djc

On recalls, have you been to Ford website? https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/maintenance/recalls/results.html

By "wheel well cover" do you mean the plastic liner inside the wheel well arch? If so, I know how those get "lost" : (

"New owner of 2013 cmax sel (375k miles!" It would indeed be useful to the rest of us to know the service history - have you looked at the Carfax report on it? https://www.carfax.com/vehicle-history-reports/

Thanks all for the answers. I should have mentioned safety and legality as a practical limit on free-wheeling speeds down hills; I agree of course. Not that I have always been so concerned with these safety limits. I remember taking my Dad's 1961 Oldsmobile F85 late at night to the top of the Puente Hills east of L.A. The Olds had a small aluminum V8 and 2-speed (!) transmission; I would put the car in neutral and turn off the engine while heading down the winding road back to the valley. With the engine off there was just the whoosh of the wind noise, a bit like flying a glider. It is nice to be able to get a similar experience more safely in the C-max, but I no longer head out after midnight just to get it.... My impression is that eco-cruise does let my speed run up some while going down a hill, while at the same time doing regen. Yes?

Inverter temp reminds me of the losses during regen. So which is more efficient: 1. Going down hill in neutral, accelerating from gravity. 2. Descending same hill at constant velocity while charging HVB. In first case, the car gains kinetic energy. Losses are mainly to tires and drag from increased speed. In second case, losses are to inverter + generator. And maybe heat loss in the HVB itself.

Generator Inverter Phase Temperature - see Snowstorm's post here: http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/4840-installed-trans-heater-pad/page-3

It is reported that the new 4th generation Ford Focus will be unveiled next week and begins European production June 2018 in Germany, while U.S. spec version production commences in China. In at least some markets there will be a 48volt hybrid version by 2020 with high horsepower. Perhaps the batteries are next to the drive motors in such systems - the much lower voltage means much higher current flows for the same power transfer, and so requires heavy and expensive large diameter cables. "...the Ford Motor Company will kick off production of the all-new Focus at the Saarlouis Body and Assembly Plant in Germany in June 2018. The five-door hatchback and family-oriented station wagon will be manufactured in Europe, with the U.S.-spec sedan to shift production to the Changan plant in China. The Focus RS, on the other hand, is expected to arrive in 2020. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost is rumored to soldier on, but for a change, it’s supposed to be paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that will push output into 400 PS (395 bhp) territory." https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2019-ford-focus-iv-teased-on-video-ahead-of-april-10th-reveal-in-germany-124754.html

Consumer Reports published a first look at two models of "all-weather" tires yesterday. These tires are supposed to be better than "all season" tires in winter snow and ice, and CR says that promise is born out by the two models they tested: Toyo Celsius, and Nokian WR G3. They out-performed about half the dedicated snow tires, but can be used all year round. Both are rated "good" in rolling resistance (our OEM Michelin Energy Savers are "excellent"): https://www.consumerreports.org/tires/all-weather-tires-offer-an-edge-in-snowy-conditions-perform-well-year-round/

This article gives an overview of future Ford line-up, based on Ford announcements this past week: http://www.autoverdict.com/ford/ford-and-lincolns-future-lineup/ The author believes the new China built Ford Focus will be offered in "lifted" versions. Also says it appears the C-max will be discontinued world wide, not just our continent. The Flex also "will die off" in next couple years. Confirms 2019 will bring hybrid Escape. Elsewhere I read the new (to US) EcoSport mini-SUV will be offered in a hybrid version - so maybe some overlap in utility with our C-max hybrids.

I had this in my 2013, only under certain conditions: cold weather, lower speeds (under 50), ICE running with partial engine load (such as going uphill). I am sure it was two things: a small powertrain noise, made much worse by the noise reduction system intended to mask it. it was almost completely fixed by a firmware update the dealer did over a year ago when I had it in for something else. You may be able to diagnose by pulling the audio system fuse. See other threads on this.

I was wondering if the decline in C-max sales in the US was because of the hybrid drive-train. Or perhaps early EPA efficiency woes. But it seems C-max sales in the UK have seen a similar decline, and over a longer range of years - - down every years, and off nearly 50% from the 2011 sales high: http://carsalesbase.com/european-car-sales-data/ford/ford-cmax/ So UK C-max sales have slid every year since before the US version was introduced. As far as I know, there is no hybrid version of the Euro C-max, so it is not a drop in demand for hybrids that has caused UK C-max sales to slump. And Ford as a brand is doing well in the UK, with sales rising as the overall vehicle market there has declined. And as far as I know C-max and other car sales are not being lost to pickups or SUVs in the UK, whereas this has been a factor in the US. So it seems there is something about the car configuration or style or perceived value or competition that has caused a sales drop over the last 6 to 7 years.

New "entry-level" UX, built on Prius platform, will be available as an AWD hybrid. https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/lexus-unveils-new-ux-compact-crossover-to-attract-young-buyers/ Of interest is some of the software: "The UX debuts three pieces of software designed to improve fuel economy. Predictive Efficient Drive analyzes driving habits to optimize hybrid battery use, Predictive Deceleration Support remembers where drivers have slowed down or braked in the past and increases regenerative braking accordingly, and Predictive State of Charge uses the car’s onboard navigation system to predict when the battery should charge." I assume the last 2 may take into account hills and other road conditions that it would be good for a hybrid system to anticipate ("I likely have a long downhill charging opportunity coming up, so I will deplete charge now"). The first is an onboard Paul Jones. : )

Ford has confirmed that C-max production will end in 2 months (May 6): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2018/03/02/michigan-assembly-layoff-retool/111027198/ Looks like several months of retooling because assembly line workers are not called back until October 22.

Scottwood2 - very impressive lifetime FE for northern driving. I am watching my average drop below 43 - I lose about .1mpg every week or so. Most of my trips are 10 miles or under, so engine runs first several miles due to "normal operation", even with heater off - and in sub-zero temps it is on almost my whole trip. As far as comfort is concerned, I think an infrared heatlamp in the driver's foot well would be nice. I'll drop that suggestion in the official Ford Suggestion Box, if I ever find it. Rumor says toward end of this year Ford will introduce hybrid versions of both the redesigned Focus and the Escape, and maybe electric version of its EcoSport mini-suv, which I believe is based on the Fiesta platform: https://pushevs.com/2017/11/15/2019-ford-focus-will-arrive-next-year-hybrid-electric-variants/

This Sync Connect system from Ford sounds nice; announced in late 2015. (I just had a friend lock himself out of his truck in a snowstorm - reminded me of the hazards and that there should be a tech solution, so I googled.) https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/11/17/new-ford-sync-connect-technology.html The Ford system also reports vehicle status: fuel level, tire pressures. Says it arrives on Escape first. Has anyone tried it? Did it ever trickle down to C-max?

Toyota announced it will offer hybrid (or pure EV) options across all lines. Apparently for the hybrids they will use the current Prius drive system, with new heavier or lighter duty versions. Some commentators say this represents a shift away from hydrogen. Development of hydrogen consumed Toyota's attention and resources, but now the emphasis will be hybrid and plug-in. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/18/toyota-says-all-its-cars-will-have-an-electric-or-hybrid-option-by-2025.html

Motor Trend also has a story on cloudy future of Fusion. Says Fusion will cease production in NA and Europe, but Ford denies they will import Fusion from China. Fusion sales down 22% this year. http://www.motortrend.com/news/report-ford-to-end-fusion-production-in-north-america/

Ground up design of new hybrids should allow battery to be under car, as with Tesla. That would be a considerable advantage. Otherwise the Fusion/C-max hybrid drivetrain fits under the hood pretty well.

Well the transmission seems to be the single major-cost trouble spot. And Ford appears to have fixed / improved the bearing that fails. So seems to me reasonable and economical to keep the C-max. And if I was shopping for a mid-sized hybrid now and seeking good value, a used C-max with the tranny replaced would be around the top of the list.

Leaving in 2020 either to China, or completely away: https://jalopnik.com/ford-denies-your-next-fusion-will-be-made-in-china-1821265164 From what I have read, in 2020 Ford will have the mysterious E as well as hybrid versions of several existing vehicles including likely the Escape and several bigger vehicles. New Ford CEO Hackett seems to be cost-cutting and axing low profit and low volume lines. An hour's labor building an F150 is worth much more than the same hour building a Focus or C-max. As a result, Ford appears to be pulling back from the very competitive and low profit small car business. This may even include mid-sized sedans like the Fusion hybrid, and that would apparently spell the end of the hybrid drive-train shared by Fusion and C-max.

All good suggestions here. Also if something plugs in but doesn't work, it never hurts to unplug it and then plug it back in. Contacts get dirty and things get partially unplugged.

No problems so far, knock on wood(-grained plastic laminate). It is a pretty stiff suspension so wheels don't bounce around a lot. Worse case scenario is probably hitting a bump during a sharp turn while hard braking - I'll try to avoid that.

Prius V will soon join C-max in the great garage in the sky: https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1113889_toyota-prius-v-hybrid-wagon-ends-u-s-run-rav4-hybrid-took-its-sales

The Michelin X-ice xi3 has a 40k mile tread wear manufacturer warranty. As you say, this is not the usually case with snow tires. Warranty proviso: removed by April 30 and on again after Sept 1. No commercial use. I am not sure the warranty will be of value - would need to keep car several more years, plus documentation plus hassle. But the fact that there is a warranty at all suggests these might have longer tread life than some. Owner reviews seemed to be ok on tread life. (But several complaints about hydroplaning in wet conditions.) The tires start with 10.5/32" tread per Michelin. I'll measure that myself, and again before swapping them next Spring, and so get an idea of tire life I am likely to get out of the set (if I find my calipers, which apparently, in an inspired moment, I put in a very good place).

I put Michelin X-ice Xi3 winter tires on my C-max last Friday, using the factory rims. OEM tires from 2013 were down to 3/32 to 4/32 tread left. I bought size 215/60R17. These are 1.2" larger diameter than the OEMs. That raises the car .6". I don't believe it could take larger diam tires, but please post if you have run this size or larger on your C-max. For some reason at the time I was looking the 215/60R17 size was cheaper than any other 17 inch X-ice: $113.50 at Amazon or Walmart. The Ford dealer was quoting me $180 for the same tire in OEM size. I ordered the tires from Amazon, a first for me. They appeared neatly stacked on my front porch a week later. Cost was reduced by a $15 "first time Amazon tire order" offer that appeared on the Amazon page for the tires, and 5% back for using an Amazon credit cost, so net was about $104 a tire shipped (plus tax). Local mounting and balancing cost $62.50. The 4 tires (two on rear seat, two in way back) pretty much filled up the car on the way to local shop. So far they are pleasantly quieter than the well-worm OEM tires. Ride is softer. OK in first snow here end of last week. Curious what the mpg hit will be. I haven't had winter tires on the C-max before so I am looking forward to improved and safer winter driving this year.