C-MaxSea

Paul, I'm working up to a "voluptuous hindquarter curves" thread (MY 13 & 14) if someone doesn't post one before I do. :) ;) :) (EDIT: just referring to the evolution of the rear quarter panels / bumpers in cardom that we are seeing - going from wrapped curves to chopped off / creased for aerodynamics (see tuft testing thread))

Ouch, just remembered two days late to call in and negotiate my renewal. Result: 1 yr renewal $89 plus fees - $100.13. My mistake, 'reasonably' happy ending. Story: Began with the old free 6 months of course. When it expired, I negotiated the next 6 months for $29.99 plus fees, about $35, which required an auto-renewal contract. Did not put Jan 23rd renewal date on my calendar - ARGH. Needed to call in Wednesday the 22nd. So called in today to see what I would be charged and to plead for mercy. The charge that went through was 6 months for $136.xx total. Was offered a full year for "half price" - that being the $89.xx plus fees, total $100.13 - stuck with that. I will be refunded a credit of $36.00. Mark your calendars, call in to cancel, renegotiate if you will, but get it lower than me !!!!! nick

C-MaxSea // Grouper // our beloved eurobox. MY 2013 Interior: Floor mats: WeatherTech fronts & backs, cargo area still TBD Coin container: Entertainment: 2 - 64GB USB 2.0 Patriot Flash Drives Entertainment: SiriusXM (year two - Ouch, forgot to call in before auto payment. Negotiated relief - 1 yr $89 + fees) Infotainment: OBD2 .......TorquePro.........SGNote....... Cargo lights: Charging tool: Spare tire for longer trips: TBD Exterior: License light rear: Puddle lights: Back-up lights Surface protection: Opticoat process (wash, claybar, full coat Opti all painted surfaces) Surface protection: Xpel Clearbra - front bumper, headlights & fog lights Aero-mods: None yet, will likely be implementing for next winter Miscellany: Replaced sunshade because it had a stain on it from the factory - paid for by Ford. I did the job myself to minimize the big boot galute factor - did not want someone else grunging up the interior. Tweaked the hood closure a pinch to close it down some. Link: Driving Style: I am an Eco Cruiser for a couple of reasons. First, the car is smart, and for the most part knows how to get very good MPG's'. Second, it is much easier on the right knee - if you have long term knee problems you know what I am talking about. Link: (DC, I will answer your Sirius question on a Sirius thread. Now you have a posting here that you can use (edit) to update what you have done to your C-Max) (Plus3, I'm totally aware of the challenge here, could not resist trying, maybe someone can spread the info some day, for now it is an attempt, could work if folks behave. Thanks for posting 'your stuff'.) (Foto, I believe the other thread was meant to be one 'mod or access.' at a time, this was intended to be all 'mods & access's' on one 'go to' post - correct me if that is wrong. Glad you grabbed a spot.) Now off to the C-Max Bar for more serious conversation.

"My C-Max - Here is what I have done to enhance our ride." (That is your accessories & mods to your C-Max !) How about a thread where we all manage one ongoing post showing accessories & modifications we have made to our beloved C-Max. I know most of you have done more tweaks than we have, so ours will be simple - but Matt, Mike, Paul, Jus, and so many others can go wild with their 'A & M Post' and give it links to follow-up info already in this category or elsewhere. (Don't hesitate to grab a spot/post now, and come back later with more detail) This should allow newbies to see more quickly what many have done - and perhaps why. You may want to err on the side of concise & clear. (Please hold off on question & comment posts. The C-Max Bar might be a good place to querry & comment on what folks have posted here.) Here goes, I will start with mine, and chase around my desk/files to document correctly my stuff. Nick (If this 'flys', I will enhance this start post)

Nice Jus, perfect for the daily commute across Lake _________________. (Couldn't resist watching the 900 HP Evo clip & 11 sec Camaro - and I'm kind of an anti speed / pollution type) Glad Mammoth is seeing more C-Maxes! (Horrible ski season here. All of our winter weather has been stolen)

Very nice write-up Hannah & Hybridbear. Interesting how expectations flavor our experiences (from movies to cars...........). After researching (Nov/Dec 2012) our purchase in January 2013, I fully expected 38 - 40 mpg's. When we had our first fill-ups exceed 40 mpg we were thrilled. With Summer, and easily getting 45 to 50, we were ecstatic. (With health issues and work issues, we have very low miles; and we generally drive our C-Max on longer outings which favor better results.) Now in our mild winter climate (30 to 45 F) and getting 40-45+ mpg, we remain ecstatic - the old expectations exceeded thing. We have no doubt that we can meet or exceed the new (creepo EPA) numbers any day of the week, the only exception being severe weather. nick (also ecstatic with 'stealth mode' polluting the air only half of the time)

Welcome Mahomar. Classy color. Lots of good info here. Enjoy! Nick

Yes, aside from driving skills & weather, net elevation difference / "slope" is huge. (Kinetic energy/Potential energy ......................) That is why validation requires looped runs from a common elevation point. :) Nick

:rating: Outstanding Scuba ! Scratch the 9.9 in the emoticon, that is all tens. Wear that achievement proudly - well deserved, great driving. Nick

'No news is good news' with regard to MPG's. Our C-Max took a whipping (not Ford) in the last few months, undeservedly so. Greetings anilruia in Seattle. Nick

Great story wab! I remember getting a wooden 'go-cart' stuck to my hand once in the 70's - the nail went through clean. :play: Nick

Laurel, we do Mason bees too, love them!. They are cool. (I just have to duck or dodge now and then when they are tracking up our narrow path - but that goes for all the bees and hummingbirds as well) My wife usually asks for 'a couple more chunks of wood' each year. I supply the wood & drill, and she's off making more Mason bee homes. Thanks for sharing the video. :bee: Nick

Mike, I probably should not have invoked the 'good name' of Cajun music here. I too like a little Cajun now & then to liven things up. These guys are as crazy as it gets up North in Sweden/Finland with irreverent drinking songs................... and I rarely 'drink' - they do have fun though! Love the bees ! :bee: :bee: :bee:

Excellent work Chrisl ! Thanks for all of the info / directions / photos. I may do this too some day, but not for awhile at least. Your lead will be a great benefit here. Thanks again, nick.

Nice! Trust they are 'working' well for you. nick

Saw this new ad today - Grouper (our C-Max) is a star now. I thought it was reasonably good - hitting the high points & colorful (except for the car), It was only a 30 second spot, so they could not elaborate on anything. A good start, albeit late. Goooooooo C-Max, and the Hawks, of course. nick

Shades of Cajun from the 'North Country'. Too much time, too much snow, too much aquavit, too many squeezeboxes I guess. Posted for no good reason whatsoever. (Check out Pontikkalaulu if you dare) nick

Not half as scary as 'smart' phones, Facebook, Twitter, Google, ............................................................ and the dozens (hundreds/thousands ?) of tracking companies/systems/databases...................... out there tracking our every keystroke! :cry: :nonono: :rant2: :rant: :swear: :gaah: :runaway: :runaway: :runaway: :gaah: (and this rant probably cost me some discounts at Groupon or elsewhere - hmm, maybe it assured me a dozen more 'discounts'?)

Amen too, Jus; and with peanut butter on it !!! Can't imagine ever owning another sedan; they make my skin crawl these days.

Great choice, great attitude Alex, 303 rocks. Love the doubling of gas mileage. You will be able to get into the modding and challenging yourself to some 500, 600, 700 mile tanks with ease (if you are allowed to drive it - HA)!!! Tinting seems to be the key add-on for a dark color car. Hope both you and your wife the best with the new C-Max - enjoy! Nick

I understand your angst Ldcarson, but only to a degree. We have no hybrid training, don't hypermile (whatever that means), we simply drive carefully, braking evenly, accelerating modestly, enjoying rapid acceleration on freeway on-ramps, set the Ecocruise at a couple below the limit and enjoy mid 40's MPG's. There are a number of threads here with good advice on hybrid driving because many here want to optimize their MPG's, but most boil down to simply driving carefully. Last Saturday we drove a 60 mile mostly freeway loop with four adults (Seattle-Tacoma-Seattle), 35 - 40 degrees, and came in at 45 mpg on the gauge (43+- at the pump). Summertime, 45 - 55 easy anytime - no Prius required. BTW, I believe the Prius delivers more MPG's easily because there is so much less engine behind the accelerator. I'll take the wonderful acceleration of the C-Max any day (not to mention a dozen other reasons to opt for the C-Max). Hope your experience improves with your Energi! Nick (PS - trust you are plugging your Energi in every night and getting all of your short trips (under 15-20 miles +-) for 'free'.)

Like your take Big Rocco; and I think it is reasonable to expect a 'moderated driving style' for driving a hybrid - a radically significantly different propulsion system which involves regenerative processes. You described it to a 'T'; nothing fancy, just careful braking & careful acceleration and mid 40's mpg. We simply Ecocruise - no P & G, no 'hypermiling', no special tricks, no aero dodads (yet). Other than the 'Midwest Winters' and remote starters, we too can not understand the mid 30's stuff. Nick

Tanks Mike. Beautiful family Adair - wow does that Candy Blue look great in the snow, at least the little bit we see - teheheh. PS We desperately need snow out/up here, please send us some! Nick

Guess I had better reserve a stool. Not the best photo, but how about this one for now. We may still have an 'identity' issue here. Grouper is his first name, but we are not sure if that will stick for long. Seeing how he is potty I mean parking trained, perhaps a more sophisticated name is in order - NAH. Nick (Jus, get me a Guiness before I break my brain!) (Do you angle or parallel park when you pull up onto the bar stool?)

Best wishes Jmonty, great choice in the Escape. There is a Ruby Red Escape in our neighborhood that I drool all over. Nick