robodog61

I agree. I have been using Walmart synthetic for a while in my Prius and have been changing at 5000 miles. I just upped the interval to 6500 miles and intent to go to 7500 miles. I just installed the Fumoto oil drain valve as well and it should make it easier to change.

Thanks for all the info. The Shell Formula oil I bought is GF-5 and mentions Fords

Thanks for the info, PTJones. However, I am very afraid to cover these dampers. What is the maximum temp before there are problems? If the fan kicks on, where is it getting cool air to cool down the coolant? Will blocking the dampers damage the automatic motor operator for them? I like the concept, but want to be sure I am not creating problems. Thanks

I just washed and waxed using Nu Finish (no clay bar). It took a long time as I think the temp had something to do with it (about 50 in my garage). I noticed some imperfections on the driver's door paint. Lots of little bumps or red dots. Standing back, you can't see it but you can under a light.

Thank you. So, I have to look for API service SN/GF-5 and that is good enough?

I have the same problem. I can stand there like an idiot and keep kicking and it may or may not work. When my wife does it, there doesn't seem to be a problem.

I noticed a variable damper on the front side of the radiator. Are they automatic? Can they be closed manually?

So, is it true that the only Ford certified synthetics are Mobil 1 and Amsoil?

I agree. I definitely agree that synthetic is much better, but I think that any synthetic that has an API certification is as good as any other. Some of the additives in Amsoil are probably superior, but would a regular, every day driver benefit from the more costly synthetics? I tend to doubt it.

Is there really a difference between Mobil 1 and other synthetics like Shell or Walmart?

I drive a Prius and a C Max and I must admit, I am very annoying to drive behind. I have come to the conclusion that on my drive to and from work, my driving habits don't make any difference at all in commute time. There is lots of traffic, so people who pass me usually end up next to me at a traffic light a few miles away. I have 700 miles now and am up to 40.9 MPG overall. I am not sure if I ever want to reset the lifetime total. It would be a neat stat to have an overall MPG average of several years. I use this feature on the Prius and found that I got about 51 mpg over a whole year.

Again, you can deny all you want, but Consumer Reports tends to be correct. There is definitely a reason that Honda and Toyota have been rated so high over the years. It's because they have been generally better at reliability. American manufacturers have a long way to go to get people to believe in their products again

That's one of the things about the manual that drives me crazy. Are they really trying to say that Ford "regular" oil is better than 100% synthetic from Shell or Walmart? I don't think so.

People can believe whatever they want, but Consumer reports tends to be right on. I am a Prius driver and know how to get the right mileage. I am getting about 40 MPG now in the C Max, but am confident that I will get close to the EPA estimates. However, if you drive it normally, I think that the Prius V will end up much closer to the EPA estimates than the Ford. I think Ford will be forced to lower the MPG figure. I've learned over the years that you can deny all you want, but Consumer reports is usually dead on and unbiased. People who just bought the C Max tend to be biased about it and don't want to admit that they may have bought in to the 47 MPG hoping it would be true. I have the C Max and love it and will take 40 MPG overall. I like it over the Prius V. There is no way, however, that the C Max will get 47 on the highway. City maybe. I could be wrong.

I still am confused as to whether the interval is 10,000 or 7500 miles.

I found on the Ford website the the oil quality monitor is not really a sensor, but a computer algorithm that calculates when to change oil based on driving conditions: The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors – it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This means the system must be reset after an oil change. Not doing so will result in a premature OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message.

I e-mailed Ford about my oil change question. The first one was by someone who didn't even bother to read my questions and just told me to read the manual. The second one answered some of my questions. They said refer to the dealer. I wonder if dealers have started working on them yet. The second e-mail says that there is an oil life monitor and that the normal frequency for oil change is 10,000 miles and that the oil capacity for change is 4.5 quarts

I noticed the same thing today after about 3 weeks of driving

I am getting frustrated with the lack of information in the manual. I mean, a 500 page manual and no mention of how to change the oil? The capacity section says 4.5 quarts. I assume that is the oil change with filter. I took the cover off. It was easy and the plug (I think it is the oil drain plug) does not appear to be recessed. It is also odd to see that they recommend only Ford oil, but yet say using non synthetic is OK. I intend to use 100% synthetic, but not Ford brand. One last question: is the oil life monitor a real monitor, or does it just count miles driven? The Ford website says a 7500 mile oil change frequency, but the book says no more than 10,000 miles. I will ask on the Ford website. Thanks for any and all information. Maybe they just expect you go give up and go to the dealer for oil changes, but I want to do it myself.

Wow, I was amazed at the oil drain valve. I change oil on 4 cars and didn't realize that such a simple solution was available. What size do you order for the C-max? I can't see it on the website. Is it a recessed drain plug or not? I'd rather not pull off the cover just to find out. Did you already install for the C-max? I also found a 10% off coupon code. Thanks

Hello, what is the recommended oil change interval? Should it be changed at the first 1,000 miles? I also intend to do myself and am not looking forward to removing the shield. How hard is it to get the filter off and where is it located? Thanks

I love the backup camera, the GPS and the homelink garage door opener. However, the kick open of the lift gate is not a "must have". It seems buggy and doesn't open always on the first kick. I think it is just as easy with the buttons or the key fob.

We like it a lot. I never had a car with so many bells and whistles. I am getting used to all of the specialized menus. There is a lot of info available. I find the Sync system very interesting, but frustrating to speak the way it is expecting you to speak. That is a minor complaint, however. We love it. The MPG is going up every day is just about 39.5 right now. We have about 260 miles on it.

I ordered a Red with stone interior SEL with 302a on 9/21. It was built on 10/31 and I received it on 11/17.

Hello, I have a new C max SEL with the 302a package. I can't seem to get the voice recognition to recognize the names or numbers of Sirius stations. The voice commands work well with other apps and I can even to work the voice commands to get presets. I figured that out after reading the book. However, I can't get it to recognize the name of any station. It is almost comical. It just keeps saying that it doesn't recognize that station. The Ford tech support guy said to do a reboot of the sync system. Anyone have this problem? Thank you