ecogirl2206

I will check out the dealer paperwork tonight, thanks for the additional info about software updates. It was a lemon b/c of the software problems, that's all I got from the dealer. But he said it was all fixed. Also ,the car's MPG lifetime average is over 40 mpg (from California) I think that is pretty normal, not sure though. I drove around 350 miles this weekend chi to mke, mke to madison back to mke, back to chi. 95% highway going 65mph in eco cruise 90% of the time. It was pretty warm (30-45 degrees!) The average MPG went up to 39.8 mpg. So at least on the highway I can get decent mpgs :) I'll be driving 450 miles this week for work and its supposed to be crazy warm 50's or even 60's so I can't wait to see the highway MPGs i get! I guess the 28 mpg is just due to very short trips and cold weather. Not much to do except bank on global warming (j/k).

Just a note it looks like you were driving an old fit, the 2015 and later models have significantly higher fuel economy. 33/41 I bet your average with a new model would be at least 3-4mpg higher putting at 40-41mpg ave. Since i live in a cold climate, i don't think i'll even hit that average. So the Fit really makes more sense in colder climates by my estimation, for someone who doesn't care about "driving experience"-- I just want to haul a ton of stuff and get my dogs to the park! Also the 2016 fit i test drove i preferred to the C-MAx, i LOVED the lane change video, backup camera, visibility, and overall drive feel. I gave that up for the C-Max for higher fuel economy, which was a bad gamble in my case. But I understand most people think the C-Max is a better ride.

Hmmm..I may look into the software update issue. The car was such an amazing deal ($12,500 for 2013 SE with Pano roof, 32K miles, 1 yr bummer to bumper warranty--i thought it was an amazing price) from the dealer because it was a lemon buy-back due to the software issue. The sheet i signed had a list of software updates that had been performed. How do I determine if they were done correctly? All the paperwork I have indicates the problem was fixed...is there a way to verify, or check which software version is currently installed? Turning the heat OFF I'm getting 33mpg, which i still feel is low, but some people seem to think that's a winter normal mpg, so I don't know. Also, oddly, the vents seem to be mostly closed--black plastic louvers maybe, so i feel like there's nothing left to do, unless people are blocking 100% of the vents? The car was in California, and its lifetime MPG is 40.

Thanks everyone. I looked at the Energi but since i drive 75-90+ miles every couple weeks from Chicago to Milwaukee AND/OR madison, that puts it out of the question (plus i have no way to charge it from the apt parking lot). I had gone back on forth between the Cmax and the Honda Fit 2015 which fuelly says gets an average of 36 mpg, of course fuelly also says the 2013 cmax gets 40mpg, so i'm not sure i trust fuelly anymore. The Fit probably would have gotten better fuel economy for me in the winter (half the year up here!) from what I now understand since it's much lighter, and i'm not benefiting from the hybrid when it's cold/ OR on short trips. Plus I haul a lot and the way the seats fold up in the Fit would have been perfect for my two large dogs -which are terrified of the auto close door on the C-max- ( a huge PITA b/c if i try to keep them in the car, the auto close feature opens back up!!!) These are the things you don't figure out until you own a car though. I spent months researching, I just wish i had known then what i know now. I would certainly have made a different decision. But I've got the car now and am empty bank account so I will deal! lol. Will stuff the grill and keep fingers crossed. Getting a hammock for the dogs in the backseat so they can avoid the terrifying hatch! Thanks everyone, I'm trying to stay positive.

I googled pics. I think I'll just put them on and see what I think in person. Thanks for all the tips. If I could get up to 40 MPG winter I'd be a happy camper. thanks, andrea

Does anyone have pics on what these grill blocking insulation tubes look like on their car? It would be helpful to see. Turning the heat off I am getting about 3 mpg more, but of course am freezing cold! :( So getting about 32 mpg :( Yeah, my vibe was awesome. I would get 25 mpg TOWING.. I'm seriously considering selling my new C max and just getting a 2009 or 2013 vibe/ matrix.. the last years they were made. Such a shame they stopped production. I spent so much time researching the perfect vehicle for me, but never came accross this cold weather hybrid fuel economy issue. I think I made a mistake :( Oh well, live and learn. I will try blocking the grill if it doesn't look horrendous. I bought a new car b/c i wanted a more professional look (my vibe's body panels don't exactly meet up anymore;) so I am concerned insulation blocking the grill will really not help my career (property management, i drive around meeting clients, they do tend to judge;)

First of all, that stinks! I really don't want to turn the heat off when its 20 degrees (or negative 20 degrees out!) I don't think there's a seat heater on my car-- is that std on SE model? But if i did want to brave it, how do i turn off the heat? I tried turning it down and it would only blow less, then i put the temp down and the A/C turned on! How do I just turn it off? Isn't it dangerous to cut off air flow to radiator??? If I go for HW trips should i take them off? I feel like i really bought the wrong car if 28 mpg is an expected mild end of winter normal fuel economy. I am beyond disappointed. My junker car got better fuel economy then this. :(:(:(

So I bought a new to me C Max hybrid 2013 with 32K miles on it. My first tank the computer says i got 28 MPG-- i was just able to get it to 30 MPG with some decent hypermiling...coating through stops, super slow starts, and gliding....this is just insane! I bought this expecting a MINIMUM of 40 mpg, I am so disappointed. Is there a ON button to use the EV battery? It rarely shows its using the EV, even if i'm coasting or crawling along. I know i MUST be doing something wrong here.. yesterday it took me 15 minutes to figure out how to open the gas cap (yeah, i know now there's no unlatch button!) I drive 5 miles 4 times a day. 35-45 MPH streets. I used to get 30 mpg with my 2003 pontiac vibe, which had a 1500lb tow capacity... Thanks!