wamba2000

UPDATE- after just one day, the EV+ settings magically appeared for home and work. Sorry to have posted this question.....not sure why they wnet AWOL in the first place. All is good.

Fits, no the Lifetime amounts still show, that is what is so strange. I will see how long it takes to re-capture EV+. Thanks for all your feedback

I just heard today that there are a number of Google's "no-driver" cars running around California, and that they want to expand the program into my state ( Arizona). There are some laws that need to be addressed in both. The reporter was stating how we will be able to program our destinations and let the car do the driving, so we can do more productive things in that time. Good in concept.....but will that mean more Facebook posts, reading blogs and online forums ( like this one) and entertainment videos? Sometimes I wonder if we think through all the ideas. Like Jeff Goldblum said in Jurassic Park, "you were so excited about the fact that you could do it that you never stopped to ask if you should do it" or something like that. If systems can add to our safety and movement of traffic, I am all for them!

Finally had to buy my first tank of gas this weekend (39.1 mpg for the first tank). I reset the Trip1 settings and now see that my recently learned EX+ locations ( home and office) are now gone. I thought they would be lost only if you did a lifetime reset. So for you more experienced owners: have to tried resetting Trip 2 instead? Does any reset lose these settings? I normally reset Trip 1 for re-fuels and Trip 2 for oil changes, or longer term maintenance. Any suggestions if I want to keep EV+ settings intact? Maybe I just forget the rests at all? Seems strange, but who knows what the engineering folks were thinking. I did read a rather unclear reference in the manual about resetting displays might remove EV+. Thanks

Other than my wife who has not driven my C=Max yet and is not interested in how your dirve a hybrid for best mpg complaining when I let off ICE to get into EV mode once to speed, I think this pulse/glide method could work. I expect in the next couple weeks to be taking a trip which will involve a lot of hilly country driving. Will try this an see what my anecdotal evidence returns.

Drove back to the office from lunch today and EV+ finally recognized the work location. Lucky I have an assigned parking spot, so keeps going back to the same GPS coordinates. Took 2.5 weeks to recognize, with a couple days out for travel.

I like the EV+ feature. My car figured out where home is within 4 days of driving, but has not yet recognized the office. It's only been 2.5 weeks so far, heck I am still on the original tank of gas that the dealer provided, between 1/2 and 1/4 now. Will fill when it gets below 1/4. The EV+ kicks in for home about about 4-5 city blocks on the way I drive daily. This is a cool feature!

Sorry if any of you have had battery problems. I have read about access to the 12 volt ( low voltage) battery. I have pulled the rear hatch cover off, but can find not rubber access panel or way to get to the battery short of removal of several screws. Has anyone posted a picture of how to access the 12v battery if it needs to be replaced or serviced? I have read through most of the threads but may have missed it. Thanks in advance.

Jus-a-cmax, thanks for the link. I just ordered a Patriot micro flash drive from NewEgg, got 32Gb for $21 and free shipping. Man, I remember when these things were $40 for 128 Megabytes.... I should be able to load a ton of music. One confirmation, and I think you already said this: You leave the USB in teh slot all the time, it does not run when the CMax is shut down. Let me know if I got that worng

Dealers in Phoenix almost always tint windows of all new vehicles before they hit the lot, then try to charge outrageous fees ($399+) or put it into an even more expensive "Desert Protection Package". My Ford dealer wanted $150 for it, which is about market, but I got itthrown in. It does make a difference in the summer heat and for glare.

valkraider, it rains so seldom we melt when hit by the occasional storm....like today! Dtorres, the item number I ordered from Amazon was: Winplus AC02000606 Coin HolderIt fits down into the bottle/cup holder securely, I have not hear any rattles, etc.

Jus-a-cmax- The plastic has a pretty good thickness, it is shipped between two paper sheets, of which the bottom is sticky back. I have used the grey plastic type protector on other vehicles. I think either is a big plus, always seems the bumper takes a beating when loading something. dtorres - I agree, it was a side benefit that the protection rolls over the back edge of the bumper, I was not sure when I ordered that it extended over the edge. CNC - you use soapy water to allow the movement of the material to get it into place. The only rub was the instructions did not specify proportions - how much dish soap to water to mix. There was comment in installation book on having too much/too little in the instructions and how the install would act....not much help by then. I did not see a 3M logo, as it was marked as a Ford part and only their logo was on the paper. My guess is 3M does the material OEM for Ford.. Either using the clear version or plastic version, I think this is a needed add to any hatch batck vehicle. It's pretty easy to install.

I just added a spring-loaded change holder that I got on Amazon that fits in the cup holder slot, I always seem to have loose change rolling around. I used the Cup holder space built into the door on the driver side. It cost about $10 on Amazon, and my fold up umbrella 9 hey it does rain on occasion in Phoenix) still fits int he door.

I really like the Tuxedo Black color, especially the way the metallic is embedded within the black, looks great in the sun! The test CMax I drove was Black Enjoy the new ride.

+1 All the reasons I bought mine. I am getting 37 mpg on my first tank of fule, gone over 350 miles and the guage is just below half. When wather gets warmer, I expect a few more mpg, as the gas engine was runningto providehea it sn't perfect, but kudos to Ford for opffering a high content alternative to the Prius.

Thank you for posting your test results, and for trying the differnet modes. All this is very helpful for us to adapt driving styles and maximize mpg. I commute 8 miles to work daily, but on surface streets ( 3 lanes each direction, traffic lights, etc.) If you have ever driven in Phoenix, you know the speed limit if 45, but traffic goes 55+ in most cases. I have attempted in the couple weeks of having the CMax to stay in EV mode, but as you say, the pedal is so-o-o-o sensitive. WHen the battery level gets down to about 1/3, the ICE seems to kick in. I did manage to make it home from the grocery store over the weekend in all EV, a couple mile distance, and the Trip Summary showed my mileage at 165 mpg!!! Wish my camera was ready for that! Thanks again for the post.

If you opt for the dealer installed Exterior Protection Pkg, it includes mud flaps and rear bumper protection. I chose not to add the flaps, but ordered the clear bumper guard and it finally got above 60 degrees yesterday so I could install it. I ordered it from a Ford dealer via Ebay, it was about $70 including shipping. The part number from the sale was: DM5Z*17B807*AA Pretty easy to install, instructions and a hard plastic "squeegee" were included. I am hoping it will keep any nicks or chips from happening to the paint when loading the rear section. Here are a couple pics, being clear it is a bit hard to see except for the CMax logo and line, sorry it was dark when I took them.

thank you all for the confirmation. My wife's car is a Genesis when you get wihtin 4 feet or so of the door, it actually turns on interior lighting and path lighting on the mirrors.

I can not find a reference to this in teh manual. Maybe another owner can help? With other vehicles with keyless entry/proximity ket and with the "access lighting" built into the outside mirrors, when you approach the vehicle with the key fob, the access ligthing would illuminate to show the ground near the door. My SEL only turns the lighting on when I open the drivers door. I normally do not use the fob to unlock the doors, pressing the door handle button instead. Is that why it acts this way? Any advice is apprciated. I can't seem to find a setting for this, and my wife really likes to have the lighting kick in as you approach the car. Thanks

Rachel, I went through a similar deal as yours when the PT Cruiser was released and I had to have one! Ordered two weeks after the introduction, the dealer kept hedging on the "when". Finally got the message to not call, the car would "show up when it gets there". Kind of hard when you are selling the car it is replacing. By coincidence, we had a Durango that had a zone office involved service issue at the same time, When they called about it one afternoon, I posed the question of delivery. Seems like there is a magical formula on how many cars a dealer can order in what priority ( probably based on past sales). The Zone people were very helpful, they want happy cusotmers and can't do much for what a dealer would tell you. End of story the zone guy got my PT "preferenced" for build and it showed up about 3 weeks after, he even tracked where it was and would call and leave word. DO a reach out to your Ford Zone office, see if they can see your order in the system ( they should be able to) and if they can give you any info. Good luck. BTW- just hit 300 miles with the C-Max and the gas guage is still on half a tank! Awesome!!

Question for other owners: I found a plastic shell that appeared to have housed the SD Card holding the Maps for use in updating the Navigation system, but there was no SD card within. Looks like the dealer had either used it and removed it or some such? Did you receive an SD card with your new C-Max? Is it necessary to have this when installing map updates? I did get a reference on teh Nav screen yesterday to insert the SD card, I think it was talking about updates. I was in traffic at the time and chose not to read while driving! THanks

Here is what it stated on the work order: Code 07 Performed TSB 12-12-06, Adjusted Liftgate Bumpers and Retested Operation. Hope that is helpful.

FYI, found a couple things: 1. If you have a rattle comig from the rear wheels: THe brake caliper on my right rear wheel was loose, the bolts were cross-threaded and had to be replaced. 2. If you have the "open sesame" rear hatch, there is a TSB for operation, and adjustments were made. Mine had a couple times when it woudl unlatch but not rise up. That is supposed to be fixed with the TSB.

Just pickedup the C-Max last Wednesday, and noticed a rattle in the rear area driving away from the dealer, heading back to work. I did not think it was anything major, so thought I would see if anything else came out in the first few days. Going in Monday to be checked. My guess is it relates to the rear hatch, as you hear it mostly on uneven surfaces, but seems to be happening more. Will report what they find.....it is my only comment so far. My C-Max has already recognized home at EV+ proximity after just a few days. I have over 200 miles on already and avg MPG is at 37.5, blend of mostly city and some freeway driving. Man I wish the EV would run over 65mph! I have been stopped twice by people in parking lots asking me what kind of car it is and how it drives!

There are some drivers that do not like to be "in the lead", they will follow and mirror a driver in front. In a past career, I drove near 40,000 miles annually. Many freeway trips across Minnesota, Dakotas, etc. On one in particular, I had crusie set at speed limit ( back in the days of 55 mph limit and enforcement). A female driver came up behind me and locked in. After several miles, it got annoying, so I kicked out the cruise and lowered my speed to about 50 - no change. I sped up to 65, she mirrored my speed. Now this went on for 20-30 miles.....IU finally took an exit off, she stayed on the freeway. I waited a mintue then got right back on, sped up to 65. In a short time I came on her again, she had latched onto another car and was following him the same as she had me. Oh well, it was just odd. May I wish I had the C-Max back then. Was driving VW Rabbit diesels in the late 70s-early 80s and got consistent 50 mpg - - and fuel was 69 cents a gallon I think!