stevedebi
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Posts posted by stevedebi
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Well, I got 50.7 on my all hybrid trip in town this morning. I forgot to plug in my C-Max Energi (oops, I was tired). So I think I could make 600.
One of these days I might try an entire tank that way, especially if electricity keeps going up in price.
Not completely fair, since the Energi is not restricted and can store more energy on down hill. But my town driving is pretty flat.
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Major improvement over 2010-2015 Model. 52 mpg overall in new model compared to 44 mpg for older model Prius in CR tests. CR tests are done with a flow meter installed in fuel line and car driven on test track and highway; different from EPA tests which, as I understand it, can use simulated driving. CR usually gets lower mpg numbers than EPA.
"On our city course, the 2016 Prius returned 43 mpg, a stunning 11 mpg improvement over the old version. At 65 mph highway cruising, we measured 59 mpg—which is better fuel economy than any diesel-engined car we’ve tested."
Article:
Well, that is what dropping 600 lbs off a car and using a smaller engine will do for you. My Energi is 860 lbs heavier; the Hybrid is 600. Ford wasn't going for the mileage so much as the ability to use an existing platform and have a comfortable driving experience and ride. I've driven Prius, and I think the Ford is a better car all around. Plus, it is really easy to get in and out of.
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Spotted this at a stop light Friday. US Gov fleet tag.
Ah, fleet sales. The only 2014 with DRL.
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Because the first few hundred miles or 1000 miles put extra metal particles into the oil. Some will get blocked by the filter and some won't. Why would you want to drive 5000 or 10000 miles with gritty metal chunks floating around? There's no reason not to get an oil change after break in aside from the $40 cost
Some manufacturers actually put special oil in at their factory. I recall my 2003 Honda CR-V had instructions specifically to leave the factory oil in for 7500 miles. Apparently it helped the engine break in.
I adhere to the owner manual recommendations on my vehicles. I changed my Energi at 20K, just before the oil monitor would be coming on. If I were driving the hybrid I might push it to 7500K, but not before that, especially with synthetic.
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I agree with Max. The vehicle is intended to run in town. I'm sure what is going to happen is that BMW is going to add programming to raise the amount of reserve if the car is going at highway speeds, so that it will enter the "limp home" mode sooner, and provide more warning before it happens.
Or maybe they will just dispense with the gas version entirely. Makes room for a bit more battery.
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You will when you rotate tires. ;)
Plus 3, I've seen Why is this better than simply front to rear?
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It was raining today, my wipers were on continuously, and the headlights weren't on. In fact, it surprised me they weren't on because it was fairly dark with the rain and heavy cloud cover. Later, I was going through the options on the left hand screen and under "Setting," -> "Vehicle" -> "Lighting" I noticed an entry marked "Auto Light Rain" that has an On/Off choice (2013 owner's manual, Third Edition, p. 125). I noticed mine was set to "Off," so I turned it on. I'll have to test it next time I'm out but I suspect this is the switch that determines if your lights turn on when the wipers are constantly on.
I also seem to recall my lights previously turned on automatically in the rain, so I suspect that this defaults to off -- and mine was reset to the default when I had one of the recalls done on my C-Max.
Mine is set to ON, but it doesn't work.
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I just got those installed on my 2013 C-Max Energi. Same as fotomoto's except I sawed the back flush at the angled end, cut out part of the "ribbing" on grill, and ran the wires through some 1/4" I.D. wire loom.
Instead of hiding the relay behind the top grill I put it into an aluminum box and added a switch to disable them if I ever need to.
Using the same circuit that fotomoto used I notice that they are on while charging the Energi. Probably not worth trying to find another circuit since I only ever charge in my garage and they only draw about 3.5 watts.
Why did you do this? The 2013 can have the DRL enabled with a simple software switch by the dealer.
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Scott. let look at a trip in the tesla from detriot to miami 21 hours(non stop) 1381 miles
Cmax- 600 miles range so if you start will a full tank you would need to stop 2 times for fuel. figure 30 minutes for each stop. so now your trip is 22 hours. not sure baout you but 600 miles between stops is tough for me. and I like to eat my three meals. so we are looking at potentially three more stops of 30 minutes each, now we are up to 23.5 hours.
the model S 85KW batter pack was rated at 320 miles by tesla.... EPA rates it at 265. so lets say 250 miles. which means you have to stop 5 times. if you start with full battery. could do it with one less stop if you can squeeze 345 miles on a full charge
if we assume 60 minutes for a full charge your 21 hour non stop time has changed to 26 hours. as opposed to 23.5. thats not too hateful
if you plan on spending the night in a hotel on the trip down, I'd say the difference really becomes negligible at that point.
in theory you could only charge the battery to 80% in half the time, and make twice as many stops (rest breaks) which is better from a drivers perspective anyhow and do it the same amount of time...
I don't see the point. Five times you HAVE to stop, regardless of if you want to or not. With the C-Max, I can drive until I am ready to stop, except for that one time.
Plus, can you show me the infrastructure ready to charge a Tesla between those two points? How about out west, where even the gas stations can be 50 miles apart? And who is going to pay for the electricity? Those supercharger stations may be free now, but that cannot continue if the company is to stay in business.
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Doesn't also charge the 12v batt when you charge the HVB?
Paul
Yes, but like said they have too many Energi to rotate them into the charging slots, and that would use up the slots instead of having customers and the maintenance folks use them.
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I sold a set of Grill Covers to CMAX Owner Alaska,LOL. :) Going I-20 - I-10 across Texas is about 850 miles, one day of driving. ;)
Paul
827.4 from Beaumont (LA border) to El Paso. A looong ways, especially once you get past San Antonio. West Texas is a bit boring over the long haul.
That is going via I-10. It might be closer (but far longer) to try a more direct route.
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Also they should be keeping the cars on the lot charged. :)
Paul
Also they should be keeping the cars on the lot charged. :)
Paul
The local dealer keeps about 30 Energi (or more) on the lot - they are not going to cycle that many cars through the dealership. But it isn't the HVB that is the problem - the 12v dies.
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I don't have an Energi but I spend $175 a month for electricity and $20 a month for gas. I didn't think it was worthwhile.
I spend between 200 and 400 a month for electricity, and around 30 per month for gas - I generally fill up once per month or maybe every 6 weeks.
Both gas and electric are expensive in LA.
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I would like to know also. I don't believe they stay off until you use the fob or touch the door handle. I hope you are right it would be great not looking for the fob I normally do not use except approaching at night.
On my 2014, nothing comes on until I unlock the door.
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And while you are charging they can try to sell you a new car. Surprised they haven't thought of that one.
It also has a practical use. They charge up the cars after repairs and before delivery.
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Since a lot of time has gone by since the date of my original post, and there are many more C-Max owners, I'd like to know if anyone has further thoughts on this topic of using an Energi but never plugging it in.
Thanks
I keep track of the cost of electric, and calculate if it would be cheaper to run gas only in my Energi. So far I'm still saving around 4-5 bucks per fill up. It all depends on how expensive the gas is and how much electricity costs. I think the break even point is around 2 dollars at the moment here. But gas is at 2.75 in LA right now, and electric is around 14.5 cents per KWH.
You would be lugging around 300 extra lbs of weight, but it would achieve good MPG in town. I get 45 when I go all hybrid mode in town.
For a new purchase, it makes little sense, unless the price is the same for the Energi and Hybrid because of incentives. It was pretty close when I leased in 2014.
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I see lots of empty chargers at Ford dealers, that would be one option.
Yeah, I almost mentioned that one. My dealer has about 6 spaces. But that is an advertising cost, not intended for regular charging.
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Certainly the Model E will be a "platform" design which implies multiple body styles coming out. They should/could have:
- A Sedan (Fusion) for all you sedan lovers. Sleek with, no doubt, the lowest drag.
- A Tall Wagon (C-Max) for those who want higher seating and need to haul stuff.
- An SUV (Escape) for even more cargo space and high ground clearance.
- A Sports Car (Thunderbird!)
- A Van (Transit Connect)
- A Pickup Truck (Ranger)
Who knows what Ford will do or when but once you go to a 200+ mile battery you get a lot more possibilities than just more distance between charges. The increased kilowatt-hours also brings a proportional increase in peak power capability. This boost can provide power for:
- Towing - hopefully a rating on all models but at least on the Wagon, SUV, Van and Truck
- Performance - a plus for all models but especially the Sports Car and sporty Sedan variants.
- All Wheel Drive - of course you can do it with lower power but it makes a lot of sense to dump all that power into all 4 wheels (and then you have the competition to consider). They should just make it standard on all models.
Large batteries also give you:
- More total miles driven before capacity drops by XX%
- The possibility of those unlimited mileage warranties.
- The ability to get 2 hours of driving time from a 20 minute charge since you don't have to charge to 100% (the first part of a charge goes much faster - then the charger has to cut back on current). Of course the charger has to put out a lot of current which brings us to the last point:
Ford needs to address the charging issue in a serious way. The chargers need to be available "everywhere", available for any use (not just "travel"), put out the necessary current and be free or priced in a way that keeps the cost low. Some options for pricing are:
- Free (or free during "off-peak" electric rate hours)
- Bought as an option with the car (your fuel gets rolled into your car payment - after which you can drive as much as you want). If you don't buy this option, you would use the one below.
- Priced per kW-Hr used but adjusted for time-of-day electric rates - you only pay actual electricity costs. Done right, this one could be the most "fair" (whatever that means!).
Sorry, but no way Ford is going to provide free chargers at various locations. They are not an electric car company. They are an ICE car company that sells some PHEV and BEV, plus hybrids, to satisfy CAFE and environmental requirements. I don't see any profit in it for them (or for Tesla, which is probably what you are thinking).
As to paying, I don't see them getting into that either. If you really want that sort of thing, you can get a Blink card or similar. Ford is a car company.
Towing and AWD are contrary to good fuel economy. In my opinion, a BEV or PHEV is the worst possible engine choice for towing. AWD can be OK if it is electric, like Toyota does - but that is pretty much useless for off road.
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Really? Alaska could split 3 ways and make Texas only 3rd largest - and leave another state bigger than New Mexico!
(Maybe there are no C-Maxes up there so it becomes a moot point?)
I love Alaska, but try comparing the miles of roads in Texas with the miles of roads in Alaska and get back to me.
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All electric with 200 mile range may make good sense as to many 2-car families.
Perhaps Ford will try a mostly electric hybrid that uses a small gas engine, like (but better than) the BWM i3 REx. Apparently Ford offers a small and light-weight turbo 3-cylinder in the C-max in Europe:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_EcoBoost_engine
This Ford 3-cylinder is small (block is the size of a standard A4 sheet of paper, says Wikipedia) and light (213 lbs). This is a larger more capable engine than the tiny 650cc 2-cyl engine in the BMW (reportedly borrowed from a BWM scooter) In a hybrid vehicle an option might be to use an electric supercharger as needed to squeeze more power out of a tiny light-wieght engine. Ford could build a car that runs mostly on electric and battery, but can run adequately on gas and top itself up As battery costs continue to fall, we may see more hybrids that shift the balance from relying mainly on gas to relying mainly on EV, while keeping a long range.
Fords widely used 1.6L Ecoboost engine weighs just 250 lbs, according to the article above. That's only 30-40 lbs more than the 1.0L, with a big increase in displacement / torque. Of course using gas engines entails additional weight and space for cooling, exhaust, fuel tank and fuel.
There is a reason BMW went with that engine and only 2 gallons of gas: The EPA won't classify it as a BEV unless it truly is electric only. The car you describe would be a PHEV. I'm not sure the cost of the batteries for a 200 mile hybrid would be worth the expense, since BEVs are needed to satisfy mileage and "clean car" requirements in CARB states. They can get PHEV status for much less cost.
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Thank you!
I was using the right hand control. A little thing that can drive me nuts.
You are welcome. Would it have hurt them so much to have it say "Hit the OK button" instead of "Enter"?
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Thanks raadsel! I can't believe this car is not more popular. Every time I told someone I was getting a C Max, no one seemed to know what they were. It's like Ford treats it like a red headed stepchild. :) They really need better advertising.
So far, I am loving the electrically adjusted leather driver's seat. I haven't been this comfortable in a car since the last Saab I owned. I think this will be a great trip car.
I owned a 2006 Ford Freestyle. It looked like an explorer, but lower to the ground, and it was cheaper and better for in town use (like most folks actually USE an Explorer). Ford refused to advertise it, and it sold poorly. They eventually slapped a new body on it and it has been successful as the Flex.
Anyway, the C-Max reminds me of that one, but in this case I'm not sure why Ford isn't advertising the car. Maybe they would rather sell the Fusion or Escape?
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I was involved in an accident yesterday. Someone blew through a redlight and hit my passenger side front quarter panel. The damage is extensive in the front (quarterpanel, hood, front bumper assembly completely taken off, possible axle/tire damage) My concern is the energi battery and any possible damage that may have resulted.
Has anyone here been in an accident and had issues with the battery at a later point?
Just a note, you have the right to choose the repair shop. Don't accept whatever they want you to use until you check it out. Good luck!
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I'd like to know just how to do that...
I only recently started playing around with the radio with the car "off" and on my 2013 Energi it seems you only get 10 minutes before it shuts off and further it seems that after you've turned the stereo back on twice(maybe 3x) then it "shuts off to save battery" and I guess requires the car to actually be turned "on" before it will let you use the radio again? Which would REALLY suck at the drive-in since I've also got DRL's which Ford apparently requires to be on any time the car is on, never mind if you're driving or not...
The Ford dealer can turn off the DRL for the 2013 model year. They might charge for the service.
Seriously, FAREWELL
in Welcome
Posted
I'm using a JavaScript blocker, which has the same effect. I hate to do it, I know sites generate money from ads. But they area almost always intrusive these days.
Also, if a site puts up its OWN ads, instead of simply using outside URLs, it will show up. But most site operators do not go to the trouble of setting up their own ads. It really slows down the site. I have discovered that most sites call an external ad program, which then reloads with more ad programs, which then reloads more ads. A site can load a half dozen times before it is complete. If you don't have script blocking you never know it - and your web browsing runs slower because of this.
Anyway, that is my compromise. I always allow the actual site URL to run Javascript and put up ads - if they go to the trouble of putting them on the site themselves.