nsteblay

I've been happy with the quality of the car to date. My last new car a Honda CRV 2007 had to go back into the shop several times for transmission and seatbelt issues. All of these were known defects yet I don't see Honda ever show up on the list. The only issue with the CMax is the My Ford Touch system. I blame this more on Microsoft than Ford. They partnered with the wrong company. Regarding the MPG I am not driving in hyper mile mode by any stretch of the imagination and am getting 45+ mpg. In the dead of winter I'll get 35 mpg. I'll average about 40 mpg for the year which is acceptable for me. You've got to wonder about these companies doing the assessments. Somebody should do an investigation of them. I'll bet they are not as objective as they tout.

Just received a letter in the mail informing me that a Synch MFT update is available for my 2013 C-Max (bought last October). Includes improvements: Simplified phone pairing processEnhanced voice recognition performanceImproved call sound qualitySimplified voice commands for radio and USB-connected audio playersEnhanced voice and screen destination entry for vehicles equipped with NavigationUpdated Bluetooth devices/SYNC compatibilityOutside air temperature display on the 8-inch touch screenNew "EV Info" button on home screen that will take you to Powerflow Screen that shows energy flow informationThis must be the 3.5.1 update others are talking about on the forums. My sense is people are thinking this is an improvement over earlier versions. It appears that I need to take the car in for the upgrade. More information at www.ford.com/mftupdates

I am finding the EPA numbers to be accurate now that the weather is warmer. I live in Minnesota in the Twin Cities and commute 42 miles per day mixed freeway and highway driving. When at full speed on the freeway I typically travel 70-75 mph. Not sure what my average speed is with congestion but it is definitely below 60. I have found Negative Split Mode (freeway driving above 63 mph) gets me low 40's. Positive Split Mode / Electric Mode switching (in congestion or speeds below 63 mph) is getting me higher than EPA numbers. Combined I am getting right around the 47 MPG. Really drops off in the winter - was only getting 35 mpg in cold weather that is well below freezing. I understand this is due to the need to heat the car and exhaust system, less battery capacity, and less traction on the road. I think for a yearly average I'll be right around 40-41 MPG average. If anything the EPA should test in varying temperature for hybrids. Cold weather really impacts the mileage. I can't comment as to whether this is true for all hybrids but I would imagine so. My last 100 miles or so ... My current tank of gas ...

I have seen this several times - 3 if I am recalling correctly. I always assumed that it was a software update. You do make a good point regarding how the software update is obtained. I use services occasionally and it would only be possible to download software during those brief time I am connected. I doubt the system is using my phone randomly to connect for software updates. Another possibility is this is relate to Sirius. These updates could be obtained through the satellite connection. A bit of a mystery for sure.

Great write up Matt! I do think the aerodynamics of the CMax is one reason it gets poorer mileage than its main competitor the Prius. On the other hand aesthetically I can't stand the looks of the Prius and much prefer my CMax. Are aesthetics more important than gas mileage? Of course the answer is highly subjective. I like the balance Ford has obtained between efficiency, aesthetics and performance.

Image of C-Max HEV https://docs.google....dit?usp=sharing 4 Modes of Operation Series Mode Used only when vehicle is not moving and the engine is running Engine may be running for battery charging, cabin or battery temperature control, or catalyst warm-up. Positive Split Mode Engine is ON and driving the generator motor to produce electricity Power from the engine is split between the direct path to the road and the path through the generator motor Generator power can flow to the battery or to the traction motor The traction motor can operate as a motor or a generator to make up the difference between the engine power and the desired power This is the preferred mode whenever the battery needs to be charged or when at moderate loads and low vehicle speeds Negative Split Mode The engine is on and the generator motor consumes electrical energy to reduce engine speed The traction motor can operate as a motor or a generator to make up the difference between the engine power and the desired power Typical highway mode Occurs when the engine needs to be on, the system can not be operated in parallel mode and the battery is charged near its upper limit Electric Mode The vehicle is propelled by stored electrical energy only The engine is turned off The tractive torque supplied from the traction motor Preferred mode whenever the desired power is low enough such that it can be produced more efficiently by electrical system than engine Preferred mode in reverse because the engine can not deliver reverse torque Separate electric pump maintains power assisted steering The ICE High is Negative Split Mode. These modes are described in the OBDII Theory and Operation available here.

Weather and summer grade fuel. My mileage has jumped significantly. Got the car last October.

I use to think that driving style was important to get the mileage. I am not so sure. 21 mile commute home from work tonight. Had to work late so the traffic was light. Drove 70 - 75 MPG, stayed in left lane (mostly freeway), passed a couple of luxury cars (felt good :) ), got home, 45.8 MPG. Didn't go light on the gas pedal, no P&G, just drove to get home fast. I was only getting 35 MPG in the cold of winter (very cold in MN). Temperature and summer grade fuel has to be the big difference makers.

51.8 on my drive home from work today. 21 miles mixed freeway and highway. Lots of stop and go but periods of 70+ MPH. Didn't try to drive efficient just went with the traffic. The car is broken in and running great. Mileage has been fantastic since the weather got warm.

My comment on Negative Split Mode relates more to getting the battery fully charged in freeway driving. I use to drive looking at the gauges trying to maximize my time in EV mode staying at 63 MPH or less. This was a distracting way to drive and didn't result in optimal fuel mileage for me. Now I stay with the freeway traffic and allow the batteries to fully charge. I then see the good mileage at higher speeds. When I have to slow down because of traffic I go into EV mode and apply P&G. I don't know, maybe its just the warmer weather that is driving my better mileage. I suppose if I drove at slower speeds I would get even better mileage. The great news is I don't have to and am still getting the EPA mileage.

Image of C-Max HEV https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-dKQZnDd9FQNEx4UW0zQzJZZWM/edit?usp=sharing 4 Modes of Operation Series Mode Used only when vehicle is not moving and the engine is runningEngine may be running for battery charging, cabin or battery temperature control, or catalyst warm-up.Positive Split Mode Engine is ON and driving the generator motor to produce electricityPower from the engine is split between the direct path to the road and the path through the generator motorGenerator power can flow to the battery or to the traction motorThe traction motor can operate as a motor or a generator to make up the difference between the engine power and the desired powerThis is the preferred mode whenever the battery needs to be charged or when at moderate loads and low vehicle speedsNegative Split Mode The engine is on and the generator motor consumes electrical energy to reduce engine speedThe traction motor can operate as a motor or a generator to make up the difference between the engine power and the desired powerTypical highway modeOccurs when the engine needs to be on, the system can not be operated in parallel mode and the battery is charged near its upper limitElectric Mode The vehicle is propelled by stored electrical energy onlyThe engine is turned offThe tractive torque supplied from the traction motorPreferred mode whenever the desired power is low enough such that it can be produced more efficiently by electrical system than enginePreferred mode in reverse because the engine can not deliver reverse torqueSeparate electric pump maintains power assisted steering Electric mode can only be achieved when traveling 63 MPH or less. Negative Split Mode kicks in at speeds higher than 63 MPH and when battery is fully charged. I am now getting EPA mileage - ~47 MPG. I usually am driving in a mixed scenario - 70% freeway, 30% street On the freeway I often travel faster than 63 MPH (65 - 75 MPH). I am seeing low to mid 40's average when in Negative Split Mode. I recommend getting into Negative Split Mode when freeway driving. Don't try and stay at 63 MPH or less - you won't get the mileage you want. On the road I'll see EPA or better mileage as I can leverage Electric Mode. I do employ P&G to an extent but not to where I am frustrating drivers behind me. These numbers are only possible in warmer weather - > 45 F. When temperatures get colder the car will run in Series and Positive Split Modes more often to heat the catalyst or maintain temperature in the cabin. The hit to MPG dependS on how cold it is. In single digets to sub zero weather I was getting 35 MPG. I haven't driven yet in hot weather so not sure how Max AC will impact mileage. This HEV architecture is similar to the Toyota Prius. Big differences are C-Max has a much larger gas and EV traction motors giving the C-Max much better power and acceleration. The C-Max isn't as aerodynamic and is heavier than the Prius. I believe the weight, aerodynamics negatively impact the C-Max's MPG particularly in the cold. I've heard the Prius gets impacted in the cold but not as much. C-Max is far more comfortable though with better room and quieter ride. I am very happy with my choice to go with the C-Max over the Prius.

No picture, you'll have to trust me. Commute home from work today. Stopped at Best Buy along the way. 15.1 miles / 51.9 MPG. Temp low 60's, freeway driving with lots of congestion, periods of 65-70 MPH.

Now that it has warmed up here in the great north I am getting the EPA estimated mileage. These last two weeks all my trips have been mid to upper 40's. My drives to work today were 45 going and 49.5 driving back. Very pleased! Just need to be resigned to lower mileage during the cold months.

21 mile commute to work today - 47.4 MPG. Freeway driving with rush hour congestion at times. Mid 40's these past few weeks with the warmer weather.

I can testify that temperature has a huge impact on mileage. I live in Minnesota. Over the winter on cold days (20F and below) I averaged about 35 MPG. These last few weeks we've been having temps in the mid 60's to mid 70's. I've been averaging mid 40's in the warm weather. During my commute from work today I got 47.4 MPG. The commute is 21 miles mostly freeway with congestion but times of 70 to 75 MPH. I had the AC running today also. Really am liking the car. They need to include variable temperatures in the EPA test particularly for hybrids.

Had to CTRL-ALT-DEL the Microsoft MyFord Touch yesterday. It does the wackiest things some times. Hope the next version fixes some of the flakiness.

I finally saw another C-Max on the road after six months of ownership. I have a silver one. The one I saw was red - looked great. I wanted to pull up beside it and give a big smile - too much traffic. Kind of weird I know.

I didn't even know it (kind of embarrassed) but my windshield wipers are rain sensing. We (the CMax and me) got about our 30th snowfall of the month yesterday (will spring ever come!) and while driving I turned the wipers on the intermittent setting. When going by semis with major spray the wipers would go full speed to see out the window. When driving in open stretches they would stop unless the the windshield was wet. I should probably look at the manual but I am not aware of any switch to turn the feature on or off. Curious as to how the senors work. Does anyone know?

I've been driving at freeway speeds (65 - 70) and been getting 40's easily. One 37 mile trip I clocked 52 MPG. I've come to believe my low mileage this winter was due to temperature. I am going to try wind breaks for the grill next winter. When the ICE is running at speeds greater than 63 MPH with the battery fully charged, though the dash doesn't show it, I've got to believe the EV is helping out some way. I see the dynamic MPG bounce from just below 40 to mid 40's. Seems to me that the car is tuned to about 70 MPH. Another clue is the battery always shows about 3/4 full when driving at freeway speeds for long distances - something is using the battery. When the car is cold and the ICE is running all the time to heat the car the battery will show 100% colored with even darker colors. If the Michigan party happens this summer I would love for the Ford engineers to explain the power split algorithms that are at work. These hybrids are by far the most sophisticated cars on the road. I can't believe Ford is making much money on the C-Max. At least not compared to the F-150s.

I have experienced similar. I am not sure it's because they see the Hybrid sign. As a matter of fact I would imagine most of them can't even read - at least not words that big. You know one thing I've noticed is when starting from a stop light I let the EV start the acceleration and then kick in the gas engine. When gas engine kicks in I usually gain quite a bit of ground on the car behind. I am thinking it has something to do with the CVT. It always satiates the "Indy" driver inside of me!

47.7 on my drive home today. 21 miles on freeway. Congestion with stop and go but also stretches of going 70 MPH. Probably 50/50. Didn't really try to drive efficient. Almost 50F today.

This is not what I've been experiencing. I am seeing much better mileage than 38 when traveling at 70 MPG over a decent distance on a fully charged battery.