darrelld

A good 3.5.1 stress test is plugging in an iPod Classic or USB drive with a few thousand songs. Next pull the voice command button on your steering wheel and give it command. Pre 3.5.1 will usually choke and die at this point.

I have worked in the Tech Industry for years and I understand all software has bugs. What Ford needs to learn is how to communicate effectively with its customers when they can reasonably expect a deliverable solution. Don't make press releases, set deadlines and then go silent when the dates slip. Be open and communicate via SyncMyRide with something like "We ran into some unforseen issues that we expect to resolve by Date XX-XX." I believe most rationale people could accept that.

But unlike Ford, Cadillac is actually providing updates to owners not just setting dates they never meet. http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-user-experience-cue/279518-cue-update-status-10.html

I don't have the "Show Notifications" option either. iPhone 5 v6.1.3.

I use this brand; http://www.rammount.com/

Put the fence up a couple of years ago, got a letter from the HOA about my old fence. Camera watches over my C-Max at night.

Installed a new security camera :)

I believe the root of most Sync problems is its Windows Mobile operating system. Cadillac used a Windows Mobile based system in my previous 2004 CTS and it had lockups similar to the C-Max. Cadillac has now wisely divorced themselves from the flawed Microsoft based system and moved to Linux. http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Cadillac-CUE/

Ford Dealer firmware installation was mentioned as an option by the Ford Customer Service Rep I spoke with yesterday. Since known usability issues with the Sync system are addressed I would not expect Ford to charge anything to fix their bugs. This should be covered under the Sync Warranty mentioned in this article;

My Check Engine Light has not returned since this dealer replace part was installed.

Just got off the phone with Ford Customer Service. They have no idea when 3.5.1 will be released for existing C-Max owners. They were not even aware that 3.5.1 was currently shipping on existing C-Maxes. I formally registered my dissatisfaction with the system lockups and reboots and the CR rep said it would be noted in my call. I was told when(if) 3.51 does become available for existing customers it will show on your syncmyride portal. Ford Customer Service has no information beyond what is posted there. So unless you want to call Ford Customer Service to register a complaint its a complete waste of time.

Hello from North Texas.

Just returned from the dealer yesterday for my first free oil change and asked my service advisor about the 3.5.1 software update. The SA stated it was not yet available for Hybrid owners then I stated all current Hybrids are shipping with 3.5.1 installed. Next the SA responded by saying Ford has instructed all dealers to not attempt a 3.5.1 update on any pre 3.5.1 Hybrid vehicle. He stated there was no Ford schedule on when this would be available to existing Hybrid owners. As a reference when I purchased my 2012 Passat TDI about 6 months after it was released VW added Sirius Travel Link to RNS510 navigation units. Within 3 months of the new vehicles shipping a TSB was issued by VW giving local dealers access to firmware for updating all existing customers to the new version. I would expect Ford at a minimum to match VW in customer satisfaction.

http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/ford-offering-app-developers-50k-reward-better-fuel-economy/ Ford Motor Co., stung in recent months over complaints that some of its hybrids are achieving fuel economy well below the advertised miles-per-gallon, said today it is opening up its vehicle architecture to both hardware and software developers to help the company create vehicles with better mileage and to help consumers better manage their driving habits. "We have found that there are so many factors impacting the fuel economy people get, especially with hybrids across the industry, that we want to be the company that gives drivers the best tools to manage their own personal fuel economy," said Ford head of global marketing James Farley. To that end, Ford is inviting app developers to access Ford's vehicle technology platforms to find ways to help drivers improve their fuel economy, and is offering cash awards of up to $50,000 to those that work. It is unusual for a car company to open up its engineering architectures and platforms to outsiders for fear of compromising intellectual property. Ford may be the first to open up both its hardware and software platforms to outsiders who want to pitch the company on new solutions to improve fuel economy.

Ford and GM only started offering competitve small cars in the last few years. I thought the Focus loaner I drove while my C-Max was in for service was a nice car for the class. GM's best seller is the Chevy Cruze and a coworker who used to own imports now owns one. The Cruze Diesel is coming to dealer lots in a few months and will prove an interesting economical option for those not afraid of filling up at the D2 pump.

Exactly why I never bought a hybrid before the C-Max arrived on the scene.

DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co., gaining ground over Japanese automakers with their most stylish sedans and small cars since the 1970s, are topping Toyota Motor Corp. in customer loyalty, researcher Experian Automotive said. Of Ford vehicle owners who returned to buy another auto in the fourth quarter, 47.9 percent bought a Ford or Lincoln, Experian said today in a report. GM’s loyalty rate was 47.7 percent, followed by Toyota at 46.9 percent. Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130326/RETAIL03/130329917/ford-gm-trump-toyota-as-brands-win-return-buyers-experian-says&cciid=email-autonews-daily##ixzz2OgJbYPCj

I would definately buy again, primarily my wifes car and she loves it. We took my Passat for a drive to dinner over the weekend and she commented about my noisey interior in comparison to her C-Max. :) In colder weather our MPG's run about the same as the Jetta TDI we traded but the C-Max burns fuel costing 10% less. In warmer weather she can easily hit the mid 40's per tank driving the same route that her Jetta TDI would avg mid 30's.

Wife spotted a Ruby Red C-Max SE at Costco on Spring Creek in Plano, said hello to the owner.

You wouldn't need any of that for a Prius V. If my only goal in a vehicle was fuel economy I would get one of these, 261 mpg.

I have an iPhone 5 and following the progress on this. Apple just added the Bluetooth MAP protocol needed to allow interaction with Sync in IOS6. We get a partial implementation in the form of text read capability in the upcoming Sync 3.5.1 release. You can read more here: http://boards.synccommunity.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=fordsyncmb&tid=5579

Can you get an option for one of these?

Dealer sent me a free oil change coupon that I must use within six months, only reason I am changing before 10,000 miles.

Excellent report for a higher mileage C-Max in colder weather.