Ford C-MAX - 2011 Ford C-MAX Safety & Security Features

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Ultimate protection

The C-MAX and Grand C-MAX have been developed to protect occupants with outstanding levels of both active and passive safety. Both models use the very latest safety and restraint technologies, plus a redesigned body structure that has been developed to meet the world's most stringent safety standards.

	Passive safety

	Active safety

	Driver/Active assist

	Security

5-star Euro NCAP rating

Euro NCAP subjected both vehicles to a series of thoroughly demanding tests before awarding them each the coveted five stars out of five rating.

Grand C-MAX scored maximum points for its protection of young infants in impact tests and an impressive 96% for its all-round protection of adults. C-MAX achieved virtually maximum marks for its protection of young infants and a 92% result for its adult safety measures.

Both vehicles attained notable scores for their pedestrian protection as well as high ratings for their safety assist technology such as electronic stability control and front seat belt reminder systems which both come as standard.

Intelligent Protection System (IPS)

The C-MAX and Grand C-MAX demonstrate our commitment to manufacturing vehicles that put you and your family's safety first.

By using the very latest technology in driver and occupant protection, our passive safety package called IPS is set to deliver the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP rating for adult occupant protection. This includes the following advanced systems, ready to spring into action in a fraction of a second:

Full-size driver (60 litre) and passenger (110 litre) airbags featuring the latest single stage inflator technology*
High power seat belt pre-tensioners and belt load limiting for front-seat seat belts
Standard inflatable side curtains for front, and second row seat occupants and thorax-protecting side airbags for front occupants
Collapsible steering column that moves away from the driver in the event of a collision and is optimised for energy absorption and leg protection
Pedal Intrusion Prevention System (PIPS) where safety pedals collapse away from the driver to prevent injury in case of impact
Passive neck injury protection system on front seats to help the driver and front passenger avoid whiplash
Three-point seat belts in all positions with height-adjustable mounts on front seat belts
Seat belt reminders for driver and front passenger, and (Grand C-MAX only) for second and third row seats
ISOFIX child seat attachment anchors on outer seats second row
Approval for universal ISOFIX child seats
Optional passenger airbag deactivation kit (Dealer fitted)
Further optimisation for a wide range of human body profiles
Crash severity sensing system with sensors that inform the vehicle which safety measures to employ to optimise your protection
Automatic hazard warning – automatically activated in the event of an accident

*Note: a child seat should never be placed in the front passenger seat when the Ford vehicle is equipped with an operational front passenger’s airbag. The safest place for children is properly restrained on the second row seats.

Torque Vectoring Control

Improves stability in tight corners by applying brake force to the inside wheel and transferring power to the outer wheel. Cornering is sure-footed thanks to the increased traction and reduced understeer.

Engine Drag Torque Control

Improves vehicle stability in slippery conditions by increasing engine torque to prevent the drive wheels from locking as a result of a strong engine braking effect. The system re-accelerates the slipping wheel(s) to build up traction forces between the tyres and the road.

Anti-lock rear axle boost

When the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is active on the front wheels of a heavily laden vehicle, brake pressure to the rear axle automatically increases to maximise braking performance.

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Control

The state-of-the-art ESP is at the heart of many of the active safety features. It monitors the vehicle’s progress and is always ready to apply effective – and often imperceptible – intervention when required. While the system cannot be overridden, a reduced assistance mode helps the vehicle in slippery traction situations such as getting the vehicle out of deep snow. ESP also incorporates Traction Control to eliminate excessive wheel spin and guarantee optimal traction, performance and stability.

Emergency Brake Lights

Flashes the break lights automatically during an emergency braking manoeuvre, to warn following cars.

Electronic Brake Pre-load

When the vehicle recognises a potential emergency stopping situation, the ESP unit pre-charges the brake system, closing the gap between brake pads and discs to help reduce stopping distance.

Emergency Brake Assist

Helps achieve the best possible braking during an emergency situation by increasing the brake pressure if the system senses that the driver has applied insufficient pressure.

Hill Start Assist

This innovation prevents you from rolling backwards when making a hill start. After releasing the brake pedal when stationary, the technology keeps the wheels braked, assisting the driver to move away safely.

Trailer Sway Control

Provides an additional level of confidence and control while towing. It uses a combination of technologies to detect and apply engine and braking countermeasures that correct a trailer's swaying movement.

Rear-view camera

Select reverse gear and a rearward view automatically displays on the instrument panel. You can see how close you are to objects behind and graphics superimposed on the image indicate the vehicle's direction of travel. (Option, as part of Sony DAB navigation system at extra cost, on C-MAX and Grand C-MAX Titanium).

Speed Limiter

Available as part of cruise control, this system lets you set your top speed between 19 to 70 mph. The engine management system ensures you keep within your set limit, helping you concentrate on the road ahead rather than the speedometer. (Standard on C-MAX and Grand C-MAX Titanium).

Blind Spot Information System

This high-tech visual aid is available to help make journeys more relaxing, especially on motorways. As another vehicle enters your blind spot, the system alerts you by illuminating a warning light in the relevant door mirror.

Rain-sensing wipers

With six levels of sensitivity, autowipers on the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX spring into action at the first drop of rain, increasing in speed to deal with whatever the weather may throw at you. It's more convenient and can help your concentration level in really challenging driving conditions.

Active Park Assist

Helps you park in spaces just 1.2 times the length of the car. After confirming the space is large enough, the system operates the steering while you control the pedals. Audio and visual guides help you manoeuvre. (Option as part of Convenience Pack).

Hill Start Assist

This innovation prevents you from rolling backwards when making a hill start. After releasing the brake when stationary, the technology keeps the wheels braked and assists the driver to move away safely.

Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)

When you have to leave your C-MAX or Grand C-MAX anywhere, you want to know it can fend for itself. That’s exactly why we have incorporated so many security features:

Locks are all high-security, anti-burst and shielded with strengthened mountings
Advanced Ford PATS immobiliser disables the engine until your uniquely-coded key is put into the ignition
Perimeter alarm with interior volume sensing
Key fob and manual-key operated central locking
Global closing feature for power windows

Double locking with global open/close

C-MAX and Grand C-MAX’s double locking key facility means you can remotely close all the electric windows, as well as deadlocking all the doors. So if an intruder gains entry by breaking the windows, they will be unable to unlock the doors from inside. You can activate double locking simply by pressing the 'lock' button on the key fob twice. You can also open all the windows by pressing and holding the 'unlock' button. To close them, simply press and hold the 'lock' button again.

Power child locks

A simple control switch enables you to safely secure your precious backseat passengers. You can electronically activate or release the rear-door child locks far more conveniently than conventional mechanical child locks. The switch in the driver’s door panel also controls the rear power-window deactivation function. Importantly, the locks are automatically disengaged in the event of a collision.
(Standard on Grand C-Max)

Alarm systems

The Thatcham Category 1 combined car alarm and immobiliser not only makes your vehicle more secure, it helps lower your insurance premiums. This alarm is triggered if an intruder tries to open the windows, bonnet or boot. It also protects the audio system, and uses volume sensing to monitor movements inside the vehicle.