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The 12 volt battery is a weak point for Tesla and Volt as well.  Read drdiesels posts on battery chargers and the problem generally. My Energi failed twice in 2 years. It jumped easily. The battery voltage was low but was not damaged according to the dealer.  Complain to all who will listen but I recommend that you avoid the aggravation and do not wait for Ford, Tesla or GM to figure this out. Buy a portable jump starter for $50 to $70 and never worry. I got mine from Crutchfield but Amazon and other sites have examples from $40. Mine is the size of a small paper-back. SURE Ford should fix this! I waited 3 years. Now I am unconcerned and about to get my second plug-in! $30,000 for the CMax Energi plus $70 for peace of mind sounds ok to me!

Took my dealer 2 hours, but he wanted 1/2 day. He said it can take 3 hours.

I am an Energi owner (2 plus years).  You can't over-charge. Actually, it is best to leave the car plugged in at all times. Take advantage of the MyFord Mobile app. Precondition your car using the scheduler in the app.  This is especially helpful in winter. The delay with the gas cap in intentional and normal. It is a sealed and pressurized system to preserve gas freshness. Hit the open button once. In a few seconds it will pop. The projected battery number is quite variable base on weather, driving habits and climate control use. All is good.  You will really appreciate the car in spite of a few quirks! Check out the CMax Energi forum for good info.

I have the same issue.  Pulling fuse 79 often helps but my AM FM radio rarely functions correctly. Last week the radio would not turn off. Eventually it responded to a voice command. Dealer fixes have been short-lived. My Energi is a 2013

The Ranger is likely based on recent stories. If you carefully read Blueovalforum and other media it is clear that the platform replacing the c platform (Focus, Escape, Cmax, MKC etc is designed to maximize EV and Plug-in potential.  2018? While it is obvious that Ford walked away from the Cmax in 2014 (last year for minor aerodynamic adjustment...2015, 2016 and (I predict)2017 are essentially unchanged). an EV of 300 plus miles, a plug-in Escape and MKC with much improved EV range are quite feasible.  The Ford family are pro-EV, I'm told. So the name may go but the concept is all but assure.  A 2019 Ford EV is on my wish list!

The 2016 production starts in early September.  The only change (other than paint) is Sync 3 replacing MyFordTouch. 2017 or more likely 2018 will be on the new platform which is designed to better accommodate plug-ins and EVs. The name may not survive, but whether called Cmax, Escape or something else, the product will live on. My info is based on reading this and other Ford forum sites. I am thinking of replacing my 2013 Energi with a 2016 Energi. Love Cmax but not MyFordTouch!

Madmax, double honk can also mean the access fob was left in vehicle.  Keep the fob well away from the car. Lincoln MKC also had a problem if the fob was stored too close to the vehicle (the MKC detects that someone is approaching). The Energi is a great car. Don't give up. The 12 volt problem is much less common than with the hybrid.  2 tips: always leave the car plugged in at home and invest in a smart 12 volt charger and charge every few months. I have had one failure in 28,000 miles. DrDiesel has a great recommendation for a great and reasonably priced charger.  Good luck.

Thanks!  Very helpful.  We will miss your participation in the forum.

How does the driving position A3 compare to the Cmax? I got a Cmax rather than a fusion because I like the higher driving position.  Is the A3 as low as a fusion?  How are the driving ergonomics? I will replace my 2013 soon with a 2016 Cmax but would like to consider the A3 diesel or etron.

Sorry... old update! I misread the update notice

By agreement with my landlord I charge free in my assigned garage space.  In my unique circumstance preconditioning is the only way to go. By the way, with low rates in this area the landlord's cost is under $8 month for my power.

People are reading too much into Kelleytoons observations. If you park in the sun or during the winter in most of the country preconditioning is very useful. I have always preconditioned my Energy.  If you live on central or southern Florida and garage your vehicle, it would do little of value. Parking at the mall in the sun where you can not precondition is unavoidable. If Kelleytoons lived in the mountains like I do he would precondition, but he does not.

Snow tire/wheel package from Tire Rack Worked great for me last year. Performed better than my AWD Edge! Michelin or Blizzak are great choices! I got a cheap scissor jack.  Takes 1/2 hour to swap.

all wheel drive option!

Cost and appearance is my guess.  Moldings may help or hurt mileage but probably not to a significant degree.  They removed moldings from many different models since 2009, so the effect would be variable. I doubt if aerodynamics is part of it! If you want moldings get them. Personally, I like the look and I never noticed a difference in mileage. The C-Max is the fifth car where I added them.

That's what I have suspected to be the cause.  I generously applies silicone lubricant at the top of the trim and allowed it to run under the plastic A and B pillar trim.  The creaking went away.  After 2 weeks minor creaking has returned. Ford has trimmed their cars this way for years. Perhaps the glue or tape was changed?

Easy to install, Just take your time.  Ford has not included side mouldings  on Fusions since 2009 and never on Edges or the current generation Focus. They saved the paint on my 2011 Edge and allowed a paintless dent repair after a very significant parking lot incident. I have put them on my last 5 cars.

Block heaters are standard (and included with no charge) on c-maxes shipped to dealers in Wisconsin, Michigan and certain other northern states. A  dealer trade could cost a bit.  I suggest a road trip! You could find a car in dealer inventory and make a few calls! There are tons on the lots, especially in Michigan. You can view the window sticker on the net to verify a block heater.

I am absolutely sure the creaking is from the shiny black vertical trim on the B pillars. It is held on with double faced tape according to my dealer. Many Fords and Volvos over the past several model years use this type of trim. They don't creak, snap and pop like the C-Max! Perhaps there is a problem with their installation. My dealer would try to reattach them but said they usually break if removed. My experience with dealers installing trim and window molding has been poor. Any one up to try it?

I have the same noise under the same circumstances.  Let us know if the fix works!

My Energi is my 3rd Hybrid but 1st plug-in.  Previous vehicles were a Lexus 400h and 2010 Fusion Hybrid.  Both were great cars! I got the Energi instead of the Hybrid version out of curiosity. I am hooked on plug-in cars.  The Energi has 11,000 miles 65% of which have been electric. Go for it!

Ashley, I went to the owner website and entered my vin without signing in first.  It said my vin was invalid.  Next, I signed in and got a report that there is no recall for my car.  It did not ask for my vin. Perhaps because the Cmax is my only Ford. The site is poorly designed.

DRdiesel1,  I bought the charger you recommended last fall.  Great suggestion.  I have had only 1 12v battery failure on my Energi and that was one week after I picked it up in July.  I charged the 12v battery last in October.  Yesterday I checked it after charging the HVB,  The 12v battery showed an soc of 67.  I forgot to note the voltage. I charged it to 100% in about 3 hours. Does this seem ok? Anything else I should check?  Thanks. I really appreciate your presence on this forum.

Keep in mind that the 2013 C-Max Energy has many 2015 Lincoln features already: redundant manual controls (seat heater, climate radio, etc.), embedded cell, preconditioning and other remote cell app features, for example. Great ideas! That being said, I love the MKC but will only buy a plug-in. The next C-max should be cool.

Ashley is caught in the middle.  Recommendations are not just engineering but involve avoiding customer confusion, dealer profit concerns and other practical concerns.  The best example is the oil change interval.  In Europe no one would change oil every 3,000 miles.  It is considered irresponsible and environmentally reckless.  Every 10,000 or even 20,000 is common. In the US Mercedes was 20,000 plus, but dealers and customers had trouble accepting such long intervals.  I know for a fact that Ford engineers think 7,500 or even 10,000 is not necessary!

That being said, I have trouble going beyond 7,500. Oil is cheap. I'm sure 0W-20 is fine. Mobil 1 and other name brand synthetics exceed the viscosity range listed but I will use 5W-20 to save my warranty. Thanks, Ashley, for your help!  This debate has no end. (Try asking a Ford engineer what they really think of Premium fuel in an 2.0L Ecoboost engine !)