rums54

Yes -- very quick update. MtnMarty, have you seen an improvement in fuel mileage or was it done too recently? Also, did you notice the computer is allowing the car to run longer on the battery only?

My C-Max was at the dealer having a module replaced after it died about 2 weeks ago. It took a while for the module to arrive, thus the delay in getting my car back. The dealer also did the computer update to improve the fuel mileage. It worked! The C-Max was at Putnam Ford in Putnam Connecticut. It is 225 miles from Putnam, CT to my home in Speculator, NY. I reset the mpg meter in Putnam and I averaged 44.5 mpg on the way here. When I got off the NY State Thruway, I was a little over 46 mpg. I kept as near the speed limit as possible, sometimes going 70+ but staying at 66 most of the time. The elevation in Putnam and Amsterdam, NY (where I got off the Thruway) is just about the same. From Amsterdam to Speculator is about 60 miles and a 1400 foot elevation change as I work my way into the Adirondack Mountains to my home in Speculator. I believe that accounts for the decrease in fuel mileage. The last time I made this trip was in June and I averaged 41 mpg running approximately the same speeds. For now, I'm very happy with the computer update. I hope others are having the same result. I'll look at other postings.

I picked up the C-Max on Thursday and it's running great. They replaced a module of some kind, something very high voltage. I'll receive the paperwork in the mail in the near future and attempt to post pictures of the pages. There were many - it looked like a small book and they hadn't finished compiling everything when I got there. Also, I would say the fuel mileage computer update is working. It is 225 miles from Putnam, CT to my home in Speculator, NY. I reset the mpg meter in Putnam and I averaged 44.5 mpg on the way here. When I got off the NY State Thruway, I was a little over 46 mpg. I kept as near the speed limit as possible, sometimes going 70+ but staying at 66 most of the time. The elevation in Putnam and Amsterdam, NY (where I got off the Thruway) is just about the same. From Amsterdam to Speculator is about 60 miles and a 1400 foot elevation change as I work my way into the Adirondack Mountains to my home in Speculator. I believe that accounts for the decrease in fuel mileage.

Update on C-Max: My C-Max is still at the dealer, still not running. It has now been there since July 16th. The dealer has ordered a module and they hope that takes care of the problem. They don't have a date yet for when the module will be in. I have to give the dealer (Putnam Ford, Putnam, Connecticut) props. I've had one of their used cars on loan now for the past 12 days. In doing some research, it appears that some dealers have opted to sell all the hybrid and electric cars and others have not. There are additional tools, training, and charging capabilities required by Ford to qualify to sell all the hybrids and electrics. My local dealer isn't selling the C-Max Energi, Fusion Energi or the all-electric Focus. Not having an expert on site may explain why my car has been hard to diagnose. Hopefully, my C-Max will be ready to roll sometime next week. I'll update the forum when it is and I'll attempt to post the repair paperwork so all can see what went wrong.

Response to Adair's question: It's interesting you mention that you had the problem on hot days. Monday, 7/15 was VERY hot in northeast Connecticut. Unfortunately, I don't know what the dealer did to correct the first computer glitch. I assume it was a programming correction only as the car was in their service for only a very short time.

bigalpha asked: "Have you had any work done lately? My recent alarm+remote start install bricked my cruise control, and I got the warning wrench." I changed the oil and oil filter about 1000 miles ago. The car was also in for a computer glitch which knocked out certain components (I can't remember exactly but I believe the radio and phone connection didn't work - maybe all the sync features) but that was when the car had about 1200 miles on it and it turned over 6000 miles recently. Those are the only two service related things so far. By the way, the oil change is very easy. Once the belly pan comes off (I think there are 8 torx screws), everything is easily accessible. Oil: Mobil 1 - 5W20 Filter: Motorcraft FL-910S ($3.97 at Walmart) When you put the belly pan back on, don't over-tighten the torx screws!

I will update this as soon as I know something. I'll be in touch with the dealership next week. I really like Putnam Ford but I don't think they were quite ready to deal with servicing electric vehicles. I've been buying cars there for quite a while now and will probably continue to do so when my wife and I retire and move full time to our place here in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. I'm concerned but I know it will be fixed at some point. In the meantime, at least I have something to drive. I guess I'll have to head back to Connecticut once the problem is resolved, give them back their car and pick up mine.

On Monday, 7/15, I drove my C-Max from my summer home in the Adirondack Mountains of NY to my home in Connecticut. I parked the car and pressed the on/off button and noticed a warning notice in the left panel. I didn't think much of it as it was very hot that day - maybe something to do with that. I went to my meeting and came out a few hours later. Pressed the on/off button and ... nothing! Then the warning appeared again as well as a wrench symbol. I had the car towed to the dealer (Putnam Ford, Putnam, Connecticut) where I bought the car, about 3 miles from where I was having the meeting. They looked at it immediately and still have the car. When I talked to them Friday afternoon, they said they are baffled. They have called their special Ford tech line and have tried everything they suggested but to no avail. They said to go further they will need to invest in new equipment and tools such as an insulated rubber mat and heavy rubber gloves. I don't know what the next steps involve but it sounds like it's more than a computer problem. Oh well. I'm glad I bought the extended warranty! The dealer was great about it. They pulled a used car off the lot (very nice actually - 2011 loaded Fusion), and sent me on my way. I'm back in NY now with their car wondering when, or maybe if, I'll get my car back. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM? I LOOKED THROUGH THE FORUM AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS. My wife and I love the car. I was all excited because I had scheduled the car for the computer update that should improve the mileage a bit. We are currently getting 40.3 MPG which I'm happy with. It would be nice to squeeze a couple more miles out of each gallon, however.

Ordered in early February of this year and delivered March 30th. Roughly 8 weeks from order to delivery.

I'll speak for my wife as the C-Max is her car. She will keep the Sirius radio subscription when the trial runs out. We both love Sirius so that will stay but neither of us knew there was a subscription for Sync. The most she does with Sync is hook up her phone and use the voice activated stuff to change a channel or look for a place on the navigation. As far as we know, we haven't registered for anything with Sync. Is there a monthly fee? Earlier, someone said you can negotiate with Sirius. That is absolutely true. They have a vested interest to keep as many customers as they can. I'll look around this site for info on Sync/registration/fee, etc. Any info would be appreciated.

It is possible to lock the fobs in the car. Here's how you do it if you happen to have an SEL. 1. My wife lets me drive the car to a friend's house for dinner. All is well, my wife takes purse with the key fobs into friend's house. Good dinner and conversation. 2. We drive home and pull into our garage. My wife gets out and takes purse with key fobs with her into the house. I haven't turned the car off yet. Horn honks a couple times and a red warning says something about the key fobs not being in the car. 3. I press the on/off button which turns the car off and all the lights, etc. go off. I exit the car and figure all is well. 4. This morning, my wife needs to go see her mother so she opens the passenger door, places purse with the key fobs on the passenger seat, closes the door, walks around to the driver's door and it is now locked! All the doors are locked! The hatch is locked! 5. She has not removed the small key from the key fob as we've only had the car for a week and are more concerned with figuring out how to preset AM, FM, and Sirius stations. 6. My wife calls the 24 hour roadside assistance number and they will send someone out. I start thinking about this and realize it's probably an AAA guy in a tow truck with one of those balloon devices to "spring" the door a little so he can shove something in and hit the unlock button (is there even a button like this? I'm not sure!) I decide that's not going to work as I'm not interested in have a damaged door on a new car. I call and talk to the tow truck operator and indeed he tells me he will be using a wood wedge to "spring" the door. I tell him thanks anyway but that his services will not be needed. 7. Ford assistance person calls and asks what the problem is and I explain why I don't want someone ruining my brand new door and that I'll call the dealer Monday morning so they can tow it or make a new key fob or whatever. HERE'S WHAT I THINK HAPPENED. When my wife got out of the car, the car thought she had run into a store and that she would be right back out, seeing as I was still in the driver's seat with the car running. When she came out the next morning and put her purse on the seat, the car must have figured that she was done shopping, had gotten back in the car where I presumably still was, and decided it would be a nice thing to lock our doors. Unfortunately, the car got the scenario wrong. Bottom line is that we will get this figured out Monday without damaging the door. I'll take my wife to work. I will also try to find a place to put a hide-a-key with the small key in it for just such an emergency -- OR -- I will buy the available keyless entry pad for $85 (I think it simply sticks on the door above the door handle. I have this on my Explorer and Mercury Sable and love it. So, after one week of use, I love the car. More importantly, my wife loves her new car. Like figuring out how to set the radio presets, we'll figure out all these little things. We're already getting around 35 mpg (we have about 220 miles on the odometer) so we're happy with that, considering the car isn't even broken in. We love how it handles and with how much room there is in it. I would enjoy hearing from people to let me know if I am right in my idea of what happend.

I'm going to take the car for a drive right now. My wife has a smart phone so we'll try the photobucket idea. Thanks!

We picked up our C-Max this afternoon! I'd like to post a picture but I don't know how to make my picture small enough. Anyway, we're already loving it. Neither my wife nor I are skilled with technology so it took around 30 minutes to figure out how to preset our first Sirius station.

Thanks roninsd. My wife and I are excited about this car -- much more than any other car we've ordered. We look forward to gathering information from this site before delivery and after.

Thank you so much for all the information. The link and the ways to optimize fuel mileage is great. I'll go over all this with my wife. I completely forgot that the car has the keyless ignition feature and that you keep the key in your pocket/purse/manbag/whatever! That will be helpful and I didn't know about the "Smart Unlocks..." That will be helpful. I did find out a couple things from my dealer. He said one of two things will happen. He still maintains that the keyless entry keypad will be imbedded in the B-pillar. He said that if it isn't, he'll install a keypad that requires no drilling or wiring. Apparently, it works off the same frequency as the key fob. Thanks Again!