djc

The Fusion numbers are up at the EPA: cmb city / hwy 2016 41 (43 / 39) 2017 42 (43 / 41) The 2017 C-max numbers aren't up yet but but Yahoo sports article says: "Despite the fact that the C-Max continues to rely on the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that’s fed by a 1.4-kWh battery pack, Ford predicts the 188-hp hybrid will see fuel economy rise from 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway to 42/38 mpg." ( http://sports.yahoo.com/news/2017-ford-c-max-c-223200690.html ) SO: what changes did Ford make to improve rated fuel efficiency? Can retro-fit? Any Tradeoffs?

Cabin heat: I was thinking that having a 120v electric cabin heater that runs when the engine block heater is powered early winter mornings would be cost effective (and much more comfortable than getting into a cold car). Could use a cube tap at the left top of the grill with the existing block heater and added cabin heater cords. Looks like a good place to bring power through the firewall is the approx 2x3" rectangular hole in the firewall left of and above the steering column (you can see this with hood open by looking behind the red-capped + jump-start terminal). Any experience, suggestions?

That is a very clean power train in a very clean garage.

Looks like this is the same injector used on the 2.0L engine in Ford Focus for last 10 years or so. To replace injectors you need to relieve fuel pressure, remove whatever is in the way, disconnect fuel line to fuel rail, unclip 4 injector power wires, unbolt fuel rail, and pull the rail, with injectors attached, away from engine. You can take the rail with injectors to a workbench and pull the injectors off and replace them. Then reverse. Look for youtube video on replacing Ford Focus injectors. Looks like besides the original Motorcraft CM-5148 injector, "Standard" makes a clone with a lifetime warranty, around $36 at Amazon. Good luck!

ditto

Consumer Reports online today published a list of top American cars. http://www.consumerreports.org/cars/highest-scoring-american-cars-suvs-trucks/ The C-max hybrid continues as best domestic compact car: "Based on the compact Focus, the five-passenger C-Max hybrid is a clever, quiet, spacious, and practical hatchback. It rides well and handles capably. " The Fusion, "a delight to drive", is their top rated domestic mid-sized car. But CR says: "The [Fusion] Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid both receive more efficient electric motors for 2017." News to me. Does anyone know what the reported change is, whether it makes a difference to overall mpg, and whether the 2017 C-max is also changed?

An odd highway accident, or accident write-up. If I am reading it right, a General Motors lugnut took out a 2013 Ford C-max, and the lugnut's tire took out a Ford F250 which in turn took out a Dodge Ram. Fortunately the participants were restrained. http://www.hayspost.com/2016/09/12/kan-woman-hospitalized-in-4-vehicle-accident-after-truck-loses-tire/

Announced recall seems to be for the regular people doors. Defects that directly affect safety are much more likely to get a recall than other problems. Still it is wise to keep receipts for expensive repairs. And tail-gate latch failure could be held to be a safety problem later (could allow exhaust fume entry).

Nissan has a new(ish) interesting engine, a variable stroke gas engine. It uses both direct and port fuel injection. Variable stroke gives it variable compression ratio (variable from 8-1 to 14-1) and considerably increased efficiency. It is reported both to be as efficient as diesel but cheaper to make than turbo-diesels with their expensive emission control systems (though probably not cheaper than diesel engines with emission test cheat software). Nissan will first use one in an Altima to intro next yearL "The turbo-charged, 2-liter, four-cylinder VC-T engine averages 27 percent better fuel economy than the 3.5-liter V6 engine it replaces, with comparable power and torque. Nissan says the new engine matches the diesel engine in torque – the amount of thrust that helps determine the car's acceleration. The engine is also cheaper than today's advanced turbo-charged diesel engines, Nissan engineers said at the briefing at the company's technical and design center in Atsugi, south of Tokyo. They said it should also meet nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other emissions rules in certain markets without requiring costly treatment systems." http://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-japan-nissan-engine-idUSKCN10P0IK These high-torque efficient and compact engines might be nice in a hybrid set up. Other news: apparently Subaru will intro an all-electric SUV by 2021: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1105586_all-electric-subaru-crossover-utility-vehicle-coming-in-2021-japanese-report Interesting technology on the horizon....

"Ford will stop selling the C-Max in the U.S. after production ends at Michigan Assembly Plant in 2018, with the Model E effectively fulfilling its role." 8/12/2016 update at Automotive News (just the sentence above): http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/dcce?category=fproductguide&date=20130819&id=2919456&module=39&selected=15&site=ca&type=ford&class=3912 So a 5+ year run.

Replacing the rear shocks (yesterday) appears to have fixed the suspension rattle. 34k miles on 2013 C-max. Shock is unique to C-max: model FV6Z 18125 BA Part has 2 year manufacturer warranty. Monroe supplies an alternative with lifetime warranty.

Latch pawl spring can fail. Either door will no latch, or "door ajar" light comes on. More info here: http://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/ford-recalls-830000-vehicles-for-doors-that-wont-stay-shut/

I have experienced front and rear rattles over small bumps with my 2013 w/ 30k miles. Sounds like a little drum-roll after hitting a bump at low speeds. Similar, I believe, to OP's problems. The front rattle was fixed by replacing the front sway bar links. The quieter rear rattle was diagnosed last week (2 days before 36 month warranty expired) as rear shocks. This seems early for shock failure. Dealer has ordered pair of rear shocks and will replace under warranty. I am pleased with Ford service (but a bit worried about suspension parts longevity).

Latch spring failure is heat related, so recall is for cars in sunbelt and Pacific coast. http://www.nasdaq.com/article/ford-recalls-some-escape-cmax-focus-cars-over-door-latch-20160804-00954

There's a service bulletin for transmission failure in 2013-14 fusion hybrid and C-max, TSB 14B07 https://www.cars.com/articles/2013-2014-ford-fusion-hybrid-c-max-hybrid-transmission-issue-1420684957170/ quote: The problem: The transfer shaft assembly bearing may fail prematurely. If this happens, thumping, rubbing or grinding noises may emanate from the transmission. Additionally, the check-engine light may illuminate due to a manufacturing fault in the transmission. Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/2013-2014-ford-fusion-hybrid-c-max-hybrid-transmission-issue-1420684957170/#SOkY3tYIfCDXfYUA.99 Aside: earlier I wondered why 62 mph had been picked by Ford for max EV-only power. I forgot that 62 mph is 100km/h. No doubt that is where the magic is. djc

I thought that too. But then I wonder why they list the 2016 hybrid as 62 mph. http://www.ford.com/...tions/view-all/

Ford lists the Hybrid as having a top electric only speed of 62, while tne Energi is 84 mph. http://www.ford.com/cars/cmax/specifications/view-all/ It might be interesting to know how these numbers were picked. There are no doubt some trade-offs - perhaps mpg vs. reliability was one. My memory is that these mph numbers are quite a bit higher than Toyota's practice with Prius. I am under the impression that high mph with the engine off requires very high motor rpm. Perhaps this can cause transmission bearing failure, and produce a higher failure rate in the Energi than the hybrid under similar highway driving in hot temps.

There's a couple 2013 Cmax transmission failures listed at truedelta.com. I believe both occurred at 90k+ miles. One mentions bad MG2 bearing. Milleage at failure is about the same as the 3 that failed out of the 4 vehicles the Idaho Lab are testing.

Here's an update on Ford's future plans. C-max will continue in Europe but likely discontinued in North America. Likely replaced by the Model E, built on new 4th gen Ford Focus platform going into production in a few months around the world (Mexico for US market). Hatchbacks and wagons in the mix. Ford is said to be planning a replacement for Focus electric, using the new platform, along with EV models competing with Ioniq and some Prius models. http://www.just-auto.com/analysis/fords-future-models-and-platforms_id170332.aspx

Might be possible to listen to bearings from time to time using a mechanics stethoscope. These work well - and a cheap one is $3 at Harbor Freight. What would be useful is a recording of normal transmission bearing noise. Periodically play that in one ear and current bearing sound in the other. Or A/B switch them. Condenser mics have gotten very cheap. Some day cars may monitor their own noises and self-diagnose problems before they are incapacitating.

Cool feature; but doesn't meet US roll-over standards: http://gas2.org/2016/06/20/toyota-prius-prime-gets-solar-roof/ I'd also like a roof that changes color - reflective silver white on hot days, dark dark on cold days.

I should have mentioned these are Energi's. The Energi has different final gearing. My understanding is that it can also deliver more electric HP / kwh to the wheels than the hybrid (Ford lists a "depletion mode" for the Energi only with higher kwh power). Exactly what transmission differences are needed, if any, are not known to me. The lab indicates some of the the test conditions for these vehicles. E.g. for the first of the four cars: 43% city, 57% highway. Average temp: 80.7° AC in use 92% of the time. The last time I looked at the site I left with the impression the cars where physically in the Southwest, but on this visit I can't find where I got that. So I guess they are in a hot deserty part of Idaho. As I remember there was a problem with C-max in taxi service, acknowledged by Ford, and a change was made to the transmission at some point. However this parts site http://www.quirkparts.com/oe-ford/fm5z7000d?origin=pla&gclid=CN_vt8LRrM0CFQYuaQodP_8GaQ shows the same transmission (at $4178) as fitting all C-max energi, and both Fusion hybrid and Fusion Energi, from 2013-2016. Another site currently has a low miles used transmission for half that - there should be more of those as the years go by.

A government lab has been doing long-term tests of many EV cars including 4 2013 C-max. They log all service and repairs. Three out of the four have required transmission replacement between 90k and 116k miles, with an average cost of around $4000. Other service has been negligible in comparison. Here are selected data and link to the page of pdf's. Long term repair experience with four 2013 C-max. Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity - Idaho National Laboratory https://avt.inl.gov/vehicle-button/2013-ford-c-max VIN# 1FADP5AU1DL528698 116k replaced transmission $3989 116k replace right hub bearing $252 127k tires (first replaced 60k) and front-end alignment 130k repair window track VIN# 1FADP5AU0DL535139 90k replaced transmission $4383 130k replaced 3 tires VIN# 1FADP5AU9DL535138 73k replaced 12V battery $166 77k replaced 4 tires 77k front end alignment 110k serviced transmission 155k replaced two tires VIN# 1FADP5AU0DL532158 70k replaced 3 tires 81k replaced 12V battery 100k serviced transmission 110k replaced transmission $3889 130k replaced two tires and aligned front end

Curing the front suspension rattle last Friday revealed a similar rear rattle. The rear rattle is not as pronounced as the now-cured front rattle. Again, it is low speed and occurs over minor bumps. I will likely re-visit dealer before factory warranty expires. It could be the bumpers at the top of the rear shocks - I slid the driver's side one down by reaching over the top of the rear tire (tight fit for hand). There is a TSB for the front ones making a rattle. The rear sway bar links are easy to see / reach from the rear of the car - look and feel fine. BRAKES: I have not experienced this jerk when slowing on level ground, whether for a turn or a straight stop. It is only down a steep hill. It is in the last few mph as it comes to a stop. It feels like the brakes are released then suddenly applied again, producing a jerk. That can cause loss of traction on at a stop on a hill, and the car could slide out into the intersection. I am hoping for an eventual update to the module that controls braking (and not as a result of a lawsuit filed by my heirs).

C-max (built end of July 2013) had annoying low-speed rattle. Especially prominent over minor-bumps at speeds under 30. I took it in for service last Friday. I assumed it was the jounce bumpers, since that is what gets greased up in accord with the TSB 13-12-9 for this symptom. However they diagnosed the noise using "chassis ears" and determined the front stabilizer links were worn and were the cause. Dealer replaced both front links and bolts. They also repaired the factory installed engine block heater, which had stopped working earlier this year. Dealer confirmed and fixed by reseating plug at heater. When I asked about how to do this if it recurred, I was told the car needed to be on a lift because access was only from below, reaching up in tight space between rear of engine and firewall - and only when engine was cool. I also mentioned a third concern: a large jerk when nears full stop while doing down a steep hill if "grade assist" has been used. This is potentially dangerous as it could cause the car to lose traction on a wet, snowy, or icy road and careen out into an intersection. The dealer could do nothing as it is presumably a design / programming problem. Dealer recorded concern and sent on. In any case, two problems fixed before original warranty expires. I bought the car April 2015 with 27k miles; it has about 34k now. I like it a lot -- more so without continuous rattle.