djc

Rolling down the windows doesn’t appear to put more drag on a car’s aerodynamics. “The effect of opening the windows at 65 mph did not measurably reduce fuel economy." So says Jake Fisher, auto tester at Consumer Reports. He says they have tested multiple vehicles with same general result. AC, on the other hand, costs 1-4 mpg on an 85 degree day, depending on vehicle. http://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/fuel-economy-face-off-driving-with-windows-open-or-ac-running/ I am guessing: mpg hit for turning AC on is greater the smaller the engine (and the higher the vehicle mpg). Also I would expect the energy needed to run AC is a linear function of the difference between cabin and ambient temps. In any case, C-max doesn't like to have open windows at speed - makes loud buffeting noise.

I didn't know that Amazon has product pages for cars, and owner reviews appear there (as well as the "questions" section of regular Amazon product pages. Here are the pages for 2013, 2014 and 2015 C-max, respectively: Although the pages are for a specific model and color, the reivews are for a mix of models for each year, including Energi. https://smile.amazon.com/Ford-5-Door-Hatchback-Metallic-Tinted/dp/B011DT9YN0 https://smile.amazon.com/Ford-C-Max-5-Door-Hatchback-Oxford/dp/B011E66DHM/ https://smile.amazon.com/Ford-Hatchback-Platinum-Metallic-Tri-Coat/dp/B011EIHUM2/

The 25 cars on the list are high rated and reliable, plus have senior friendly features. The C-max is listed as having two of the four desirable features: ease of front access, and good headlights. It is midway down the ranked list. The two features the C-max does not get a check-mark for are senior-friendly controls and visibility. The majority of the vehicles on the list are SUVs. A few are available as hybrids. Very recently introduced vehicles (e.g. Niro) won't have the reliability record necessary to make the list. http://www.consumerreports.org/elderly-driving/top-25-new-cars-for-senior-drivers/

Ya, I just saw that. Wish they had "C-max" in the video title. Some of their comments: "C-max is a very nice car. Quiet. .... Feels very sophisticated ... Definitely more people should buy it. .... Great driveability" They note that early reliability problems seem to be fixed - and as near as I can tell, the applied fixes have made the early 2013my cars reliable so they will make good used car choices, as good as later model years. (in rest of video they discuss Prius Prime. A big improvement over previous Prius plug-in, they say.)

My irritating rattle was the rear stabilizer bar end links. Dealer failed to diagnose this twice while car was taken in under warranty that expired last year. I replaced the links myself yesterday, but I am feeling the pain from 3 hours I spent on driveway and under car. Would be much easier with car on a lift. Parts (the links) were $18 each at Amazon. In the interest of science I bought on original Motorcraft and one Moog, so can compare longevity. Local service places quoted $185 to $300 parts plus 1 hour labor to do the job. Dealer quote was "around $250" - dealer was the only shop that could not find exact parts cost. My front links were replaced by the dealer last year for a similar front rattle. Car: 2013 C-max with around 35000 miles when links started to fail. Car is smooth and quiet again - nice.

Response to Kostby: I am not sure about the demographics of C-max, Fusion hybrid, and Prius sales - but it would be interesting to know who buys them and how they compare. I compared the Fusion to the C-Max before buying and had a strong preference for the C-max. Clearly this is not the standard response, given sales.My impression is that most seniors buy fairly conventional sedans (Buicks, Malibus, Fusions, Camry/Avalon, etc) and not C-max or Prius. But I could well be wrong about that. Anyone got some data?

The rear rattle reappeared about 3 months after the dealer replaced the rear shocks. More evident at low speed going over small bumps, manhole covers, etc. Can anyone tell me how to get to the upper shock mounting plate?

Some of the reported mods to the Fusion Hybrid pursuit certified model: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1109845_what-does-it-take-to-turn-a-ford-fusion-hybrid-into-a-police-responder/ Programming modified to add an automatic pursuit power mode (sustained full engine plus full EV power). [no indication if this changes peak HP; appears to use the standard 1.4kw battery.] Uprated cooling fan for the air-cooled lithium-ion battery pack, and a beefier oil cooler for the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The suspension height is raised, there's a deflection shield to protect the underside of the engine from curbs or objects on the road, and the car is fitted with steel wheels and specially developed all-weather tires. [it would be interesting to know wheel and tire sizes.] The 12-volt electrical system is upgraded for greater power draw from accessories. No mention of transmission mods at websites I looked at. LA tv reports 0 to 60 time of 5.8 seconds, and it decels using 17" brake rotors with dual pistons. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/LAPD-Pursuit-Chase-Patrol-Car-Police-Ford-Fusion-Hybrid-419039404.html

A couple interesting news items at greencarreports: Toyota is shipping a new Prius One trim line priced under $25,000. The price drops $1250 from the Prius Two, the previous entry level trim. Keeps standard safety equipment; gives up the spare tire, rear window washer, and some seat-back pockets. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1109910_toyota-prius-one-stripped-down-hybrid-added-at-lower-price Meanwhile, Ford has modified the drive-train programming (and done some ruggedizing) and gotten the Ford Fusion hybrid certified as a police pursuit car. Will tout almost $4000 a year fuel saving to police departments. Presumably they could have done the same to the C-max hybrid.... http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1109808_ford-fusion-becomes-first-police-rated-hybrid-car

Ford's January press release https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia-mobile/fna/us/en/news/2017/01/03/ford-adding-electrified-f-150-mustang-transit-by-2020.html promises a 2020 fully electric small SUV built at Flat Rock and a fully autonomous hybrid by 2021. I believe the hybrid is a Fusion intended initially for ride-hailing only, not individual owners. The small SUV will offer "at least 300 mile" range. I am not sure if this vehicle is the forecast model E, or whether it will be AWD. My google search just now didn't find updated info on either of these vehicles. I expect the 2018 C-max will be produced this year at the Wayne plant, then Wayne will shift to the Ranger truck to be introduced "in late 2018" - which, given change-over time of a couple months, implies C-max production into mid next year. Please post if you find newer news.

Paul, thanks for info. Please come with me to the service desk if mine fails. (I did like your pictures of your transmission: it is pretty. But I am not keen to see mine outside the car.)

Update on long term reliability of 2013 C-max from government testing. I re-visted the site today and looked at the individual service history pdf's for each of the 4 cars being tracked. See first post on this thread for mid 2016 data. https://avt.inl.gov/vehicle-button/2013-ford-c-max 4 vehicles (identified by last 4 digits of their VINs): 2158 last date 3/24/2016 132k tranny 110k $3900 5138 " 9/27/2016 170k (no tranny replace) 5139 " 6/21/2016 144k tranny 90k $4400 8698 last date 3/16/2016 130k. tranny 115k $4k It remains the case that 3 out of the 4 had transmission replacements at 90 to 144k miles. Car 5138, with 170k miles as of Sept last year, had not needed a transmission replacement. No other major expenses reported for the cars (after transmissions, tires are the major recurring costs). The tranny replacements weren't covered under warranty. Some have reported that the drive-train including transmission is covered for 8 years or 100k in most states, and 10 years / 150k in "CARB" states, (including AZ and NM, which is where I believe these cars were located). My own C-max warranty summary says the mechanical components of the transmission are covered for 5 years / 60k miles; only electronic components unique to hybrid cars are covered longer. Given that the most recent service update (including oil changes) is Sept 2016, I suspect this long term tracking of the four cars has ended.

Consumer Reports today posted a first look at the Kia Niro. They report getting 42mpg in "mixed driving"; far short of the 52mpg they got with the current Prius. They paid $26,800 for their mid-range copy. They also say: "If your priorities are to save gas but have some fun doing it, given the Niro's mundane driving experience, we’d suggest looking at the Ford C-Max or Fusion Hybrid." http://www.consumerreports.org/2017-kia-niro/2017-kia-niro-challenges-toyota-prius-as-fuel-economy-contender/

Looks nice. They say the base model is 270kg (about 600lbs = 4 adults) lighter than the tested SX. I am curious how that is possible. Electronics don't weigh much. Wheels and tires are heavy so maybe that accounts for some of it. Maybe a sunroof? That large weight difference between trim lines with same body and drive train is mysterious. For example, looks like difference between C-max SE and SEL is at most a couple hundred pounds.

I saw this earlier today. Interesting that it can add remote start with a simple plug in. Good that Ford is doing this. Some natural questions: Press release mentions a 4G connection - will there be a recurring fee for using this? I am guessing: Yes. Is this cloud based, with no direct connection between control (phone) and car? If so, no range limits, but potentially a kid could pick up a phone in NY and start a car in CA. Will car start with AC/heater in last used mode? If not, it is not clear to me what the point would be.

Not so much a review as a summary of Kia press release from Detroit auto show. re: SUV: One year (1995) a Subaru Legacy Outback was a trim line of their wagon, the next year the essentially same vehicle was an SUV. There don't appear to be any bright lines here - a tall wagon or enclosed truck can call itself an SUV. In my mind, an SUV needs to have substantial ground clearance, some cargo carrying ability (wagon like), and have 4WD or AWD. Niro appears to be more a tall wagon like C-max and not an SUV.

I started the car at -2F ambient and -2F cab temps. While still parked the engine started charging the battery almost immediately (up arrow on left display). Within 2 miles bat had gone from low charge to near fully charged. Engine continued to run with fully charged bat. d.

C-max and Focus are supposed to share basic infrastructure so maybe some Focus suspension parts fit. Also Europe's C-max market is much bigger - might check there for aftermarket. The springs need to support the weight of the car and prevent it from bottoming over bumps. I would look to changing shocks. Shocks / struts can be firm or soft, and can differ in firmness in compression and extension. Looks like it is much easier to replace rear shocks than front struts.

Outside temp this morning is -7.4 F. C-max cabin is -6.3. It will still be sub-zero when I head out; I'll try to remember to pay attention to EV behavior. If car will insist on running ICE until battery is above 0, that seems to be an argument for using a cabin pre-heater along with - or even instead of - a block heater. Not to mention comfort.

Well it is an interesting idea, and the advantages you mention are clear. But there are cons: 1) motor in a most vulnerable place; 2) motor subject to constant shock from pot-holes etc. and 3) a principle of good car design is to minimize unsprung weight. As I remember, this best keeps tires in contact with the road. And as I remember slightly less well, some designs (mid-century Citroen?) even moved the disc brakes to the center of the car to reduce wheel weight. So, like most design choices, there are trade-offs. Maybe its possible to integrate a hub motor with the brake? Or, alternatively, build a light weight self-differential motor (with shafts out each end that can turn at different speeds?

A year later (yesterday) Ford has announced the Amazon Echo voice integration will be coming this month to C-max and Fusion Energi models with Sync3. If I understand the announcement correctly, it will trickle out to other non-Energi Sync3 hybrids later. I am not optimistic about getting new features on pre-2016 cars. http://www.zdnet.com/article/now-amazons-alexa-is-hitching-a-ride-in-your-ford/

Consumer Reports surveys readers for satisfaction with their car purchases; newish RAV 4 Hybrid is tops for compact SUVs. A used one will be on my future shopping list. My C-max with stock tires.got stuck twice on my driveway this week. I hope more affordable AWD hybrids appear - adding a second electric motor to rear axle should be relatively cheap and maybe with minimal impact on mpg. This bodes well for future: Prices of electric and hybrid vehicles should come down, Tesla is predicting price of LiOn battery cells should fall to half of 2016 prices by just 2020. The Gigafactory, the worlds biggest factory of any kind, has just started battery production near Reno. Ford's price prediction is more conservative: about a 40% drop over same time period. Still that should shave 1000s off the manufacturing cost of vehicles with large EV capacity. And, of course, the cars will drive themselves over to a charging station while I shop.

Ford and Amazon showcased experimental voice communication between Amazon Alexa and Ford Cars at 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. https://www.cnet.com/news/ford-and-amazon-working-to-connect-cars-to-smart-homes-via-echo-alexa/ One of their example uses: "Alexa, ask my Ford for the charge status of my C-max." Another example: using voice to remote start and pre-heat the cabin. And communication could work the other way - a car occupant could use the car's mics to remotely control devices (e.g. lights) in the house. It's a year later - did this go anywhere?

Paul, That's a nice temp bump up, though again not enough to prevent ICE startup in cold weather - yes? I did block the front vents this year (with black foam pipe insulation, plus a few black twist ties). I also used some self-adhesive foam insulation (about 1/2 x 3/4" profile, as I remember) on the bottom edge of the hood to better seal over the headlights and across the front. I read that Ford made a change for MY 2014 to that hood seal, but have not seen what they did. I tried a little 200 watt heater in the passenger footwell today (ambient about 20 degrees). It could only bump the cabin temp by 12 degrees after 2 hours. (Heater is controlled by a z-wave switch which in turn is controlled by Amazon Alexa; temp is reported by an Acurite sensor (on the drivers seat) via their internet bridge. This way I can control the heater and monitor the results from my study.) I'll try a 500 watt heater tomorrow. It would be nice to run a single z-wave switch powering both a low watt heater along with the block heater But that wastes a bunch of heat/energy dissipated out of the slowly warming cabin. So maybe the way to go is separate switches and a high watt quick heat of the cabin. That may require different heater placement.

I had second thoughts about installing a small heater in the cabin to preheat it: since I have a factory block heater, I thought it should warm the coolant and, um, block, so that I could start heating cabin immediately. BUT I ran the block heater 3 hours yesterday, ambient 22 degrees, and it only raised the coolant temp to about 70 degrees. This is not enough to either heat the cabin or to prevent the engine from starting upon setting out. Disappointing.