WHAT'S THAT ANTENNA FOR?

[BIG ROCCO]

We have an ugly black box on top of our White Platinum C-Max, with an ugly black antenna attached to it.  It's a real eyesore, on an otherwise fine looking car.  What's it for - anyone know?  We do not currently use a Bluetooth cell phone, so if it's somehow related to cell phone use, can I at least unscrew the black antenna?

[fotomoto]

Seriously?  :headscratch:

[Bill-N]

We have an ugly black box on top of our White Platinum C-Max, with an ugly black antenna attached to it.  It's a real eyesore, on an otherwise fine looking car.  What's it for - anyone know?  We do not currently use a Bluetooth cell phone, so if it's somehow related to cell phone use, can I at least unscrew the black antenna?

 

I believe it's the GPS antenna; you have GPS whether or not you have navigation (GPS = navigation is a common misconception).

 

And you did ask a serious question regardless of what some might think.

 

 

Cheers.

[plus 3 golfer]

The antenna is the AM/FM/Satellite radio antenna not GPS.  

[Rob]

We have an ugly black box on top of our White Platinum C-Max, with an ugly black antenna attached to it.  It's a real eyesore, on an otherwise fine looking car.  What's it for - anyone know?  We do not currently use a Bluetooth cell phone, so if it's somehow related to cell phone use, can I at least unscrew the black antenna?

 

On the Energi forum there is a thread about a color matched sharkfin antenna from Juiced Hybrid that is much lower profile and more attractive.  The link to the item is:  http://www.juicedhybrid.com/Ford-C-Max-Shark-Fin-Replacement-Antenna-s/1345.htm

 

And the link to the Energi thread that includes pictures is:  http://fordcmaxenergiforum.com/topic/1170-shark-fin-antenna/?hl=sharkfin&do=findComment&comment=7657

[mtb9153]

On the Energi forum there is a thread about a color matched sharkfin antenna from Juiced Hybrid that is much lower profile and more attractive.  The link to the item is:  http://www.juicedhybrid.com/Ford-C-Max-Shark-Fin-Replacement-Antenna-s/1345.htm

 

And the link to the Energi thread that includes pictures is:  http://fordcmaxenergiforum.com/topic/1170-shark-fin-antenna/?hl=sharkfin&do=findComment&comment=7657

I'd like to know how difficult it is to make the change to the shark fin antenna?  I don't want to open up the headliner inside the car to gain access to the connections of the factory antenna.  If that is what it takes?  I'll keep what I have.

[plus 3 golfer]

I'd like to know how difficult it is to make the change to the shark fin antenna?  I don't want to open up the headliner inside the car to gain access to the connections of the factory antenna.  If that is what it takes?  I'll keep what I have.

Yes, there's a nut on the bottom of the antenna base that needs to be removed from inside the car.  

 

But the headliner does not look difficult to completely remove.  I can't tell whether one needs to completely remove everything to get to the nut or if there's enough room / flexibility in the headliner such that one can just drop the back of the headliner and reach the nut and connector by removing stuff holding the back up - maybe the rear hand holds and back pillar trim covers. 

[joe]

I would be reluctant to replace the factory antenna with a third-party antenna because of what it might do to the warranty.  If you have any malfunction of the radio or other devices, the dealer will say that you modified the system which caused a problem, e.g., GPS, Sirius radio, etc., and therefore, voids the warranty.

[wab]

I'd like to know how difficult it is to make the change to the shark fin antenna?  I don't want to open up the headliner inside the car to gain access to the connections of the factory antenna.  If that is what it takes?  I'll keep what I have.

 

Copied from the link

http://www.juicedhybrid.com/Ford-C-Max-Shark-Fin-Replacement-Antenna-s/1345.htm

"Ford C-MAX Shark Fin Antenna

This sleek stylish aerodynamic antenna screws directly into your antenna base for great reception and a sporty look."

 

 

The last Ford antenna I changed unscrewed so I checked the cmax...No problems.

Here's basically the same fin but cheaper, along with other links.

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/5854-antenna-or-not/?hl=antenna

 

Check the pictures on this link

http://www.visualgarage.com/Product_Installation.html

[armoredsaint]

 

lol

[BIG ROCCO]

Wow - great feedback...and for the record, I was serious.  My 2012 Lacrosse came from the factory with what I guess is called the shark fin antenna, and it is painted the same color as the rest of the car - White Diamond.  I think if someone has a black or dark color, the C-Max antenna might look OK, but it really stands out and looks cheap against the White Platinum.

 

Thank you again - will update you with what we do.

[Jus-A-CMax]

Good stuff guys, nice to see these lil mods come for our CMaxs :)

[salprint]

I had a shark antennae on my Camaro and it was awful.  I lost Satellite stations just going under trees.  All of my Fords that I've owned very rarely lose signal, but the Shark on my Camaro lost it at the slightest covering.

[BIG ROCCO]

What I might try is taking the black metal antenna part off, and see how that affects things.  If it's OK, maybe I would just paint the existing black box

[mtb9153]

I doubt it will work very well.  That is why it is there to complete the signal path.  But give it a shot, nothing to loose.

[wab]

I had a shark antennae on my Camaro and it was awful.  I lost Satellite stations just going under trees.  All of my Fords that I've owned very rarely lose signal, but the Shark on my Camaro lost it at the slightest covering.

 

I thought the Shark just replaced the AM/FM antenna and the black box that it covers was the Sat/GPS...hhmmm wouldn't think that thin plastic would stop the Sirius signal??

 

Testing has begun

wab

 

Edit: 6:55PM

I just switched to Sirius found my favorite station, then removed the whip.

Sirius kept working, which goes back to the question.

 

Will the Shark plastic block Sirius?

Edited May 15, 2013 by wab

[ScubaDadMiami]

_{I can only think of it this way.  If the antenna were not needed, then Ford would have figured that out, saving millions, a long time ago.} 

Edited May 16, 2013 by ScubaDadMiami

[wab]

_{I can only think of it this way.  If the antenna were not needed, then Ford would have figured that out, saving millions, a long time ago.} 

 

That's just it, the Shark is an AM/FM antenna (it screws in where the whip is), just not a Sirius antenna.

[salsaguy]

http://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Passat-Short-Antenna-Rubber/dp/B007VT30Z0/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1368667167&sr=1-3

 

Guys, when I owned my 2004.5 VW Passat Passat GLX, it also came with a stock "fishing pole" long and ugly antenna on the top. I had the Onstar hump (1st year offered) and the long pole screwed into that.The BMW shark style antennas were just starting to come out and be popular.I quickly changed out the pole for a short stubby ("bee sting" was what it was called) type of antenna similar to (not exactky like) the one shown in the link above.This may be a better choice for those not wanting to go the shark fin route as the stubby one wont lose reception, at least I never did in my experience. There are tons of mfgs/vendors of these types of antennas so keep looking for one you like. You just need to make sure the threads are same and base diam matches cmax base diam so there is no visible step/bump where the 2 mating parts come together.

Edited May 16, 2013 by salsaguy

[salsaguy]

try here:

http://www.stubbyantenna.com/Ford-C-Max-2013_c_229.html

 

very affordable solutions. Ive used the H type before

Edited May 16, 2013 by salsaguy

[rek]

For more information about the sharkfin antenna, see the C-Max Energi forum post

 

http://fordcmaxenergiforum.com/topic/1170-shark-fin-antenna/

 

To install the sharkfin you do not have to remove the headliner or do any work inside the car. You do not have to remove the antenna base - just unscrew the pigtail, then attach the coiled wire from the sharkfin to the base, stick the sharkfin down with the adhesive tape around its base. The sharkfin totally covers the base with a shell that is color matched to your car. See link for details. I have noticed no decrease in performance of the am/fm/sirius radios or gps.

[sHoootR]

Just installed a Juicedhybrid Shark fin,took maybe 15 minutes and all functions work perfectly...........Great purchase and looks Great........ :happy feet:

[salsaguy]

pix pix we want pix!!!

 and a full report on the signal strength differences if any. nice to know it's also $ 30 cheaper than one for the Prius :)

Edited June 12, 2013 by salsaguy

[sHoootR]

Ok here's a couple pix..............Everything seems to work Great, AM,FM,GPS,Sirius and phone

 

 

Edited June 12, 2013 by sHoootR

[ScubaDadMiami]

I want some reports of the attachment adhesive lasting through car washes, and for some time, before I decide to go with it.  I like how it looks, and it could improve FE a little.  Just want to make sure that it will last.