air463

After some research I found a spare T125/80/17 from a 2004 Volvo S60 with the 5X108 bolt pattern and the H offset.  This tire is only 3/4 of an inch shorter than the stock 17 inch tires the cmax comes with.  Discount tires calculator says at 60 miles per hour your speed will only be off by two miles per hour.  I checked the clearance on the front and rear, it fit just fine. I got the tire and volvo jack for $50 dollars off craigs list.  I feel better having a spare tire, I don't use the green slim.  To many problems and cost after using it.

2013 Cmax just outside Boise Idaho, had two years and now have 33600 miles on it.  Loved it the first day and still love it 2 years later.

I see that post by Craig telling us about his Cmax tires wearing from being towed.  I noticed a different sound coming from  our tires  so I took it to my Ford dealer to have it checked out.  They told me my tires were cupping a little and were out of balance.  I have about 14K towed miles on the Cmax and two tire rotations in that time.  All four of my tires are cupping and the dealer told me he was 90% sure it was caused by towing the car.  My tow bar is level so it can't be that.  I have noticed the car wants to pull slightly to the right all the time. I setting up a front end alignment appointment. I know for sure  the tires will need replacing sooner.

What is the time frame for Ford to start sending out these checks?

My lifetime fuel mileage is only 36.7, with 10,600 miles on the car.  Purchased in Nov 2012 and since the FE update my life time mileage is on the down swing.  Ask my dealer to undo the FE update since I was getting better daily mileage before.  Still like the car and all it's features.  Just let down over the mileage, we'll see if the $550 check from Ford will change my thoughts.  Most likely not.

YAY! YAY!   I just checked with my dealer and yes the 3.5.1 upgrade for my cmax purchased in Nov 2012 is ready.  He also told me that there is a re-program process for the rear lift gate hatch.  Got it scheduled and hoping this fixes the problem.   Also going to get a new A4 card for the Nav system  Here's hoping for the best

Fotomoto you are really out there. 

You're livin in your own Private Idaho. Idaho.
You're out of control, the rivers that roll,
You fell into the water and down to Idaho.
Get out of that state,
Get out of that state you're in.
You better beware. 
You're living in your own Private Idaho.*

 

 

 

*Classic punk rock band, "The B52's"

Caldwell Idaho and have not seen another Platinum white in this area

Your not alone in Idaho, I'm in Caldwell

Just got finsihed having the Cmax looked at by my local dealer since we are home now for the summer.  I mentioned the dead battery issue every time I tow the car, the service advisor had me repeat it again to the service manager.  After that the service manager told me without even thinking about it to install a charge wire directly to the battery.  He says they have been telling Escape, and other ford owners that tow to do that and it solves the dead batter problem.  So I am getting the LSL system for mine, and we will see if that fixes it.

Just finished a 2600 mile trip and I lost count how many times I jump started the car.  I too will be installing a charge line, can't wait for the Ford people to come up with a fix for this problem of the battery going dead.  I have opened a customer complaint about this issue and all I get told is the check is in the mail.

I have both a good tow bar and a dolly to accommodate the various cars I tow behind my MH. I had planned on setting the CMAX up to be flat towed, but it sounds like it will be better to put it on the dolly. I usually travel with a Miata backed onto the dolly, as there generally is only my wife and myself on the trip. However, once in a while I do need a vehicle with a rear seat for extra people.

I know that I have been ticked off about the battery going dead, but when I think how easy it is to hook it up behind the motorhome, and compare what I went through using a tow dolly.  I will always pick the flat towing.  I have a dolly still but I do not plan on using it  for the Cmax.  The dead battery to me is not as bad as using a dolly with the straps that are always coming loose.  And my tow bar stows alot better on the back of the motorhome than a tow dolly does.

wab

Ford customer service told me to run the engine for a few minutes (lub the transmission) shift into neutral and with your foot off the brake just hit the start button again.  This is putting the car in accessory mode.    Be prepared to jump start the car after each time you tow it.   I stop every 150 miles for our dog to go pee and the battery is already dead.  So buy your self a jump start battery and keep it in the car.  It does not take alot to jump the car but I do run the engine for as long as it will let me as to recharge the battery some.  I do make sure everything is off before hitting the start button.   I am hoping they will eventually tell us which fuze to pull (like most cars) to fix this problem.  Good luck our Cmax tows just fine, don't even feel it behind our coach.

Update to my last post..............I forgot to mention the five check engine light I have had all with can not duplicate from the dealer

Roninsd.......Not happy with the C-Max, or the support?

My Cmax has had electrical gremlins since day one. It has unlocked doors, rolled down windows, turned lights on, these were while it set parked overnight. While driving it has turned the nav system off and back on. I had a back hatch latch go bad and needed to replaced. Every time I hear the old can not duplicate from the dealers. Costomer service phone calls I have been told three different answers has to the update for the nav system, and it took me a full week to find out the procedure for getting the car ready for towing since the owners manual does not address the push button start. So for now the car and customer support are in a dead heat race as to who is going to win.

Towing Update.......I finally started towing the Cmax and so far we have towed it four times at 150 miles each time.  Yes my battery was dead each time and I had to junp start it each time. I called Ford customer service and complained.  I was told the engineers would be looking at this problem.  Yes and the check is in the mail.......Will be getting with my home town dealer when the trip is over and go from there.  If it takes me calling everyday I hope they are prepared for that.  Not a happy camper right now with the Cmax.

For what it's worth after spending about an hour on the phone with Ford Customer service I was told the 3.5.1 update is not for the Cmax.  I was told they are coming out with a completely different software update for the Cmax and a sdcard also. The time line was later this year.   i ask what later meant and the responce was just that later.  Yeah like the checks in the mail.

I installed a rear hitch and then use a bike rack from walmart.   With the bike on the back your tail lights are still visable

Looks like they would work.  At $60 that is cheaper than ford wants for the focus ones at $95.  Just that FORD hasn't come out with the Cmax sills yet.

Update on my rear liftgate latch.  Ford dealer installed a new one and no more problems.  My dealer said there was no adjustment for the latch, thats why they just installed a new one

Howz the Towing Behind a Motor Home stuff workin' out for you guys??

I've only towed the Cmax once after the brackets were installed.  Going through San Antonio traffic I did not even feel it back there. I see your in Austin, we plan on wintering in Georgetown next year.  We used a tow dolly for a couple of years and found that flat towing for us is easier and more simple.

Got the blue ox tow bracket installed and wired for towing behind the motorhome. Thought I would show some photos of the final install.

I have a couple of questions.

 

1) Did mileage accumulate on your odometer while towing?  I'm pretty sure it won't, as that was the case on the Escape Hybrid and the earlier Fusion Hybrid, but I'm curious to know if it works that way on the C Max.

 

2) If you don't mind telling me, what did they charge for the base plate installation?  I'm considering doing it myself (it's winter, so what else do I have to do) but might consider letting a Blue Ox or Roadmaster dealer do it.  Installation instructions are available online and it doesn't look too bad, just a lot of fiddly work with all those plastic fasteners holding the body parts on.

1. I forgot to check that so I won't know until the next time I tow it around mid January.  2. they installed the base plates and wired the lights for me. Parts, labor, and tax was $1144.00. I;m 1600 miles from home and no place to work on it.  Never change out your toad while you are on the road.

I just ordered a C Max for everyday use and to tow behind my motor home. Ford has apparently approved towing it four wheels down, just like they did for the Escape Hybrid and for the Fusion Hybrid. Both Blue Ox and Roadmaster have tow brackets in process but are not selling them yet.

 

Is anyone else planning to tow a C Max and if so what are your concerns?

Just got my cmax setup to tow behind the motorhome. Had Blue OX base plates installed.  Towed it home with no problems.  Took two weeks to get a firm answer from Ford on proper procedures to setup the car for towing I.E. placing the ignition in accessory mode.  Owners manual only explained a keyed ignition, I have the keyless push button.  Was told they should be adding those procedures in the owners manual in the future.   For those who want to know the procedure, I was told is to start the engine and run it for five minutes then shift into reverse and then into drive, then into neutral.  Leaving it in reverse and drive for several seconds.  Once you are in neutral take your foot off the brake and then push the start button to shut the car down.  You should run the car for five minutes about every 5 to 6 hours if continuing to tow the car.  Hope this helps and if anyone was told a different procedure chime in here and let us know.

No issues with mine.  Is yours manual or powered?  

I have the power lift gate.  Update.... The my Ford dealer contacted me and said they were ordering a new liftgate latch to see if that fixes the issue.