ptjones

Just to set the story straight: HotPotato said " I'm certain Ford understands the car better than I do, not vice-versa. " ​ FORD did try to block the radiator with Temperature Controlled Shutters, but they don't work very well. That is why I came up with Grill Covers, which allows the ICE to heat up faster, retain heat and run more efficient.(Improve MPG's) BTW We have been using these Grill Covers for 3 1/2 years, 129k miles still getting great MPG's and using no oil. :) Paul

Marc is updated. Good Job! you are improving. :) Paul

Well the CMAX isn't like your VIBE, it is a Hybrid so the engine doesn't run all the time making heat which wastes gas. ;) Go to this Thread to get informed on what can be done during the winter. http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/5511-how-to-improve-winter-mpgs/ :) The problem is that the CMAX has to much cooling capacity so the ICE never gets up to Operating temps where it is most efficient. :) Paul PS I leave my covers on most of the year!

You didn't say what outside temps you had and I believe the NRG is 300lbs heavier, not a biggy. ;) For me I find it is less stressful to drive 60-70 mph than 70-80 mph and not so worn-out when I get to where I'm going. IMO :) I have made the trip to AZ probably seventy times in the last 11 yrs. so for me it is a video game kind of. With trying to find Semi Drafting Partner going the speed I want to go, then drafting using P&G and coasting when available. If drafting not available use the terrain to P&G and Coast. The MPG penalty for driving faster than 69 mph is pretty steep, it is better to draft going 75 mph than going by yourself at 69 mph in FE. Sometimes this game can bug my Wife alot, she's in a hurry to get there, but at most we save a couple of hours on a 28-30 hour trip. :shift: :drop: :) Paul This is the first Winter that my MPG's have gone up. :yahoo:

I wonder if the front right brake is working when it shouldn't? Compare the disks surfaces right and left to see if they look the same. ;) Paul

Mark I'm confused, do you have 24K mi. or 36K mi.? :) Paul

Well it is still going up. and it is still winter time! :yahoo: 48 MPG's Paul

It seems to me that you are over reacting for having a 12v battery problem on atleast a three year old 12v battery. I'm sure the 36 month warranty is up and it is time to replace it. Problem solved. :yahoo: Most of us on this forum think the CMAX is a great car even if the value has dropped like all Hybrids have do to the low cost of Gas. ;) I think you would be singing a different tune if Gas was $5 a gallon. :sing_rain: Paul

Sounds like you need a new 12v battery. ;) Paul

I have watched SOC for the HVB when in neutral with my ScanGaugeII, it only goes down, stepping on the brakes has no effect on SOC. ;) Paul

How much oil did you use for 10K miles? Has your MPG's gone down over what you would expect for the winter driving? Does the ICE run smoothly at idle? I don't remember any oil in intake when I changed the air filter 70K miles ago. I'm not using any noticeable amount of oil at 128K miles. :) Paul

I think I will wait too, I have to get one for my wife's Explorer too. ;) Paul

I see them on eBay starting at about $100. :) Paul

Initially I was apprehensive about shifting from Drive to Neutral and back to Drive. Now it has become a habit after 10k mi. and the only problem with this is you can't accelerate when you need to. I don't recommend doing this for most members because it takes more attention to what's going on around you. I think it might be good to explain my strategy for Coasting: 1. I need at least a tenth of a mile distance to coast or I don't bother. 2. I coast going downhill or on the level if I need to loose some speed or have a tail wind. Drafting helps with this strategy. 3. I don't coast in heavy slow moving traffic, you don't need to be distracted when you don't know what people are going to do in front of you. ;) 4. I usually go into EV after coasting if I have any HVB left, you do discharge the HVB while coasting. 5. The less charging of the HVB and the less ICE time% =better MPG's. :) 6. Coasting is worth 2-5mpg depending on what % of the time you are doing it. :thumbsup: Paul

I have had MADMAX for 3.5 yrs. now which works out to 36K mi. a year. Needless to say I have been having alot of Fun. :) It is amazing that my average fill up was about $24 and that was with Premium too. It cost alot more to stay in Motels than the gas to travel. ;) I did get an air mattress and sleeping bag that I was thinking of trying out in the back with seats folded down. It might work for camping out too. I will try setting it up tonight and take pics. :) Paul

I have learned a few more things about coasting, it cools down the HVB so I see 2 bar EV when I use it. The ICE runs cooler too. I have been watching the SOC when using ICE going uphill, the charging system barely charges when above above 2 bars,sometimes not at all. It is surprising to go uphill for a long time and then at the top of the hill HVB SOC has hardly changed from when you started up the hill. ;) Today I drove into Atlanta and back on I-85 and averaged 56.6mpg with rain on the way back and 60*F. I did some coasting. :) Paul

This fan runs all the time and pulling fuses would isolate witch circuit it is on. When I get a chance I will look at the service manual to see what's in the console. ;) Paul

I have been hearing a small fan noise like the bearing is going out in the MFT area and I had the electronics person at FORD listen to it. He said their are no fans in MFT and radio. He said their could be a small fan in the climate control system to monitor temp. I thought I would post this to see if anyone had any ideas. ;) Paul

The shape deviates from the tear drop form we are accustom of seeing. The car is so boxy, straight lines, I wonder if they did a better job on the bottom of the car. The front end isn't smooth or contoured, maybe it doesn't matter that much. :shrug: :headscratch: Paul

What does it mean for the miles to go up to fast? The faster the miles go up, the more FUN you are having. LOL :lol: With 128K mi. I must be having alot of FUN! :) Paul

Well I drove from Newnan,GA to Williams,AZ to drop off my wife at her Mom's. Then drove to SF to go to a Exhibition and then back, 5020 miles, 103.4 gals of Premium, $199.56 Total and 48.6mpg. average for the trip. Not to bad. :yahoo: I could have saved atleast $20 if I used Regular but didn't want to give up the better mpg's. :) Fortunately I almost didn't have any rain( it rained in central CA) and no snow, but the winds where brutal at times with 20-30mph head winds. I had one stretch from ABQ to Tucumcari, NM, about 150 miles I had about 20-30mph tail wind and was averaging almost 60mpg going 65-75mph. After that winds reversed and I was getting in the 30's OUCH! :drop: I still managed somehow to get 51mpg on that tank. If you are interested you can click on my Fuelly icon and see how I did. :) Paul

Well I finally saw my first 2016 Prius in AR on I-40, what a bazaar looking read end and then the front end too. ;) I don't see how it can get improved coefficient of drag numbers. :headscratch: :shrug: Paul

I have Allstate and I think it came with the policy. :) I have have had a slow leak in both sets of tires which were fixable. With 127.8K miles I have been lucky so far. :yahoo: I have been planing to get a full size spare, but keep forgetting about it. ;) Paul