ceemax71

I am not sure how cool it is, but this feature is really hidden. Turn the audio system on and set it to AM or FM mode Press and hold the eject button. Then within one second, press the "Seek up" button and hold for about 5 seconds. The audio system will go into diagnostic mode and do a walk-around test of the speakers. There are also other diagnostics for the touchscreen and GPS. Infotainment serial numbers, software revisions, and configuration are also displayed. There does not appear to be anything in the system diagnostics that can be changed or screwed up, but proceed with caution. The diagnostics feature works for both regular Sync and touchscreen Sync versions. Select "Exit Diagnostics" to return to normal operation.

Ford will probably issue a "Field Service Action" for the C-Max 3.5.1 Sync update when they are prepared to do so. This normally means a letter will be sent to the owner to tell them what to do for the update. The attached letter is similar to what was sent to owners of non-electrified (non-hybrid/plug-in) vehicles for the 3.51 update. Incidentally, Ford uses the term "Field Service Action" for NHTSA safety recalls as well. R12A04F1.pdf

Where are the moderators when you need them? :sos:

I think it is removable in case you have a cup with a handle.

Most of the information cannot be directly saved, but you can print anything.

To me, the temporary subscription to the Motorcraft service publications was worth the cost to view the technical bulletins, service messages, workshop manual, wiring diagrams, and service tips. Although I don't have any plans to do any kind of work on the car myself, it provides a lot of insight into the inner workings of the CMax. The desciption and operation of each of the systems in the car makes for interesting reading if you are guilty of being a gearhead like me. :)

I do now. :)

I can confirm that version 3.5.1 is being installed at the factory now. That is what mine has with a build date of 3/16/13. It looks like the factory started loading version 3.5.1 sometime in February. I looked up a VIN with build date 2/1/13 and it has version 3.1.3. I looked up a VIN with build date 2/21/13 and it has version 3.5.1. Verison 3.5.1 has been out for a while and non-hybrid Fords have been able to be updated. Hybrid and Energi models with older Sync versions won't accept version 3.5.1. This message was issued on OASIS on 2/6/13: "BEV and Hybrid vehicles at this time will not accept the A4 navigation card or the latest MyTouch update. A release for Hybrid vehicles is forth coming. Monitor OASIS for updates." They haven't said why hybrids can't be updated.

This is from the C-Max workshop manual. (Section 412-00 climate control system operation and component description.) I had no idea either until I read about it in the manual.

Did they download the latest GPSM calibration when they installed it?

Great question. The C-Max hybrid air conditioner compressor is powered by a variable speed electric motor. The compressor does not cycle on and off to match demand like on a traditional vehicle. The higher the cooling demand the faster the compressor motor runs. So lowering the thermostat setting will require a higher compressor speed resulting in higher energy usage. Likewise, a higher ambient temperature results in higher energy usage. The climate control system measures the sun intensity to adjust cooling also.

Ford issued a message saying that if you shift into reverse too quickly after turning on the ignition, the camera guide lines sometimes don't display. The message said to wait a few seconds longer to allow the Sync system to fully boot up. They are investigating to come up with a fix.

I have been logging the battery voltage for 9 days with a Lascar EL-USB-3 Voltage USB Data Logger I measured the voltage by wiring a 12 volt plug to the logger and plugging it into the rear luggage compartment power outlet socket. The rear power outlet is always hot making it easy to monitor and log the 12 volt battery voltage. The voltage was logged every 60 seconds for the 9 day period. The first graph is the voltage log with the cursor showing the voltage on 3/31. (12.75 volts) The second graph is the same voltage log with the cursor showing the voltage on 4/8/13. (12.55 volts) The voltage peaks are when the car is being driven and the voltage is above 14.5 V charging the battery. The chart shows charging a total of 50-60 minutes a day but does not appear to be enough to maintain a fully charged battery. The "at-rest" voltage shows a definite decline over the 9 day period. There does not seem to be a significant drain on the battery 30-40 minutes after the car is shut down. So in my case, it appears that the battery is not getting charged enough during normal driving. If there are any Ford engineers lurking, send me a PM and I can send the log file in Excel.

I am starting to think that Ford is waiting to roll out several software fixes at one time to minimize the cost and inconvenience of multiple trips to the dealer. These are some of the known software update fixes that are supposed to be coming soon: Sync 3.51 software update to fix multiple issues (clock, radio display, phone contacts, etc.) GPS module software update (GPS still unable to locate vehicle) Dead 12 volt battery issue Hands-free liftgate issues Intermittent failure/delay to engage reverse gear

In the good old days the gear shift was mechanically linked to the transmission to manipulate the gears for forward and reverse. On a hybrid, the gear shift sends a signal to an electronic module which is supposed to reverse the polarity of the electric motor for forward and reverse. So I can see how this could happen. :shift: Scary.

The owner's manual says the customer warranty may be void for any damage to engine if the correct air filter is not used.

I am now wondering if there could be other software tasks that can cause the CPU to bog down. One that comes to mind is the indexing of music files stored on smart phones and/or USB drives.

The electric traction motor in the C-Max is a three phase permanent magnet AC motor. DC current from the high voltage battery is inverted into three phase AC to power the motor. The direction of the motor is reversed by changing the phase relationship of the three phase power. The speed of the electric traction motor is controlled by varying the frequency of the AC voltage coming from the inverter. The electric traction motor provides negative torque to slow the vehicle at the same time it generates power to charge the high voltage battery.

New Special Service Message today (3/29/13) from Ford. "Some MyTouch equipped vehicles may experience multiple functional issues such as slow navigation calculations, displayed time jump or audio popping during initial ignition on cycle. These conditions can be created by the size of the contact list within the customer's phone book. The amount of data within the contact list can create a processing problem for the module during a key on cycle. This can be resolved by limiting the number and/or content within the contact list. In addition, the automatic phonebook download feature can be set to off by selecting phone, settings, manage phone book, turn auto phone book off. Additional phone contacts can be added by manually re-downloading phone book in that same menu."

I saw this SSM last week that was issued back on 1/4/13. SSM 32025 - 2012-2013 Focus Electric, 2013 C-MAX Hybrid/Energi,Fusion and Fusion Hybrid -Intermittent Lack Of Or Delayed Transaxle Reverse Gear Engagement Some 2012-2013 Focus Electric, 2013 C-MAX Hybrid/Energi and 2013 Fusion and Fusion Hybrid vehicles may intermittently exhibit a perceived lack of or delayed transaxle reverse gear engagement. Engineering is aware of this concern and a revised calibration is planned to be available in first quarter of 2013. In the interim, advise your customer that when this condition is present simply wait 3 seconds and resume normal driving.

Ford engineering is aware of the problem and has issued this message to Ford service shops: SSM 32121 - 2013 C-MAX - 12 Volt Battery Dead Overnight Will Not Hold Charge Some 2013 C-MAX vehicles may exhibit a concern where the 12 volt battery is unable to maintain a charge, or becomes discharged when the vehicle is operated with maximum electrical loads for short drive cycles, and then left unattended for several hours. Engineering is currently investigating this concern. In the interim, test condition of the 12 volt battery and service the vehicle as required per Workshop Manual, Section 414-01. Advise customers to consider not using high load accessories, such as laptops and DVD players, during these peak load situations. Continue to monitor OASIS for updates. There is supposed to be a software update coming in the future to fix the issue.

This is TSB 12-11-8: Issue: Some 2013 C-Max, Escape, Edge, Explorer, Flex and Taurus vehicles equipped with a 4.2-inch Front Control/Display Interface Module (FCDIM), excluding Monochromatic Displays and MyFord Touch, may exhibit the radio staying on for approximately 20-30 seconds after the key is off and the door open. This might contribute to the dead battery problem, but this issue by itself should not be enough to drain the battery.