Ralf

Bought a full-size spare for my C-Max. I'm F 66 and road trip so I like the security of a spare. I do carry the inflation kit (empty, from another car) when I need to add air. My concern is the weight of the spare on top of the hybrid battery in the trunk. Do I need to be concerned that it will harm the battery? It's padded so it doesn't bounce around (much), but the weight is still there.

Not sure. Last week it started silent but after about a block the noise started, it has happened before. Have noticed that battery icon shows low at start up, but I don't use it every day. Got hybrid to save on gas, but pretty much clueless about how they work. Miss my '93 Escort wagon, manual, w/40 mpg on highway. Great for road tripping & camping.

About 70% of the time when I start my 2014 it is absolutely silent, so I have to check the screen to make sure it is running. The rest of the time there is a rumbling/growling noise that sounds like it is coming from right front of engine compartment. Two different Ford tech guys say the sound is normal, depending on weather, etc. It only happens the first time I start, after running and shutting off, it is silent. Usually it goes away quickly, but yesterday it continued for several minutes. "Coasted" down the road for a couple of blocks until it was silent. On a few occasions it did start silent, but shortly the noise began. First hybrid I've owned, so pretty clueless about this. If there was a transmission fluid dipstick I would check that. Any suggestions?