Laurel Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Another fair minded review. It seems the Canadian reviewers are a lot more reasonable in their write ups abut the C-Max, and don't get hysterical over the mileage issue. http://www.montrealgazette.com/cars/Ford+does+with+ecologically+friendly+means/7912160/story.html Jus-A-CMax 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 "The very first thing I noticed with the C-MAX was its hyper-sensitive brakes. It is normal to have a different sensation in a gas/electric hybrid because the electric motors act as generators when braking as they recharge the batteries. They create additional resistance, a boost to the braking. But the C-MAX was rather disconcerting at first by its abrupt braking. I did get used to it and adapt my driving style, but some people who tried the car just did not like it." How subjective are the brakes...I absolutely luv'em, gives great feel and confidence. I hate, hate, hate squishy brakes ala Prii brakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roninsd Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Agreed, Jus. It took me a little time to get used to them, but have no problem with them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-MaxSea Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 I'll third that Jus, never noticed any touchiness myself, they seem perfect - of course that may be because I drove our C-Max off the lot as a hybrid, braking at 98%+, and have never looked back. (40+ lifetime so far, still first tank). Significant difference between driving hybridly and driving rabbitly. nick Jus-A-CMax 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted February 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 The only time I experienced grabby brakes was when my new C-Max was parked in the showroom--with each tire sitting nicely on a little piece of carpet. I said I would like to drive it out the big doors. Well I started slowly and couldn't seem to move forward easily so I gave a little more gas, I spurted forward abruptly, and stomped on the brakes and lurched in a jerky fashion while three employees ran for cover. Very embarrassing as every head in the showroom turned to watch LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 My old car had very squishy brakes which I didn't like but I think the C-Max might be overly sensitive. Although I think the position of the pedal itself might be more the problem than the pressure vs braking power. My wife (who drives an older corolla) can't go between the gas and brake on the car without lifting her foot off the ground because the difference in position (forward to back not left to right) is so extreme on new cars. We went around to different dealers to try out different models and discovered this is a newer car thing and not a ford/C-Max thing. The C-Max might have had the greatest position difference, but not by much (compared to the prius V). It is too bad that most cars don't come with adjustable pedals so that people with small feet (my wife) can get more comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 We test drove the Fusion Hybrid and my husband found the brake pedal and gas pedal were too close together--so we scratched that car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhackwyatt Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 (edited) Here's a question. Who is using their entire foot to brake and who is using just their toes with the heel resting on the floor, like a lever? Using your entire foot doesn't give the dexterity that the toe does. Edited February 8, 2013 by zhackwyatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I use my toe only, but no heel resting unless I come to a complete stop and then my toes are on the brake and heel on the floor.. That is my recollection but I will play closer attention tomorrow when I have Tip out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I know I pivot on the heel between the two pedals and use my toe/ball of the foot to hit the brake (lever style). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RachelnLa Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I do like Laurel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roninsd Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 The only time I experienced grabby brakes was when my new C-Max was parked in the showroom--with each tire sitting nicely on a little piece of carpet. I said I would like to drive it out the big doors. Well I started slowly and couldn't seem to move forward easily so I gave a little more gas, I spurted forward abruptly, and stomped on the brakes and lurched in a jerky fashion while three employees ran for cover. Very embarrassing as every head in the showroom turned to watch LOL. Laurel, stop it! I can't get the image out of my head, and can't stop laughing. Hurts like hell since I have a bruised rib! Make it stop!!! :yahoo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asb Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I am getting used to the C-Max brakes. I like them. Because I have mobility problems, I like knowing I can 'slam' on the brakes without having to apply too much force. I have short legs and small feet, so it has been difficult finding the proper settings for the seat as far as distance between pedals and seat goes. But I cannot pivot my foot from gas to brake and have to lift my leg in order to get a full stop. If I need to just slow down, I can hit the brake with the corner of my shoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhackwyatt Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Hmm, I was wondering if those that use their whole foot are the ones that feel the brakes are grabby. Every time I drove a rental car and when I first started driving the c-max I made everyone sick because the brakes and gas in these new vehicles actually do something when you press on them. My old explorer wouldn't. Now when I drive my explorer I have to keep from crashing into things because I press the brake just a little (which is good for the c-max) doesn't do anything in the explorer. It's a learning process every time I switch between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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