Hybrid dude

Good thought about the Homelink transponder.

Just curious if others have the following two what I'll call 'issues' with two interior components: 1. Driver sun visor vs. passenger sun visor When pivoting the driver sun visor up to the roof (non-sun blocking position), does it spring into place when it reaches the final inch or so? The passenger one does do that but the driver's doesn't. I even did the experiment on another brand new C-Max in the showroom, same results. For those who obtain the same results, any idea of the reason? 2. Manual driver seat piece While sitting in the manual-adjustable driver seat, if you reached or looked down between the right side of the seat cushion and the center console, below the level of the cushion is a silver metal rail, which is rather sharp on the edges and end. This equivalent piece on the passenger seat is neither silver nor sharp but it has a different shape. I don't drive with my hand down there but it was a bit concerning to have this piece exposed. I do not know if this piece is present on models with power seats.

Exactly the ones I've seen. It's so weird that 90% of the photos of these grills are upside down, once you dig a bit and find an actual Euro Focus with them mounted. I've inquired about dimensions to some of the sellers but have yet to receive a the info.

Yes, I realize and have experience that a dead battery can even happen to a new battery. It was just interesting that it happened to me with our month old C-Max, considering all the posts I've made in the interest of adding even more electric devices such as fogs, drls, etc.

Thanks for the update too. Are the roof rack 'feet' and load bars Yakima as well? If you can, please let us know those details, as many of us need a roof rack too.

Thanks for the comments and advice. I am going to check out another dealer or two with these and other issues.

Ours came with a front bracket, which I immediately removed, since we have the version of plate which doesn't require a front plate. The dealer body shop was able to supply two black plugs which filled the screw holes in the bumper, though I wish we would have had the choice to have a pristine bumper upon delivery. Want to trade?

Has anyone noticed issues with the hood or hatch alignment? On mine, if you were standing in front of the car and looked down where the front of the hood meets the part of the bumper that is between the inner edge of each headlight and the outer edge of the grill (the top-most grill with the Ford emblem), I was able to see more of the flat part of that piece on one side vs. the other side. I had my dealer body shop adjust the hood as best they could but they said there is no adjustment in the bumper. After this adjustment, the gaps between the hood and the A-pillar are really tight but within acceptable tolerances according to the shop. As to the rear hatch, if you run your finger in the gap between the bottom lip of the hatch and the rear bumper, from one side to the other, the gap is not even. There was nothing they could do about that issue. Again, this is my first Ford, so I am unfamiliar with acceptable tolerances. The interesting part of that five-hour day spent at the dealer was that towards the end, a different service advisor said "I shouldn't expect the tolerances, fit, etc. to be as tight as, for example, on a Mercedes or Lincoln, since mine is a less expensive car (but not as cheap as a Hyundai)." I was a bit shocked at this statement for many reasons but the most important one was that the folks assembling this vehicle at the Michigan plant are proud enough to put their sticker on the window, and I think they'd want every vehicle that left the plant to be put together and fit well, no?

I was also surprised at the dearth of LEDs, used only for interior lighting I think. However, this vehicle, with both gas and diesel engines has been on the roads in Europe since 2010. There seems to be a disconnect in regards to which technologies/features would be appropriate for hybrid vs. non-hybrid vehicles and I'm sure the manufacturing cost influenced the decision. I also can't advise you on the effect of lower wattage LED bulbs on the entire electrical system. You'd think it would be a good thing but maybe not. Perhaps others more knowledgeable will chime in.

Roadside assistance jumped it, then we ran it a while and went about our day. I'm not familiar with the inspection eye but will check it out. Both dealers I called do not have the battery in stock. I'll have the system checked next week, assuming we have no more situations today or tomorrow. Wouldn't you think batteries specific to a new vehicle would be in stock, though as I've said previously, this is my first Ford product.

My battery and thus the entire vehicle was completely dead this morning, couldn't even unlock doors. Awaiting roadside or actually parking lot-side assistance. I have the SE model, so no chance of leaving the vehicle start/stop button on. Just made several routine trips yesterday. Same thing happened to someone on the competing Fordcmaxforum.com . That person eventually received a new battery after five hours of diagnostics at the dealer. Also, not sure if this post is in correct topic but I couldn't find any other relevant headings.

Here's a start to a discussion about retrofitting Xenon (aka HID (High Intensity Discharge)) headlights to the C-Max Hybrid and Energi. Our foglight discussion took a turn towards this subject, so I thought it best to create a stand-alone topic. I hope we can avoid a discussion of the pros and cons of HID lights and just concentrate on whether the retrofit is even possible. Since our cars already have headlights, perhaps the infamous BCM (Body Controle Module) won't be an issue. Here's some info: A) One can get them in European and ROW spec. (Rest Of World) C-Max vehicles, though I think the US and Canada exclusively have the Hybrid and Energi models, on which the option doesn't exist. At this point, purchasing them from somewhere else in the world is the only option. The units are manufactured by the same company, Valeo, that makes our halogen ones. There is a bit of difference in the parking light bulb position and perhaps a reflector or two as well. B) I've seen photos from the 2011 Detroit auto show in which an Energi model had the HIDs equipped (photo attached). This autoshow version also had Focus-style foglights which didn't make it to the finished product. Granted, this was an autoshow model and since that show, Ford also canned the Grand C-Max but I've seen discussions in other forums about the desire for the HIDs, specifically on the Energi model, to save electricity. I'm not an engineer but from what I've read, HIDs take a lot of amps to ignite but then use only 35 watts each bulb or so. Interestingly, photos at the top of the competing fordcmaxforum.com show a Grand C-Max with HIDs on the left and regular C-Max on the right. (For those die-hard detail fans, you'll notice both those vehicle have a slightly different shape to the foglight grill, as well as having only two main grill openings. Our version has three openings. C) I'd rather not go the 'hack into the headlight, cut the reflector and glue-in the HID units which are readily available everywhere' route. I realize there are very skilled DIYers out there but that method may result in problems with state vehicle inspections, headlight alignment, warranty voiding, etc. D) The units I have seen for sale cost about $500 each and that is without two necessary components, those being the ballast and the bulb. I would guess those components could be the same as ones used on Fords which do offer HIDs here, which are readily available new and used. Used headlights do occasionally appear, though. E) Voltage drop: I'll need help explaining this but since our cars have so many electrical monitors, the voltage drop which I think is caused by HIDs might be an issue but I have seen products which trick the vehicle into thinking everything is normal. I hope this is helpful and look forward to your replies.

One additional item. It seems, though I've never held the two in my hand, that some European versions of the Ford Focus, perhaps 2008 or 2009 to 2010 used foglight grills in the bumper that look suspiciously like they just rotated them 180 degrees and used them on our cars. It is so strange to see in photos on certain auction sites, as well as just photos. Many of the auction sites even show the grills upside down. In the European Focus, the driver fog grill has one of the 'points' or 'corner' of the grill at the lower left of the bumper and the other 'point' at the upper right. The C-Max is exactly the opposite, one corner at the top left and the other corner at the lower right. (All descriptions is if you are located in the driver seat). They each have three 'fins' or ridges as well. The reason I mention this weirdness is that there are less expensive grills out there, and even ones which include LED DRLs. Check it out, search for FORD FOCUS FOG GRILL LEFT HAND SIDE USED

The C-Max is my first Ford but I too am shocked by the cost of parts after browsing the Ford site ... for example, each wheel is about $477. I have the SE without the touch screen, so I contacted NAVTV, advised them we were interested in what they can do for the C-Max and sent them a link to this post. As to my question about using my 3.5" screen, they said 'the screen is its own video processor' so probably couldn't be integrated. As to the camera, there seem to be three styles: One that replaces one of the license plate lamps and includes a lamp as well One which requires drilling a hole through the hatch handle to the right of the right license lamp, the way the factory does it. One that mounts using the license plate screws

I spoke with my very knowledgeable Ford parts person this morning and he did find several different BCMs for the C-Max but the listing did not give a list of what each one controls or doesn't control. I think without further help from a current Ford tech/engineer who actually knows the C-Max, I've taken this as far as I can go ... disappointing. My hope is that Ford will introduce an accessory foglight kit which will include whatever electronic black box(es) that is necessary, similar to what they've done for one of the F-150 models. Unfortunately, since I don't think C-Max sales will ever come close to F-150 sales, demand might not warrant the cost to design/manufacture such a kit.

I should probably start another post specifically for HIDs but really appreciate your input. I'm not an engineer but from what I've read, HIDs take a lot of amps to ignite but then use only 35 watts each bulb or so. I mentioned HIDs because: A) One can get them in Europe (though they have neither the Hybrid nor the Energi models yet) B) I've seen photos from the 2011 Detroit auto show in which an Energi model had the HIDs equipped (photo attached). Granted, this was an autoshow model and since that show, Ford also canned the Grand C-Max but I've seen discussions in other forums about the desire for the HIDs specifically on the Energi model to save electricity. C) I've wanted them on a vehicle I've owned since the late 1980s but have yet to be successful for a variety of reasons. I also don't want to hack into the headlight, cut the reflector and glue-in the HID units which are readily available everywhere and perhaps have trouble with vehicle inspections, alignment, warranty, etc.

I think the jumper wire connects one fog light to the other and then to the rest of the system. I have yet to explore if it is already installed and taped over as on some European C-Max versions but I doubt it. From the parts site and the diagram I posted, it seems to run the width of the front of the car, behind the grill.

Even more info. from my post on a tech site: 'I personally went into the fleet version i have of Ford. The fog lamp equipt version of your ride shows an internal, integrated, fog lamp relay inside the BCM. This relay is left out of the non fog lamp equipt BCM' I guess I check with my parts person again and get a price and maybe a part number too.

Lifetime stats: 1,013 miles, 488 EV, 88 Regen, 38mpg Mostly city with very small percentage stop-n-go traffic, once per week 85 mile mostly highway trip. New England weather, so only has been cool a couple of days. Question: With almost half our miles EV and really very light on the accelerator, why only 38mpg? Any idea what the mpg would be if car only had gasoline engine? As is everyone, awaiting that magical 2-3k mileage for real results.

A bit more info. I live chatted with a Fordparts.com person just now and gave them three different VINs, two from SELs, to determine if there actually are different BCMs. The person came up with the same BCM, part number DM5Z-19A561-B, regardless of VIN.

Here are some official Ford part numbers: Lamp assembly 4F9Z-15200-AA (need quantity 2) Grille DM5Z-17B814-A Grille DM5Z-17B814-B Switch CP9Z-11654-J Wire jumper FV6Z-15K867-A

Congrats on your order. Just curious if it will replace or be an addition to the Prius, as IMO, it's very different in terms of handling, EV mode, etc. As to your concern, I can't speak for the hybrid system but the body-style itself has been available in Europe with various gas and diesel engines since 2010. Extended warranties do give peace of mind on the surface but many sites advise against them due to high cost, per visit deductible costs and that in most cases it's just a way for the dealer to make easy money. There's a lot to read on-line, so good luck with whatever you decide.

A quick follow up to grill-cutting .... I actually think it would work, because the light itself is only mounted to the bumper cover. The grill seems to be just decorative.

I think the total cost might be a couple hundred only if you use your own switch, bypass the module and cut a hole in your existing non-fog grills. The official parts with approximate list prices include: Switch $124 Plastic grills $91 each Wire jumper $12 lights themselves $62 each This doesn't include labor, if you can't diy and can find someone who will, as well as I have yet to check if the particular fuse holder has any wiring behind it. Obviously, many of these parts can be found online at various sites, as well as dealer parts departments who may offer a discount. If any of you folks who are interested could get specific info. on whether the different body control modules actually matter, that is, is the difference between them the inclusion of additional features such as foglights, heated seats, power lift gate or is there really only one BCM for the SE version? I don't want to wear out my parts guy. Thanks and I'll post actual part numbers later.

Welcome and if you can add anything to our fog light discussion we've begun in the electrical/lighting section, that would be helpful.