Mi-C

Several months ago (thinking July 2013) saw series of Ford TV commercials touting C-Max. Fall of 2012 (when we bought our C hybrid) through about July 2013 local Ford dealership newsprint ads were common for C-Max. However, by Aug-Sep 2013 ... No more ads ... Anywhere for C-Max. Also, trade-in values fell by about 10%. Neither is very encouraging signs I guess :-(. Anyone else notice the Ford dealer, Ford corporate sales pitch for C-Max has all but disappeared off the earth?

Does anyone know which manufacturer's navigation system is on 2013 C-Max Hybrid ? ( I.e, Garmin, Magellan, Tom Tom, ..other? This was our first time with gps NAV on a car, used it a lot especially on vacation in unfamiliar cities. We sometimes "made an extra stop, or chose to take a different street or different interstate exit after entering the destination, while driving. NAV system always tried to "help" us get back on the "computed route" (mostly saying make a legal u- turn etc). But it was good about re-calculating, and picking up where we actually were successfully. Would love to know which mfr NAV ? thanks!

We have the SEL 302 package - recent trip out of state and MFT -NAV was wonderful ! Fwiw- recent updates to software, and NAV has split screen in Junction View of intersection, exit ramps etc -- loved this! I like my bells & whistles and SEL has them : -). Only thing I'd like to see added on SEL? We tow 4-wheels down behind RV, and wish Ford would clarify "keyless/push button start" instructions in owner's manual ref: how to correctly place push-button start C-Max into "accessory mode" for flat towing. Ford... Are you reading this? BTW - Fiesta model has a dash display that says "transmission ready to tow" (or similar phasing)... Would be GREAT if Ford would do software update on SEL that gives dash message "accessory mode- ready to tow"... Hey, Ford how about it?

Does your C-Max register TOWING miles when flat-towed behind an RV? And, need advice on what and how to connect charge line? thanks to all : -)

Hi all, Just discovered this forum, and reading this FOB info. checked and neither of the two FOBs that came with our C have anything inside the FOB. (we will one call the selling dealer and have two ordered!) We also cannot figure out .... Where does one insert the blank mechanical key? (all we see looks like a square space on door handle, we assume was the signal receiver for the Fob.). Can someone explain where to insert a mechanical key when we get one? Thanks! also, will now go look for the UPC/ like card with a "key code number" -- don't recall seeing that info before reading this thread. thanks.

Hi to all other C-toads : -). We had Blue Ox , In Nebraska install our system to recreational tow. Fwiw - ours is Aventa LX tow bar; separate bulb/wiring in tail light/ brake lights BX8869 (yes - room to have separate bulb in space, so no diodes, and power for lighting comes from umbilical, using RV 12v power -- not C 12v). Blue Ox baseplate for C-Max, and we bought the Patriot Brake 2012 system (Blue Ox says these are fine w/hybrid and the regen-brake system on C). not a lot of tow miles just yet, but system worked without problems last fall w approx. 170 mile distance, < 4 hrs drive time in tow behind RV -each way. We do follow the Ford instructions to tow (steps as discussed this forum, leaving C in accessory while towing). We do not have a charge line, but may look into that if we find battery issues drained w/tow future times? Only issue we found in our limited # miles experience tow C so far, was Patriot Brake tripped Error code, one trip so we stopped, disconnected C, driving RV and C separately, not towed, and returned 50 miles to home where we could double ck supplemental brake set-up. think it may have moved in the car floor area which caused a balance shift in Patriot thus causing error?? we will post more updates as we RV more distance/towing time this season. Best wishes to all fellow C-Toads out there!

UPDATE- picked up our C-Max just now. Here's info for everyone on what was found, done ... When I first posted, we had to wait until morning to take car to Dlr, but totally dead 12v Batt & had to tow it in to Dlr Fri, 6/7. We had a chance to speak with one of the 'hybrid' mechanics, told him details. Picked it up today: 1) Dlr put on charger- not hold a charge, New Batt #BXT-67R installed; 2) "perform 13A01 Sync w MFT update recall with NAV"; 3) "perform 13B06 rear gate trunk module reprogram- rgtmodule per recall". FYI- in mailbox on arriving home Ford envelope "Important Svc Notice" and inside were "Customer Satisfaction Program xx" letter for both #'s 2) & 3) above. Ref 13A01: Software update v3.5-includes all improvements from previous updates includes following improvements: simplified phone pairing process; enhanced voice recognition performance; improved sound quality; simplified voice commands for radio and USB -connected audio players; enhanced voice and screen destination entry for vehicles equipped with navigation; updated Bluetooth device/Sync compatibility; outside air temperature display on the 8-inch touchscreen; new 'EV Info" button on home screen that will take you to a Powerflow Screen that shows energy flow information. Ref 13B06: says ?what is the issue? Hands free lift gate opening feature may exhibit intermittent condition where it does not fully open the lift gate during a hands-free (foot gesture) opening attempt; ?what will ford dealer do? Ford authorized Dlr to reprogram the Rear Gate Trunk Module free of charge (parts & labor)... This customer satisfaction program will be in effect until May 31, 2014 regardless of mileage. coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners." Our C-Max was 'born' July, 2012, and has 302A package plus option sunroof. (we have handsfree trunk/ hatch rear gate.) And I will add our details to the POLL questions re batt thread to contribute data for benefit of all. I will post updates as we see how the "fixes" pan out. FWIW, we also spent the weekend scouting for alternative vehicles in case we ultimately have to give up on this Cmax, too. Thanks to everyone who replied to our 1st posting here - and for all who contribute to various topics on this C-Max forum-- we also spent quite a lot of time while our C was in for repair reading lots! Of good-to-know info from other C owners. THANKS to all!!

Okay, so that time dealer kept car 7 days, had a svc tech drive it to his home/work two days with computer 'on-board' so that if it locked up in P again svc tech could hook in and try to see if Dx codes (btw - never did see more codes, and it never locked in P while there that time.). Dlr was great, put the rental car in cost of warranty again since failed same day we had picked up car. we have no idea why it happened after shifter assembly was replaced, but it WAS just fine since then (Jan 31, 2013) until today and the issue posted today. We like much about the C-Max, and would like to not be stranded any more times. We have owned cars 40+ years---this is the only car that has left us stranded, never had to have any towed for mechanical / ?electrical? Problems until this C- Max. we will call dealer, tow it tomorrow, and will post updates here as we learn what is wrong. THANKS SO VERY MUCH TO ALL!

Okay, mentioned losing confidence in c-max ... Here's some background to share : Bought in 09/12, had first "tow" Jan 11, 2013 we were together made 3 stops for stores, but came out at 3rd store to find gear shift was "stuck" in P, no matter what we did, it wouldn't release from P. Calls to dealer, but had to have it towed ( btw, it was parked in front of sidewalk, tow driver had to call dealer to locate a manual 'release' button so could move car to hook up to tow truck.) 4254 miles that date. Towed to closest Fd Dlr, (who do not have loaner avail- we had to call neighbor to come pick us up & take us home from Store)..Dlr called next am, said no codes, can't Dx if no codes, come get car, "may be a 1 time fluke"- & since tow driver had released shift -not stuck in P. so, we got the car. But, 4 days later, same thing - stuck in P, won't release. We called tow again, and told driver do NOT release from P bec Fd Dlr needs to see code. we also had it towed to a diff. Dealer ...one where we had punch F250 and knew they could provide a rental car under warranty while car is fixed. 4376 miles that time. this Dlr said only found 1 code, so replaced gear shift assembly, we got car 5 days later. Drove home, yup!, sucker locked in P same day, 2 hours after we just got it back "fixed.". 4432 miles then. tow truck, again, (by this time we were on. 1st name basis -same tow driver all 3 times -by now tow driver is saying must be bad Ford prod.? Cont's. My next post ...

thanks to all who replied so quickly! Here's answer to Q's some of you ask, too: -tks, Fotomoto= not sure if any software updates after purch; we bought this in mid-Sept 2012. See add'l notes below of prior "issues' on this car- may/may not have any connection to current issues- but taken in group .... Lowers our "confidence" as tom our safety & reliability of this car, for sure. : -( -tks, ceemax71= no, we have never used any 12v accessories , so none plugged in at the time the "shut down" occurred. -tks, Laurel= hubby is sure he did't bump into the stop/start button , good thought to ask though :-) -tks, Noah H. - spent time looking at manual, caveat we did't see any message to "stop safely" as mentioned in replies by others. I have noted your info p 173 and keeping it handy. Tks. -tks, wab, Greetings and definitely feeling "welcomed" -- so many good people replying to offer help :-). Tks for HTML links to stop safely threads .. Read them, printed out list of codes, etc, To all: we will call local ford dlr 1st thing tomorrow and might opt to call roadside Asst. Tow to dealer. See details my next post...

I hope someone on this forum can tell me what just happened today. hubby driving, I passenger, going about 40mph on county paved road. when all at once, dash info screen on my-sync goes blank, then message like this: battery saver - system shutting down. A blue line moves across (similar to your computer showing length time loading file). all info screens going blank at driver dash - battery icon showing in red, and NO power steering, but car still moving, engine is on. Turned off a/c, and about 2 minutes later, dash comes back on all info screens normal looking again, and my-sync screen returns to the normal "home" screen. also, two days ago, when we got in c-max, noticed the clock in dash my-sync screen was "off" by about 6 hrs (Ie, clock said 8:30 am, actual time was about 2:00pm). we have no idea if two are related. don't know why today's screen/power steering all shut down? 7200 miles today. suggestions welcome:-). thanks to all! Creeping me out - what if We had been on interstate highway near where we live, on it often, and lost power steering like this / battery saver-system shut down thingy again?