shinytop

The trip from Pensacola to Birmingham is not flat. No large mountains but very little level areas longer than a mile or two. But even so I got to the point where instant mileage was between 45 and 50 when the mileage column is kind of quivering. Of course that lasts only until you get to the next hill but was nice to see.

I got my C-Max at the end of May. Bought it 250 miles away and did not get great mileage coming home, had a lot to learn. Since then almost all city driving and every tank has been 600+ till this weekend. Went to daughters for Thanksgiving and got 42.5 both directions. Mostly doing speed limits although as with any holiday weekend when all the traffic is doing 80 it is safer to keep up than to pursue mileage. But was thrilled with that, had heat on trip up and back but about half way back had to turn on AC, wifey aboard. But I knew the car had pickup from around town but even at highway speeds it will flat get up and go. No problem moving from behind 55 MPH motorhome into the passing lane doing 80. This is a great car!

When I joined in '68 it was limited to just officers. Now it is open to all service members and their children so it has expanded. Additionally is it member owned. Every December I get a nice check as a dividend. It is often as much as 25% of my premiums.

I have had USAA since 1968. Every time I got a quote from other companies they came nowhere near my USAA price. I called Geico once, they asked who I was currently with. When I said USAA they did not even give me a quote.

Here's one from Amazon for less than $3.00 with free shipping if you are a Prime member which I recommend. http://www.amazon.com/Display-Digital-Voltmeter-Vehicle-Voltage/dp/B00962CQNC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1414538993&sr=8-3&keywords=battery+voltage+meter

I just filled up my 4th straight 600 mile tank.

My 50" Panasonic plasma recently took a hit from a lightning strike. None of the HDMI inputs would work. Replaced it with a Samsung 7155. Could not be happier. Much brighter picture, Oh, and the Samsung weighs half of the Panasonic. Much easier to move around as you age and get to meet arthritis.

I have always found valet parking to be very useful at some medical clinics and hospitals due to the difficulty in finding parking. With my CMax I find myself reluctant to use it. Even if I tell the attendant how to operate and open doors and no key start etc, that attendant will not always be the attendant retrieving my car. How do the rest of you handle it?

I am not eager to have a cord under my garage door and attached to my car in sight of anybody walking or driving on the road.

After seeing the trunk space I bought a Hybrid. Funny thing is my daily commute is right at 9 miles each way. If I had bought an energi I would still be on my first tank of gas. But I don't have a usable garage so did not consider it over a minute.

My favorite color!

Personally I felt I had already received the benefit from this forum before the platinum membership. So I felt like I was paying back ... or forward, take your choice.

It has to be said, that is utterly the most ridiculously difficult minor maintenance procedure I have seen and I am 66 years old.

Except for one tank with maybe 20 highway I normally drive to work and back and errands. Every tank (3) since my first has been 600 plus. Daily trips to work are 52-62 depending on lights and traffic pulling out slowly in front of me on the two lane stretch. Before the Cmax I usually stayed at about 5 over the limit, now I drive closer to the limit. What I love about the Max is that I can drive for mileage but still get plenty of punch when I need it. And all this with great seating position, great visibility and good sound.

You gotta remove that seat to install a turret.

Tighten the turning circle!

Wife says they have a good reputation. She sends people there who are thinking of buying used retail.

@Nvstig8tr ... Did not think about the PM restrictions. Go ahead and give me the name and I will check with the boss. OH, and a couple of us got the A5 update from ebay for around $40, a lot less than Ford charges.

I live in Pensacola and my wife works for a local auto auction house. If you want to PM the dealer name I can tell you whether they are respected in the local industry.

I used Valet Parking when I drove my ten year old Malibu. Will not with my Gray Ghost.

Have noticed that when ICE first engages the charging indicator is the down arrow. Not for long, maybe up to a mile, so I suspect it is something to do with engine temp but I wonder if any of you know why this happens.

You got the best color! Once I saw the sterling gray I was not interested in any other color. Had to drive 270 miles to get the color and options I wanted.

Thank you Laurel, that is good to know. I like having Sirius but not worth 200 a year when I have 32 gig of mu music on thumb drive. I listen mostly to NPR and Love channels. Also have 50's and 50's on my buttons.

I just passed 600 on my 3rd straight tank. Or, to be more precise, on every tank since I drove it home from the dealer! Should gas up in the next day or two.

My wife complained about the lack of storage to set her cell phone, sun glasses etc. I found a pouch that hangs from a hook that attaches to the air ducts. It does not block the air and stores in the door when she is not in the car. The lack of nooks and crannies is one of my few complaints about the C-Max.