fotomoto

I have to disagree when we are talking hybrid gas engines because they are taxed twice in the cold. First due to normal warm up factors that affect all ICE and second when needed to provide interior heat when they normally would shut down.

I like it! I do have a couple of suggestions. Keep Calm and Drive Efficiently Proud Ford C-Max 600 mile/tank member

Funny, I also have been trying premium on this current tank. I, too, am seeing an instant increase in mpg's. Early results look to be 2-3mpg but need more miles to be certain. I'm getting a promotional 12 cent/gallon discount which lowers the price to somewhere between unleaded and mid-grade so really it's a no-brainer.

Oh I'd prefer having a mini-spare included but in over 35 years of driving both two and four wheels I've never had a non-repairable flat. In fact, I've never had to change a tire on the side of the road.* Just out of curiosity, are you going to carry this 24/7 or keep it in the garage? *of course I've just jinxed myself. :(

LOL, yup, just correcting myself. I read yours too fast.

Since the adoption of radial tires in the late 80's, early 90's in the motorcycle world, these have become a part of the motorcycle traveler's kit. I have one of these kits in the battery storage compartment along with a sealed package of hand wipes and small needle nose pliers to pull out the object. I'll eventually move those to the hidden floor compartment and put a set of jumper cables in its place.

My understanding is the Small overlap front test is new and many cars are getting a poor rating on it yet pass all others. On the above Prius V link, click on the fourth picture and see where the left front wheel ends up. YIKES!

Yeah, I don't like threadjacking either so I'll try to keep this short. If you want to discuss further, please start a thread in the general forum as there are several former prius owners here who could also chime in. I really hit on the major points in my previous post: engine drone (the cmax isn't as bad), weak drivetrain (cmax much more HP/passing power/acceleration), interior build quality, and tin can feel. I found the seats fine for day to day but long trips brought on some pretty bad back pain that I've never experience in other cars. The ingress/egress of the max is better since it's more of a suv/crosser ride height. Driver's view is much better because of this. The CMAX has more features and the overall feel and ride quality are much better. The hands free tailgate may sound trivial but as you may know hatchback designs gets very dirty very quickly. I use the hatch a lot and appreciate not getting my hands dirty groping around for the release and being able to close it from the front seat with a push of a button after the kids unload their band instruments/backpacks during school drop off. Yeah I know that sounds "soccer mom-ish" coming from a guy :baby: but that's something I have to deal with or rather not deal with on a daily basis. The more powerful EV motor and longer EV distance of the 'max are most fully appreciated by those with significant prius seat time. I liked my Prius (level III with nav, jbl, solar roof, and leather) as it got the job done in the mpg department. I got plug-in fever and dropped it for a Volt which truly is a game changer: 8 gallon fill up every six weeks, 165mpg lifetime, etc while delivering 275ft/lbs of electric torque acceleration but it was just too small for our changing family needs. So the C-Max became the goldilocks solution for more room over the volt yet more power and features than the prius. I got 44-46mpg in the Prius and currently netting 43mpg in the 'max. YMMV

OK, this trip barely qualifies at 50.7mpg so why post it? Well this is the result from this morning's commute that starts with a completely cold engine. Morning temp was 76f. Here's a pic from the same route about 6 weeks ago. Cooler morning temps, newer engine, and still learning the car. I've changed my driving style for this particular route which is now reflected in the higher EV miles. The minor diff in regen miles is due to catching one less red light.

WOW! I live on the coastal plains so it's flat and we have strong winds but I have yet to experienced a tailwind strong enough for those kinds of numbers. :)

No. Completely letting off the gas pedal will bring up the circular regen arrows and add a small amount of charge as the car slows. Light brakings adds even more regen. Harder braking engages the traditional friction brakes. Correction: lifting off the gas pedal only brings up the "^" indicator on top of the battery level display signifying it's being charged.

Depends on what your definition of gliding is. Many use the term for coasting/no throttle in D which in a hybrid means you're regenerating into the battery but that's not a glide. Gliding is applying just enough throttle to disengage regen but not enough to really maintain speed or accelerate the car through the EV motor and thus rapidly use up the battery. Compared to my old Prius, I find it harder to apply or discern if you are in glide mode in the CMax. I try to get just enough blue on the EV scale to trip the instant mpg scale to max out and no more then the car will begin a very long, slow deceleration without regen'ing.

It should. I haven't checked the C-Max but most brake light switches are adjustable.

Just as you pointed out in your OP, there are many other things that make up the purchase decision. Focusing on numbers alone will rarely lead to a good choice. The prius line is well know for certain limitations (build materials, "tin can" feel, weak drivetrain, poor front seats) but they all help in their own way to better mpgs. Some folks can look past these, some can't. Hmm, my troll radar has picked up a faint echo. Probably nothing...........but it might be a matter of time. ;)

I can't think of why the a/c would need a specialized machine. I wonder if they mean for the whole car to read/analyze the hybrid canbus system. Good luck and please keep us updated.

My wife is 5-3 and also has a civic with the sliding armrest but she has no issues with either the armrest or seat height. NOTE: we have an SEL with a power seat so it might go higher than the SE. SafetyNazi's should be along soon to tell you that you should always have both hands on the wheel at all times! ;) After the great mpg novelty wore off, the weak drivetrain/drone of my 2010 Prius began to gnaw at me. I test drove a V twice and it was even worse in that respect. Good luck with the V.

Agreed. They may save some of that for the Energi model to help separate it for us lowly hybrid step-children. :cry: LOL My former Volt not only had both of these features, it would even relay said information to you via smartphone. NICE.

As a motorcyclist and former surfer in my youth, I've always had a big interest in winds. Living along the Texas gulf coast, most of the southern winds that the central part of the US experiences come by me first! :) Winds were SE@15mph by 7am on this mornings commute with forecasted highs of 30-35mph by this afternoon. So, yes those have a BIG effect on my fuel economy and I know I'll never get the big numbers others can get. I really can't complain though as they keep us cooler than most other parts of the state and region during the long summer. Here's a VERY cool active wind map: http://hint.fm/wind/

In a former profession, I had a few white company vehicles and I agree they do well with dirt but........ they are bad with chips (black underneath) and bugs on the front fascia and road tar/oils behind the wheels. Give and take. Personally I've found the best color for hiding road grime/dirt, by far, is brown/tan/light gold/etc.

Found the story: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/ducks-interrupt-police-chase-19193681

That actually made GMA this morning! Except it was police officer on an emergency run, who abandoned the call, and stopped traffic. And it was a four lane road. And it was in Portland Oregon. :headscratch: Hmm, I guess this was a different set of ducks...... :hysterical:

Hey, every little bit helps! I've been thinking about doing the same thing and have been checking into it. Mobil says it's advanced fuel economy 0w20 meets Fords synthetic requirements (WSS-M2C945-A) When purchase in the gallon jug, the price is about the same as 5w20. I'm going to switch to it at 10k (currently at 4k running mobil1 5w20).

Quite simply, you need to be achieving 46ish mpg to reach a 600 mile tank. Also, you should post your plea in the 600mi tank thread for more feedback.

domain squatting?

My best yet. :happy feet: OH SO CLOSE to 60mpg! Had I known, I would have kept going. LOL