C-MaxJaxon

Thought most modern browsers (Firefox/Chrome) had spell checking build into form input controls. IE might have an addon available.

It's not a gas pedal when in EV mode. ;) I try to call it an accelerator pedal.

The Energi is rumored to be on hold waiting for a software upgrade to meet emissions standards, but haven't heard if the Hybrid version has the same problem.

The link has some extra trailing characters that causes a not found error. My policy has been to stay within 10% of the manufacturer recommended pressure. I tried 40 psi briefly, but the already-firm ride was less comfortable and returned to 38.

Another reviewer who couldn't average even 40 MPG. His comments about the lack of power, poor steering and body roll are out of line. This guy must be used to driving a sports car and has apparently not driven the competing cars that are much poorer. http://www.gearinstitute.com/vehicles/item/ford-c-max-hybrid-2013

Keeping an eye on the Empower screen isn't much different than watching the speedometer or rear view mirror. Certainly no more distracting than driving a manual transmission where you have to either listen/feel the RPMs or watch the tachometer or dash for a shift light, then coordinate moving both legs and one arm to shift, repeatedly. If I really want to save fuel, I can put on an extra layer of clothes and ride my bicycle to work, which I have been doing for the last four years, but have been wimping out the last couple months.

I've never seen EV mode shut off unless the battery is low, as long as I keep the climate control off. When my battery runs low in the first EV mode after a cold start, the engine will restart and keep running for 1-2 minutes until the catalytic converter (?) warms up again before returning to EV. It will sometimes do that several times on longer drives in cold weather. We need to poll other owners and find out what the normal behavior is.

I get EV mode to engage a couple times every day on my 2.3 mile drive to work, even when the temperature is quite cold. The first time is after about 1 mile where there's a right turn at a stoplight. I can always get EV+ to engage as I'm approaching the parking lot where I work. If you watch the Empower screen, does it ever give the blue outline showing that EV is available? I can drop into EV at will by letting up on the accelerator briefly and then keep it there until the battery gets low by being careful with the pedal. Taking off from a stop or accelerating fast enough that you don't impede traffic is where it's difficult to stay in EV.

I have EV mode engage immediately on the first drive of the day as long as the outside temp is above freezing and the battery charge isn't too low. I usually keep the heat turned off and the heated seat on until the engine is warmed up some. That is the secret to running in EV mode when the engine is cold.

Accelerating uphill makes no sense to me. It's making the engine work harder and uses more fuel. I slowly build up speed on the downhill or flat and then lift the accelerator and lose a little speed on the uphill, then slowly resume normal speed after cresting the hill.

The C-Max comes from the factory with synthetic blend oil and is just normal oil, not a special break-in type. I wouldn't risk putting lower weight oil than Ford recommends. The 0W would only be thinner when the engine is cold, so it should have minimal benefit.

Another one. Seems to be a common theme among reviewers that it gets below EPA, but they accept it, and then declare that it's such a nice car that it's still worth buying. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/01/07/matts-gadgets-ford-c-max-hybrid-a-fine-car-but-epa-mpg-claim-is-a-joke/

The site admin just added a new tips section a few days ago. All vehicles have reduced fuel economy in cold weather. http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/forum/42-hybrid-driving-tips-tricks/

I saw several scheduled maintenance screens before I started using a USB drive and haven't seen the screen at all since starting to use USB.

I still have just the middle grill taped off. I've thought about taping the lower too, or trying the foam, or making my own acrylic/velcro covers, but the weather changes so much from one day to the next, that it's hard to tell if my tape has made any difference in my mileage so far. I need to do some more formal tests with the tape to see if it really is an improvement.

I question the accuracy of all MPG improvement claims posted online since it's very difficult for all the variables to remain constant or be adjusted for. Things like starting engine temperature, outside temperature, wind speed and direction, traffic, etc. all change between test runs with and without a mod in place. Then there's the possibility of the tester consciously or unconsciously behaving differently during the tests and getting the results they are hoping for. Doing a double blind test like scientists do would be necessary for a completely objective test.

I was also thinking of ROI and taking into account that I wouldn't risk using them for 3-4 months per year when the weather is warm, maybe both of them only in the coldest weather and one in the spring and fall, so that increases the break even time quite a bit.

Audio recording of 2nd and 3rd gen Prius owners commenting positively on a C-Max. https://soundcloud.com/scobleizer/two-prius-owners-rate-the-new

Not directly C-Max related, but higher gas prices help return the extra cost of a hybrid. I admit to being slightly disappointed that gas prices have been so low since I got mine. I want my savings now! Screw the people who own guzzlers! ;) http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/04/gasoline-prices-starting-to-rise-again/1810175/ "Gasoline prices, which hit a 2012 low of $3.22 a gallon Dec. 19, are up 8 cents in the past two weeks and will likely continue climbing through April."

I think all cars are sensitive to strong wind. The poorer the aero of your vehicle, the stronger or more direct the head wind, or the faster you drive, the worse your MPG will get.

I do both, depending on the situation. If the stoplight is on an uphill or there is a hill coming right after the light, I press the pedal just enough to turn the engine on. If there is a downhill after the light, the battery is at 30% or more, and no one is behind me, I press lightly on the pedal to keep it in EV mode as long as I can. And if it is the first time the car has gone into EV mode after a cold start, I will sometimes try to keep it in EV mode because usually the engine will restart and keep running until it's warmed up again.

I'll start with a list of everything I can think of and keep adding to it as I remember more. Some may be debatable. - Accelerate just fast enough that you don't impede traffic behind you, or as slow as you like if there is nothing behind you - Slow gradually when coming to a stop to improve the chance of regen recovery - Lift off the accelerator and coast to red lights or lines of cars at a stop sign, train crossing, traffic jam, etc. - Avoid driving, especially on the highway, when it's extremely windy - Avoid driving when it's extremely cold - Drive the speed limit or less on the highway - Draft off of vehicles in front of you on the highway (potentially dangerous, do it if you dare) - Keep your tires inflated to at least the pressure posted inside the driver's door (38 psi) - Keep the heat or A/C off unless you absolutely need it - Accelerate gently on downhills to gain momentum and then lift slightly on the accelerator to let your speed carry you up the hill - Use full synthetic oil - Don't carry around any unnecessary weight in the car - Use the Empower display to try to keep the car in EV mode as long as possible (lifting off the accelerator briefly, decreasing cruise speed 1 MPH or quick cancel/resume of cruise typically engages EV mode) - Enable EV+ and Eco Cruise - Don't make short trips with the engine cold or in cold weather where the engine doesn't get fully warmed up - Try taking a different route with fewer hills, fewer stops, or a lower speed limit - Use gasoline without ethanol or E10 instead of E15 (not sure about advantages of premium) - Use cruise control for sustained high speed driving unless you are an experienced hypermiler and you are confident you can do better - When replacing the tires, buy the latest model with the lowest rolling resistance - Keep the car in a garage whenever possible in cold weather to minimize warmup time, and in extreme heat to reduce the need for air conditioning - Use an oil pan or block heater - In cooler weather, cover the lower grill openings with ptjones' custom Lexan covers, clear packaging tape or foam pipe insulation for aero improvement and/or keeping the coolant temperature higher - Tint the windows or use a sun shade to keep the interior cooler and reduce the need for air conditioning

I was thinking about shoving in some blocks of square weatherstrip like this, but smaller. I haven't seen anything that's around 1.5" that would be needed. It could be flush and nearly invisible. And maybe you could leave some of them in even in the summer. http://www.lowes.com/pd_96327-1410-AC43_4294774692__?productId=3062423&Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1

I haven't seen a clear answer on exactly what Eco Cruise does other than allow the car to lose a few MPH when climbing a hill and then accelerate back to the set cruise speed after the road levels out. I've been doing the same thing manually in city driving without the cruise on. I accelerate slightly on downhills in EV mode to gain momentum and then lift off the accelerator when going up and lose a bit of speed but still stay in EV mode for most or all of the uphill.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081417_2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-winter-gas-mileage-test-returns-35-mpg (34.5 MPG, watch out for annoying delayed popup on this site) http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/2-000-mile-ford-c-max-hybrid-road-204605768.html (33.5 MPG) http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2013/01/04/ford-makes-a-great-car-and-gets-slammed-anyway/ (35.6 MPG) I still don't understand how people are getting such low numbers. I averaged 45.5 on a trip last night in 10 degree weather starting with a cold engine. The only times I see mid 30s or less is on short drives starting with the engine cold in cold weather, and driving over 70 on the highway. My overall average for 2.5 months is holding at 43.0 MPG.