Adrian_L

Thank you

Our C-max has done 50,000 miles. On Saturday, I noticed a slight 'shuddering' from somewhere under the engine during the first 10 minutes of driving. The engine light has been on for unrelated issues (restraint module and GPS) but it started flashing. After 10 minutes everything was normal and the problem hasn't returned. I'm taking it in to the dealer on Thursday, but has anyone else noticed a similar problem? The shuddering seemed to only happen when the ICE englne was running.

The Volt is a great option for the right person, but only seating two in the rear was a deal-breaker for us. Also, we felt the C-max SEL interior had a much more refined feel than the Volt and Prius interiors.

Sporty? The Volt? Sure.....and I have the body of an Olympic athlete

As much as I love classic cars, buying a new car with 28 mpg seems kind of medieval. I'm not sure what the OP was intending with the original post: "I dumped a potential disaster" -HUH?! There is no evidence you car was defective in ANY way and I tend to agree with Paul that the motivation to sell was not particularly logical. And no--you don't replace the high voltage battery in the C-max. You seriously want to blame Ford for needing new tires? Hombre... Our 2013 C-max has been a trouble-free joy from the day we drove it off the lot.* Adrian * with the exception of the linkage arm to the passenger wiper coming off. DIY fix.

Update: Ok, so I got the wiper arm off with the help of some vice-grip alligator pliers. It appears that the short rod that attaches to the passenger side wiper arm disconnected. The end with the hole and rubber washer appears to have bent 90 degrees. My new question is: How do you disconnect the cowling under the windshield from the windshield?

Last night, in the pouring rain (of course) the front passenger wiper stopped working. It just stayed in its parked position while the driver's wiper did its thing. I took a quick look 10 minutes ago and removed the screw and washer holding the wiper arm on to the threaded rod. I tried to removed the wiper arm, but it didn't want to budge. I'm guessing the cowling (under the wiper arm) needs to come out, so it would seem the wiper arm needs to come off first. Any suggestions welcome. Maybe more force (clam hammer) under the wiper arm and it will pop off? Adrian

I can't even begin to express how fed up I was with our dealer. The last straw was taking the car in three times for a loose door panel, only to find it popping loose two or three days after the "repair". I fixed it myself and it has been fine since. But thanks anyway. I may try another dealer in a neighboring suburb for the module software update.

Mm... interesting. I looked on the Ford site which is telling me my SYNC is up-to-date at version 3.6--even though it was November 2013 when it was installed. Where did you find the software update for the GPS module? I'd prefer a DIY fix.

I have just discovered that, intermittently, the central NAV arrow sits slightly above or below the road I am on. I'm assuming the warranty is over for this GPS module (car purchased March 2014).

By sheer coincidence, we were on holiday in Seaside, OR. Got up at 6 a.m. and drove a couple of hours into the totality zone (close to Lincoln city). Apart from the yahoos from Texas playing dance music at 9:30 a.m.* It was a great experience. Some lovely driving up and down the Oregon Coast and Cannon Beach is always worth a visit. A (* - they were 'encouraged' to turn it down)

My engine light is on as well, for the last 3 days. I have two error codes: C45282 C46B86 Car is running just like it always does and mileage is good.

I wanted an Energi initially but the extra $5K and the astonishing trunk size were deal breakers. Even with the Hybrid, we often have to put groceries in the footwells or between our kids on the back seat. Maybe not an issue if you're 1 or 2.

Thanks, So I phoned them back a couple of hours later and the previous clerk gave me completely wrong information. If you have Sirius and Nav you can have traffic. I was hoping just to sign up for traffic ($5/month) but apparently I need to get the Sirus radio package for $16/month PLUS the $5 for traffic. I'll think about it....

After being stuck in traffic for 45 minutes this morning, it dawned on me that it might be a good idea to have traffic notifications on my NAV (I don't have data on my phone) so I can get re-routed around congestion. I phoned Sirius this afternoon and was told "Sorry Ford don't have traffic anymore". I couldn't believe it! Is this just in Canada or does it apply to all of North America?

Battery testers have not proven to help in any significant way. I remember one post where the battery was healthy (tested) at 1 a.m and then dead at 6 a.m. The best advice I have read it to buy one of these new lithium-ion battery jumpers for $50-75 and throw it in the trunk. Definitely if you bought the car used, the problem might be simply an old battery.

Try your fusebox first.

Mmm. I think they should be more specific when they say everyone was "properly restrained". I'd probably want to take a tire iron to the guy who forgot to tighten his lug nuts.

I think you're getting carried away. The original poster wanted to put in an identical or similar ford seat in the passenger seat. Not a gigantic seat from a semi-truck. It is the junkyard scrounging modifier who needs to ask himself if he can live without a side airbag. My '66 Volvo has no airbags anywhere and I"m happy to drive around risking side impacts without losing too much sleep. None of the rat rod/custom car/mod hot rod scene would exist without a certain laissez-faire disregard for conservative values. Please enjoy these values in your own life, but don't impose them on others.

Fair enough. But there's not a one-size-fits-all philosophy when it comes to these things. For years I drove a VW van with no airbags where my head was about a foot from the windshield. I know people who would probably refuse to ride as a passenger, let alone own one of these vehicles. But it was a hell of a lot of fun. We imprison ourselves with excessive attention to rules and risk, in my opinion. And we coddle ourselves with a false sense of security. You think a stupid internet camera on your door gives real protection against burglers? If they want to get into your house, they will. It takes a kick to get through the inch of wood that's holding your deadbolt in.

Somewhat unrelated but I just did a load of online research about vinyl protectant spray and found this stuff called 303 Aerospace. They don't sell it in Canada but I picked some up at Napa parts in Seattle. Seems to be popular among boat guys and classic car enthusiasts Worth protecting that acre of plastic and vinyl under the windscreen.

Don't be ridiculous. Even if the seat was the wrong shape, the worst that would happen is the airbag inflates and breaks the side window. Or you just don't worry about wiring it in when you install the seat.

I laughed when my brother-in-law sat in the front passenger seat in my SEL and exclaimed "Only a power seat for the driver? Man, that's so Ford!" I installed an Infinity G35 power seat in full-sized van. Like Scott, I hated sitting on a la-z-boy behind the wheel. If you're reasonably handy with 12v wiring, it isn't hard to figure out the connections. Only downside is the added weight.

Gotta hate CHEAPSKATES. Haha (Us Canadians would have brought a bottle of wine for the goodwill)

Historical record? Why? We're not talking '56 Chevys here LOL