sm02463

I am consistently about 0.5 gallon low compared to what the fuel pump says (many different pumps but the same vehicle).  I've heard many times on this forum to not trust the pumps but honestly, the only thing that really matters is what the pumps read.

The base rack from Ford is $485 retail or at whatever deal you can get from your dealer. It's all off-the-shelf Thule stuff that your existing Thule bike mounts will work with. It's part No: VDM5Z-7855100-A

 

Remember, Ford or your dealer may send you an accessories percent-off coupon shortly after you take delivery, so look for that in the mail. Also, I found a few online Ford parts sellers that listed the whole kit for $375. You can also buy the exact same stuff from a rack retailer. RackAttack's prices for the 3 parts are:

 

Thule 480R Rapid Traverse footpads. Set of 4. $189.35

Thule Fit Kit #1683 to fit the 4 foot pads to the C Max. $84.95

Thule ARB53 AeroBlade load bars (53 inch width). Set of 2, $149.95

 

This totals $424.85.

 

These parts may be available from REI, too. Their regular prices for rack stuff are usually the same as RackAttack. If you're an REI member, you can use one of your periodic 20% off deals to buy the bars, and then wait for the next 20% off deal to buy the foot pads, and so forth. This would cut your cost for the base rack to about $350.

 

Again, this assumes you're already a biker and you already have compatible bike mounts. YMMV

I'm pretty sure the VDM5Z-7855100-A also includes the locking cylinders so your price comparison is a little off.

After trying this a second time, I would not recommend carrying a kayak on the bare roof of this car.  Go get a roof rack as I will be doing.  It's not that the kayak will fall off, it's more to prevent damage to the car because the roof wants to dent and it's just too easy to scratch the paint.

10' kayak on the bare roof.  I couldn't find and place to hook in the front so I had to hook near the jack points behind the front tires...

It worked ok but the bare roof is a little flimsy and I was worried about denting it.  That's why I spread the pads so far apart and the kayak is just barely touching in the center.

It was probably 5-10 mph, I was doing a u-turn and then quickly turned right into a strip mall parking lot.  I'm still getting used to what I consider a pretty poor turning radius for this size car.  Fortunately, that is the biggest complaint I can come up with this car.

I blew out my tire by hitting a curb at slow speed.  It pinched on the rim and tire a 1 inch gash in the sidewall and scuffed it a little bit.  I called the emergency roadside service included with the car.  By the time the tow truck showed up the local dealership was closed.  They do not tow anywhere else...so the next morning and $250 later I had a new tire.

I really didn't hit the curb hard and I hit it where it tapers down to flat.  Any other tire seemed like it would survive.  I've done this plenty with every other car I've owned.

I have this hunch that the special LRR tires are trading off durability for mileage in one way or another.

Where'd you get the donut?  I'd like to buy one for a spare but I'd like to make sure it will fit.  Does it use a standard bolt pattern/spacing?