darrelld

I strongly considered a Jetta Hybrid before committing to the C-Max. The performance and handling are good, if not one best in class. Jetta Hybrid real world fuel economy matches the C-Max according to fuelly and other third party reviews. Looks are subjective but personally I prefer the timeless Euro look over just about anything from the Pacific Rim. Jetta Hybrid options include, HID headlights w/LED (an VAG/Audi original not a knockoff like some brands), the Fender Audio system is another feature that blows away anything else in the class. My wife being the primary driver and neutral in preference to audio systems made this a non issue. The Jetta Hybrid deal breaker for me was a requirement to use premium fuel. In my area premium usually is more expensive than diesel.

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/06/25/ford-seeking-seamless-ios-7-in-the-car-connectivity/ Ford Sync and MyFord Touch are rooted in Microsoft, but that doesn’t mean Ford isn’t interested in partnering with Apple to deliver on the iOS 7 in the car, a new feature that puts the iPhone screen on the car’s in dash display. Apple announced a new iOS 7 in the Car feature that will take Siri Eye’s free to a new level, with an AirPlay like feature that will overlay iPhone apps like Maps, Music, phone calls and messaging on the display built-in to the car’s dash. Jim Buczkowski, director of Electrical and Electronics Systems at Ford Research and Innovation, told Gotta Be Mobile that he was meeting with Apple around the time of the Apple WWDC 2013 event where Apple showed off the new iOS 7 in the Car technology. Ford’s name and logo did not appear on stage at WWDC 2013, which led many to believe Ford cars and trucks would not see this sharp-looking way to use the iPhone, but that’s not the case.

I have a Subaru Outback with Nav that would lock up completely after backing into a parking spot and pulling forward. Numerous trips to the dealer resulted in the "can't reproduce" statement on my service tickets. My wife made a video documenting the issue that I posted on youtube, links were sent to the service manager and the video was made public. On my next dealer visit the problem was resolved.

Thats just wrong at so many levels. :)

Ok, you talked me into it. I will line up to be one of the first to upgrade. My wife drives the same 30 round trip to work everyday so I have a baseline to reference from the update event. We have noticed a big hit in FE with the 99 degree temps of late, AC was mentioned as a point of the updates optimization.

Notice how they qualify the update instructions with "Certain", indicating some 2013 C-Max(s) already have the update installed?

The Ford Dealer could not update one of my PCM's for the 3.5.1 update without replacing the module. They said several C-Maxes had the same issue. They said new PCM's come with no firmware installed and some original PCM's simply refuse to take the update. The PCM will appear to update and the tool they use reports success but when you actually explore the system reported firmware versions have not changed. The dealer said several customers required return trips to resolve this. My C-Max was in the shop for one week until they could get this sorted out. My plan for the FE update is to let them practice on other C-Maxes before they get mine.

There are several discussions you may find useful here on the 12v battery problem, Ford has a firmware update to the DC/DC converter addressing this. You can find more here; http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/2370-tsb-13-6-23-updates-tsb-13-5-1-hybrid-and-energi-cold-weather-charging-improvements/?p=23755

I am guessing the PCM updates for 3.5.1 were probably also a necessity to get the upcoming FE improvements.

http://support.ford.com/sync-technology/how-to-allow-ios-text-messaging-sync-myford-touch

This one of the best articles I have read on the EPA test process.

This forum is primarily for C-Max Hybrid owners, you may get a faster response from http://fordcmaxenergiforum.com/. C-Max hybrids do not use the myfordmobile app.

++++1

I don't think the C-Max should be restated to something other than what data the current test produced. I absolutely agree the EPA test itself needs changing to reflect real world driving conditions, especially the new higher speed limits nationwide.

Reread what I stated, my test drives consist of at least a 15 mile loop driving under similar conditions the vehicle will face during a normal work day.

I do not think the rating should be changed. The EPA test is not the real world, its a comparative baseline used to measure vehicle efficiency under laboratory conditions. Test drives at your local dealer are where you simulate your daily driving conditions and give real world expected MPG. My MPG has deviated little from what I saw from my original test drive. I have been surprised at the number of posters unaware of EPA metrics and what they mean.

Considered run-flats but a coworker and every forum I have read says they are not a good option. Ride, handling, and braking are all compromised with run-flats. Obtaining a usable spare from a salvage yard or some other source is the current consensus. Where to stow the spare on road trips has some interesting ideas presented both here and the fusion hybrid forums. My plan is to obtain a spare and carry a cordless impact wrench so if I have a flat on the front tire it can be swapped for a good rear tire and the spare mounted there. Mounting on the rear will not introduce drive axle rotational differences affecting the transaxle.

My Passat TDI daily exceeds the city EPA estimates and highway EPA is very close even traveling at the Texas 75 mph speed limit. It doesn't seem to matter to the Passat TDI whether the climate conditions are cold or hot. You can look at my Passat TDI fuelly stats over the past 2 years and see very little seasonal deviation. The C-Max per tank has almost never exceeded EPA ratings during highway or city and climate extremes seem to skew the below EPA deviation dramatically. I have never been unhappy with the fuel economy and of course will be happy with an increase but I hope its not at the expensive of performance. The last thing I want is a lethargic C-Max that gains a couple of mpgs as a trade off. If this Ford update does that I will probably trade for another Jetta TDI or Jetta Hybrid both have spare tires for road trips.

Correct, the hybrid ICE will not shutdown at speeds above 62 mph normally. I have observed the ICE shutdown above 62 mph if conditions such as drafting behind a semi are present. What the article failed to mention is how much of a gain we can expect from the upgrade? At a minimum we should see increases at least equal to those aftermarket grills added to some C-Max's.

I was just thinking the same thing.

Sounds like a good plan.

iPhone 5, no problems.

My SA said the update will appear to work but doesn't actually update, you have to confirm its updated with the screen on the C-Max. The only way to fix it is a new module and they come from Ford with no firmware installed.

This should be a sticky.

Update: Just got the C-Max back from the dealer, like others have reported the screen touch zones are inverted.