C-MaxSea

I agree with you Hatchman, like the looks of the black aftermarket one, but wish it was wider. Would love it if it had a crease and 'folded' down perhaps 3/4" or so on the small sloped upper section of the bumper - probably wishful thinking. Let us know if you find one with that custom lip. Nick What do you think of the Aeroskin hood protectors ($41)?

A couple photos of Starship GG. The first from when we bought it in January, the later a few days ago after a detail. Need to do more. I don't know how to add them in a larger format, but larger ones are there if you click through. Nick

I can feel your anticipation John, hang in there. Two shots for your C-Max pleasure. What is your delivery date? We were 'that close' to Ingot Silver ourselves. Nick

WeatherTech DigitalFits are a perfect fit, catch everything including the drippy drips (no leaks), easy to clean, light weight .......... nice looking. Only drawback is that they do not go high enough to catch the toes - oh well. Nick

Here is the one I am using with the flip cover. I flip the cover to the side for a low profile. Works fine so far - 2400+ tunes, copied "My Music" containing all music folders in Windows Explorer of Windows 7. It took 3 hours ish, did not track time. Nick http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Memory-Flash-Drive-PSF64GAUSBG/dp/B006M6DPE4/ref=pd_sim_pc_1/186-5219484-4559144

Robert, congrats on the new ride!!! Like asb said, go ahead and reset 'your' 'lifetime' mpg now (or in a day or two if you want a little practice hybriding) to wash away those early dealer miles, and watch how your 'lifetime' numbers stack up on that left dash display. Remember also that the 'lifetime' is only an approximation - the 'real' numbers are at the pump (assuming the odd. is accurate); always record your oddometer then, along with your gas fillup numbers. Filling up consistantly will give you the real lifetime mpg average over time. Remember that the cold north weather & the remote start will suck mpg's. Enjoy, Nick

Great thread! Count me in on the big L word as well! Just returned from the dealer, 7 miles, 49 mpg (44+ 'lifetime' (1000 m)). Washed GG up yeasterday, and what a beautiful Opti-Coat shine! Just loaded up 2400+ songs on a tiny USB drive - brilliant. It's sunny out, car is shiney smooth, too many tunes, HD, Sirius......... gotta go! Nick (Tiny, tiny is the Patriot Axel 64GB USB drive)

Welcome Hatchman. That was a fast decision - Wow! Great car, enjoy the ride, remember it is a hybrid and therefore different - in a very good way. Nick

And then there's the no clay bar / 'never needs waxing' option: http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/topic/1295-opti-coat-any-one-try-yet/ Just washed & it is brilliant! Nick

Thanks for a reply Hatchman. So far I am very pleased with the results. It seems to be really smooth (soft/slick to the touch), nice shine, and magnificent water beading. I had a seagull smoosh that came off extra easy the other day. Looking forward to simple washing for maintenance - no waxing. To top it off, I had a 'clear bra' called XPEL put on the front bumper, headlights and fog lights for protection - it is a large area, fairly vertical, and will take most of the rock impacts. (Hoping for some aftermarket fog light covers some day for better aerodynamics) Now I'm thinking of a front edge protector for the hood if someone makes them in clear; thinking the black ones will make the already short hood look even shorter. Nick

"Those who are seeking MPG as their main driver should probably look at the Prius line. Those who also consider the qualitative nature of the drive in balance with MPG should look at the Ford line. I am still on the fence as to whether I would have picked the C-Max knowing the difficulty of achieving the published EPA MPG. I do like the car but am disappointed in the mileage. I do think Ford should provide some sort of refund or be willing to buy the cars back." Nste. I think your summary is very well written and that you have pinned down the differences pretty well; especially the "qualitative nature of the drive", and the requisite change in driving style necessary for maxing the mpgs in the C-Max, due to its beautifully beefier ICE. On that later point I am reminded of the occasional 'need for speed/power' which the C-Max easily provides (passing, climbing mountain passes, heavy loads...). I would rate that as a major bonus, rather then a drawback as might be inferred from your excellent summary. I would also heartily second your former note, that the "qualitative nature of the drive" (suspension, sound control, steering....................) strongly favors the C-Max. I would have to add one additional note with regard to 'qualitative nature', however; that being the use of materials. I am reminded of the Tom Volk video which rates the C-Max 'one or two notches up' in use of materials. This is particularly significant inside where we spend all of our time, and hopefully appreciate that difference many, many hours over. The interior difference to me is profound - the Prius rather nauseous, and the C-Max rather uplifting. With regard to refunds & buybacks - sorry, but that is just getting silly and greedy. Nick

Looks great Red. Is this the one? http://www.hyundaiaccessorystore.com/hyundai_sonata_2011_cargo_net.html Nick

Yes Valk, I thought so myself, mixing air in the 'magic box'. Very good points on the dust/debris/animal hair................. I took off what I thought was just a cover plate and found it to be a little basket affair which would probably catch perhaps 80-90 % of that stuff; not the fines and/or small heavy objects (like glass). As a weak point of comparison, I installed a wall mount 220 heater in a minimally used bathroom 10 years ago and it blew recently due to a dust short on the electrical heating element. (I was amazed at the buildup in the unit when I opened it up) I'm not trying to suggest anything sinister here, but we are going to be somewhat cautious about those two duct openings, they are cavernously large and sucky. Hmmm is it worth considering a finer weave filter over the basket??? Hopefully not. Nick

Ron, let me be next in line to take your heat. You are right, the C-Max seems to be a great car. As for the mpg, not too many possibilities here. For the record, I drove ours off the lot and have been getting 40 to 50 mpg ever since, in mild weather and mixed city/highway conditions (1000+- miles so far). I can only imagine the weather difference in chilly Maine, but it does make a significant difference. Anyway, not going to do battle here, I can only assume that you have a lemon; or you are fully utilizing that wonderful horsepower Ford has given the C-Max. Nick PS Yesterday I did a 35 mile run and easily did 49 mpg, well perhaps not easily; I drove it in hybrid mode and had fair weather.

Excellent. Thanks again guys. Now my challenge will be to either have the shop scope the right vent duct, or track down a scoping videocam and try to scope it myself. I want to be sure there is glass down there before having them tear it all apart - there is always the chance that the duct opening was covered before the breakage (if the breakage was at a shop (long speculative story)). I am a bit surprised that the left duct and right duct are not interconnected for flow through - probably for very good reasons. Nick Any ideas on scoping video cams?

Thanks Valk & Plus 3. OK, all four lead to the lithium ion battery cavity. So........................ next question, what if the window above one of these is shattered and some of the glass falls down into this cavity? I am in the process of discovery and remedy on ours. We are fairly certain now that one of our windows above the vent was shattered. Won't elaborate too much, but we will be into the shop soon to have this explored. I would like to explore this myself, but there are complicating 'remedy' issues involved. I plan to be present when the area is opened up, if it is necessary. Nick

I could not find anything definative in the Owner's Manual for the location of these 'vents' - just warnings not to block (page 179 & 200). It says that they (plural) are behind the rear seats. I find four possibilities; two above the cargo roof shade, and two in the cargo bay wall - left & right, of course. Are all four ventilating the battery, or just two of these - and if two, which two? Are the upper two for AC and lower two for the battery? Also, while we are in the boot - I noticed what looks like a removable cover plate in the lower corner of the left side of the cargo bay. It has two symbols on it, perhaps a charging symbol and an Owner's Manual symbol. Have not found anything on this yet, nor have I tried to open it - just noticed it with a flashlight. I better go look more closely. Nick (I could not find anything here either - yet)

Another bump for new buyers. Nick

Agree on the probable missed fillup. Sadly, I'm assuming there are many 'anomolies' (to be kind) on the Fuelly site. I have e-mailed a couple Fuelly's with goofy looking numbers and gotten minimal feedback. A gentle reminder to this person might produce a correction (or explanation) - always worth a try. Nick

That is quite a change - from concern about the trunk space, to the Energi with a reduced boot. Perfectly fine, of course, all good choices depending on your driving patterns & needs. Take your time and weigh all of the options - and drive, drive, drive them on testers. Stick around here and research everything. Best of luck and fun in your process. Nick