Generalbeluga

DaveofDurhan, Both headlights and wipers need to be set to the automatic mode for the wipers to control the operation of the headlights when operating in continuous mode. The green "headlight on" indicator at the bottom of the speedo will light whenever the headlights are on, even when triggered by the wipers in the auto continuous run mode.

With your wipers set to the auto mode position (one click up on the right side steering wheel stalk), your windshield wipers will activate automatically when the window is hit by enough rain water (or snow) to trigger the auto-on mechanism as adjusted by the rotating wheel near the end of the stalk. While in auto mode, if there is enough rain hitting the window to keep your wipers running constantly, your lights will come on automatically after a minute or two and stay on for as long as it rains enough to keep your wipers running constantly. We have had it rain here in California several times and my wipers work great as I have described above.

Interestingly enough, my mileage as stated by the car's computer matches the Fuelly MPG calculation to within 1/10 MPG! All I do is go to COSTCO, set the pump delivery rate on high, top it off twice after if auto stops and Walhalla, it is accurate to the Fuelly figures!

I am really sorry to hear that some of us seem to be having problems with our new C Max car. For whatever it's worth, other than an annoying incorrect date issue on my calendar, my SEL has been flawless! A couple of times I thought I was having reverse issues but, than realized that it was "driver error." Perhaps I am lucky or more patient than some but, I'll take whatever I can get and keep smiling! I love this car!! :) I actually compare the ride, build quality and fit and finish to a Lexus 400 LS that I owned in the 90's. No, it is not quite that good but, it is a cool $30K less expensive as well. I'll keep the money in my pocket, thank you. As others have said, this is the first Ford product that I have had in 40 years and I am back for good if the reliability holds up. If not doesn't, sayonara, :salute: I'm back to Japan!

For whatever it's worth, I haven't found that having the air on makes a big difference in my overall AMPG. Besides, I refuse to sit and sweat in my car just to gain a MPG or two!

We have camping friends that we join annually at the Chula Vista RV Park. It is a great RV park with a 4 star rating.

60's and 70's

Hey CNCGeek, please don't take offense but, why is your mileage so crappy? I was getting around 39 on my first tank and now, 3,500 miles later, I routinely get over 42, heading for 43 AMPG. Have you discussed this with Ford? Unless you live in a very cold area or you drive with a wicked lead foot, something must be very wrong. Just say'n.... :cry:

I would do one year or 10,000 miles which ever comes first, again as stated in the owner's manual. In your case do it at 5,000 miles to take advantage of the free oil change offer!

I would agree for those of us high mileage enthusiasts that haunt this website but, IMO, most who buy the C Max will most likely be persuaded by the high EPA MPG figures and are not inclined to jump though hoops to obtain them. I personally enjoy the challenge but, I would not think that the average hybrid driver would, but I could be wrong. :) BTW, I am now getting about 43 to 44 AMPG with combine city/FWY driving on short local trips, usually under 20 miles round trip. This is very good IMO considering that the ICE hardly has a chance to completely warm up.

I just had this conversation with the Service Manager at GALPIN FORD in Southern California yesterday. He said that he would be glad to take my money but, it would be a waste of my money! The modern cars do not need an early oil change. They do not have the left over milling filings and the like that the older cars used to have as a part of the production process. Both the production process and the new oil technology no longer makes it necessary to change your new car oil before the factory recommended intervals. Some of us old timers will never learn new tricks and demand an early change but if you do, you will just be throwing your money away!

Just turned up 2,900 miles on the ode. Took a drive from Simi Valley to LAX and got 49 MPG one way driving at ~ 64 MPH in ECO cruise on 405 south bound FWY with outside temp at ~ 52 degrees! For return trip home we went up coast HWY and over Topanga Canyon to 118 FWY to avoid north bound 405 traffic. When we got home the total round trip average MPG was 45.8 MPG! I didn't do anything crazy, just kept the cruise control below 65 MPH and tried to maximize EV mode when possible on surface streets. Hey, Just-A-CMax, you are familiar with this turf and can appreciate my satisfaction with these MPG numbers! Toganga Canyon Drive from the beach to Ventura Blvd is long and steep and sucks mileage, so the round trip average is really good considering! :happy feet:

Wife and I went from Simi Valley, Ca to Chula Vista and back this past weekend. Car was loaded with camping gear (folding chairs, ice chest, sleeping bags, food, etc.) and we got 44 MPG with 2, 800 miles on ode traveling with ECO cruise set just below 65 MPH..

I would like to see the telescoping steering column extend out more. I am a tall man and I need the driver's seat back to near max. At this setting, my arms are almost straight when touching the steering wheel which is not a comfortable position for long rides. I would also like to see the EV mode set to a slightly higher speed or better yet, allow the owner to adjust the parameters in the user settings.

I have spent a lot of time on this forum and driving my C Max and have come to one conclusion; set your feedback in "Engage" mode and drive. Over time, watching the gage on your dash, you will learn what works best for your driving style and the terrain you live in. No two drivers face the same challenges, so relax and give the car about 3K miles before expecting the MPG to rise into the low to mid 40's. I started at 38 MPG on the first tank of gas and I am now getting almost 43 MPG on tank five with about 2,300 miles on the ode. Don't try to over think it or you won't enjoy the ride! :shift:

Below is my concerns and the response that I received from Ford regarding my clock and calendar issues: My calendar is always one day ahead of the current day and there is no user interface to correct it. Also, every time my SYNC system has a "maintenance update" it sets my clock to the incorrect time. It is very annoying! When will Ford release an update to correct these and other SYNC issues?? Thank you for your email in regarding the calendar. We are aware the issue exists but we do not have an ETA on when this issue will be resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience. Sincerely, Toya Ford Motor Company SYNC Support Center

I've had my C Max SEL now for two months and I still love it! I have about 2,300 miles on it and I'm getting about 42 MPG with minimal effort so long as you stay under 65 MPH on the FWY, you should have little difficulty getting that or higher in 55+ degree weather. The mileage seems to be going up each fill up as the drive train continues to break in ( I hear that 5K+ miles is about the break in period). I've owned my share of luxury cars, (Lexus 400LS and a BMW M Roadster) and I can honestly tell you that the fit and finish of the C Max SEL, is very good. The ride is solid and the quality of the materials used in the construction of the C Max really impresses me. The steering has good feed back and yet responds quickly and accurately. I am a big guy, so the leg and head room was deal breaker for me and the C Max really delivered with plenty of both even for a 225 lb, 6'3" guy like me! For me, the only question remaining is the reliability of the car. I have not owned a Ford product since 1971 and I decided to give them another look. I made the plunge and so far I am very impressed and have no regrets but, only time will tell if I made the right decision. Ford has the opportunity to win me back for life or lose me again forever! Well Ford, it is all up to you!

Just installed it on my iPhone 4S and it seems to be working great! Since I just filled up two days ago, I have not had a chance to test it with real input data but, the interface is great and it captured all of my history, etc, accurately.

I have about 2,100 miles on mine and the last fill up was 41.9 MPG (see Fulley below). Here in So. Cal, temps have been warming up into the mid-60's. I use the ECO cruise when on the FWY and try to drive conservatively in town. I think the MPG will continue to go up as the car breaks in further. I will be happy if I end up in the mid 40's MPG range once the car is fully broken in.

I said the very same thing in one of my previous posts on this forum! I agree, if you make it too much work, the car ceases to be fun to drive anymore. Each driver has his or her own level of effort that they are willing to put into driving the car. It will be different for each of us but, for me, ECO cruise does a good enough job and allows me to relax and enjoy the ride!

Pep Boys, here in So. Cal has some nice, plain, stainless steel license plate frames for about $25.00 for two. They are about twice the price of the cheap chrome plated, or worse yet, fake plastic looking chrome frames but, they will never rust or need waxing to retain their beauty for the life of your car.

The good news is that we have three years or 36,000 miles to figure it out!

I wish it were that easy! The AM/PM setting was the first thing that I checked. Last night at 10:30 PM I checked the date and it had moved ahead to Sunday. When I changed the setting to AM, the day moved back to the correct day, Saturday. It seems to me that my SYNC must be set to the wrong time zone, but I cannot find any user interface allowing me to set the time zone. Does anyone know if setting the time zone is possible? I have the standard radio with no NAV.

I have perviously posted that my calendar is always set a day ahead of the correct date. This is a known issue but, since there is no user interface to adjust the day/date, I was frustrated with this relatively minor software issue. I have read on this forum that the incorrect date was caused by a faulty initial setting in the on-board GPS system. Apparently all CMax's have GPS even if they don't have NAV; something to do with time zones or the like. Well, today I signed on to MapQuest on my Mac and downloaded to the car a route for a trip that my wife and I were taking. When I returned home, I noticed that the calendar was now displaying the correct day/date! I am surmising that when MapQuest interfaced with my on-board SYNC and downloaded the route, it probably corrected the day/date on the car's GPS. In any case, it is now correct and I thought I would pass it along to the forum. If anyone else has the wrong calendar date issue, try downloading a MapQuest route to your car and let us all know if it fixed it.

Here's an idea. The orange turn indicators on the outside edge of the rearview mirrors flash when you lock your car. In high light conditions, I just slightly cup my left hand around the outside edge of my rear view mirror (to shield ambient light) while I press my finger on the black locking pad on the driver's door handle. You will be able to see clearly the orange light reflect off of your palm confirming that the car is locked. :)