Ford C-Max

OK, so we bought a 2014 Ford C-Max SE Hybrid, the ford dealer we bought from referred us to a local mechanic who does a lot of their after market stuff. They did our base plate and wiring, however we did not know where to hook the charge wire up to. I see the metal tab on the right side of the engine with the obvious (+) sign. how does one "hook up a charge line" to that tab? What type of either diodes or fuses do you need to include in the charge wire to ensure the toad battery does not discharge back into the MH??. I will not go to the local RV repair shop (long story). Another post mentioned opening the fuse box adjacent to the (+) tab and hooking up to a contact point there? We've towed the C-Max twice already with no problems, however both times it was less than a 3 hour trip. Thanks for the advice.

duplicate

Just thought I would give you an update on our C-Max hybrid for towing. After going to dealership and discussing issue we have an appt to have the computer reprogramed. Some 2013-2014 hybrid or energy cars built before 7/22/14 may exhibit a discharged 12-volt battery or a Service AdvanceTrac cluster msg after towing behind a recreational vehicle. This publication came out Sept 2014 apparently to the dealers. I would ask about your cars if this is happening to you. We will get it reprogramed and let you know if this works. We won't be towing until mid-January.

tweetybird2 wrote:
Just thought I would give you an update on our C-Max hybrid for towing. After going to dealership and discussing issue we have an appt to have the computer reprogramed. Some 2013-2014 hybrid or energy cars built before 7/22/14 may exhibit a discharged 12-volt battery or a Service AdvanceTrac cluster msg after towing behind a recreational vehicle. This publication came out Sept 2014 apparently to the dealers. I would ask about your cars if this is happening to you. We will get it reprogramed and let you know if this works. We won't be towing until mid-January.

Hmmm, interesting. Thanks for the info. :)

I will be very surprised, if after all this time, Ford is able to solve the battery drain issue with just a reprogram. If that is the case, I'm glad I didn't spend too much time and $$ with our (charge line) fix. :)

Our Fusion is due for annual inspection soon, think I'll take it to Ford dealer for that, and ask them about this.

willald wrote:

tweetybird2 wrote:
Just thought I would give you an update on our C-Max hybrid for towing. After going to dealership and discussing issue we have an appt to have the computer reprogramed. Some 2013-2014 hybrid or energy cars built before 7/22/14 may exhibit a discharged 12-volt battery or a Service AdvanceTrac cluster msg after towing behind a recreational vehicle. This publication came out Sept 2014 apparently to the dealers. I would ask about your cars if this is happening to you. We will get it reprogramed and let you know if this works. We won't be towing until mid-January.

Hmmm, interesting. Thanks for the info. :)

I will be very surprised, if after all this time, Ford is able to solve the battery drain issue with just a reprogram. If that is the case, I'm glad I didn't spend too much time and $$ with our (charge line) fix. :)

Our Fusion is due for annual inspection soon, think I'll take it to Ford dealer for that, and ask them about this.

Our 2014 SE Hybrid displayed the "service Advanced Trac Cluster" msg after the first time we towed it. The message went off however and the dealership checked the car and said they found nothing wrong' we've tower it twice since with no message.

tweetybird2 wrote:
Just thought I would give you an update on our C-Max hybrid for towing. After going to dealership and discussing issue we have an appt to have the computer reprogramed. Some 2013-2014 hybrid or energy cars built before 7/22/14 may exhibit a discharged 12-volt battery or a Service AdvanceTrac cluster msg after towing behind a recreational vehicle. This publication came out Sept 2014 apparently to the dealers. I would ask about your cars if this is happening to you. We will get it reprogramed and let you know if this works. We won't be towing until mid-January.

I guess you would not know the Ford TSP number for this issue? I am wondering if it was included in one of the computer updates Ford did on our C Max?

The updates only minimized phantom energy use & increased mileage for the most part. The C-Max and all other hybrids are just computers on wheels. They can not turn off total energy usage when not being driven. Our dealer has told us the battery is sized with the expectation of being driven within 3 days to keep the battery charged. We were sick once for over a week and the battery went dead sitting in the garage. When you are towing the key is on with a much higher energy usage thus draining the battery. There is a larger battery that can be installed but our dealer said they were not authorized by the factory to do the replacement. We will when the current battery reaches the end of its life. Also, on our rig, the charge line will not recharge the battery in the C-Max after it has gone dead. Had this happen once but had the charger with us and once I charged the battery overnight we had no problem on the next leg of the trip. Also remember this is not a Deep Cycle battery so every time the battery goes dead the battery does not charge back to the previous higher level. Each time the life of the battery is killed a little bit.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

I am wondering what update you are talking about. How could the update increase mileage when Ford lowered the EPA MPG rating of the C-Max not once but twice. I have a $1,000 from them to prove it. When towing a C-Max the ignition key is supposed to be in the ACC (first) position. This is different than turning the key to the "On" (second) position. When the charge line works the car can be towed without the battery depleting. Without the tow line the car will be dead in about four hours.

One of the software upgrades was to increase mileage by raising the mph the electric motors ran to before they shut off for the gas engine. The electric motors use to cut out at about 65mph but now go up to around 75mph before they cut out. The other did something with the cruise feature making it more efficient. Yes we got the $1000 also and was more than happy to take it. When we purchased our expectations were just 37mph because more of our driving in on freeway than city streets. C-Max gets better mileage on city streets. And we go down grade to the big city and uphill with a wind in our faces on the way home. Wind comes up in the afternoon so no help with the mileage going into the city. With the updates we are averaging 41mpg with mostly AZ freeway driving & speeds. One of the software upgrades had to do with airbags. There has been about 4 thus far and we were called for two more due now but have not had time to take the car in. With the slow computer systems at our dealer it takes up to 4 hours for a software update.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

At 44,000 miles of driving our C-Max has averaged exactly 40 mpg. Many of the miles were at 60 mph or faster.