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My brother used to have a device that sat between his battery and his car that would shut everything down if the charge got below a certain level. It sounds like Ford needs to incorporate that sort of technology into its cars. A new car should not have this problem even if the user makes a mistake like leaving the lights on. I would rather have to use the emergency key to get into the car and under the hood to a reset switch than need to call a tow truck because the battery died. Fortunately mine has been reliable, but these issues have soured so many people on this excellent car. This isn't what he had but you get the idea http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Prog-Brain-T1-Protector/dp/B000T3236M/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1392064434&sr=1-3

Great thread. Thank you for the info Frank. I did my first oil change a bit early to get the metal shavings out and I might do the same on the second one bases on your test results. The test really gives some good info.

Welcome back and thanks for the update. It sounds like you might want to do some reading on the battery, but definitely stick around for the other good stuff too. You will find that this forum has grown into a really nice community with lots of answers to all sorts of questions and some good fellowship.

This stuff is basic to what people expect the sound system to do in 2014 (or maybe even in 2010 when the thing was still in design)! While we're at, I would like Random to make a a different order each time I hit it and Similar Song to not come up with the exact same song no matter what song it was in when the button was pressed.

I thought they all had it. I haven't tried it yet, but I figured that I could test it by leaving the window open with the car locked and opening the handle from the inside without the fob in my pocket.

Quote "The Battery Monitoring Sensor continuously monitors the condition and the state of charge of the 12V battery and provides the BCM with this information. The Battery Monitoring Sensor also estimates losses in the battery capacity over time. The Battery Monitoring Sensor should only be reset when the battery is replaced. It is urgently recommended that the replacement battery has the exact same specification as the original battery. If it does not, the accuracy of the Battery Monitoring Sensor outputs will be compromised." This may explain a similar problem I had in the Prius. Like on the C-Max, the battery was tiny and the OEM battery could only be gotten fro Toyota at great expense, so all of the folks in the forum were switching to a Miata battery. When I put that battery in, I immediately got the "Triangle of Death" (not a good thing). It went away if I put the original (almost dead) battery. Somehow the car didn't like the greater capacity battery, but it did eventually accept it.

Why do people part with cars after just one year? Was there a problem with it or was it just not a good fit. My brother had an Audi that was outstanding, but just too small for him and it was harming his knees. How can you tell why for a car on a used lot? Having said that, a car made in that timeframe might be ok because they were selling as fast as the dealers could get them in at that time and the battery likely didnt have a chance to go stale. The battery issue has several components that should have been fixed by now. The one remainint issue is how long the car sat on the lot before sale. The cars that sat on the lot had their batteries drain to the point of damage and the batteries really needed to be replaced. Maybe you just need to get them to put a new battery in the car if you buy it and then take it straight to Ford to make sure it has the latest software updates.

I am not sure about glass detection or motion, but the doors will sound the perimeter alarm that comes with the car. I have regretted every third party alarm that i ever bought, so this is enough for me.

Very nice. You are fortunate indeed to finally meet a long-time friend. The bonds that we make are the greatest value of this forum.

Some version of Linux is almost certainly what they would have used if they were to design the system today, but Windows CE was probably the only viable option several years ago when they started with this system. Maybe the Microsoft name was even considered a plus back then. I think a big part of the problem is that the system is under-powered and is probably stretched to the breaking point trying to do all that it does in a modern car.

The original Insight was a great car and is still unsurpassed in some ways. I would have considered it but I couldn't get away with a two seater. The Prius could fit my whole family, so that is what I ended up with. The kids are all grown now, but we still fit in it! As we do with the Max. Anyway, my Toyota battery has lasted over 12 years and 200k miles and is still working well. I expect at least that from the C-Max.

I love this thread. Please keep it alive. I feel unworhth for not having chalanged my NRG very much, although i got a paper folding machine in there once. The kick operated hatch came in handy that day.

Par, but that is a good thing.

That charger might cook your battery if it is to strong. Take a look at a microprocessor controlled charger. They monitor battery condition and provide only what the battery needs. I bought this one: http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-93-56-864-Black-Battery-Charger/dp/B006G14FK8/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t to take care of some other batteries that I have and it has performed well so far. I also have one from Shumacher that I like for a faster charge, but there are lots of good offerings to choose from.

It appears that there is more than one dead battery issue, most of which add up to things that were fixed or (rarely) even operator error where the lights were left on. The one that nobody can control is how long the car sits on the dealer lot before it is sold or even test driven. The C-Max has circuits that draw a small amout of current when the car is off. Over a long period of time without recharging, the battery can die. If left this way the battery is permanently damaged. It will take a charge, but never be right. I would bet money that this is the bulk of the battery issues occurring nowadays. I have had my car for over a year and never had a problem with the battery, or anything else but the same recalls that everybody else had like the touch-free hatch. I am pretty sure that you will come to the same conclusion that nearly everyone else in this forum did once you have tested the Prius and the C-max a few times. The Prius is a great car, but the C-max is superior in many important ways. I think it is a better choice unless MPG is your only criterion. But more important, it is reliable for the vast majority of owners. Drive them all and come to your own conclusions.

There are many former Volt owners and I like their perspective, but I would start with posts from Fotomoto. He has had a Volt and currently has a C-Max Hybrid and an Energi. Look for his posts in this forum and on the Energi forum and I think you will find everything you need.

Yeah, we just got 10 more inches today. Everybody I know got off but me. Ok maybe I am just s little bit jeolous.

Adair, thank you. Nice shot. We have gotten similar snow here but it has melted quickly each time. Besides my Max, I have two older cars, so they see more use in the very worst weather and the C-Max sits safely in the drivway. I have taken it out in some pretty messy stuff though and been happily impressed. The one thing that impresses me most in your picture is how clean and new-looking Jelly Bean is. It reminds me that I really need to take FoxC to the car wash. Silver hids the road salt better than most colors but it still looks dirty.

Easy there Brother Mike. No getting into religions and politics. We are all already a bit skittish about Microsoft running in our cars.

I find that switching hands usually helps, no matter which hand I use first.

They have warnings in the Energi to discourage that sort of behavior but not honking.

Could be a vacuum line. Has mileage been off?

I agree with Brother Mike. If there is any benefit to the fog lights I have not seen it here in NY. Save your money and invest it in some gas pods.

Also check out the tranny thread. Maybe there is something potentially serious going on. The Doctor Is hooked into information the rest of us might not notice for a while.

They do not all do that. I know of at least one that is smooth, even when using the ICE and even when pushing it.