livesmith

Does anyone have the part number for the GPS module that needs to be replaced? I'm assuming it's the same one for an Energi. Mine is drifting and after a couple days at the dealer I've been told it's not covered under the SYNC warranty and that "there is no problem with the GPS module" based on the fact that they don't see any error codes. Apparently what it's actually doing is irrelevant. They are also insisting that I need a $188 map update before anything else. So at this point I'm just trying to find out what the actual item is that needs to be replaced. Thanks! Levi

yeah, that's pretty much what I do. I tend to just be cold down to around 20F, more likely to use the heater below that. And I'll use it once the car is warmed up if the ICE needs to run anyway.

Oh, I'm familiar with hybrid mode. I generally use it for around 7 miles per day after the plug in portion runs out. I don't think I've ever taken a trip and made it back home still in EV mode. (Work is 13 miles away, no real place to recharge other than home and there are hills) I just didn't know if it had different operating parameters than the C-Max Hybrid when in that mode. It sounds like it should be about the same with some minor differences given the final drive ratio and possible electric heater use.

My C-Max is an Energi so I'm not quite sure how it's "hybrid" mode compares to the C-Max hybrid model, but from what I've seen, I would definitely agree that my Prius is much more likely to run the ICE. The Prius definitely requires a gentle touch and prefers to have well over half the battery to allow such things. Actually the biggest thing I've noticed is that the C-Max seems as though it allows the engine to turn off before it's fully up to temperature whereas the Prius seems to almost require the water and/or cat temps to be kept up near operating temperature. With my Energi I'll fully agree that running on EV is more efficient. It just gets a bit muddier in hybrid mode since that power to run on EV has to come from gas unless you're doing something like pushing your car via foot power up hills instead of using the ICE... So you're using the inefficiency of gas and electric... The sweet spot seems to be along the lines of keeping the ICE in it's most efficient rpm(not sure what that is with the C-Max) so that it's generating the most power(whether that's direct to the wheels to move forward or to charge the battery) per gallon of gas. Levi

That's kinda weird. I haven't followed the Prius C, eco or newer models much but my 2004 Prius can do 35MPH on electric only. IIRC, it would have a couple mile range if the battery was fully charged. The newer models have only had higher limits as far as I recall... I know from personal experience that I've definitely done more than a mile at 30mph with no ICE in the Prius more than a few times...

I believe for the power liftgate foot functionality the key needs to be within a couple feet of the hatch. So inside wouldn't be a problem that way. However, if you got the button pressed in your pocket, then inside the house seems like fair game. I've not yet come out to an open hatch but I have come out to find all my windows down at least once so far. Pluses and minuses to having longer range...

I had the same "WTF MPG" sort of feeling a month ago when I was used to my 2004 Prius which would generally only get as low as 35mpg on some really lousy circumstances in the dead of winter up and down hills WITH the heat on all the time. Highway MPG never really went below 40 that I can recall and was generally mid to high 40's. Well, I drove home my 2013 C-Max Energi 450 miles and got... 27MPG... I've gotten that sort of mileage out of our 5000lb AWD Toyota Sienna minivan...(yes it would be more like low 20's under the same conditions) I knew not to expect 40's. I was thinking maybe low 30's. From the sounds of it, I would definitely think you'd be better off with a Prius.(heck, I've got a 2004 for sale with trailer hitch if you want!) (: As for my Energi, I've grown to come to an understanding with it more, but that's really only because of the plug-in portion which yours lacks. With that I can get 160MPGe on my way to work as long as I don't mind freezing. But then return trip is about 34MPGe with only about half the trip on EV before I'm out of juice. So on the above bits regarding getting an Energi, please note: Pre-heating on 120V will only get you about 11F from what I've heard. I've not measured, but that sounds right. If it runs for half an hour it feels like there's slightly less chill in the air, but the cabin is definitely not warm. If you have 240V in your garage and get a L2 charger then you can get about 40F of heat. It's on my list of things to do. 20 Mile range is completely subjective and WAY more dependent than what you're experiencing now as far heat, hills and speed. -If I head to work on an 18F degree morning and cruise at 45mph with no heat I can just make it there on 50% of EV left. -If I turn on the heat to like 67F and cruise at 55MPH then I'm down to about 7% left. Same 13.7 mile trip. But the heat will suck out almost half of the charge. That said, if you're in town and only driving 30mph and not using heat there are people who have gone more than 30 miles on a charge. Levi

I'm amazed at some of the crud these dealerships try to get away with. That's completely false. Mine doesn't pull under any circumstances other than maybe accelerating to the point of slipping the tires. Why would hybrid braking make it pull? Pretty sure you wouldn't want to release a vehicle that pulled every time you slowed down or coasted... I'd check tire pressures, brakes and suspension components.