Ford Grand C Max 7 Seater
Finnis Springer
Got a 2019 grand tourneo connect, want to take the 3rd row of seats out instead of laying flat, but you have to disconnect the seat belt warning cable that tells the driver someone is sitting in the seats but not buckled up.
Removing seats and disconnecting seatbelt warning sensors will invalidate your vehicles insurance unless you get written permission from the insurer and can provide them with the necessary information to show that the safety restraint system has not been compromised. If the vehicles seatbelt warning system is not fully operational then the car will fail the MOT when next tested.
Again, UK might have different rules on this but we've removed the second row belts as the cargo van doesn't need them and someone at ford neglected to remove them after avoiding the chicken tax. The only way to justify and know for sure if one is allowed to remove belts that will never be put to use it to speak with the source.
You seem to be missing the point that this is the UK Ford Owners Club, not the North American FOC. By all means join in, you certainly don't need my permission. Only do bear in mind that as you have already acknowledged the specifications can and do make a difference on the information.
Yes that's correct. The problem that may occur is if removing seat or the seat belts causes the SRS failure light to come on. Normally when you turn the ignition on, the SRS (or seat belt light as we generally call it) will illuminate for a few seconds while it does a self test of the system and then go out if all is OK. It is now part of the MOT that the light is checked and that it must go out to show everything is working.
I'm not saying that it will be a problem, only that it could be, and if the SRS light is on then the car will fail when checked at it's next MOT. There maybe options available using FORScan to configure the vehicle as if it was a Transit Connect, rather than a Tourneo Connect.
Ah, gotcha. Well in that respect it's fine then as I took one out the other day and the srs light didn't come on, it was just the big on screen warning alert saying there was a fault or malfunction. I could press OK and clear it, but doing that every time would be a PITA for me so I bolted and plugged it back in, and it went back to normal.
Disregard the red box as this is where the second row seats belt was mounted and which I removed and added a spare tire mount. But as you can see by all the wiring.. the sensors are mounted along this steel side wall and not in the seats themselves.
Yup, bang on. Just seen some pics from a bloke who has done this,... unbolted the seatbelt buckle, moved the wires from under the carpet to the cubby hole pockets either side, and replugged the buckle connector in so the car doesn't freak out.
Side impact sensors that will set of air bags located just around where the passenger sit. These sensors have been left in our van because of the chicken tax. The van were built and shipped to the US with second row seats and sensors to boot. Once they passed through regulations, the seats were removed and the sensors just left in place even though the cargo area does not have any air bags. yet still could trigger an air bag deployments around the front seats. If you have the passenger wagon, there should be air bags locate in the roof panel or even in the side moldings.
Just how useful is a pair of extra seats? That's the question posed by the Ford Grand C-MAX. It costs more than its five-seat sibling, but that money gets you sliding rear doors and a third row of small seats in the boot.
These occasional chairs will be a godsend for parents picking up their kids from birthday parties, or dropping off at weekend sports activities. You just pull them up from the boot floor and have room for seven on-board.
The trouble is that buyers looking for a car with seven seats also need a lot of space. The Ford Grand C-MAX lets you carry lots of people or a load of luggage - just not at the same time - with all the seats up the boot is tiny. It's also not as roomy in the middle row as rivals such as the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer or Kia Carens.
Its boot is a useable shape, but falls short of the class leaders for carrying capacity. You'll have room for a buggy and several big bags, with no loading lip to negotiate, and you can either fold the rear seats away, or remove them entirely turning the car into a minivan, but this is a fiddly operation and they're really heavy.
What the Ford Grand C-MAX lacks in overall space though, it makes up for by being one of the best seven-seat family cars to drive, bar none. It's compact, has beautifully weighted controls, feeling nimble and composed on the road.
Every version has a brilliant ride, firm enough to control any body movements but supple enough to smooth out even the worst roads. It's equally comfortable on windy country lanes as it is cruising the motorway. The precise steering gives you real confidence behind the wheel. This is a car that feels like it's on your side.
Of the three engines offered, the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel is the best fit. It's pretty economical, quiet and smooth once you get it up to speed plus comes with the option of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. With 120PS it's slower than some MPVs, but has enough grunt to make fully-loaded family travel relaxing.
The 1.0-litre 125PS turbo petrol is a characterful engine that can work if you don't often travel with five in the car, but it needs to be pushed to extract its performance, hurting both refinement and its fuel economy.
Entry-level Zetec models are a bit basic, but Titanium trim offers almost everything you'll need, including rear parking sensors, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen and full smartphone compatibility with Android and Apple. It's a shame that the cabin's chaotic layout and so-so build quality is so far behind rivals from BMW and Volkswagen.
It's average crash safety performance (despite a good amount of standard protective kit) will also be a turn off for some buyers. It's great value - especially used - but a car that only suits those who rarely seat seven.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Ford Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Ford Grand C-Max cars for sale. If you are looking for a different model, you can check out our Ford C-MAX review.
The sliding rear doors, ability to rearrange the seating layout to suit your needs, and capacity to carry seven at once all make it great for buyers with two or three kids, who will sometimes need space for even more.
That said, families with older children or teenagers are likely to need more space, as balancing the legroom between the second and third rows can be a real challenge if you start trying to carry growing young adults.
Some buyers will love the Ford's relatively compact dimensions and the fact that it drives like a 'normal' car, where others are likely to become frustrated by its corresponding lack of boot space versus its MPV rivals. It's a car for people who want something that's not only practical and comfortable, but enjoyable to drive too.
The Ford Grand C-MAX is bigger and heavier than its five-seat sibling, which makes the petrol models harder to recommend. Buyers keen to make the most of its decent load-carrying capacity or who will carry six often should go for the 1.5 TDCi diesel in Titanium trim. You get low(ish) running costs, plenty of kit, and it's good value.
The older 2.0-litre diesels were even punchier, but not as refined, and will be pricier to insure. If you can stomach the higher running costs though, then the extra pulling power does make it more effortless to drive.
We'd also advise going for the post-2015 facelift model if your budget allows. It's not only prettier to look at, but the interior is much better finished and laid out, which will make a big difference to everyday usability.
If you don't plan on many long haul trips then the 125 PS 1.0-litre petrol is a characterful nippy engine, but don't expect it to be hugely economical. You need a heavy right foot to get it going, and this hurts efficiency.
For buyers who only need the versatility of seven seats on rare occasions - high days and holidays - then a Volkswagen Sharan, affordable Vauxhall Zafira Tourer or Citroen Grand C4 Picasso match up very well to the Ford.
The Volkswagen has a wider engine range and more equipment as standard, while the Vauxhall and Citroen are both roomier where it counts. Still, only the Volkswagen has nifty sliding rear doors like the Ford Grand C-MAX does.
If you want a premium MPV with a sporty driving experience, powerful engine range (and the option of four-wheel drive) then only the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer will suffice - if you can get past its challenging looks.
Keen to avoid diesel? The Toyota Prius+ is the only hybrid seven-seater than doesn't cost over 50,000. It's a mini-cab favourite but the 1.8-litre petrol engine and CVT gearbox get flustered when you're fully loaded. Finally, if you need seven seats for full-sized passengers, a Ford S-MAX or Galaxy will be best.
The front seats are firm but nicely supportive, with thick enough bolsters to hold you in place, but if you want electric adjustment for fine-tuning your driving position, it's only available on the priciest Titanium X version.
You sit up high enough to give a better view down the bonnet than you'd find in an estate, however glimpse over your left shoulder and your line of sight is badly blocked by the thick rear pillars around the rear glass. It's a good thing Ford decided to fit rear parking sensors as standard to all trims - you're going to need them.
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