C-MAXER

March '13 build with a 3.34.4 version and A4 map.  No real issues in one week of ownership but I'm not what you'd call a power user.  

During the shopping stage, I check the online Ford ESP and it kicked back my request on the C-MAX along with a reply to the see my local dealer for pricing.    I'm pretty sure the website had a cookie of my zip code stored from when I was checking factory incentives so could this be a state of residence issue?

Just joined.

Energi owners:  From other plug-in forums, I've seen you can get a CEL simply due to charging issues like a ground fault, low voltage, a temporary drop or surge in line voltage, lightning strike, etc.  Takes a few power cycles (along with no repeat charging issues) and the CEL will clear itself.  

A couple of years ago, I finally got an OBDII reader to read and clear codes.  That, along with google and forum searches, can save a trip to the dealer and undue worry.

Thanks Ryan.  My money was on the drivers side but you know what they say about assuming!   :)     

Our kids in the rear seats like it warm while me driving likes it cool and the wife in the front passenger seat likes it cold so we should all be able to regulate our own temps.  Kool. <pun intended>

We purchased the first 09 Cube our local dealership had.  It was a loaded Red SL which is a tad darker than the Ruby Red of the max.   Overall, we both loved the little cube and its Cubic Hair (shag carpet on the dash) but the mpg; especially highway in windy conditions, was poor for its size due to the box design.  It got traded for a Prius when my wife got a new job requiring a long commute.   The cubicle had the best turning radius of any car we've owned whereas the 'max is wide for its size.  Other than initial costs, that's the only pro for the cube that I can think of.  The 'max has way more room, power, features, and mpg.  You'll love it.

It learned my home PDQ within a day or two of buying it (master reset at dealership before leaving) but it hasn't learned work yet.  Will try the "it goes to eleven" method and see what happens. :)

I'm sorry, I meant the REAR passengers.  :doh:   (edited OP).

 I can't find the answer in the OM.   When in dual mode, which controls the temperature of the air being sent to the rear seat passengers, the left or right dial?  

I do both with the majority of the time I have the brake applied since I'm all ready doing that to shift into Park.   We've have a keyless car in the family since 2009 and it would be extremely hard to go back to using a key.

Nice choice!   ;)   I added one of my daughters artwork to my screen.  

Hi there,

 

I'm Leo, from the Dallas area in Texas. I own a Ruby Red C-max SEL ;)

OK, I'm putting on my former moderator hat here to ask about the purpose of this forum.  I assume that off topic means any subject NOT related to the C-MAX like guns, politics, government, pets, what you do for a living, blah, blah, blah.  But no, nearly 50% of the first page of the Lounge forum is directly related to the CMAX including some very interesting stuff that many people might not ever see because they don't want to visit off topic subjects.  

So is the Lounge subject content not moderated and it's slowly becoming another general discussion forum or is it for threads (cmax related or not) that don't neatly fit into the other sub-forums?  And on another note, why is there a General Discussion sub-forum in the powertrain sub-forum?   :headscratch:   

Well hello Happy Camper (all the !!! in your title).  LOL  I know how you feel.  Just got mine (same color) last Thursday.  It's a wonderful car.  Tomorrow is going to be a good day!   :rockon:

So do the Walmart windshield covers cover your windows thoroughly?  Are they the jumbo size?  I saw them last week.  I'm not in much of a hurry since it's still cool here.  

I bought it years ago so it's probably a good guess that the ones they stock today will be different.  The tags are nearly worn off but I can just make out  "Auto Expressions" is printed on one of them.   I'll get some measurements later on but here's a couple of pics showing how I mount them vertically with some overlap.  I've always like this design as they are easy and quickly stored with a twist and fold technique and I can store them either between the seat and center console or door pocket; however, the CMAX pocket is a little too small.

Is that the Costco sunshade you have there? I found it too small.

No.  I've had it for a few years and most likely got it at walmart.  It's the large version for mini-vans, etc that we bought for our then new 05 nissan quest.  It's held up well to the south Texas sun all these years.  It's a twin shade design so it can overlap to fit narrower vehicles like the CMAX but which still have long windshields.  Window tinting is in my future!  :)

The best bumper sticker I've come across was from a fella on a Prius forum who had one made up that said, "You can tell me how fast to drive when you start paying my gas bill".    :rockon:

My wife got me these, not sure where she purchased them but I live by this motto!   :)

Back to the original question, I use a small california duster for dirt, lint, hair, etc.   A quick pass or two around the dash periodically GREATLY reduces the need for liquid type cleaning (typically once a year for me).

http://www.amazon.com/California-Car-Duster-Dash/dp/B006B376WK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1364766292&sr=8-4&keywords=california+duster

Get the travel size packs which will fit in the useless (to me) glasses holder.  Much quicker to reach in the event of a sneeze!  :)  

 I would love to keep a box of Kleenex but I may have to go with a small packet in the bottomless pit.

Well this suggestion won't be reachable from inside the car as you'll have to get out and open the rear passenger door but I just discovered there is a good bit of room underneath the rear seats.  Easily enough to store 3 or 4 golf umbrellas.  I only have one (not much rain here) and need it more for shade from the sun while watching kids soccer games, etc:

NOTE:  this space is needed for dropping the rear seats but that can still be done with just this one umbrella.  I certainly wouldn't store anything breakable or rigid under there.

I'm also looking for a non-drink holder option.  I love the interior but I can't believe no one thought to design in a cubby hole or tray or door somewhere in the dash.  Sheesh.  

! I'd like to post a picture but I don't know how to make my picture small enough. 

Do you have a smart phone?   If so, get a photobucket account and download the phone app.  It will downsize your camera phone photos for you, upload them to your photo bucket account, and then you simply copy/paste the photobucket link of the photo into your forum post.  Easy peasy.  

For accuracy, you need to take voltage reading at the battery not from a 12V line source which will contain line losses.   Scroll down to the yellow chart at this link for SOC (state of charge) readings (again taken at the battery):

http://www.emarineinc.com/pages/Batteries-101.html

IIRC, one of the choices in "My View" is voltage but you can't, of course, read it with the car off.

Does anybody know if the 12 volt battery is available outside of Ford?  I've never seen a 12 volt that has terminals like that so I'm thinking Ford will be the only place to get one.  On my past vehicles I've always replaced the factory battery with an Optima Red Top spiral technology battery.  They are pricy but warrantied for 10 years and easy to find at most auto parts stores.  Also they can sit unused for a year and crank right over first time.  Just wondering if anyone has any info regarding replacement options.

Optima Yellow Tops are popular with the Prius crowd so you might be in luck.

Reading other hybrid car forums, I've seen that the Chevy Volt has had a few reported cases of DBS (dead battery syndrome) too.  Seems as turning the car off while on a phone conversation and then exiting the car while continuing the call with the phone causes the bluetooth in the car to remain active.  It continues searching for the phone until the small 12v battery dies.  Running down a lead acid battery is bad for longevity.