Arthur

2200 miles total, Temp today, >32< +- 3 deg, Hills and vales, Maine is not flat, Last trip 340 miles,  village, city, interstate (62 mph), back country roads (40-50). Avg 42.2 mpg, Lifetime 38.4

In town only, has been as high as 56 mpg. I have a very light foot, and use Cruse ECO most of the time on the open roads.

I find the hills really chew up the mileage, and the cold does also, usually 7 or 8 miles before the EV starts to operate after a cold start..

I was looking for values of my 2000 SD 250 Diesel, to sell or trade,  and saw on a Ford site, the C-Max and Fusion hybrids, took a ride to a Ford dealer, tried out the C-Max

talked price for a Fusion (too high), and bought a C-Max, I found it to be a big car in a small package, I love it, kinda like driving a Volvo, it seems to have all the technology, the ride, handling, quietness, visibility, fit and finish in side and out, with much better mileage, and plenty of get-up-en'go.

I guess Ford stole a few Ideas when they owned Volvo.

I located some LED's that replace the 1156's .... have to think these over to see if the parking and turn signal lights can be improved and left on for Driving lights

http://www.superbrightleds.com/ 

Hybrid dude,  I would also like automatic driving lights, and I think your idea for a piece of tape is the way to go.  I wish it would only be the fog lights that came on for daylight.

This AM,  I just touched the 'voice' to give a command, after the voice started, I accidentally  hit the 'voice' button again, and it blew it all, in the center of the screen was a partially readable Microsoft old fashion window, then it went totally black for about 30 Sec, then  reset it self, came up working with blank buttons on the Sirius screen, I went to another screen and then back to the Sirius buttons, and they were all there with the stations noted.

I have the Ruby Red, and  the ladies think I look 30 years younger! Bought it sight unseen,  Glad I did.

Check this one out, 

http://www.amazon.com/Peak-PKC0RG-Rearview-Mirror-3-5-Inch/dp/B004VJMEEQ

Looks like $94.95

We have no place in Northern New England to find unadulterated gas it's all 10% 

I will have to try the method of get up & go,  I live in Maine in the Cold country, and I find the EV will not come on until the engine has warmed up.

Along with living in the hills, pulls down any chance of super mileage. Got 46.8 on a 200 mile trip yesterday though. Been running about 38 to 41 around town.

I bought one at AutoZone, cut it to fit.

I purchased a warranty from a Ford dealer in Conn,   $900 cheaper than my dealer where I bought the car, Here in Maine the State requires a 10 year warranty on the battery, where as Ford provides 8 years,  my dealer did not know until I told him.

Check on your States implied warranties.

The mpg does not come up to the advertised numbers, but I still love this car, I've only had for 3 weeks, it's great to drive, 

I live in a very hilly area, and I can only get 38 to 42 mpg, I did not expect the 47 for my home area, but I made a 200 mile trip

yesterday, mostly interstate, some local, and a little city, I drive with a light foot, and work at it, my average when arriving home

was 46.8, so that gave me some encouragement.

Please forgive me if this is a duplicate reply, My first post, and the one I just made seem to go in to cyber space.

Changing the oil with a pan cover is difficult when you don't have much room, as with my last auto, I changed my base plug to a valve, and made it much easier, if you can cut  an opening in the engine cover, just large enough to get to a valve you could use one, they can be found at:  http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com   Then make a cover to slide or turn over the hole when done. Another trick I used was a vacuum cleaner taped to the oil filler hole, when you remove the plug to change it,  the oil will not run out.