joe

Is it also possible that heat from the lithium batteries is influencing the fuel in the gas tank? Cold makes gas contract (appears to be less gasoline in tank) while heat makes it expand (seem fuller).

I would be concerned about heat build up. There are two reasons why the wheels have all that open space. Save weight, and allow heat to escape - both from the brakes and the wheel bearings.

In a matter relative to applying brake regeneration, does the brake light go on when applying a light enough touch to the brake pedal to activate regeneration but not enough apply the brakes? There are times when I'm going down a slight decline and apply the brake to generate electricity. I wonder if my brakes lights are one all the way down the hill.

I would be reluctant to replace the factory antenna with a third-party antenna because of what it might do to the warranty. If you have any malfunction of the radio or other devices, the dealer will say that you modified the system which caused a problem, e.g., GPS, Sirius radio, etc., and therefore, voids the warranty.

I have RPMs on the left side, and radiator temp on the right side. I use this during the winter time to see when the radiator has enough heat so I can turn on the heater without needing the engine on.

MacGuyver makes a good point. On my previous cars that provided mpg gauge, if I was taking a trip using the interstate, I would always reset the mpg gauge once I got up to interstate speed. I wanted to know how good I could get while at high speed, which is where I usually would get my best mileage. I think it is a legitimage measurement.

Taxing hybrid cars is incorrect and unfair. Taxed SUV hybrids average mpg in mid 20s while untaxed diesel cars get 40 mpg. To be fair, the Virginia law should use the EPA’s mpg overall average as the tax threshold. Vehicles averaging EPA 25 mpg or higher should pay a $25 a year tax. This will increase transportation funds by imposing a lower tax across a wider base without singling out one class of vehicle.

I had to wait half a week for the tech to get the module and then when it arrived, had to schedule to bring C-Max into the shop.

I had this problem from day one. Sometimes it was accurate but most of the time it showed me off road. I had the GPS module replaced recently and have had no problems since. I have the A3 card and older software version.

Regarding the power lift rear hatch. If my C-Max is locked, it takes two kicks - first to unlock, and second to open. If car is unlocked, it takes one kick to open rear hatch.

obob - where do you plan to place the spare tire in the C-Max? I would almost consider a roof rack for the spare tire even with the drag on mpg. My recent experience with a really bad flat tire did not leave a good feeling.

It was 6 p.m., Saturday - only people at the dealership was the salesmen. We'll see what happens on Monday. I suspect I'll have to buy a new tire, which will cost around $180 to $200. I think its the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. A piece of metal into a tire isn't really a warranty item. Michelin makes good tires and, of course, Ford didn't make the tires. If the belts separated or something, then it would be a different story. But we can't expect the dealer or Ford to cover everything. The tire warranty book did not list punctures as a warranted activity. It would be nice if, when buying the car, we could buy a hazard policy for the tires, if we wanted it.

A large piece of metal punctioned my right rear tire. Hit dead center. Tire went flat within one city block. Pulled into a bank parking lot and called the1-800 number for FORD. Tow truck arrived within 20 minutes and took C-Max to my dealer, which, fortunately, was only 2-3 miles down the road. Service Dept. closed (late Saturday) but the sales people will very helpful. Will probably need to buy a new tire. I don't think the warranty covers road hazard damage to tires. I decided not to use the tire sealant or air pump because the metal was at least one inch wide and probably already destroyed the radial belts. I figured why also destroy the pressure sensor and valve stem using the can of sealant? It was after I bought the C-Max that I realized that it has no spare tire. I wasn't too concerned because my 40+ years of driving, most punctures were nails and the sealant should work fine. I never thought I'd drive over a piece of metal that looks like the pointed end of a bayonet..... Now, imagine I'm on Route 2 crossing in the middle of Montana and out of cell phone range. Mmmmmm, I wonder if the tire sealant and air pump would work enough to get me to a tire dealer - with a big piece of metal sticking out of the tire?????

I can only tell you that if you go down the road, and the navigation system shows you a hundred feet to the left, right, or in front of where you really are, the fix is the GPS Module. I would say that the problem is the GPS and not the navigation software.

Jus-A-Max - So far, we've experienced no problems with the fixed GPS. We use it everytime we drive to see how its working, and so far, its spot on.

I have not yet experienced the screen doing blank or "Nav loading" messages. We have not yet gone on a long trip with the fixed GPS but I'll keep a look out to see if it happens.

rtshinn, you are correct. Once the nav system problem was corrected, I finally could get really excited about the C-Max. And as I find my mpg is getting better, I feel even better. We do get emotionally attached to our cars, and particularly, a car that is unique like the C-Max.

There is another tax problem for Virginia hybrid owners. A hybrid cars cost more than comperable gasoline powered vehicles. For example, Ford Fusion hybrid is $27K vs. gasoline Fusion $21K. Governor should take the additional sales tax revenue for his transportation fund instead of adding more taxes. Now, $64 dollars isn't going to break the bank each year but it is the principle. But the tax seems to be so arbitary against just one class of vehicle. And finally, this is a Republican Governor... what happened to the Republican platform of no new taxes????

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is putting a yearly $65 tax on hybrids because they don't use as much gasoline as regular cars, and therefore, pay less road tax. That is like taxing people who don't speed and thus don't pay traffic fines that support law enforcement. In our local paper, someone placed the following view in the local paper. Thought Hybriders would enjoy: Taxing Hybrids A Great Idea? When my son pur­chased a hybrid car in 2003, the state offered as an incen­tive a special tag that al­lowed all such cars to drive in the high-occupancy ve­hcile lanes with only one person in the car. The hy­brid was good. Later, the special tag was no longer offered because many peo­ple, as well as the state, saw the inherent value of going green and saving gas. We bought our cars with those values in mind. The hybrid was good. Now, the state (VIrginia) has de­clared that the hybrid car is bad, we should be pun­ished for owning one. The state declared that a fine of $100 would be appropriate. Our governor thought that $64 would be a better arbi­trary fine. We are so fortunate to have such a benevolent and wise man as our governor. How many other governors would have such compas­sion for those who do bad things? Gov. Bob McDon­nell (VIrginia) realizes the redemp­tive power of a wisely ad­ministered tax and is a firm believer in letting the punishment fit the crime. We hybrid owners will be forever grateful for his wis­dom and grace in reducing our fine from $100 to $64 for driving a car that is not in the best interest of the state. We are pleased that this compassionate gover­nor does not see all hybrid owners as hopeless wretch­es beyond the power of true redemption: no, he believes that in carefully tempering our punishment, we will not only be grateful for this undeserved gift but we will also go forth and strive to do better. As the owner of a hybrid, I can only admire the dedi­cation and patriotism of those people who buy the real gas- guzzlers. Even though they realize that hy­brid owners are rightfully fined for using less gas than the average car, they do not demand a rebate from the state for using more gas than the average car. The less heroic among us would think that if one is to be punished for using less gas, the opposite should follow and the ones that use more gas than the average car should be rewarded. No, they soldier on, spewing more hydrocarbons and pol­lution, and doing more envi­ronmental damage. They do not get angry. They do not write letters or sign peti­tions. They are made of sterner stuff than us feck­less hybrid owners. They do not seek honors and acco­lades. They are serene in the knowledge that virtue is its own reward. They es­chew all recognition for their sacrifice and are satis­fied in the knowledge that for every one of those extra trips to the gas pump, they are making Virginia a bet­ter place. As a humble attempt at atonement, and as a ges­ture toward the recognition of the heroic sacrifice the owners of gas-guzzling cars are making on behalf of a better Virginia, I suggest the governor authorize a “governor’s award of excel­lence” for all the owners of gas-guzzling cars. It could be as simple as a decal placed on the windshield of such vehicles. Surely this is not too much to ask in light of such selfless sacrifice. As our governor has shown me the error of my ways, I will pay the fine. I will learn from this punish­ment. I will not let our gov­ernor down. When I pur­chase my next car, I here by resolve to buy the car with the lowest miles per gallon rating, I will spew as many hydrocarbons into our air as possible, I will do as much damage to the envi­ronment as the car allows. I will do my best to make Vir­ginia energy dependent. Mr. Coulter lives in Har­risonburg. As the owner of a hybrid, I urge all hybrid owners to join me in this crusade. We must not let our governor down. We can do it. Are we bereft of patriotism? Are we lacking in moral fiber? Are we going to evade our duty? No, in solidarity with our brethren who drive gas­guzzling cars, we can make Virginia a better place…and maybe get a decal for it. Mr. Coulter lives in Har­risonburg.

In case you've missed my other posts, I had the GPS module replaced yesterday at dealer. The GPS now is accurate and is working great. No more off-roading in the bushes.

For those having problems with the GPS showing you off road, I had the GPS Module replaced yesterday by dealer. GPS now works great.

UPDATE: Dealer ordered a new GPSM (Global Position System Module) and installed it today. GPS WORKS - YIPEE - my C-Max is now perfect. We drove around and it stays on track. No wandering around in the bushes or off road. Here is what the work order says: "Copied the info from the old GPSM on to the IDS. Removed the ICP & removed the GPMS. Installed the new GPMS. Reinstalled the IPC. Downloaded the info back into the new GPSM."

UPDATE: GPS WORKS - YIPEE - my C-Max is now perfect. We drove around and it stays on track. No wandering around in the bushes or off road. Here is what the work order says: "Copied the info from the old GPSM on to the IDS. Removed the ICP & removed the GPMS. Installed the new GPMS. Reinstalled the IPC. Downloaded the info back into the new GPSM."

Dealer replaced my GPS module this morning but called and told me that it did not fix the problem. They still have C-Max and are trying to work out the problem with Ford.

Dealer replaced my GPS module this morning but called and told me that it did not fix the problem. They still have C-Max and are trying to work out the problem with Ford. UPDATE: GPS WORKS - YIPEE - my C-Max is now perfect. We drove around and it stays on track. No wandering around in the bushes or off road. Here is what the work order says: "Copied the info from the old GPSM on to the IDS. Removed the ICP & removed the GPMS. Installed the new GPMS. Reinstalled the IPC. Downloaded the info back into the new GPSM."