Tdefny

I agree about a basic "vent" mode. It is annoying in the hybrid, but more so in the Energi because running the HVAC cuts 3 or 4 miles of EV range. This is less so if the air is turned down low and the heat is turned off, so the electric heater doesn't draw current. I don't usually run the system in EV unless the windows start to fog, but this is not a good option.

Sorry. Can't get this site to work right on the present device (kindle Fire). The dealers had better learn about hybrids because they are sure selling fast!

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Aptos Driver" data-cid="4923" data-time="1356799363"><p> I'm really not concerned about the C-MAX's gas mileage. I've always thought that the 47/47/47 claim was too good to be believed, because it stands to reason that a hybrid should get higher mileage in stop-and-go traffic when the ICE doesn't run as much, and lower mileage on the highway, when it has to run more often. Even so, with pulsing and gliding, you can make a hybrid switch over to EV briefly at higher speeds. I've seen our Camry switch over at 45-50 mph. For me, the C-MAX represents a good compromise between fuel efficiency and power, as opposed to the Prius v, which sacrifices power for efficiency.<br /> <br /> My main concern with the C-MAX is its longterm reliability. And I won't make any decision until it's been on the market for a while and Consumer Reports has finished their testing -- and all you brave early-adopters have shared your experiences, good or bad.<br /> <br /> I flirted with the Ford Fusion Hybrid for a couple of years while I mulled my decision on our first hybrid vehicle. I drove one a couple of times and liked the way it drove and handled. I did not like the lack of headroom in the rear seat (with a moonroof). But what ultimately put me off was complaints from owners about being stranded on the road when their 12-volt batteries unaccountably died -- and reports that Ford dealers didn't really know what to do about that and some other problems. I'm concerned that at least one member of this forum has reported that the battery in his new car gave out.<br /> <br /> I like this car. It's smooth and quiet and has plenty of pep when you need it. It's well equipped, even the base model. The price is right. Only time will tell if the car's right for me.</p></blockquote>

I wish they would do that on Long Island!

Cool review. I like how he goes much deeper into the workings of the car than what its features are, but I especially enjoyed watching the gauge cycle, which we can't really do while driving our own car and a passenger can't really do too easily either. There are some good insights to be gained here.

In NYC all of the streets are pretty busy and the spaces are tight. I don't mind telaying traffic for an extra few seconds, but can it handle a tight space?

Just nervous about putting metal in there with the power port uncovered. Otherwise, the car really needs a place for loose change.

Fascinating. I would think such a feature would be most helpful in an urban environment, but it sounds like it would not help. Luckily, the car is easy to park anyway.

I checked today. The fogs go out when hi-beams are on and then come right back on when they go out,

I never thought of that.

Not a happy development. Most of these cars aren't even broken in yet. As far as I can tell so far (at only 800 miles), my Max is getting what it is supposed to or better, at least on the display and I am not a hypermiler. I remember a lot of deliberate misinformation and negative press when the Prius and Insight first came out. I wonder if this a modern case of that because a quality car like the "subject vehicles" are a class ahead of what is out there on many levels and could be inconvenient to the competition.

Yes. Mine is an Energi.

I hereby take back any doubts that I had about EV+. I took a little detour on the way home tonight to do some shopping and had about 8 miles EV range left for a 9 mile trip. I was then down to 1 mile range with 2+ miles left to go and when I got off the highway I was below 1 mile range with over a mile to go, but I saw the EV+ light and made it home without using any gas. The car knew it was going to get fed soon and went the rest of the way. Very cool.

That video show an Energi display, but I never noticed the 65 MPH display before. Perhaps it signifies the speed at which the SE and SEL no longer have access to EV Mode. I am not sure why that would matter though, as EV can still assist at any speed.

It is a bit of a gimmick, until you remember what a bummer it is to have the ICE come on 300ft. from your house. It might not save much today, but could be significant over the life of the car.

Ditto. If I use the climate control, I might not make it to work and back purely on EV.

My Prius has the same discrepency. I guess they figure that an owner looking for bragging rights will be too lazy to question the gauge. It is a strategy that could backfire though, because early adopters like on this forum will look at everything.

I have no idea, nor could I find evidence of it actually happening. But that is what I read somewhere. I have to look it up again.

The new Fords don't have a gas cap. They use a different system that is actually pretty cool (unless you are in the habit of using the cap to hold the gas pump open because they disable the latch in your State, figuring that people can't figure it out). You simply open the cover and insert the nozzle. The problem comes for those of us who are used to an internal relase on the cover, which would make it a little more difficult to steal the gas from the tank. I was a little disappointed when I first saw that, but I figured nobody has done that since the 70s until the storm hit and there were long gas lines everywhere. I was then pleasantly surprized when I saw the Energi because it has an internal release. As mentioned above, it is part of the emissions control package. Ford undoubtedly left it out of the SE and SEL models because the higher level of emissions would probably lower expected MPG and they needed spectacular numbers to claim any of the market share from Toyota.

Agreed. Either way I have not seen a downside to Eco on the mild grades of Long Island. It could be very different in San Francisco where you have real hills, but I suggest you give it a try.

Don't worry about it. My '02 prius has almost 210,000 miles and if there is any degradation in battery I can't tell. The bigger problem is who can service such a complex vehicle. They could tell you anything and you would have to believe them.

I have been looking since September and haven't had a free-range sighting yet. Should be soon though, because the dealers can't keep them in stock. For sure I won't see another Energi anytime soon because only about 6 made it to Long Island.

This news is actually about a month old, but I am glad to hear it. I applied right after getting my Energi and quickly got a response back that the DMV doesn't have my registration fully completed yet and to resubmit when I get the regi in the mail. I am bummed, having to sit in traffic the regular lanes. The Sirius radio and to a lesser extent the HD radio have made it more than bearable, but it is so nice to glide past the trafic.

I have only used eco cruise because it does a satisfactory job of maintaining speed and I have had no reason to bypass it. As for the frequency of EV mode, it would be better to jump in and out of EV less frequently, but stay there longer. I believe that is the goal of ECO. Of course, it could also be a bunch of bunk.

I understand what you mean. I know more about how to drive our Prius economically than my wife, but she consistently beats me by at least 10% by just driving it. It should be even worse with the C-Max because the acceleration is so much better. BTW, the Avg MPG by driver is already displayed on the Elighten and Empower screens. It is keyed to the individual fob.