Happy 100k 2013 C'max owner; unhappy drivers in snow

[djc]

Good news, bad news:

 

This Automotive News reporter bought himself a 2013 C-max and its the first car he has ever had long enough to pay off the loan.  He is looking to buy another C-max:

 

http://www.autonews.com/article/20170928/BLOG06/170929785/ford-cmax-blog-vellequette

 

 

 

On the other hand, the C-max was 5th on a list of "worst cars in snow", based on reports from owners, collected by Consumer Reports:

 

https://www.consumerreports.org/all-wheel-drive/best-all-wheel-drive-cars-suvs/

 

(full article requires subscription)  (The Automotive News reporter linked above switches to snow tires each winter.)

[obob]

I just keep a set of snow cables in my car.  There is a thread where Jus-A-CMax used the snow cables to go up a road to a ski mountain.  A couple snow tires or tires that have a better rep than the OEM tires on snow would probably would also help.   I haven't had a problem.  I have had a good experience on a icy parking lot that was inclined and the traction control worked rather well.

 

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/805-let-is-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snowcmax-at-mammoth-lakes-ca/

 

http://fordcmaxenergiforum.com/topic/3285-snow-chainscables/

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=fordcmaxhybridforum+snow+cables+site:fordcmaxhybridforum.com&safe=off&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_9Mjo-8jWAhVC4CYKHdxkDa0QrQIIQigEMAE&biw=1399&bih=932

Edited September 28, 2017 by obob

[fbov]

Snow performance is all about tires. It's a great car in snow when using snow tires. 

 

Our OEMs are horrible in snow... but there's an article following this Worst 5 list that negates CU's Top 5 list:

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/09/do-you-really-need-awd-in-the-snow/index.htm

 

Bottom line remains, as always, that snow tires are worth more than any 4WD/AWD drive train in snow. 

 

But when is a snow tire a "snow tire?" Michelin has a new tire with the "3-Peak Mountain Snow Flake" designation found on "real" snow tires, that claims the kind of all-season longevity only seen in summer tires. 

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/What-changed-with-the-new-Michelin-CrossClimate-Plus.htm

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=CrossClimate%2B&partnum=155WR7CCPXL

 

Interestingly, they're only being sold in the sizes that fit the C-Max, and my wife's Hyundai Sonata Hybrid... which needs tires that work in the winter, thus my interest. Porter still gets its X-Ice3's, but this is the last season on the OEM tires. Interestingly, the CrossClimate+ tests show it has very low rolling resistance, too. Achilles Heel appears to be wet performance in cold weather, if I read all the reviews right, due to rubber compound limitations. 

 

Sorry for the tangent...

 

Have fun,

Frank

[C-MaxSea]

Frank,

 

Thanks for jumping in here and bringing in the key point that 'it's all about the tires'  - not the C-Max !

 

Thanks also for the heads up on the new Michelins coming out.  We have had many sets of M's over the years, from "Decibels" to 'M & S' to light truck tires - always with great performance and longevity.

 

Nick

Edited September 30, 2017 by C-MaxSea

[ptjones]

Would have been nice if this reporter had monitored our Forum, I'm sure his MPG's would have been better. :)  I sent him an email on our Forum and the MPG's I'm getting. 

 

Paul