C-MaxSea

Well said Paul - Marketing & the 'art of illusion'. If it ain't fast, create the illusion that it is - that's all it takes ('I'll take a blue one please'....). I had a conversation with an employee with our Sound Transit - a construction management entity created for managing some of our public transit projects. He noted the joke in their office was whether the Priii they had would make it up some of our steep hills - they were relieved to have some C-Maxes which managed the hills easily. Nick

We've crept up to 46 PSI cold, 48+- hot (38, 40, 42, 44, 46). Really love the 46 PSI ride - 38 is too soft / sluggish, even though the difference (38 to 46) is not that much. Sure glad you high mile guys are here to report longevity results ! 48 PSI cold here we go? Nick

Noticed a couple non-recognition dash notes on start-up a few days ago. Dropped $5.99 and changed the batteries on both of our key fobs - belt & suspenders .......... They were presumably about 3.5 years old. Warranty ? Not worth a trip, for sure. Nick

:congrats: Zowwy, doubling down on magic - NICE ! We have a family in our neighborhood with two C-Max 13's as well. Best of luck and lots to read here. Nick

As I noted, 'not for the faint of heart'; and I would add not for distant reaches. The market here in Seattle is definitely a scosh higher than you suggest; and I would not hesitate to include lower BC in any search I was doing. There are certainly no loaded low mile SEL's for sale here for 13,5 (generally 18K plus). In addition, as LN noted there are some advantages to consider as well - daytime running lights and perhaps a built in block heater. All subject to personal preferences; & for us, SEL, 303A, with pano & Nav all the way (& would not mind having a block heater as well). Nick

Tough to keep everybody (& their mothers) from jumping on the success band wagon, I guess. ;) I like it !

Might be a great idea Louder North (at least for the foot loose and braver hearts). Here are some used ones in the BC area. http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/ford/c-max/?prx=-1&prv=Ontario&loc=M9C+5J1&sts=Used-Damaged&hprc=True&wcp=True&inMarket=advancedSearch And this low miles 2013 SEL (below) for $22,777 CAD or roughly $16,000 USD. That's for an SEL with less than 10,000 miles on it !!! (Where the heck is Lacombe ? SEL 303A ?, is that Sony sound with NAV ?) http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Ford/C-Max/Lacombe/Alberta/5_26534348_20160108120121386/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=14_15_38 Aside from the exchange rate discount (& this one SEL), looks like pretty strong resale values, Nick (( Now cauliflower - that's an entirely different story: http://www.seattletimes.com/business/in-canada-4-cauliflowers-cost-more-than-a-barrel-of-oil/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_left_1.1 ))

Frank, ......... and to muddle clarity even further; keep in mind I said "a little facetious". IOW, I do believe the C-Max to be very reliable, a bit fluky at times, but very reliable. Re: trannies; I would not trade our C-Max tranny for any other similar, even knowing there is a remote chance I have to replace it someday - the car & tranny are way too good to fret a little replacement like that. Having Fun, :skateboard: :skateboard: :skateboard: Nick

Hah, LOL, that is funny Frank; I was actually being a little facetious with the "Extremely Reliable" note. Facetious because we spent a year or two hearing only the opposite here. Logically much of that 'unreliable' stuff was based on new and unfamiliar technology - some fluky electronics to be sure, and granted we've had our share of recalls; but none the less (and save the lemons), a very reliable vehicle (perhaps even "Extremely" over time, especially considering the 'high' tech aspect). New tech meets new hybrid drivers guaranteed spotty early reporting. Thanks for detailing some of the comparative results from other 'less reliable' makes/models. Thanks Plus 3 for that great battery life note - a reality check to be sure on batteries. Sure glad we have some 100K+ reporters here to remind us of what might be ahead on trannies ................... ponder those Extended Warranties .................... hoping for some 200 & 300K'ers in time. Nick (PS Love our trannies; quiet, silky smooth ......... love !!!)

Pssst, Louder North; The 51 is a score of some sort, not a ranking. Please correct your header for this thread. Keep in mind that this list includes about a dozen full electrics, not just hybrids ........... Thanks, Nick

You said it right there Salsa; not to mention ride, handling .............................. What, 'not like the look of the C-Max', c'mon now, it's beautiful ! :wub2: Nick

Minor clarification: our C-Max Hybrid & Energi are not based on the Grand C-Max found across the pond - our C-Max is based on the standard model. The Grand C-Max across the pond is a stretched version of the standard C-Max model and came out much later than the standard (2010). The Grand C-Max is indeed a great variation for family hauling. Nick First Gen C-Max 2003 to 2010 - Europe 2nd Gen C-Max 2010 to present (incl. new 'stretched' Grand C-Max) - Europe C-Max Hybrid & Energi based on Euro C-Max standard version - 2013 to present USA & Canada 3rd Gen C-Max - pending 20?? - Europe, USA, Canada, models ????.

and in my words / guestimation Extremely Reliable. :) Nick

Several possibilities for data logging & / or mapping. ForScan is likely the best data logging software, Torque Pro another. (I have not been able to download Forscan for unknown reasons.) Smart phones, tablets & laptops are the most popular medium; Scan Gauge 2, another option. http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/2875-tool-for-the-third-dimension-mapping-route-altitude/ http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/2757-obd2-–-elm-327-–-torque/ http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/4887-hvb-health-from-obdii-data-analysis/ Finally got around to messing with Torque Pro in just the last two days. These GPS readings are rough - from idle inside the garage, but look 'reasonable'. On the road I would expect the "GPS Accuracy" gauge would show more around 50-100. Lats & Longs display not really useful to me - just a test. Nick

Congrats Normski - that is very good for winter, keep it going ! There should be some great numbers to be had after the thaw. Nick

Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity - Idaho National Laboratory. Some updates; "Usage and Performance" through most of 2015. http://avt.inel.gov/hev.shtml Should this thread be pinned?

Nyet, keep looking. Just one/my opinion: SEL w/ touchscreen/NAV all the way. Any year will do, they are 99% the same, all depends on your price point, miles, and how well the vehicle has been maintained. There are great values out there, just scrutinize the one you want very carefully in person and per the records. Good luck, Nick

Not sure I'm seeing the absolute number increase of Energi sales. Looks to me more like a static state of 500 to a 1000 a month; and an absolute number decrease trend of four months. Nice to see the Hybrid numbers up for December from November (815 to 837); while sadly the Energi numbers were down 60 (639 to 579).

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-01-04/justice-department-sues-vw-for-alleged-emissions-deception

Ahhhhhh, we are getting our snow here like crazy - Cascade crud at the lower reaches, a little better higher up. Time to head for Whistler ................... estrano, they are not getting as much snow as here ................ Hmmmmmm, Maxine, mountains, fully loaded down .............let me re-phrase part of that report - THE FULLY LOADED C-MAX GETS 45+ MPG IN THE MOUNTAINS AND cr CAN'T GET BETTER THAN 37 IN THEIR TESTING - WHAT JOKERS AT cr. Happy skiing/boarding/sledding everyone, Nick ((( and to see CR still reporting a top end EV at 40 mph - blankety, blankety ........it's 85 MPH for anyone interested !!!!)))

Yes, the C-Max is still the best kept secret in cardom. Yes, the C-Max remains an extraordinary car for the feature set, comfort & performance it represents. And yes, many would be buyers are freaked out just visiting this site and being put off by all the technobabble here on 'how to drive' a C-Max. ((Good technobabble; but just a bit freaky & off-putting to many)) Just a little cautious driving in fair weather will return you 45-50++++ MPG. Brace for the winter blues & cruise to 50's outside of that. Good note maxed-out, Nick

Now that's a great Christmas present !!! Congratulations & :welcome: Susanpf. Enjoy your new fab ride, and be patient to learn the ropes. Nick

Bingo. Very complex / sophisticated teenagers ! Very thankful here for the little bit of tweaking from the mother ship. Nick

.............. and at the end-of-the-day, that is all it is - not wasting energy with the throttle! How? By simply driving judiciously. 95 percent of the 'trick', is just driving carefully & judiciously - which does not require gauges, chevrons ......................... works for us fair weather types, Having too much fun, Nick ((Keep your foot off the d___ pedal (talking to myself) when it is not necessary - throttle or brake))

"Cmax doesn't seem to use battery power that much" Well, how about 50-60 percent of the time, if you are cruisin !!! http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/4044-post-your-life-time-mpgs-total-mi-ev-mi-regen-mi-and-brake-score/ Just emphasizing the point for the reading public here (C-Max owner wannabes), that the hybrid battery (HVB) in the C-Max is very robust and if utilized well can account for the larger share of the driving. (All gasoline / internal combustion engine derived/stored energy to-be-sure) Keep on cruisin - C-Max EV cruisin that is !!! Nick (Just quit 'wasting' the stored energy. Manage the throttle, ECO Cruise, and always drive down hill and with the wind .............. ahhahhahhaha......) ((PE / KE / PE / KE / PE / KE ................here in Seattle with our glorious drumlins.)) The Force is with you - EV !