Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid Review - How To Drive For Max Efficiency!

A review of my 2013 Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid that I have owned for 1 year. Also I show how I drive it for maximum efficiency.

[@seangriffin5524]

Just bought a 2016 Ford C Max Energi with 18k miles. It’ll be here Friday. I’m so excited. I drive a lot so I’m excited to save some money on gas. I wanted something a little more luxurious and fun but I decided to make the smart move. But now it’s really growing on me.

[@SHINE88]

Nice, enjoy! It will save you a lot if you do a lot of shorter trips and can be 100% electric. I've got a Tesla Model Y now.

[@PacificBlue51]

Very informative video. Helpful for me as I am considering to buy a 2017 Cmax Energi. With under 20k miles, it's a very good deal. I can't plug in at home, but we have some free charging on the island where I live. Thanks for the driving tips.

[@SHINE88]

I love mine and I got a really good deal on it. Fully charged on regular 120v outlet in 7-8 hours.

[@samkhalil3784]

Thanks for the video, I'm switching from a Leaf to C-Max.....I drove the Leaf 90 Miles a day for 3 years, now the range on full charge is only 60 Miles.

[@SHINE88]

Nice,I think you will like the cmax

[@cedricbrownnn]

had one since 2013 currently has 243k right now probably going to trade it in for a ford explorer hybrid

[@mariaisabelrivera9337]

about to purchase a 2016, was a little worried since it’s used at 56k miles, this give me hope!

[@richardflynt8304]

I appreciated the details of the video. I am looking to buy the C-Max and I really like it. Oh, by the way, we are neighbors. I live very close to you. I recognize the landmarks.

[@SHINE88]

Oh wow. I would definitely recommend the car. I love it. They can be found cheap also and low gas expense.

[@johncampbell7749]

Great review. I have a 2014 and I love mine too. My favorite feature is the GOtime that you can set from the app. It either warms or cools the car to a set point while it is plugged in and powered from your house so you don’t need to consume your battery as much for climate control.

[@SHINE88]

Wow, not sure mine has that! In fact, mine doesn't seem to be able to heat without kicking the gas engine on.. I will have to look into this.

[@dankollars4501]

can i ask what your mpg on the hwy is after the battery is depleted?

[@SHINE88]

@@dankollars4501 not sure exactly. High 30s or around 40 I think.

[@savingsarah9456]

What's the app?

[@hasanchoudhury5401]

Hybrid part is great for daily driving to and from work and excellent mileage locally. Fill up about three times a month only 12 gallons tank. Smooth noise free and quiet driving ! Rear viewing back up camera very helpful. Recharge at garage at home easily ! Have enjoyed greatly ! All time best car.

[@SHINE88]

Nice I love it too. Mine does not have backup camera. I hardly ever need to fill up with gas.

[@dankollars4501]

can i ask what your mpg on the hwy is after the battery is depleted?

[@cbkenison]

One thing you did not mention: the grade assist function on the left of the transmission selector, I was wondering if this could help add more regen on downhills... From the owner's manual: Provides additional grade braking with a combination of engine motoring and high-voltage battery charging to help maintain vehicle speed when descending a grade. • As your vehicle determines the amount of engine motoring and high-voltage battery charging, you may notice the engine speed increasing and decreasing to help maintain your vehicle speed when descending a grade

[@SHINE88]

Yeah, that's something I'm not sure about myself. When I use that mode, I don't see the spinning on my dashboard that I usually get when I brake and it recharges the battery. I just use my brake lightly instead of using the grade assist.

[@wilsonestrella2049]

Cool

[@don4896]

Nice vid. I own a 2015 and like the car. It is really a good driving car and has been very reliable. I did replace the battery in the trunk as well due to same issues. Unbelievable that the dealer wanted to rip you off like that, but not really surprised.

[@SHINE88]

Yea I know. I never go to dealers but thought in this case it was necessary due to the electronics in the car. Very happy I could just change battery rather than have to go back to dealer. Love the car.

[@SHINE88]

@Grace Sullivan the battery? It was around $100 I think.

[@Philc231]

Did you replace the ion battery or just the gas engine battery ?

[@don4896]

@@Philc231 just the smaller 12V battery

[@dankollars4501]

can i ask what your mpg on the hwy is after the battery is depleted?

[@larryhenry1440]

I got one just like yours I got the same year 2013 Ford C-MAX plug in electri hybrid sel

[@larryhenry1440]

The battery pack it's got shortened out but I got a new battery pack of junkyard only cost me $100

[@azera55555]

thanks for the in depth video. Not many good videos on these energis. I have a 14 Fusion Hybrid and absolutely love it and have had zero issues for 60,000 miles but wish so badly I got the energi model, would be a massive step up from my standard hybrid, very curious how much more powerful the electric motor is compared to my regular hybrid and how much less gas I would use. Interesting to see on the empower gauge the ev bar goes up to 4/5 segments, in my car it can only go to 2 segments so I guess the electric motor is twice as powerful? I get about 41-44 mpg with the a/c on in the city but with a/c off I can easily get 46-50 mpg on a tank.

[@SHINE88]

Glad you liked the video. If you do a lot of short trips or don't have a very long commute you will save a ton of gas w the energi because you won't have to use gas engine at all. Not sure on power compared to regular hybrid but it works for me.

[@SHINE88]

I usually drive without ac in summer and without heat in winter to get most of battery but that's not for everybody.

[@nelsonketch7447]

@@SHINE88 My Cmax energi is very powerful when floored. The combined gas/electric motor is around 190 HP. I have a steep long hill on my drive to work, one day I floored it at 47 mph going up the hill to pass a log truck, as I was pulling back in I glanced at the speedometer and it was just under 100 mph. Because it has a CVT transmission when floored both the gas and electric motor are held at max Torque so it just keeps accelerating. I expected it to get to 75 while passing, but 100 was a little scary, I didn’t expect that.

[@SHINE88]

@@nelsonketch7447 Wow! I never really tried that. It does accelerate pretty quickly on the highway. Most of the time I drive it real easy haha.

[@AA-tt5ok]

I have one but not the plug in. 183k M on it still driving good I got 32 MPG. The only thing I had to replace was the 12v aux battery

[@SHINE88]

Nice! I don't put a lot of miles on mine but haven't had any issues.

[@AA-tt5ok]

@@SHINE88 you still have a long way to go. Enjoy it !

[@ArtOfHealth]

I just paid $9000 for my 2013. I just found out I need $3000 for front end and shocks. $1000 or more for AC work. My key fob was shot. $250 to replace from dealer. 119,000 miles. Four accidents from previous owner, a lady. Do you hear your AC Compressor whirring? Everywhere we go, we travel 60 mpg or more. I always average 40.2 mpg. I miss the Big E Fair. I hope that Ford finds a way to install a newer tech battery that would give us 100 plus mile range. North Adams and Lenox were fun.

[@zoltanzalatnai9035]

Informative video, thanks for sharing. I drive a Toyota hybrid so I'm familiar with the basic working of hybrid cars. I'm planning to buy a c-max energi. In my country plugin hybrid and full electric vehicles got special privileges: free parking in many towns, lowered taxes, etc. My daily commute is about 18 miles one way, with 7 miles highway and 11 miles city driving with some stop and go traffic. (When I go to work in the early morning hours - 6 am - traffic is mild) Let's say I start the drive with a fully charged battery. I think the battery will go "empty" somewhere on the way home. From there on the vehicel work like a regular hybrid. Will the engine and regen braking charge back the battery to a certain level on the way back home? In other words - with normal driving can you increase the miles number on the vertical battery gouge on the left side of instrument panes display?

[@SHINE88]

Nice. I love the car. Don't receive any tax benefits here but you can often get one of the best parking spots if you pull in a spot with an electric charger. I think the car would cover your commute with all electric, you could maybe use the regular motor on the highway a bit. Highway 60mph+ drains the battery faster. Regular driving does not seem to recharge the battery. Braking would but you would probably only gain a mile or two of range on that commute from the braking.

[@SHINE88]

There is a button that lets you choose between auto, electric, and gas. Ride I do most often is 17 miles each way without about 10 each way highway. I drive 7 electric, once I get to highway, I go to gas mode, then use electric around the city and some of the way back on the highway. Once I get to 5 miles left of range I switch to gas until I get off of my highway exit. Then at exit, I use electric all the way home. Good luck with the car!

[@SHINE88]

also, something I didn't mention: compact car but lots of head room and comfortable seating for driver and passengers.

[@kingster1989]

If you have run out the electric only portion of the battery, a large down hill will charge the hybrid portion full and it will start adding the miles back

[@Lobo243]

Hi do you have a video of how to schedule the battery to start charging at night....I have the same vehicle but I don't know how to do that....Thanks in advance

[@SHINE88]

not sure if you can do it from the car.. I don't schedule mine, I just plug in. You may be able to do it from your charger.

[@karimmegdirector]

Can you fully charge the batterywith breaking ? But when I’m in the battery I’m talking about the full 20 miles battery let’s say I am driving downhill in Colorado in a long downhill can you to fully charge the battery so that I can drive another 20 miles electricity I have a regular food Cmax and the high voltage battery get shots pretty quick on the highway downhill

[@SHINE88]

I don't see why not if you had a long enough hill...

[@zuheebzakria2837]

I don't know if you knew this or not but you can reset the lifetime MPG on the car. Just hold ok for like 5 seconds and it will reset it for you so you don't have to have it as low as 40mpg. The way you drive it might go up to 60-70 mpg.

[@SHINE88]

I've got it up to 45.1 now. When I check lifetime through the menu, it shows 80+ since I have had the car.

[@zuheebzakria2837]

@@SHINE88 Thats awesome!

[@mzischkau]

Ford had a recall on the chargers because they would over heat the out let and burn the house down. We took ours in and they gave us an inferior one and it didn't hardly last a year. They said we have to buy another one because the recall one is not covered, about $300. Thanks Ford

[@SHINE88]

ya I like the car but ford sucks overall. I got the new charger also but haven't had any trouble with it. They did want to charge me $1,000 to diagnose my electrical issues and all I did was test the battery for free at Autozone and then replace the battery for about $150. No problems since.

[@stefanbololoi7110]

It’s amazing if you still can get 25 miles pure ev at over 125,000 miles; I was planning to buy a 2017 Cmax energy with 37,000 miles and I was hesitant and concerned about battery degradation after reading in some forums that at this mileage you can get only 10-15 miles pure ev; any feedback in this regard from you other Cmax energy owners?

[@SHINE88]

I don't actually check my mileage and see exactly how much I am getting. Definitely can still get 20+ miles pure ev.

[@dlewis8405]

This guy paid $4800 for the car, right before used car prices shot up. Now this car will cost $7500 to $8000 probably. I have a 2013 Nissan Leaf that has very limited range now. It is only good for trips up to 20 miles away. But I can always rent a car for other trips. I have too much anxiety about all those mechanical systems this car has, not to mention potential battery and electronic issues. At least the Leaf won’t give me any nasty surprises.

[@SHINE88]

I sold it for 5800 earlier this year. It was in shop for 12 weeks having modules replaced on the hybrid battery. Waits on parts.. cost about $2500 total. Bought a new Tesla.

[@ginatulip8679]

wow! you sold it for more than you bought it. It was practically free.

[@ulloasf9755]

Wow 🤩 I just bought a 2013 energi with 118k miles and mine is only doing 12 miles of electric range.

[@SHINE88]

Do you keep it under the 2nd bar on the kw meter? That will provide max efficiency. Also if you are on highway, use the gas motor and use electric for local and city driving.

[@SHINE88]

Also I drive relaxed and slow, it makes a big difference in the electric range you will get. You don't want to slam brakes when you come to a stop, it wastes energy.

[@ulloasf9755]

SHINE well is San Francisco not a really flat terrain but I drive easy, I think the battery is degrading because at full charge is only 12 miles.

[@SHINE88]

@@ulloasf9755 ya might be and that's a lot of hills too. Not sure how much to replace the battery. Do you still like the car?

[@nelsonketch7447]

Mine gets 12 in the winter, and 18-20 in the summer, it depends on if you have lots of hills or high speed roads, or can drive slow and have flat roads. It’s just telling you what your average is, not how bad the battery is. My average this winter has been 12, same as the past 2 winters in Northern Maine. If I drive 35-45 on mostly flat roads it says I have 22 miles of range after I charge it. 120 volt charge takes 5 hours, and 240 volt charge takes 2 hours. I have a Clipper Creek 240 volt charger. My 2013 c-max was getting 39 mpg this winter and I changed both EV settings to on and use the cruise control, I also stared switching to auto on the hills, just tap the gas pedal twice for the gas motor to kick on and assist the electric motor while going up hills, I now get 42mpg. I have a 70 mile round trip to work, mostly at 55. Although in the mornings I’m the only car on the road so I drive 45 then. In the summer I get around 70 mpg. I’ve head of a couple of salesmen that have over 300,000 miles on them with only about a quarter battery degradation. I’m not worried about degradation because it’s still getting better mileage than other cars.

[@larryhenry1440]

I do live in Madison Indiana in Jefferson county

[@Royal_dj_ent]

What’s the difference between the hybrid system in a prius and this? I am confused there

[@SHINE88]

The Prius hybrid just uses electric motor when driving slowly or stopped it will turn off gas motor to reduce gas usage. This one you charge a battery and can drive pure electric motor up to 20-25 miles then after that has engine will kick on. Engine will still turn off at stops, downhill, etc.

[@SHINE88]

There is a Prius now that you can also plug in just like this car.

[@Royal_dj_ent]

Okay so it’s better than the basic prius system. Nice to know, I am looking at one of these for sale but it’s not cheap anymore. $7000-11,000 with 100-150k miles

[@SHINE88]

@@Royal_dj_ent you can a higher mpg and drive full electric which is nice. Ya car prices are high right now. Look at Chevy Volts too. Similar but they get a bit more electric range.

[@annoymous2432]

Hi . I own the ford c max ..and i love it...what is the purpise of the our veiw . it on the dash board ..i kove the efficency leaves

[@SHINE88]

What do you mean by "our view"?

[@annoymous2432]

it on the dash board.. i have 2014..i believe it says your veiw it has a diagram of the car

[@SHINE88]

@@annoymous2432 I will have to check my car for that one. I don't know if I've seen that

[@SHINE88]

@@annoymous2432 I checked and I don't seem to have that view available on mine.

[@annoymous2432]

@@SHINE88 .ok.. i found it by playing with the buttons.. i just think it cool feature.. iam a newbie when cones to techinally

[@gigocool]

how do you have 26 miles on your battery? my 2014 cmax energi only charges to 17mi and thats a full battery. also thats with my heater off

[@SHINE88]

Not sure..

[@gigocool]

@@SHINE88 very interesting, thanks for the reply

[@SHINE88]

@@gigocool I think if you drive more efficiently it gives you a higher estimate. You must have a heavy foot.

[@ronhobyak9902]

If you are using gas on the expressway why isn't the car charging the battery ? All cars have alternators to keep their batteries charged !? Does this car have a 110 plug inside so you can run the charger while you drive in gas mode ? USB for the radio ... Does this car have a hard drive to store mp3 or music ?

[@SHINE88]

There are two batteries, the regular car battery that every car has will charge while driving with gas motor but the battery pack to drive the car will not regenerate while driving w gas motor on expressway.

[@SHINE88]

Yes there is a plug inside. You can use Bluetooth to link a phone to the speakers or connect via usb.

[@balkantvofficialbackup]

i just bought a 2013 and if u having electric problem its eighter the fuses or the battery dissconnect it for a night

[@SHINE88]

I replaced the small battery and problem was solved.

[@balkantvofficialbackup]

@@SHINE88 but i dont get a lot of miles is it possible that the previous owner was riding it faster so now the computer need to re educate it self on my behaviour ?

[@SHINE88]

@@balkantvofficialbackup how many miles do you get on a full charge?

[@SHINE88]

@@balkantvofficialbackup my avg mpg was really low at first because of previous owners driving. It is slowly going up, I am at 43.1 now.

[@SHINE88]

Even though I am averaging 88+ mpg. Total average for all owners is 43.1

[@ProDigit80]

11:45 The cruise control is really bad for efficiency. Just use the throttle. Pulse and glide is the term for accelerate with engine, and coast with electric motor. Keep ev speeds up to 55mph.

[@Levelle85]

Can you see When the Transmission shift

[@SHINE88]

What do you mean exactly? It shows on the dashboard which gear you are in.

[@jorgepancho]

Any updates? Do you still have this? Are you still enjoying it?

[@SHINE88]

I have a Tesla model y now. I had an issue where the car was w Ford service for 2-3 months ordering parts, etc. they had to replace parts of battery module. Didn't want to go through that again so I bought a new car. I still think the cmax was a great car.

[@jorgepancho]

@@SHINE88 I'm about to buy a 2014 Energi with 123K miles. Others have noted how the transmission can fail after the 100K mile warranty is up. Were you unable to find a mechanic outside of a Ford dealership to fix it?

[@SHINE88]

@@jorgepancho I didn't try. I thought Ford would have the easiest access to parts and be able to figure out the problem.

[@redihoxha2940]

Do you know if it has original hybrid batteries?

[@SHINE88]

As far as I know. Didn't see it on the carfax.

[@redihoxha2940]

@@SHINE88 how to diagnose hybrid battery life?

[@SHINE88]

@@redihoxha2940 not exactly sure. You could go to dealer. I just feel it out based on the range I'm getting.

[@wholeNwon]

Moral: NEVER go to a dealer for any "service" that isn't under warranty or recall. That's for ALL dealers...no exceptions. If you have been to a dealer for service and think you haven't been cheated, you're wrong.

[@SHINE88]

Amen!

[@wholeNwon]

Incidentally, that includes "free" oil changes or other maintenance. You don't know what is actually put into your car's crankcase, whether the filter was changed, the drain plug over-torqued, the crush washer omitted or other sabotage. Tires rotated free? Were the lug nuts over-torqued to warp your rotors, brake pad wear sensors deactivated? I could go on. They want to get their hands on your car for a reason and are on the wrong side of the dollar.

[@SHINE88]

@@wholeNwon ya don't trust em

[@wholeNwon]

@@SHINE88 I've been around for a long time and do a lot of my own vehicle maintenance (23 years with my current daily-driver). It really annoys me when I hear of the experiences that friends, or even strangers have had at dealerships. That included some with very expensive German, British and Japanese cars. Absolutely NO brand is beyond reproach. Then the victims just allow themselves to be cheated as though their states lacked attorneys general or Depts. of Consumer Affairs. Anyhow, to your readers: You've been warned.

[@SHINE88]

@@wholeNwon thanks. Not sure how anyone can go there.

[@Philc231]

How do the batteries last ? Can it tow ?

[@SHINE88]

Not sure how long they last. I've had the car a couple years now and seem to hold just as much charge. Doubt it could tow much but not sure.

[@Philc231]

Hearing allot about electrical problems , and power steering problems . Now they discontinued them . Is it worth buying one today ?

[@SHINE88]

@@Philc231 I'm very happy with mine. Got it for $4800 2+ years ago and no problems.

[@MonarchsOfBrotherhood]

Does the engine charge the battery?

[@SHINE88]

Not with regular driving but there is regenerative braking. When you brake, some of that energy is used to power up the battery.

[@lydiaevelyn948]

how much money does it cost to charge it?

[@SHINE88]

I dont really notice any difference on my monthly bill at all.

[@ryan1usu]

I realize this video is old but there is no way you don’t have a new battery in that thing. Probably the upgraded battery that came out in 2019 for the fusion energi as Panasonic discontinued the older cells. At best 20-21 miles when new. At over 100k, you should be 15 max, not 25. You can’t get 25 when it was new. You have the new 9kwh battery. That one nets 25.

[@SHINE88]

Not sure, I no longer have the car.

[@ryan1usu]

What did you replace it with? Did you go full EV? I just picked up a 2014 cmax for 4800 but that was after getting 2k for used EV credit. I have 125k and my battery pulls about 12 miles at best. But I’m hypermiling to attempt to push that up but I think my battery has lost about 40% of its life which is to be expected. Love the car. But I really want a full EV

[@SHINE88]

@@ryan1usu nice. I liked the cmax a lot. I have a Tesla model y now. It's awesome!

[@jeffsmystic]

Check engine light?

[@SHINE88]

What's your question?

[@jeffsmystic]

@@SHINE88 what was the check engine light on the dash for?

[@jeffsmystic]

@14:11 check engine light

[@SHINE88]

@@jeffsmystic o ya I see it. I think it was because I hadn't started the car yet. Never had a problem with check engine light.

[@SHINE88]

You can turn in power but need to do it with foot in brake to start the car.

[@aliyamoody8084]

how’s it holding up ??

[@SHINE88]

Great. I love the car. No major problems have come up. Lifetime average is up to 47.3 now. My average since I bought the car is 80mpg.

[@aliyamoody8084]

@@SHINE88 how many miles do u have on it. looking to get one. seeing some priced at 7-8k with 59k miles on it

[@SHINE88]

@@aliyamoody8084 I'd be all over that deal! I paid $4,800 and it had 123k. Now has about 146k.

[@aliyamoody8084]

@@SHINE88 omg woww!! and i believe it should be a good first car for me. i’ve been driving my parents escape for the longest. u should make a updated video on this car

[@SHINE88]

@@aliyamoody8084 maybe I will!!

[@fredzeit3390]

What year is your c Max is your car?

[@SHINE88]

2013

[@jo9732]

This was a great video. Thanks so much. Yea dealers are bullshit con artists. I’m thinking about getting one as a cheap commuter.

[@SHINE88]

I'd recommend it!