Revise suspension for a smoother ride?

[Doug22]

Hello C-Max fans,

 

I own a 2015 C-Max SE and have found the ride to be rather stiff. It's definitely better than the 2013 Escape that I used to own, but it's nowhere near the smooth ride that I was hoping for in a family car.

 

I realize now that modern cars prioritize handling over the smooth ride that all but the sportiest cars used to tune towards. Ostensibly, this is what people want, at least, this is what car reviewers want.

 

I can feel every little "jiggly" bump in the road. Driving over speed bumps is jarring. Head tossing is something I endure nearly every time I drive. Why is this necessary?

 

I live in the city. I drive over bumpy roads with broken pavement. I rarely take drives through the country along "the twisties". Having tight handling is fine, but not if it comes at the expense of any ride quality, which it clearly does.

 

I want to drive a car with a smooth ride, that will keep bumps on the ground. I really don't need to know about them. Is that too much to ask? They perfected the smooth riding automobile decades ago. Even small cars weighing almost 1000 pounds less (k-car) had a smoother ride than my C-Max. Why have we regressed so far? This car weighs over 3500 lbs!

 

I removed the OEM 17" wheels and replaced them with 15" steel wheels. The tires went from 235/55 R17 to 215/65R15, if remember correctly. This definitely helped, but I realize now just how important suspension tuning is, because taller tires were not enough to make much of a difference in the ride.

 

My question to you is, do you know of any way to decrease the suspension spring rates for a smoother ride? Is there enough space in the wheelwell for increased wheel travel? Would it be possible to decrease the effect of the anti-sway bar? I looked on the internet for this, but could only find performance mods doing exactly the opposite. I'd love to keep the C-Max, but don't know how much longer I can endure the uncomfortable ride.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

 

Thanks!

Doug

[scottwood2]

I have replaced springs to give a softer ride.   That was on my Scion xB.  The aftermarket for the xB was large and there was many choices for springs.   The ones I had dropped the car about an inch but gave it a better ride.   Still way stiffer than the C-Max.  Not much aftermarket for the C-Max though I think.   Not sure if a spring shop could do something for you? 

 

Ride is a very personal thing.   I think the C-Max is way too soft for my taste.   I miss whipping the xB around corners.   I have many friends though that would very much like the ride you are asking for.  

 

Let us know what you end up with. 

[fbov]

... I removed the OEM 17" wheels and replaced them with 15" steel wheels. The tires went from 235/55 R17 to 215/65R15, if remember correctly. This definitely helped, but I realize now just how important suspension tuning is, because taller tires were not enough to make much of a difference in the ride. ...

What is the load rating for the new tires?

 

OEM tires are 93V, 1433 lb @ 5i psi. If the replacement tires are rated for higher load, you can reduce pressure a little to improve ride, without safety issues. Several 215/65-15s I find are rated higher, thus the suggestion. I hope this helps.

 

HAve fun,

Frank

[djc]

C-max and Focus are supposed to share basic infrastructure so maybe some Focus suspension parts fit. 

Also Europe's C-max market is much bigger - might check there for aftermarket.

 

The springs need to support the weight of the car and prevent it from bottoming over bumps.  I would look to changing shocks.

Shocks / struts can be firm or soft, and can differ in firmness in compression and extension. 

Looks like it is much easier to replace rear shocks than front struts.

Edited January 8, 2017 by djc

[ptjones]

Just fill it up to gross vehicle weight, that will soften the ride. :)

 

Paul

[plus 3 golfer]

Sounds like the OP needs a Bose ride suspension system. I wonder what ever happened to this system since the reviews in the video show 2004.

 

Edited January 10, 2017 by Plus 3 Golfer

[obob]

Sounds like the OP needs a Bose ride suspension system. I wonder what ever happened to this system since the reviews in the video show 2004.

 

 

http://www.bose.com/prc.jsp?url=/automotive/bose_suspension/the_system.jsp

 

http://www.bose.com/prc.jsp?url=/automotive/bose_suspension/the_solution.jsp

 

I really think this is a great idea.  Smart shocks.  Programmable bump control and I can see how it is similar to noise cancellation.

 

Here is Bose's truck seat product.

 

Edited January 10, 2017 by obob

[Pincushion]

I bought the Cmax for parking ease and my 92 year old mother paid for it (Titanium model so seat goes up and down) but she can't be a passenger in it with the stiff ride, so this is horrible. She loved my Camry with the big pillow and I traded that in.  It's 2017 with OEM tires, 20K miles. I'm not sure lowest tire pressure that would be safe?  Has anyone replaced the springs or struts?  I mainly got it for the power seat however in these little vehicles, the air bags make the differential between seat and door greater.  I'm so pissed at myself!  Every bump is jarring and I can't go over speed bumps at more than what feels like 3 mph.  And I can't even park the car that easily and it has a lousy turning radius.  I was also stuck on getting a Hybrid because I feared US gas prices could increase depending on the political dictatorship (don't get me started lol).  I paid for the warranty etc. but maybe I will have to cut my losses.  I'm not that tall but mom is severely hunched over (in a nursing home but I drive her places) and she's so low in the seat.  So I guess I'm replying and asking for help or I'm just venting, not sure. :).  I keep making mistakes.

 

-Wendy 

[jzchen]

Wendy-  Welcome to the forum!  I am sorry to read about your mother's discomfort in the C-MAX.

 

First thing I would do is check/adjust the tire pressures, (remember to do this preferably in the morning after the car has sat overnight).  There is a label on the driver door jamb that gives Ford's recommended pressures.  Make sure they weren't inflated high by the previous owner to increase MPG.  If I recall correctly the recommended pressure for front and rear on our '13 Energi was 38 PSI.  I personally found that the ride was quite comfortable at that pressure.

 

My mother is really short, maybe 4' 10" or 4' 11" I'm guessing.  (My parents drive a '12 Prius v, and I feel the ride is much harsher in that car (with 17 inch wheel option) than the C-MAX).  I noticed that both my parents were using seat cushions I guess to make themselves more comfortable.  Originally they were simple household cushions, but I eventually bought them automotive specific cushions.  Whenever I sit on them they are very plush and soft.  This is the one I bought more recently for my mom available at Costco if I'm not allowed to post a link:

 

https://www.costco.com/type-s-gel-seat-cushion-with-comfort-gel-technology-2-pack.product.100681310.html

 

Seems like it's a 2-pack now, when I bought it they came sold individually.  There's also a combined seat bottom cushion and lumbar/back cushion:

 

https://www.costco.com/type-s-comfort-gel-seat-cushion-and-lumbar-cushion-set.product.100500169.html

 

While they may inhibit use of seat heaters (if your car came with that option) I think this may just solve your problem....

 

 

[Pincushion]

Thanks jzchen.  She's severely disabled from the Osteoporosis and falling and has an extreme curve on her back and has to be put into the car so I'm thinking that I'm probably in denial about how long I will even have her in her in her frail condition.   I will try to get her comfortable or try my husband's Forester with something to step onto because she can't jump down and feet don't touch the ground.  It absorbs the bumps on the city road much better.  I bought my C-Max from a Ford dealer and got Ford it ford Certified, 20K miles on it, 1 owner, however the dealership may have used it for months as a rental vehicle for repairs.  I even paid about 2.5K for the extended warranty (I should drop it and get a refund) but the car has been a disappointment and it's lifetime mileage is 41 miles per gallon. I get 100% on braking and drive slowly and I don't even achieve that in the winter and with better weather, mostly city driving, I just get that mileage.  

[fbov]

I'm sorry to hear you're fighting the battle you can't win. It sound like you're doing everything you can, and while it won't seem like it, that's the best you can do. She knows you are doing what you can, even if some things don't work out. Be kind to yourself, too. 

 

We inherited the C-Max when my Father-in-law passed away, and I still thank him for the bequest. It changed my personality. Give it a chance. I'd be encouraged the dealer used it regularly; no car likes to sit. My lifetime was about 42.6 MPG, but I also took advantage of maximum tire pressures, which you want to avoid at this time. Yesterday, I responded to all your specific issues, but given the Forester works, added expenses are unwarranted. Softer tires are not the kind of solution you need.  

 

Hang in there,

Frank