stratosurfer

I've had no problem stopping the current 1,050 lbs trailer, the REGEN works fantastic under the heavier load. I was hoping someone might chime in that they're towing closer to 1,500 lbs, OTW I feel fairly safe upping the towed trailer from 1,050 to 1,300 ish.

All, I've been towing right at 1,050 lbs 1,000 miles monthly as I commute from West Texas to my business near Galveston TX and tow a large Waverunner. I normally have about 150 lbs of cargo inside the car and I weigh 170lbs. I am considering stepping up to a larger trailer that will step my towed load up to 1,300 lbs. I have had zero problems towing the 1,050lbs in the Texas summer heat at 75 MPH in the Texas Hill Country (near Kerrville) and monitor all parameters on BlueDriver and all is good. Anyone towing this much weight on a Cmax Hybrid? I would think I'll be OK with the extra 250 lbs if nothing else but by keeping it under 70 MPH. Thoughts? Thanks

I'll wait until next oil change and check these as well. I assume these came off when my shop swapped in the salvage HF35? Mark

Plus 3 you are a good man... Thank you. This will be easy enough to check. If your in West Texas look me up, I owe you.. Mark

So you ruled out brakes? My guys also ruled out CV's. It's like a metallic 'pop' or click. I thought for sure it was coming from the FL wheel/brakes/CV assembly, but mech said all tight. Could that be a motor mount? Mark

All, I am 30K miles at 156K miles after the swap in of an updated HF35 hybrid drive and have developed a metallic 'tick' sound at take-off. I had the car examined by my mechanic and he put it on the rack and pulled the tires and said the brakes and cvs were all tight. The sound is a very quick 'tick' or 'click', on one, that happens immediately on take-off on acceleration. It is the same on mild take-offs vs heavy throttle. I don't hear it on decleration or on braking anywhere all the way up to a stop. I have done the maneuvers to check the CV's and no noise. I can only wonder if it is a 'slip' between the block and the eCVT for a quck micro-second after the install of the swap-in salvage ecvt. My mechanic said in cases such as this it's best to keep driving and let it get worse to find where it is. It isn't getting worse, staying the same. A quick click like banging two ratchets together. Any thoughts? I've probably put 3.5K miles since I first heard it, not getting worse. I've never used those microphones to track down things like this. Thanks Mark

Yes the HF35 swap is plug and play. The Energi’s have an even higher failure rate in the early years I recall from the thread on this forum that is tracking the failures.

I have a number of scanners, the easiest one for a full scan of all modules I’ve found is BlueDriver that uses an app and a BT connection to the USB dongle provided. It will report on any codes from all modules, which is basically what the Ford system used to do via a text message to the Ford Server. You can’t program with BlueDrive, I have another USB OBDII adapter that I use FORScan on, but that is a much more advanced proposition, that you need to study a little before plugging in, as it has the ability to actually change programming. BlueDriver is about $100 and works great, if a code hits your dash, you can find it, record it and then clear it.

I may pick up an Energi in the future, does this TSB on the HF35 cover the CMax Energi? I couldn’t tell by reading it.

Interesting, I didn’t think about that. So FFH’s have the Radar Cruise Control? As well the non hybrid C-max’s sold in Europe have Radar Cruise Control. Seems like a significant project, but to me this is one of the biggest shortcomings of the C-Max is the lack of the Radar/Adaptive Cruise Control. After discovering this feature in rental cars I got hooked pretty quick. With my SKED I won’t be taking this project on: I’m yet to complete my Sync 2 to Sync 3 upgrade... Maybe someone has the inclination and time. I would be interested in supporting the effort. Mark

All, I found the following video when scanning Tesla sites, there is an open source, aftermarket Autopilot that functions as Blindside Warning, Lane Keeping and Radar/Adaptive Cruise Control. I found it here: https://youtu.be/3Y67XKPmtY8 And it can be ordered here: https://comma.ai/shop/products/eon-gold-dashcam-devkit When you run the available applications there is currently no software available for our C-Maxs. YET it is open-source so if any software/hardware engineer here would like to configure one for us, we could all have C-Maxs with Radar/Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Avoidance and Lane Keeping and I believe Collision Avoidance (part of Radar Cruise Control). This has been added to many other vehicles successfully to add these features, and if my C-Max had these features I may get a 2018 and hang on to it for quite a long time. The Radar/Adaptive Cruise Control would be really nice for my long trips/commutes. Just putting it out there... Anyone interested in developing the software interface for our C-Max's???...

I think I’ll do mine now. I’m at 147,000 miles... Probably go K&N.

All, I'm thinking of adding a C-Max Energi to my fleet, passing the '13 Hybrid to daughter in college. I'm finding many '17 C-Max Energi's available but few with the panoramic sunroof option. I have the panoramic sunroof in my current C-Max Hybrid and am wondering if anyone has installed a Webasto aftermarket powered sunroof on a C-Max? I had one Webasto installer in San Antonio tell me he would not put one on a C-Max for safety reasons. Another Webasto Installer in Houston said he needed to see the vehicle. Has anyone installed any aftermarket sunroof in a C-Max? Webasto is the supplier to most all OEM's in the US and the products are top quality, yet the installation is obviously critical to remain rust and leak-free long term. Any feedback appreciated, if I can't find any data here, I may just go with the OEM panoramic moonroof in the Energi I finally pick up, yet this greatly limits the units available as in 2017 they made the Titanium Energi's mostly without the panoramic sunroof. Thanks

I read all these problems and have to feel that the early years (2013-2014) were a mixed bag of QA at Ford and the CMax. On the one hand mine has been relatively maintenance free throughout 144K miles and nearly 7 years. Of course I did put just under 3K in a salvage HF35 transmission swap out. I’m doing the sync 2 to 3 mod/upgrade in the next couple of days even though my sync 2 system is all functioning again after the fuse reboots, I really need Apple CarPlay for my long commutes. I think after this I will have a car I’m quite comfortable in maintaining and frankly keeping for the longer haul as the major issue of the HF35 transmission is done. As has been mentioned the soft market on selling these against the value I realize in commuting 1000 miles monthly, and towing... I can’t imagine anything can fill the bill as efficiently. Maybe the Cybertruck...

I hate to say this, but for the moment I’m smitten by the Cybertruck... If Musk would only build a HYBRID version I’d have already reserved one. It may pass, not many Tesla Chargers in West Texas...

This is a good point, I really enjoy the acceleration the C-Max provides in the 60 to 70MPH range (vehicle passing) I just drove 600 miles all around Texas for the Thanksgiving holiday 4-day and had to do some Slow-Boater Passing. That punch in getting around and past a long line of vehicles is actually quite impressive. I -know- the F-250’s tailgating me when I make my move around the line of the Slow-Boats are impressed how fast this little car makes the jump around. I would not want to give this acceleration up in my next vehicle down the road. I hope the Escape will have this power in this range. I will give up some MPG’s to have this power, this is a safety issue to me. My wife’s 2013 Honda Pilot is quite de-tuned for MPG’s in passing in comparison to the C-Max. I’ll take the power, I can get MPG’s back when I’m working in town.

In the past I’ve hand calculated some of these trip/mpg readings shown against real world and they were off a bit. I know on my C-Max, I drive 1000 commute miles monthly (1 trip alone) and my highway mpg is about 32-33 mpg at 80mph and in quite mountainous terrain. Against what it does in the city this is obviously underwhelming. Yet against my buds that drive Tundra’s and Ford F-150/F250’s they are quite jealous as I’m over double their mpgs...

Homestead, yup, I think that’ll do me. Thanks

All, I have all the parts to do my Sync2 to Sync3 Upgrade and need a video or pics of somone who's opened up a C-Max Dash for Screen/Apim Removal before. There are plenty of videos on YT going in on a Focus or Escape but nothing on the C-Max. If anyone has seen any pictorials or videos as to where to get started I would appreciate a link. I have been searching on Google and DDG for a bit now with no success. I don't want to start prying on trim pieces where I shouldn't be if I can avoid it obviously. Any help appreciated. Thanks Mark

Any body interested in anything special I need to look for? Paul Can you shoot out to the group the price the dealer will quote you? I’m thinking PHEV when they hit, but the price on the one your looking at would be helpful. Next could you ask if a HUD may be available? Thanks Mark

This is when you need to buy a used/salvage Sync3 APIM, Screen and USB hub adapter and make the upgrade. I bought all I need via eBay for $300. I’m going Non-Navigational as I will use Apple CarPlay to navigate with WAZE/Google Maps from my phone. You will have to program the system to all talk to each other using FORScan ($50 for lifetime license on PC) and then find a C-Max with all your accessories 2017 or later and then enter that vehicles VIN into FORScan and it will program all the modules to match. My parts are on the way to me and I’ll do the upgrade in the next couple of weeks. I will document my upgrade which has been forced by my system intermittently shutting down, please read my other threads on my specific problem. I’m fairly certain my problem is my ACM connections, not APIM so I will sell my APIM and Screen after the upgrade: it works fine, my problem is actually the ACM and I believe it is the connections not the radio itself, yet I may have to replace the ACM as well. I wanted to share this data as I see your in a pinch, search ‘Sync2 upgrade’, plenty of hits.

Thanks this is helpful. I did pull pull fuse 79 and that restored function and thereafter did run FORScan and the codes were still present. After that I ran the APIM Diagnostic Test in FORScan and it came back OK. FORScan did not show a test for the ACM and I’ll have to re-run now and see if it shows a diagnostic for the FCIM. Your service manual protocols make perfect sense. What I decided: I found a Smoking Deal on a Sync 3 APIM and Screen and an adapter cable to upgrade Sync2 to Sync3 for $258 all in. My plan will be to complete the tests you’ve shared and go forward with the Upgrade and when I do the install I will check all the connections and apply Corrosion X to all connectors on the ACM and FCIM and APIM. I will program all with FORScan and then if the ACM keeps working, then I know the problem was probably the connections and corrosion. If the problem continues and after the tests you shared I will buy a salvage ACM ($100 on eBay) and re-open the patient and put in the salvage ACM. Thanks so much Plus 3 Golfer I will report as I further diagnose the tests you shared. I am traveling and won’t take the dash apart for a couple weeks so I can’t really run the portion on the connections until I do the upgrade. Thanks Again and I will document this procedure and findings. Mark

So I reset my system last night with the infamous Fuse 79 R&R and all is working again. I pulled codes with FORScan iOS and came up with these two codes: U0184:00-28 Lost Communication With Audio Control Module U0256:00-28 Lost Communication With Sync Module So what I am trying to nail down is, is my problem primarily a dying ACM (radio module) or is it the APIM. A shop in CA that I called yesterday said the symptom of R&Ring Fuse to restore function he has found to be a problematic (read dying?) ACM. From the codes I would think that the APIM is the one mishandling the pause in comms from the listed modules and then locking them out due to a software issue? I’m shooting theoreticals here to make a decision about the Sync2 to Sync3 upgrade once the dash is torn apart and getting a salvage radio (ACM) to put in in the same ‘Open Dash Surgery’. The shop in CA that fixes these ACMs says the cost is a range of $285 up to $700 to repair an ACM, a salvage ACM can be had on eBay for $129.00 and he said I can send it to him for a diagnostic at no charge, just the shipping. I will mention again that the dealer who I paid the $150 diagnostic over 18 months ago said it was the radio failing, and wanted about $600 (gave me credit for the $150 diagnostic) and not the APIM. I am convinced as complex and with as many upgrades they make on the HARDWARE as they roll these vehicles out plus SOFTWARE updates that happen for each module, that the dealer is making a BEST GUESS on this problem. It is strange that a failing radio (ACM) could be reset by R&Ring it’s fuse and then work for 18 months perfectly in hard daily use... I have gotten the cost down on the Sync2 to Sync 3 upgrade with a salvage radio to about $450.00 with me doing the programming on FORScan PC version, including the lifetime license on the PC version of the software. The tip to complete this software reflash for the sync3 system once installed is to find a 2017 or later C-Max with exactly my options and then enter that VIN into FORScan and it will drop in all the proper and matching software codes for all the modules involved with the APIM and everything will work. Putting out these calls ‘In The Blind’ in hopes that someone else is is a similar situation. Mark

I'm still dealing with my Sync2 system locking up and losing radio and Sync Functions. I called 4DTech who sell the new Sync2 to Sync3 upgrade system which I am considering and discussed my issues. I am on the trouble that requires the fuse # 79 R&R to restore normal function. He says most APIM's die with a black screen, which mine is not doing. When I paid Ford to diagnose this 18 months ago they said I needed a new radio module (ACM). BUT they 'got it working', obviously by R/R'ing fuse #79 and it worked fine for 18 months. So the DTech guy said that he felt I could still have a failing radio, but that (I shared the codes I pulled on FORscan: lost comms between APIM to Radio and Lost Comms between APIM and Sync) that he felt I a 60/40 APIM to ACM is failing. So here is my question, with the C-Max (or others) with Sync2 system, has anyone had a radio fail? Here is the link to the C-max upgrade, I will be selecting the non NAV kit and navigate on WAZE and Google Maps via Apple Play. https://www.4dtech.com/13-15-ford-c-max-sync-3-upgrade-for-myford-touch/#reviewsHeading THX Mark

Mine was built August 2013. It never ‘Failed’ but was making a lot of noise when I replaced it with a Salvage HF35 at 122,000 miles in APR2019.