C-MaxA2

'The SE might have more 12V battery problems than the SEL but hopefully by 2016 those are fixed. '. I don't really understand that statement. The SEL has way more battery consuming add-ons that can cause battery drain than a simpler SE. You only have to read here the comments of navigation systems, 'smart keys', etc. to see that. Am I missing something here?

I'm not sure the EV battery is much to worry about (the main battery, assuming this is a hybrid and not an Energi). Might be worth having the battery checked since the warranty runs out at 100k. I'd want to check the date of manufacture to ensure it was after 8/15/15 to avoid the transmission issue. Yes, I know it's a 2016 but I have a '2016' that was manufactured in Oct. of 2015, so...

It's electric assist power steering - perhaps a fuse? See a dealer - I think it might be a 100,000 mile warranty item. Someone here stated this: Detected code C102D. they reset the computer and it start working normally again.

'The only advantage to the CMax is it's more fun to drive.' Well, #1 that's a biggie. #2 - in my experience (own 2 C-Maxs; drove my brother's Prius for several hours and have ridden in it for 10-12 hours). I found: 1- the C-max is much quieter. It was a noise cancelling system that really works, 2- the seats / inside cabin are far more comfortable and there's a lot more room, 3- it's way faster when you need to GO like on a highway ramp, through a roundabout, etc. The Prius mileage is better but not so much better that it makes up for the lack of comfort, speed, etc. Your brother's car doesn't sound like either of our C-Maxs. If you floor it you'll hear the engine but it's moving you, not just sitting there like in a Prius (and your mind is screaming 'GO, GO, Go' as the trucks bear down on you). 2016 is a good year (and a year newer than the Prius). It's also made in this country. Good luck.

Great advice: 'BTW, I always put tire and battery receipts in glove box so I can easily find them after 5 years.?' I tape a sign on my batteries with the date and price of the battery as a reminder when I open the hood. Sometimes time flies and I'll see the date there and go 'opps - it's been 5 years already!?'.

So how old is the battery? Sounds like an old battery that just died when not charged. Get a new one; $130 from my dealer.

Junk yard C-Maxs - they just unscrew.

Given the number of times folks here have talked about odd key FOB behavior and then discovered that the 12V is dying I'd want to check on the age of your 12V battery....

Drove a 2019 RAV4 rental (not a hybrid) for several hours and did not find it a desirable vehicle - lots of hard plastic inside, so-so seats, noisy inside, hard riding. I was surprised quite honestly by how poorly it compared to our 2016 C-Max in those respects.

I bought a freestanding Garmin GPS years ago from Costco with lifetime updates (and it included maps from Canada & Mexico). I think it was $100 at the time. We just move it from car to car and we both know how to use it (no learning curve with a new car and system). I just plug it into my computer from time to time, get the updates from the Garmin website and we're good to go. Really has worked out well.

I'm in that same range of MPGs on long highway drives doing 70-75 mph w/AC - good to have some confirmation. I often turn off the AC going uphill and re-engage it going downhill. My wife thinks that's overkill but I do think it makes a difference. Coasting does help too but there aren't that many situations where you can safely do that (read Paul Jones on the subject). I keep the Michelins on both our C-Maxs at 50 lbs. as well.

If you plan to use Lucas in the future I might suggest getting: 1 small bottle and 1 large container (to re-fill the small bottle) so you have the correct amount and a smaller bottle to handle with the C-Max refill port. It's almost like you need 3 hands. Odd that Lucas works well in the Focus and C-Max - must be a Ford thing. It definitely works more 'permanently' than anything else for some reason. I ended up spending a lot of money ($850 total) replacing parts (at two different garages) and the Lucas stuff fixed the CEL once and for all. Here's my 'Lucas set up' in my garage.

Yes, that display is very important to getting the best possible MPGs. By lifting off the gas pedal carefully you can get the white column (on a curve) to drop off and for the blue column (battery power) to take over. After a while you'll know how to minimize the ICE (gas engine) usage. Even a slight descent is often enough for the gas engine to stop and the battery to maintain the same speed. I'm getting 52.3 mpg on the latest tank while my wife (who doesn't pay any attention to the display and runs the AC colder than I do) gets 45 mpg. It always amazes me how I can be doing 45-50 mph and have the car regenerating power to the battery!

If you decide on a 2016 - don't make the mistake I did. It turns out that not all 2016s came automatically with Snyc 3. My '2016' was manufactured in Oct. of 2015 (found out after I bought it) and didn't include Sync 3 and it can't be updated to it either (an SE model with a small screen). Just check and make sure you don't repeat my mistake if Sync 3 is a big deal (it wasn't in my case). I'm a low tech old fart. But my 2015 made the cutoff for the good transmissions (those after 'on or before' August 15th, 2015). So build dates might be worth checking carefully for both issues.

https://www.autotempest.com

I can't remember where I got these (here?) but here are instructions I saved on how to remove the rear seats. Looks pretty straightforward. C_max rear seat removal etc. 1.pdf C_max rear seat removal etc. 2.pdf

Great news - a bigger car with more stuff and close to the same C-Max mileage. Win-win. A bit too pricy for us so we'll have to wait a decent while before making the switch. I do like the idea of more trunk room behind the rear seat. The Max always seems short...

Paul - that camera is trolling you... Now it will shut down for a week or two just to confuse you. My garage door opener has been teasing me for a couple of years with the 'it works, it doesn't work' routine. Replacing the opener next week. Enough of the games...

I believe there's an 8 year warranty on the 'big' battery and hybrid components so depending on the build date (the date the 2013 was built, which could be 2012) there still might be warranty left.

Sounds like the 12V (the little battery) is low. I've read many comments here about odd things happening when the 12V is dying. Would you know if the 2013 has the original battery? They aren't DIY for most people and I get mine at the dealer ($130).

It's encouraging when Ford recognizes complaints/ issues and fixes them! A spare tire, better access to the 12V battery... Now let's hope the 12V is a battery Costco will carry.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2020/06/08/2020-ford-escape-plug-in-hybrid/3150813001/ Says the new Escape plug in is supposed to go 37 miles on battery only. Interesting!

The Energi was a flawed concept to me from the beginning. I looked at both models of the C-Max and read comments like yours I had to ask myself if after 20 miles was worth having a 267 lb. 'passenger' sitting in the back until there was a recharge. Ford charged quite a bit more for it as well. Now I see Energi models selling for lower than a straight Hybrid C-Max.

I've set up an appointment to have the Ford dealer look at the issue. I may end up leaving it overnight so they can start it up cold the next day and see what happens. I almost always have the AV (and Heat) off when I start the car. It's curious because our 2016 has never done this. Same distance, same cold start, same stoplight so I feel it's not right. It's not a showstopper but not a good sign and I don't want to let it get to the stage where it's the 'new norm'.

My C-Max is a 2017 (Hybrid) with 17,700 miles... should I have changed the plugs already? Seems very early. It's been to the dealer twice since we bought it in March this year and they've never suggested replacing the plugs and they're 'dealers' who never miss an opportunity to sell something. We also have a 2016 with 12,500 and it's never done this.