nsteblay

After using Apple maps now for another week I am getting more impressed. Similar to Waze it has been taking me on alternate routes on my daily commute to avoid traffic. It has been rerouting during the commute when it finds a faster route. I just wish it showed actual MPH and posted speed limits on the screen. If it did that I would consider it equivalent to all the other GPS programs and systems I've used.

Ford should use NTP to adjust the time when connected to Wifi or the phone. That way it would adjust itself regularly and be accurate to the area your in.

It will come around when it gets warm. Your overall yearly average will be decent.

Apple Maps is getting better though I still like Google Maps and Waze better. Apple bought a Machine Learning company called Turi that was founded by a Carnegie Mellon professor and his wife a MIT PhD graduate. I took some online classes from them as they now teach at Washington University and attended a conference put on by them last year. I understand that they are working on improving many of the AI algorithms used in the Apple products. Apple maps is now pretty good at assessing traffic and picking optimal routes and even rerouting if traffic changes. Being a long time Waze users I haven't seen much difference in times using Apple maps through CarPlay. I know some systems allow CarPlay over Bluetooth. Sync 3 doesn't have that capability yet ... it may be coming, not sure. Generally I'm happy with CarPlay and Sync 3. Android is also great but I really like the integrated Apple experience between Mac, iPhone, iPad, iWatch and Apple TV. Having it available in the car is a big plus for me. Sync 3 is based on QNX. It's probably the best highest quality real-time operating system on the market - used by many medical device companies for their products. Being fundamentally UNIX based it is also very extensible. Ford should be able to keep it up to date with the shifting sands of the software world. Big step up over the Microsoft based system in the earlier Sync product.

I live in Minnesota and have a 2013 SEL. I have about 100K on the car. My lifetime average is 42 MPG but my average for the last 3 years is almost 44 MPG. In the dead of winter I get low to mid thirties. Once it warms up I get mid to upper 40's. Not unusual to have days where I'm over 50. You can customize the left gauge so that you can see engine temperature. Do that in conjunction with Empower. You can then see why the engine is running. I just bought my second CMax, a 2016 SE. I tried out the competing hybrids but none had the combination of power, comfort and MPG that I get in the CMax. It has been the perfect commute car for me. I've saved 1000's on gas with no compromises in performance. I use an OBD II adapter (Automatic) that records all my trips. I'll pull my records from last year and correlate with average temperature. I can produce a regression to show the correlation between temperature and mileage. I did this once before a year or two ago and posted it. The other big factor is average MPH for a trip. If your trips are predominantly high speed freeway your MPG average will be lower.

I test drove the Niro and found it sluggish compared to the CMax. I've really come to appreciate the CMax's quick acceleration when driving on the crazy Minneapolis freeways during rush hours. I just felt I wouldn't be happy with the Niro, similar to experiences I've had with Toyota Prius. I found a new 2016 CMax SE with Sync 3 for 17K and bought it. I am sure the more expensive Niro would have gotten better mileage but I'll get 42-43 with the CMax and greatly appreciate the visibility, ride and acceleration. Sync 3 is nice also with Android Auto and Apple Car Play.

I think I had this problem right after I bought my CMax 2013 SEL back in October of 2012. It was just a couple of weeks after I got it and there was a terrible vibration and noise when I drove it one morning. The dealer actually towed the car from my house and I was able to pick it up a day or two later - don't remember exactly. They told me the couldn't find anything and I haven't had an issue since. I wonder if there wasn't a defect that they fixed.

Wow. I have a CR-V and have driven it for the last 10 years. Lifetime average is about 24 MPG - Fuelly confirms. Never have even come close to 30 MPG. I think your 38 MPG is a bonafide miracle! I just bought a 2016 CMax and have similar experiences to you. I don't experience any vibration between ICE and EV transitions. I can only tell because of instrumentation.

I just had my dealer install a new USB port in my CMax 2016 SE - HC3Z-19A387-B (Blue USB Port LED's - Ford Default) - List Price: $63.43 USD. It replace the old part GC3T-14F014-BB. The new USB port in conjunction with the Sync 3 upgrade to 2.2 I installed a couple of weeks ago has now enabled Apple Car Play on my iPhone 6. Yipee! :yahoo: Works great.

I can go up to 85 mph EV in my 2016 C-Max.

I just bought a 2016 C-Max SE. EV works up to 85 mph. I haven't been impressed with Ford's web sites lately. It is difficult to get accurate information. I'm using the Automatic OBD II. I supports a broad set of software and comes with built in GPS and cellular access. No monthly charge either.

My current 2013 C-Max just hit 100K and will be handing it down to my kids. I was looking for a new car and test drove the Kia Niro. I knew I wouldn't be happy with the acceleration as its life and death :shift: out there on the crazy Minneapolis freeways. I ended up buying a second C-Max, new 2016 SE, and am quite happy. Getting mid 40's immediately.

Sync which is available on the 2013 through 2015 models works well with Siri. Sync 3 is only available on the 2016 through 2017 models and has support for Android Auto and Apple Carplay. 2016 models require both a software and hardware upgrade to use Apple Carplay. The software upgrade is to Sync 3 version 2.2. The hardware upgrade is a new USB port. For those who want Sync 3 on earlier models it appears that it is possible. I've seen multiple threads of people buying the needed hardware and installing successfully.

You'll be waiting for an eternity I'm afraid. I don't believe the 1.0 to 2.2 upgrade can happen over the air. See my other post for the files. It was a straight forward process. Disclaimer - UPGRADE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I'm not impressed with the owner.ford.com site. Never seems to be up to date. I've never had it show the correct Sync or Sync 3 updates for my 2013 or my new 2016. The forums have been life savers.

I just upgraded Sync 3 to 2.2 in a new 2016 C-Max SE I bought. I don't have navigation. I used the links below to get to the files. Worked great. Disclaimer - UPGRADE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Make sure you use the correct file depending on whether you have navigation or not. Andriod Auto now works but Apple Carplay doesn't yet. Because I have a 2016 Apple Carplay also requires a hardware upgrade ... new USB port. I spoke to my dealership and they've ordered the part which is available. I'll be getting it installed in a couple of weeks as I'm traveling next week. http://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/11892-Update-Sync3-to-v2-2-for-navigation-and-non-navigation-units-AndroidAuto-and-AppleCarPlay-(download-links-inside) http://www.2gfusions.net/showthread.php?tid=3881&pid=94199#pid94199 Nick

Just bought a second C-Max, a 2016 SE. My first one a 2013 SEL has 100K, my Honda CRV about 150K, so it was time for a new car. I'm going to hand down the old one to my teenage girls. I was looking at other hybrids but after test driving decided I wouldn't be happy with their acceleration or price. I found the new 2016 SE for 17K, about 8K off the retail. No bells and whistles but it will do the trick. Unfortunately, after getting it home I learned I need to upgrade Sync 3 to version 2.2 and upgrade the USB ports in order to use Apple CarPlay. I found the Sync 3 upgrade on some other forums ... going to give it a try. I'll probably have the dealer install the new USB ports. Must be an upgrade from USB 2 to 3. Later ... Well, the Sync upgrade worked great. I'm Now on Sync 3 version 2.2. I see that Android Auto is now available but Carplay still doesn't activate. I must need the new USB port. I'll reach out to the dealership early next week. I've noticed that the 2016 C-Max now has an ECO button and mode. I'll need to read up on that.

I believe I drove the EX ... not entirely sure. It was a very short trip and I didn't check the MPG for it. I already have a C-Max ... but you're right, I am thinking about another C-Max. If you've invested recently in a C-Max you made a good choice. I have an Automatic OBD II and capture metrics on every drive. My 2016 yearly MPG average was 44.8. Here is a graphic of my MPG this last year. I live in Minnesota so you can see the variability by temperature. Average MPH per trip was only 35 as I use the C-Max predominately for freeway commuting during rush hours. It would be much lower if my average MPH was higher. For longer freeway trips with no traffic, where my average MPH is closer to 50 MPH, I get just under 40 MPG in warm weather. I believe the Niro will get a more consistent MPG even at higher speeds, similar to the Prius. I'll wait to see what owners report these next couple of month. I joined a Niro forum.

I test drove the Niro today. It is on my shortlist of new cars I'm considering for a summer purchase. Here are some of my key take-aways. The car is attractive and comfortable. I felt like I was riding as high if not higher than my C-Max, had as much room on the inside, seats were as comfortable, and visibility was good. My wife really liked it.The tech looks good. I like it better than my 2013 C-Max. Has Apple Carplay and Android Auto with a nice touch screen that is very accessible. Has a wireless charging pad for a Samsung phone. Has the sensors that you are commonly seeing in most new cars. Also, keyless, unlocking with touch, sensing wipers, automatic climate control, etc.Handling was good. The 6-speed versus CVT didn't really change my perception of the ride. I guess I have no preference.It seemed to have much slower acceleration. It was a short test drive, so it may be an unfair assessment, but it definitely didn't have the spunk of my C-Max. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get it on the freeway, so I wasn't able to kick it down in a merge situation. I'm sure it has adequate power for typical freeway driving. I'll need to test drive again before buying.We also drove the Rav4 Hybrid with AWD. Super nice car but a good chunk more expensive and interestingly not as comfortable. Also much lower gas mileage. I also don't like the Toyota tech, no Carplay or Android Auto. I'll be checking out the Honda HR-V also, even though it isn't a hybrid. Right now the Niro is on the top of our list. I wish Ford had the next generation hybrid out to consider.

Just over 4 years on mine. 90K with lifetime 42.2 mpg ... 43.5 mpg this last year. Have only brought it in for the recalls and one minor issue. Fantastic car!

I've had my C-Max 4+ years now. Early on I had the water leak issue. It was a rubber seal on the back hatch door around where the electric cable passes through. It just needed to be seated properly and sealed. Water would pour into the door when it rained. No problems since. Haven't had any other issues with car. The best commute car I've ever owned - love it. I've had Hondas for the past 20 years. Nick

One observation I have after driving my C-Max these past 4 years ... it has great torque from 0 to 30 MPH. I drive in some aggressive commuter traffic where quick acceleration at slow speeds is useful. When driving other cars, even with bigger engines, I find myself feeling that they are sluggish at slower speeds. It's not unusual for me to "burn rubber" when accelerating from a stop in my C-Max. My understanding is EV's have maximum torque at zero RPMs. I'm thinking that the EV assists initial acceleration. Am I living in a delusion or do others observe something similar? BTW - Lifetime 42 MPG in cold Minnesota and I don't try to get good mileage.

I think it is just a matter of time (5 years probably) that acceleration issues with cars will be a thing of the past. Electric motors have maximum torque at zero speed. Assuming the electric engines are sufficiently powerful, acceleration of an EV will beat an ICE easily. If you haven't go test drive a Tesla. As batteries get better and car manufacturers get better at electric and hybrid designs, muscle cars will be no more. Given the state of the technology, I think Ford achieved a good balance with the C-Max hybrid. With my 2013 C-Max I'm still amazed I get 43+ MPG yearly average and have no issues with adequate acceleration in a competitive big city commute environment. Toyota with the classic Prius has always favored maximum MPG over acceleration, visibility, style and comfort. The strategy has worked for sales volume.

Looks cool. Doesn't appear to have as much power as the C-Max. Amazing how similar the interior design is. I would imagine that passengers sit much lower than the C-Max. Headroom can't be as good. Would be curious regarding cold-weather performance.

The anti-suv seating position talked about in the Green Cars report is what I don't like about the Prius. The C-Max feels so much like an SUV with its higher profile and headroom. Especially now that cars are getting bigger again I appreciate that higher profile. I'm getting 43.7 MPG year-over-year now with my 2013 in Minnesota. I can't believe that the Toyota is that far in front. Wouldn't trade the power, styling and comfort for those few MPGs.