designed for side cameras that can be activated via turn signals. obob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbov Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 ... Or perhaps some kind of home-brew proximity detector.I've often wished for the whisker-like posts you see at the front corners of long-haul trucks. Wished, but not tried anything.Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysterymeat Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 You might be able to find what you need at: https://www.carid.com/universal-lift-kits/?url=784400 obob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 Interesting. :headscratch: Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowStorm Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 (edited) I've often wished for the whisker-like posts you see at the front corners of long-haul trucks. Wished, but not tried anything.FrankOh yeah, I remember those from when I was a kid. I see they're called "curb feelers" and are available starting at about $10. More drag though - so down goes the MPG! Plus, don't think they will work on the front. Edited September 29, 2017 by SnowStorm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbov Posted October 2, 2017 Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Oh yeah, I remember those from when I was a kid....So do I. That's not them. Look on modern trucks for something similar, but much larger and aimed up where the driver can see them. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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