fbov

I would assume cookie settings don't vary from one link to the next, so the presence of this reply box under your message tells me my settings are correct. The fact that I will not be able to post this reply without again logging in demonstrates the problem. The next link in the forum opened without credentials, as a guest, so I can't reply to anything until I log in. THIS IS A PROBLEM. I usually just go silent... and silence kills forums like nothing else! Not having fun, Frank, who has put this message on the clipboard so I don't ahve to retype it. Here's some irony... That next link where I was no longer recognized still managed to open on the first unread post. How does it know what I've read?

but it does for mine... logging in is required - who knew? etis doesn't care, and it lists the recall as well.

+1 And I copied the VIN from ETIS so I know it's valid, regardless what the link says... Ford's systems aren't common; apparently this one doesn't know about a lot of cars.

You say that as if Apple wasn't synonomous with such nonsense, at least in their native interfaces. Like any other device, Apple's interface is only "good" once you know it. My wife is Mac-ish, so it's a personal observation that Apple products only work well for those who like them. Her latest one has a no-button mouse - delightful! Conversely, RIM is a leader in car infotainment interfaces, judging by owners of cars that use theirs. I see cause for optimism, albeit in an area of comparatively little importance to me. Have fun, Frank

I don't know about you guys, but 2 oil changes and an elective software update (PCM) in 20K+ miles hardly seems excessive. While I realize not everyone's had a problem-free experinece, many of use have! Have fun, Frank, who has had to weld seat back frames before...

Do a search for "roof rack" and you'll find several threads http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/3540-thule-racks-with-panoramic-roof/?hl=%2Broof+%2Brack&do=findComment&comment=40478 http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/1243-roof-rack-installation-difficulty/?hl=%2Broof+%2Brack. to provide a couple. I really like the look of that Thule! Have fun, Frank PS you should already know what this will do to fuel consumption. Far better to get a trailer hitch and hitch mounted platform... several folks ahve done that, too.

Sounds like Ice Storm.

Mine only does it because I keep the headlights set to auto... the dash dims when a deep shadow hits the sensor at the foot of the windshield. But the OP says his parking lights (second detent from the left) are on at the time... I wonder if it the sensor still does the internal dimming? Try the DRL trick - put a hat over the sensor, so it's always dark - and see if the dash still flashes. I have seen my turn signals flash when I hit a bump, so anything possible... Have fun, Frank

I'd wondered what became of NUMMI... And it appears you made a rational purchase for all the right reasons - Welcome!

Welcome, and I wish you a wonderful time! As a new hybrid owner, you now qualify for the Hybrid Games (no not the Ford marketing stuff, real games...) The Mileage Game: how many miles can you get on 1 tank of gas? The Capacity Game: how much furniture, gardening supplies, or luggage can you fit in a C-Max The Modification Game: what little do-dad or add-on can you find that everyone will want. Danger, when combined with the Mileage Game, this can lead to bodywork... voluntary bodywork, but bodywork nonetheless! You now have a car where engine speed has nothing to do with car speed. Accelerate briskly and all is well. Accelerate modestly and you'll find youself speeding, because modest acceleration will continue long after you're going fast enough. The basic paradigm shift: Conserve Energy in All Forms! Climbing a hill stores energy better than the battery. The good advice: Learn The Instruments. They'll tell you what you want to know about the engine, the battery, and which you're using at the moment. And if you haven't met Jus-A-C-Max yet, you still should read his FAQ! He brings new meaning to the word "feather." HAve fun, Frank

Case in point. Today it was 50F so I took the back roads and got 48.5MPG. This same route is only good for 30MPG when it's below zero, because the ICE is always on. That's what got me taking the expressway in Winter - better mileage! Granted, the ICE would be cooling, and eventually, I'd be needing to run it to keep heat, but by then, the engine would be staying warm (~1/3 ICE usage on this route). And let me take a moment to discuss cold soak. We had a cold winter, and our house is in a cold spot. Every morning we were sub-zero, EV was unavailable long after ICE was hot. I'd seen the EV threashold behavior, and this is different; it took over 10 miles to get any EV. Coming home, the car sat through the heat of the day (such as it was) and I had EV access in a few miles. I thought it was me until the pattern repeated week after week - the traction motor would contribute, but a cold battery can impede access to EV. Granted, we're talking an ICE heater, but an HV heater might be a good idea for those who see extreme cold... or cleaning out the garage and keeping the car indoors where it won't cold soak so bad. Yeah, right! Have fun, Frank

Perhaps my dealership was inattentive? They honored the coupon... and I haven't needed them yet.

Boy is that stupid!!! What happened to "standard up north?" Frank

So, Johnn, you're all for restraint of trade? All I read from this is that a powerful lobby is trying to insist that it's sales model be the only one permitted to do business in Ohio. I think we already have enough totalitarian regimes in the world without the U.S. joining suit. HAve fun, Frank

Ask Matt; Northern IL should qualify...

Tape 50-grit sandpaper to the surface (Grit side up, of course) and sand the foam against it. Won't take long to capture the contour, just use very short strokes perpendicular to the gradient (strongest curve). Its' what I did with the AirTabs. It wont' hurt ot hollow them out in the center, just be sure to let the edge get sanded flush all around. HAve fun, Frank

ETIS will tell you if you have an "immersion heater" and I'm now of the opinion that factory installed would pay for itself. Not so sure about aftermarket or dealer install. And it was the northern states whose dealers got cars with block heaters. Mine was purchased in Ohio... not northern enough! Frank

Well, I just noticed that I've had my seat set on 2 since ???, and where 1 was noticably warm at one time, 2 is now eminently comfortable. I know it's an organic sensor, but the difference between uncomfortably hot and didn't notice it was very warm isn't debatable. Mine have lost power they once had at 1; can't speak for 5... Frank

Perhaps we can hear from some longer-term owners? My perception, purely seat-of-the-pants, is that my seat heater has lost some oomph. In the Fall, 1 was more than enough, almost too much. Now, I don't notice 1 getting warm, it needs to be 3 to get as warm as I recall 1 in the Fall. Anyone see this? Frank

+1 I can't imagine a better reason to contact Ashley...

I did a search for "quote: never attribute to malice" as I'm more familiar with Hanlon's version than Heinlein's. Per Wiki: In 1996, the Jargon File entry on Hanlon's Razor noted the existence of a similar quotation in Robert A. Heinlein's 1941 short story "Logic of Empire"[2] ("You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity"), with speculation that Hanlon's Razor might be a corruption of "Heinlein's Razor".[ Amen, Brother! This car's been a real look in the mirror... it's why I tend toward low-powered cars; a 1.8L 8V BMW is enough to get me in trouble... Have fun, Frank

You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity. (Heinlein) A truly inpatient person will not notice the type of car they're rear-ending, just that it was "in the way." Frank

Aerodynamic drag has two components, drag coefficient, Cd, and cross-sectional area, A. Total Drag is the product; CdA The C-Max has a low Cd, roughly 0.3, but compared with comparable Prii, it has a much larger A, and so more drag. Regardless, any real-world vehicle with a Cd of 0.3 is highly aerodynamic. We sometimes get hung up on specific aspects of a car, like Cd. If you study aerodynamics a bit, you'll find that very low Cd cars are unstable in cross winds. We've all had a cross wind push us toward an adjascent lane, but the car remained pointed down the road; that's good aero design. With low Cd designs, you're aimed at the guardrail. Be careful what you ask for... HAve fun, Frank

I came across this post in a loudspeaker forum. I know the poster, and have no reason to doubt his veracity. I can't say if he's with Ford, but it's clearly a major vendor. When he speaks of quality, I listen, as he's responsible for my favorite speakers. No drain plug and no dipstick, maybe we're trying to tell you something. Most modern automatic transmissions are fill-for-life. We do not want or see a need for anyone to be inside unless there is a failure of some kind and even then they should be qualified. Transmission fluid does not need to be drained and changed over the life the vehicle in most situations. Interesting tidbit, I work in the Quality division and I see the warranty data of not just us, but of all of the manufacturers that we benchmark. Over the last several years our warranty charts have been rescaled down by a factor of 10. Current warranty numbers would barely show up on the charts of twenty years ago, they'd almost look like a flat line. That's how good things are getting these days. Kind of makes sense for Ford to recommend a 150K miles tranny service... HAve fun, Frank

ONLY if the ICE and EV data were for equal length segments... you've got the math right, but you've given each equal weight, and that's a very rare occurance. The curves look like this for your example. In fact, anyone who tries to average the actual MPGs is in for a rude awakening, as EV doesn't use fuel, so mileage in EV is infinite (aka the inverse fo zero). I've used your values for the chart. HAve fun, Frank