Adrian_L

Was the sound when you were braking or after the car had stopped? If the former: occassionaly disk brakes get a little rust on them from damp weather which causes a minor squeel for a little while. It gets sanded off by braking and isn't considered a problem.

Years ago, I used to sell new and used lanscaping equipment. Even though our used stuff didn't have a warranty (we used to joke "30 feet or 30 seconds") If someone brought something back two days later with a problem we would have fixed it--no questions asked. A reputable business will stand behind what they sell. I would speak to the manager of the dealership. It was working when you test drove it. And two days later--broken. You have a reasonable expectation that your car will be the way to bought it for at least a little while.

Ok. That's damned cold (and I lived in Calgary for 8 years) I usually rely on my seat heaters ("2" is roasting) but it rarely goes below freezing around the west coast. I did have a portable electric heater under the passenger seat in my old VW Bus---plugged it in with a timer to go off an hour before departure. Fantastic. Too bad the Hybrid cabin can't be preheated like the Energi (i.e. without using gas).

Did you consider a toggle switch between the fog lamp cable and the relay? That way you decide when you want the fog lamps on.

Pleased to hear that. Your 'eco' cruise is your friend on the highway. I use it in the city too.

I don't think that is true. Frankly if I could take it off my car and sell it I would. What next? A button on your TV remote to save you the trouble of opening the fridge?

Did you buy the car privately? If you bought from a dealership they need to fix your stereo. You a have the base AM/FM with CD and 6 speakers. Can you take out the radio? If I were you, I would go to an electronic repair place and let them check it out.

About two months ago, I came back to my car after having lunch in a restaurant. Tailgate wide open. I remember taking something from the trunk after I parked, but swear to this day that I closed it and locked the car.

I think you might be better asking this on the Energi forum. Very few of the Hybrids have the remote start.

Good deduction. The door switch on my GMC van used to stick all the time before I zapped it with silicone lube spray.

I hear you. I have a remote start option on my car that I have used zero times. I too bought off the lot.

Yes-----the options for the Energi are the same as SEL (301A lacks camera) I'd have to rate the backup sensors a 9 out of 10 for usefulness. Backup camera? Maybe a 4. Useful for gauging the distance between the tires and the curb. I still park by "feel" most of the time. The whole concept of "auto park" is bizarre to me. What next, self-walking shoes? I guess my point is---don't spend a whole lot of cash and effort putting the camera in, unless you really can't live without it.

All SELs have the backup sensors. Looks like a couple of members have successfully installed the camera/lock pic thing to work with the existing monitor.

Base SEL lacks the "hands-free technology package" ($500). You'd need to figure out the wiring for the camera and also figure out how the camera engages with the reverse gear. There might be some sort of switch attached to the transmission?? How much is the reverse camera?

You "love" your C-max but it's "unfortunate" you have to keep her? You lost me there. I have a 2013 SEL and in a year of ownership I have only been in the dealership once for a recall/reprogram. From what I gather from the senior members on this site, MPGs have not suffered due to these recalls---in fact their mileage seems to be the same or better. I actually welcome a chance to update/upgrade/reprogram because it would suggest the more bugs get worked out, the less chance I will encounter the dead battery scenario. And besides, I get a free car wash and interior clean :victory:

I think that would be a question that a quick call to your Ford service dept. would best answer. But I doubt they would have a key cutter.

The 2013 and 2014s are identical in every respect except for slight aero modifications and (if I remember correctly) a subtle change to the transmission. Oh..........and thinner oil (Ford authorizes 0W20 in the '13). Any software updates or changes are available for the '13 too.

Frankly, the hassle of putting it up on the window, turning it on and plugging it in, and doing the reverse when you leave is not worth it. I don't miss my Garmin.

Self-driving cars with OS from Microsoft?: For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day. Every time they repainted the lines on the road, you would have to buy a new car. Occasionally, your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would just accept this, restart, and drive on. Occasionally, executing a manner such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart in which case you would have to reinstall the engine. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, reliable, five times as fast, and twice as easy to drive, but would only run on five percent of the roads. The oil, water, temperature, and alternator warning lights would be replaced by a single "general car default" warning light. Occasionally for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key, and grabbed hold of the radio antenna. The airbag system would say "Are you sure?" before going off. You would press the "start" button to shut off the engine. (from an old GM press release responding to complaints from Bill Gates that if "GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving twenty-five dollar cars that got one-thousand miles to the gallon")

It panes me to say---clearly, yes. There's no glazing over this one.

You'd have to do a heck of a lot of driving to put 100,000 miles+ on a 2013 SEL. I'm guessing it's more about 25,000-35,000 but the OP is being surreptitious.

I re-read your older post. You'll be ok if you've got a 50k warranty. The service at my local Audi dealership was first class (Cappuccino and a brand new A6 as a service loaner). Alright then, guv. TTFN from a fellow Brit. Adrian

Sorry, I was probably not clear---by "maxed out" I mean that we got full coverage with comprehensive and collision ($300 deductable on each). You Yanks are lucky. I think my yearly insurance is about $2200 - and that is AFTER 40% safe driving discount. We are forced to buy from the government-run insurance corporation up here.

I recommend doing away with unsightly and unruly bike mounts and buying a Chinese folding bike. My wife bought hers in Jingdezhen but apparently they are now available in North America. Hers is a "Giant". http://www.bike-trend.com/mini-folding-bike-2011-bicycle/

My repair costs on my 2005 Audi A6 were absolutely brutal. It didn't help that the last 3 mechanics I went to said they would never, never buy Audi. Trading in that monster and having the C-max has reduced a great deal of stress in my life. Still. It had a lovely dashboard and was a joy to drive.