retiredtraveler

After complaining about no response from Ford, I finally received this: ".....My name is Priciliana, I am from Ford`s Customer Relationship Center (CRC). I am reaching out to you today regarding your questions concerning your C-Max battery. Your 2013 Ford C-Max should not be running without the battery. While the engine will operate without the battery needed, the vehicle was designed with the use of the engine and battery in mind to be as efficient as possible. If there is a concern with the hybrid battery operation, it is recommended you visit your servicing dealership to have the vehicle diagnosed....". I interpret this as meaning I can indefinitely use the car as a gas-only. It may not be efficient, but it will cost less than $6000 (price of battery pack) to keep the car running for years.

I can't find any consistent information about what will happen when the hybrid battery pack goes bad. The car is 10 years old, 90,000 miles on it. According to most articles, I'm past the battery life and if I want to keep the car, i can replace the batteries for about $6000. The question is, will the car run without the batteries functioning? How much warning will I get that the batteries are failing? Do I just need to keep checking the gauges and see how well it's charging and running in electric mode, or will there be some kind of warning light? The dealer mechanics are in the dark --- they have never seen a 10-year old hybrid. I've done a chat with Ford Motor, and they couldn't answer the questions. They might get back to me later if they can locate someone that can answer these questions. This is really a sad state of affairs. We're pushing electric and hybrid models, but no one seems to have any training in their maintenance. thank you.

You guys have me frightened now. I have the 2013 SE and got my first dead battery after 23000 miles. It started instantly, I backed the car out of garage to the house, let the car sit for 5 minutes, then absolutely dead. Couldn't even get the door locks to click. I was able to jump start it and take to dealer. They did nothing other than charge it. What I'm worried about is that there is no battery gauge, therefore, no warning. Is anyone going out regularly and putting a voltmeter on their car to see if it is charged?

This is going to sound silly, but I cannot find a temperature gauge or reading anyplace. There must be some kind of display showing this or I would have no idea if I were overheating. Can someone tell me where you find this info? (I have not gone back to the dealer to ask this, yet)

New to forum. Have had C-Max 10 months or so and have same issues. I have the noise (very loud) when starting up and in electric mode. Also, A/C not functioning as others have described. What happens to us it that we'll get cold air on driver side, and often blow heat on passenger side. If not heat, will be outside air. It can be fixed by leaving A/C on, but turning car off for a good 10 seconds to (apparently) reboot. Will generally work after that, although we don't generally get really cold A/C. I say 'generally' as we've had A/C working fully and sending in really cold air, both side. Of course, dealer can find nothing wrong with anything. I don't know what to do. As an aside, we're getting 41.5 mpg in a lot of suburban-type driving and highway. The trick to staying in electric mode, as I would assume most would know, is to be gentle on the accelerator. Heavy foot, cruddy mileage. I can run around town mostly in electric mode if I'm careful on the gas.

Just getting into this forum. I've had the C-Max for three weeks. I like the torque, handling, ride. But, I'm overwhelmed with the electronics and have not figured out how to set a number of items. I'll learn slowly but surely. I have the SEL model, so it has all kinds of toys.