Tom
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Posts posted by Tom
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It seems to be the consensus of the members of this form that C-Max mileage improves as the gasoline engine wares in. Mileage figures to achieve this vary. I don't think there is any way to know how many miles are on the ICE alone since the mileage figures on the instrument panel include both ICE and EV operation.
Is there an accepted percentage range that one can use to deduce the EV portion?
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Further Adventures with Leaf Debris:
After cleaning out the accumulation this morning, I placed a strong flash light directly over the weep hole to try to determine where the water goes? Turns out that it goes into the engine area just below the plastic hinge pockets! So, pending a discussion with mt Ford dealer's service department, I don't see why the weep holes can't be enlarged enough to allow leaf debris, etc. to wash on through and out?
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I was washing my C-Max this morning and checked the lift gate drainage holes: two were taped-which I removed.
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While the foam pipe insulator works when used, for me at least, I don't use it except at home, overnight, etc. When I take the C-Max out for various short trips I don't bother to replace the pipe insulators on the windshield area and this sometimes results in leaf infiltration. In taking a closer look at the hinge pockets that retain fallen leaves, they are plastic. So I'm wondering if the weep holes can be enlarged so that leaf debris would just wash on through and out? Not sure what's underneath the pockets that might prevent this solution -- if anything?
Any further thoughts?
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Stock market fund including Ford.
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Tom -
How is the pipe insulation working?
Here are some photos of what it looked like under the hood after our C-Max was parked for 4 days atop the eastern continental divide (altitude 4,200 feet) near Highlands NC.
Pipe insulation is working fine. I think it's the answer. If you want to try it, get the one inch size.
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May I also suggest pipe insulation; the kind used to insulate hot water pipes. I haven't tried it, but it seems as though the smaller size might tuck between the hood and the windshield. I have used it with great success as a way of keeping the cold, winter air out of the grill (where is slips over the horizontal grill pieces).
Bill-N,
I want to thank you for you suggestion. I bought some 1 inch X 3 feet pipe insulation today and it is far superior to the pool noodle.
Much easier to install and fills the gap the pool noodle didn't.
Tom
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Tom -
That's a great plan. I'm looking forward to your next report. One plus I see for the noodle is that it will be very easy and fast to remove.
I think the snow shield will be cumbersome to remove and roll especially if it is wet from dew/condensation.
Dave
Dave,
Went out this morning to find that the portions of the noodle, as attached to the hood, beyond the top (longer) windshield wiper blade and arm allowed leaves into the engine compartment because there was a gap between the bottom of the noodle and the windshield. I have attempted to remedy this by removing the portions of the noodle beyond the wiper arm and blade from the hood and just tucking the noodle in between the roof of the hood and the windshield glass. Seems to provide a tight fit so I expect this approach will work better. Will let you know.
The suggestion above about pipe insulation is also one I want to follow up on. May be the answer to the fitting-the-noodle-on the-hood-edge which, so far, is a pain.
Tom
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The pool noodle is an interesting idea. That may be my plan B.
My Snow Shield arrived today, but I won't be able to try it out until Sunday when my wife and our C-Max return from a trip to the mountains.
Dave,
I put the pool noodle on today. The way I did it was to cut one side of the noodle lengthwise to fit onto the following edge of the hood. Then I made several short cuts across the the lengthwise cut a each end so that the noodle will bend following the curve of the hood at each side. This works for attachment. The noodle lies above the windshield wipers so no potential damage there. Putting it on is somewhat laborious -- not as much as cleaning out the hing pockets. Perhaps the noodle will soften up with use.
My first idea was to attach the noodle, using a somewhat shorter lengthwise cut, to the top (longer) windshield wiper arm but opted for the approach described above instead.
Will let you know how well it works after today's gift from the trees.
Tom
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It was suggested elsewhere in this form that a pool noddle could be used to keep stuff from falling out of the back area when the lift gate is opened. This may also work to stop leaf debris/snow/etc. from falling into the engine area between the hood and the windshield? Has anyone tried it?
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Turn the Temp selector below 60, and it goes to Lo. Make sure the AC is off, recirc is off, and you're getting unheated outside air. That's the 'vent' mode you are looking for.
If you set your temp selector below the outside air temp with the AC off and recycle air off, I believe you get outside air only. The fan speed can then be controlled with the fan speed buttons.
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Tom -
I had an online chat with someone at Auto Anything too. I explained why I was interested in the Snow Shield and asked if it would be secure if I slid it forward/down so it bridged the gap between the lower windshield and the back edge of the hood. The answer I got was that it probably would be secure (i.e., the side flaps would still be held in place by the closed doors). The rep said that I could give it a try to see if it served my intended purpose and that I could return it if I was not satisfied. I figured it was worth a try with this custom cut product to see if it can save me from having to clean out tree debris under the hood and in the hinge pockets for 6-8 weeks every Fall and Spring. When my Snow Shield arrives I will test it out and report back.
Dave
Dave,
Looking forward to learning how it works for you. Good luck!
Tom
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Does anyone have a Intro-Tech Windshield Snow Shield
http://www.autoanything.com/driving-accessories/60A4281A0A0.aspx
or similar product? Will it help me with my leaf and pine needle problem?
We don't get much snow here, but we have lots of trees along our driveway and the Fall assault of leaves and pine needles has begun. In the Spring, we had trouble with tree debris getting into the space where the hood hinges attach to the body and blocking the rainwater drain holes. [see thread titled "tree debris"]
I would like to avoid having this problem again and avoid having to do almost daily leaf and pine needle clean outs. I'm wondering if a windshield snow shield will do the trick. I would have to slide it forward and down so it covers the gap between the lower windshield and the back edge of the hood, but I don't know if a windshield snow shield will be secure in this position.
Here's what I got back from the company:
01:00:42 PM [Tom] 2013 Ford C-Max's have a design problem that your snow screen may address. The gap between the windshield and the hood allows leaves to enter where they accumulate in the "pockets" that the hood hinges occupy when the hood is down. When a quantity of leaves accumulates, the drain holes are blocked. Would your snow screen prevent this?
01:02:41 PM [Kevin A.] Welcome to AutoAnything. My name is Kevin A. I have no way of knowing that.
01:02:53 PM [Kevin A.] That is not the purpose of this product.
01:04:43 PM [Tom] Does your product cover the gap between the windshield and the hood? Can it be attached to do so?
01:05:20 PM [Kevin A.] No, it is only made to cover the windshield to keep snow off.
01:05:36 PM [Tom] Thank you.
Any other ideas out there?
Tom
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Any chance Ford will rewrite the owner's manual in 2014 to make it more user useful?
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So those of you who are doing both city and interstate driving, it sounds like your mileage has gotten better at higher speeds, yes?
In addition to the improvement at higher speeds, have you seen improvement in city speeds?
Would you still recommend getting the update?
Also, if I may piggyback on this question, any other downside losses such as diminished AC, etc.?
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41.0 @ 3,938.0 miles. No software update.
Now 51. Car is driven conservatively and seems to reflect that in ever-better MPG.
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I used to live in the Springs, also lived in Denver. Spent 20 years in Colorado. We have every intention of moving back someday.
I would get the update. The way I see it, I trust Ford to build the car, I will trust them when they offer an update. That is one of the things I am really liking. How many cars have you had in the past that the manufacturer can(does) offer updates. I see it kinda like updating an app on my phone.
Is Ford offering the update to improve engineering or to fight the lawsuits? I'm getting good mpg now and plan to wait to see what the downside is -- if any.
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41.0 @ 3,938.0 miles. No software update.
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For mine, ETIS Vehicle Summary says:
Outstanding Field Service Actions
13B07 - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CALIBRATION
This text is in a pink box on the left side of the screen. I'm calling the dealer tomorrow.
ETIS is not on the list of acronyms. Please define. Thanks.
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I just drove to Hagerstown, Md. and back to Bethesda, Md., a distance of 120 miles. Got 49.5 MPG with AC running all of the time.
My question is: Will the computer update improve my city millage?
I have seen comments on the frorm to the effect that the update is only for highway millage.
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Wow, nsteblay, thank you for the highly informative post! I feel as though I just received a "graduate level course" in the C-Max for free. I think I am going to be able to use some of the information in this post to boost my gas mileage a bit.
I agree! Nsteblay, have you had all the updates and, if so, what do you think of them?
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I absolutely love my C-Max. Everything about it......comfort, ride, handling, high-end tech, and the mileage. I have had ALL of the upgrades done and all without a hitch. I am fortunate to have two dealers equidistant from me and make use of both of them.......they are top notch.
I traded a 2011 Flex SEL ( my second one ) and got top dollar. I had a factory rebate and a private rebate that I applied to the C-Max. I also used my company's X-Price Plan with Ford. I went into the process well informed and with realistic expectations. I got a GREAT deal and have been satisfied beyond expectations.
I had to change and adapt my driving skills and habits to fit the C-Max to achieve the highest MPG. I am a better driver for it and it pays off at the pump.
And now I am getting a $550.00 check from Ford......SWEET.
Amend!
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Does anyone else feel like Ford swung too far in the other direction here? I mean I am starting to feel like +3 golfer does how Ford was shady about how they rated the mpg for the C-Max, but I haven't had a problem averaging 50+ mpg on my daily work commute that from everything I have read is similar in speed and duration to the EPA highway test and many other people here hit the 47 mpg mark without much effort. 45/40/43 just feels too low, I mean we had a poll going here whether the car should be 47 city 44 highway! On my vacation, my only extended highway driving since buying the car, I averaged 43.1 mpg over 1000 miles of highway driving using Eco Cruise 90% of the time with air conditioning 75% of the time and an average speed around 69 mph. (71 mph up and 67 mph back) Turn off the AC and pulse & glide instead of using Eco-Cruise and I'm sure I could have done 45+ mpg for the trip.
Edit: Not saying that we should have to turn off the AC and pulse & glide to get the EPA rating, just that I could have done better and even with the AC on and Eco-Cruise I topped the new 40 mpg highway easily.
This has been bothering me also. Since Ford is doing a major recall that is suppose to fix the problem, why don't they wait to see if in fact their adjustments work?
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I have mixed feelings about this decision to compensate C-max owners. On one hand, of course we are all happy to receive an unexpected $550 payment....but on the other I am feeling bad that this is a PR nightmare for the car in general. Lots will conclude that the C-Max "sucks" and not even consider it, totally passing by it's many advantages over the competition. I know it's ultimately Ford's fault, but the outrage seems relatively selective to me. I am in the same boat as others who have said they're getting better than 47mpg and that this is the first time they've met the EPA rating on a car. What about all those other vehicles' MPG ratings?
But I also feel bad that Ford's hybrid program takes a ding, here. They've obviously spend major money and research time to make this car, even taking a bath on each sale. So it's a significant investment for the company and a big risk. That doesn't happen very often when it comes to the big 3. I would have liked to see them rewarded for their commitment to invest in high fuel efficiency. If I'm a corporate officer at Ford right now, I bet building more F150s sounds a lot better! And the others are watching to see the results of this gamble. Bottom line, this is a blow to hybrid cars in general, this decision can only be a disappointment for those who want to see the technology move forward.
I agree with your sentiments. I'd rather have the value of the "compensation" in Ford stock.
engine break-in how many miles?
in General Discussion
Posted
Thanks guys. I have to admit that I am intimidated by the Trips 1&2. The owner's manual was of no help to me, nor the Ford training films on the subject. So, I'm following the old adage: If at first you don't succeed, give up re. Trips 1&2.