AgentCMAX

I was looking at the networking features embedded in the MFT or SYNC (I can't really distinguish what is what...I think MFT is the User Interface to SYNC) and saw they have the option to allow shared Wi-Fi from your blue-tooth connected cell phone. I guess SYNC will act as a hotspot/router for your other Wi-Fi devices. However, I couldn't get it to work. I got my devices connected to SYNC, but I wasn't able to get any internet access from those devices. Has any one else probe this area of SYNC yet? If this works, I know my kids will love being able to access the internet with their tablet while in travelling in the C-Max!

Awesome! Thx darrell and to you csavage for posting your steps for the C-Max.

I read somewhere online that you can reboot MyFordTouch by pulling out the fuse. Take a look at your owner's manual and find where the fusebox is as well as which fuse controls the radio and remove the fuse for 5 seconds then put it back. See if that works before you try to disconnect your battery.

I couldn't agree more. My personal experience with my C-Max is I'm easily getting the advertised EPA mpg. I don't hyper-mile or do anything out of the ordinary to achieve that either. I simply accelerate smoothly and fast enough so that I don't impede traffic and I pay attention to what's ahead of me so I can break early. And I've been driving like this for years. The C-Max helps me improve my driving efficiency even more with all the information it displays about my driving habit. On my way to work this morning, I took this snapshot of my C-Max's info screen on what I felt was a fairly leveled section of the freeway: That's showing 50mpg going at 65mph. Now since I don't know the actual grade of that section of the freeway, it's most likely downsloping based on this snapshot. But that tells me Ford most likely didn't fudge anything on their EPA testing. And on this same route today, I took this snapshot that showed the C-Max engaging in hybrid-mode at cruise control of 65mph!!! This is probably one reason why the C-Max is rated at 47mpg for freeway.

I was driving to work today and since it's a Saturday, traffic was light so I decided to take the freeway route vs. the city road route that I normally take and I observed at cruise control of 65mph, the C-Max actually engage hybrid mode occasionally. I believe I took this pic while going up a slightly inclining stretch of the freeway. This is probably one reason why they are able to achieve the EPA 47mpg rating with such a big/heavy car like the C-Max!

"Synthetic oil and the IOLM Ford engines have been tested using Motorcraft® Synthetic Blended Oils. If you use synthetic oil, it must meet Ford specifications for motor oil and the specific oil weight as indicated in your Owner’s Guide. Ford still recommends using the oil change service intervals as indicated by the IOLM." from http://support.ford.com/maintenance/when-to-change-oil#reload So should we use synthetic oil with the C-Max?

Hmmn, interesting...check out this discussion on IOLM's effectiveness: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37499 "Why the EcoBoost engine was so clean The comparative lack of engine sludge/grime indicates that the engine’s PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system and the recommended Motorcraft 5W-30 synthetic blend motor oil – available off the shelf – worked in harmony to contribute to clean engine operation. The PCV system essentially “recycles” crankcase gases back into the intake for reburning, which contributes to improved fuel economy and lower emissions. In terms of oil consumption, the 2011 F-150 EcoBoost has a 10,000-mile oil change interval and includes an intelligent oil life monitor (IOLM). The IOLM uses actual engine and vehicle operating conditions to more precisely calculate anticipated service intervals, depending on vehicle operating conditions, as follows: Up to 10,000 miles: normal commuting with highway driving5,000 to 7,500 miles: trailer tow/high-load driving3,000 to 5,000 miles: short-trip usage, extreme temperaturesInstead of using a predetermined interval schedule (either by time or mileage), the IOLM tells customers, based on their driving habits and engine operating conditions, when to change the oil through simple communications in the message center."

Googled some links on "Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor" and got the following... http://owner.ford.com/Storage/CommonImages/images/IOLM%20FAQ.pdf http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1251733926439&pagename=Owner%2FPage%2FArticleDetail&recid=1251387049862&parentheadlineimageid=1234280151966&parentrightrecid=1239636411265 But I think this one comes closest to what you are looking for... "If...you still don't trust the oil life monitor and want to use a shorter interval because, dang it, that's what you're comfortable with, you can do one of two things: 1) Keep tabs on the odometer the old-fashioned way and change it when your interval of choice comes up or; 2) Set your Explorer's oil life monitor to something LESS than 100% when you change your oil. That way, you'll still get the benefit of the oil life monitor as it tracks the severity of your driving, but you'll have control over the maximum interval." http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2011/10/2012-ford-explorer-xlt-ecoboost-oil-change-interval.html

On the way to work this morning, I actually experienced a moment when I took off from a stop and saw that the C-Max does indeed use both gas and electric to start the car from a standstill. The battery capacity was a little over 3/4 full. So I guess the designers already incorporated this into the system and perhaps as you explained above, Paul, they only allow this after a check to the battery capacity to ensure longevity. The temp this morn was around 36-39 deg.

Hi Dusty, I have the SEL model w/ glass roof. I like it a lot. It adds more light into the vehicle (especially on cloudy days like lately!). My kids love it too. I have own cars in the past with sliding moon/sun roof as well as a T-Top. Personally, I don't miss not being able to open it. I rather like it because I get the light w/o the wind noise!

The EPA 2013 top ten list of most efficient cars are out... http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/topten.jsp Change the filter to hybrid only (i.e. no EV or PHEV) and you'll see the C-Max gets 2nd spot behind the Prius! Congrats to Ford! Awesome job!

Some drivers are blaming manufacturers for lower than rated mpg. Some drivers say the EPA is to blame. Well, the EPA says Drivers are to blame!!! LOL! http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/11/epa-drivers-to-blame-for-lower-fuel-economy.html Then look at the video on this government site and see if this test method matches YOUR driving condition when you try to achieve the rated mpg!!! Where's the wind drag factor in this test?!?!? And what octane gas is being used? http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml And here's some real-life testing documented by real C-Max owners... http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45831 And here's are tips to drive w/ efficiency in mind http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/04/fuel-efficient-driving-tips-how-to-drive-green.html http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1097497476823&pagename=Owner%2FPage%2FArticleDetail&recid=1251387049618&parentheadlineimageid=1233&parentrightrecid=1238506413737 I am getting pretty consistent mileage of 49-52 mpg for my commute to work and around 40-45 mpg for my commute from work to home. I think the terrain elevation and higher avg. speed (due to less traffic congestion on freeway) on my way home from work is the reason I get lower mpg on the trip from work to home.

Another option is to use both the gas engine and the electric motor to start the car from a standstill. I noticed that when going up the on-ramp to enter the freeway, both the gas engine and electric motor are working (although only briefly).

As I was driving to work this morning, I realized how low the threshold is for the EV mode operation when starting from a standstill. Disclaimer: I am not an auto engineer nor a car expert. My understanding is it takes less gas/energy to keep a car in motion than to start it from a stationary position. That's basic physics. I get that. So why would the C-Max design team limit the usage of the battery to start the car from a standstill? I would think it would be more energy efficient to allow max torque from the electric motor to get the car rolling quickly from a standstill and then use gas to recharge the battery once the car is in motion. One reason I can think of why not to do this is battery preservation since a lot of stop n go would quickly drain the battery. But then the system can do a simple battery level check to decide if it has enough capacity to allow this mode of operation. Unless if this mode of operation would lower battery longevity?

This happened to me again yesterday after work. I started the car and waited for the go message to appear and disappear, then put the car in reverse and nothing happened. I tapped the gas pedal and still no movement. I then waited while still in reverse gear and about two seconds later the car abruptly reversed. It seemed like it was waiting for something to complete like a diagnostic some check or some reserve power to get charged up or so. I sent an email to my sales person and he wants to discuss it with me. I hope to get some time this weekend to call him.

Thanks for the price reference CNCGeek. That will come in handy.

I was just browsing around on the Internet and found some interesting articles on Active Grille Shutters. This technology is used by Ford in the C-Max and Fusion line-ups, and by other manufacturers to improve aerodynamics and hence, overall MPG. I just wonder in the event of failure, what would the cost of repairs be? Perhaps it's time for me to reconsider that Ford-backed extended warranty/service plan...it may be worth it due to all the high-tech that are in the C-Max!?!?! Anyway, I hope you all find it interesting and educational as I have. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1079678_active-shutter-grille-vents-how-they-help-improve-mpg http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2012/10/03/how-active-grille-shutters-work/ http://www.sonceboz.com/en/latest-news/latest-news3.html

I agree.

Well in my view, if they are selling a boat load of cars then yes the recall size is just a reflection of that. Its just the type of recall (engine fires) sort of made me more alert about it, considering also how these Ford models were top rated until the redesign took place. I didn't intend to single out Ford...it's just that this is a Ford forum and I am an owner of a Ford vehicle so I thought it to be appropriate to post the article and alert others. As a matter of fact, those Toyota recalls for unattended acceleration was one reason why I decided on going with the Ford C-Max. In terms of complexity, the more complex the system is, I would expect a manufacturer to put even more effort into ensuring high quality. Complexity shouldn't be an excuse for poor quality.

Had this happened to me twice so far. I chalked the first occurrence as user error as I wasn't sure what happened. But second time was exactly as you described...although battery level was at 50% or so. First time it happened after car was off over night. The second time car was off for about one hour. Both times the car was on flat level garage and road. After posting this, I read all the messages in this forum topic and now I am wondering if I turned off the car while depressing the brake. I need to test this out further.

www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2012/12/01/ford-fusion-escape-recall/1738845/ I realize the recalls are not C-Max Hybrid related. The C-Max hybrid is my first Ford and this recall doesn't make me feel too warm and fuzzy about Ford quality (especially considering some of the problems reported elsewhere in these forums). I have experienced a small issue with the SYNC system already and also had two occurrences where my C-Max is not operating right during initial backing up of vehicle from park position (after starting car). So far I chalk the first occurrence to user error but the second occurrence is definitely not user error.