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Comments
Actually, it's a method for (approximately!) calculating your refund on unearned interest when you wish to pay off a loan early as the payments you have already made were based on going the full term of the loan.
FYI: If you have r months remaining on a loan of n months, then your refund will be [r×(r+1)]/[n×(n+1)]×total interest charge on the loan.
tidester, host
Although the seats do look nicer that they have less of the dk/lt grey/beige as in the 2002. And also, the dimming mirror, fog lights and the leather wrapped steering wheel is also a plus. These were added on the 2002.5.
I guess I was a little disappointed about what seems that they saved money on the handles in order to dress up the dash.
As the owner of a 98 and 02, I still like the Explorer and would recommend one to anyone. However, I would look for a 2002.5 instead of a 2003. You would save money and get a better looking truck.
AFAIK, your monthly payment on auto loan consists two portions, you pay in full the interest accumulated in the previous month, the rest is to pay down the principal. As your monthly payment continues, the insterest portion gets less and less, the principal part gets bigger and bigger. You won't owe interest for more than a month if you pay on time, and you are never owed interest, the balance in your account is always your remaining principal.
Sorry this has nothing to do with Exp/Neer. I am just confused with the statement.
Yes, but all the outstanding payments are based on taking the loan to full term. In paying it off early, you would make all the outstanding payments at once and you are due a refund on the unearned interest for the "future payments."
Historically, the banks have used this method of "bookkeeping" but in this age of computers and calculators it would seem unnecessary. In fact, the "Rule of 78" is no longer legal for loans whose terms are in excess of 61 months.
tidester, host
It feels like a looseness, but do not notice it at any time other than low speed turning.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks for any info,
Steve
I drove the V6 and V8 back to back to back before deciding on the V6. I didn't think there was a significant "seat of the pants" difference between the two. BTW, I can't remember if the V8 had the tow package.
I imagine if you live in an area of diverse elevations or planned to do a significant amount of towing, the added torque of the V8 would come in handy. For our use, as a baby mover, grocery getter and general errand vehicle the V6 is more than adequate.
YMMV and yes, I do wish the V6 got a little better fuel mileage.
a third row seat option for a '99 XLT?
thanks,
Mike
I bought an Exploder new in '98 and the slot you mention in the console is actually for a box of tissues. A small travel size box will slide into the front of the console and the slot allows access to one tissue at a time. Clever, but not very useful. I found that this kept a nice layer of tissue "dust" all over the console most of the time.
Not sure how the CD Changer is attached, good luck though.
jlb1166
I did find that the code for the keyless entry is on the control module located in the well that the jack is in. Needed a mirror and flashlight to read it, but cheaper than paying a dealer.
Steve
1. Low speed mystery noise - mine seems to have developed this now too. Haven't brought it in for service yet, but I don't like it. Its definitely suspension-related. Does anyone have any insight? I can't go over a speed bump or turn into a slightly inclined driveway without hearing it.
2. Gas mileage. This V6 drinks alot of petro. What's everyone getting on average? Obviously driving style can play into the results here, but I'm looking more for someone who is really tracking it. Tell me it will get better!
3. Lastly, has anyone looked into snow tires or changed out the Michelin crossterrains on their Explorer? I'm towing a two-place snowmobile trailer this winter and want more of a all-terrain or snow tire, any suggestions? Thanks.
Good luck!
Regarding tires, my Michelin Cross terrains will soon be replaced on a pro-rated price basis by Ford, due to a recent vibration at highway speeds that has defied diagnosis, but which is believed to be a tire problem. At any rate, it's my opinion that Michelin makes the finest tires (but even they're not immune to occasional problems), and I think that putting anything other than Michelins on the Explorer/MTNR would probably be a step downward. The Cross Terrains are a light truck tire designed to handle both smooth pavement as well as light off-roading, plus snow, ice, and light mud. This is a very versatile tire, but it comes at a small price, i.e., they are not the most quiet tire, nor are they the most "soft" riding. The bigger the tread and tread grooves, the more noise a tire will generate. On the other hand, most of us choose an SUV for both their truck-like and car-like abilities, so in my opinion, it may be unwise to choose a tire that does either thing well, but not both very well, like the Cross Terrains do. Some noise and a firmer ride is the price we pay for a good all-around SUV tire. Of course, one can replace the Cross Terrains with Michelin's "LTX M/S" (mud/snow) tires, but they will undoubtedly make even more noise than the Cross Terrains, and they will undoubtedly ride rougher, too. Finally, the 2002/2003 Explorer/MTNR can be equipped with 17" wheels and tires, but here again the noise will likely increase; in addition, the larger wheels/tires will raise the vehicle's height and center-of-gravity by about 2", making it more likely to roll over under certain conditions.
The Michelin tire info was excellent too. I questioned the tires mainly because they are a P rated tire as opposed to a C. According to Tire Rack's website, P-metric tires used on passenger cars and station wagons are rated to carry 100% of the load indicated on the tire's sidewall (or listed for the tire in industry load/inflation charts). However, if the same P-metric tires are used on light trucks, (pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles for example), their carrying capacity is reduced to 91% of the load indicated on the tire's sidewall. This is my first SUV, all my other vehicles have been trucks which used LT and C rated tires. I agree the noise/ride will suffer. Maybe I'm worrying about nothing, but again, I have never towed in the winter with a P-rated tire. Thanks again, jay
if you're expecting a DeVille ride in an AWD or 4WD, I think you're expecting just a little bit too much. there will be some extra and irregular noise from places you're not used to if this is the first sure-footed stumpjumper you've owned.
now, loud grinding or abrasive vibrations can be caused by misalignments in the drive system on any vehicle, and if you're low on transfer case fluid or driving with a sour flex joint on a half-shaft and drive for that wheel kicks in, you are going to be surprised and for sure. that needs checking out.
Interesting note, they called the problem "scaling". Makes me wonder if it is a know problem in the Ford inner circle.
The GM and other managers are now talking to Ford Customer Service. They seem to be responsive to me concerns but we'll see about the outcome.
Wish me luck and Thanks...
Bottom line: the warranty paint job is beautiful, and my 2002 now looks perfect! And the vehicle has been a great performer for a year and 1/2 (now has 26,500 miles).
Another good brand for paint care is Meguiar's. That extra thick paint you mentioned is indeed a problem. I have seen overpainted areas peel, and it doesn't take a lot of time for it to start.
however, if you have hitch-hydraulics for braking on the trailer, better talk to the boat shop before putting on any stabilizing bars, the friction on the anti-sway will affect when the brakes kick in.
you will want the V8 system on the explorer, and should also go for V8 on the 150. don't forget that you are basically saying that you won't carry any load or passengers in all seats of the explorer if you are going to tow at or near the maximum rating... if you need to do both, the crew cab is a better idea, and the F250 crew may be even better yet.
figure out what you are going to pack and who is going along when you open up and close each year in addition to the boat, its gear, the rods and reels and geegaws, lawn chairs, and extra gas tanks and such. add up the real weights, and compare them to the load ratings for the vehicles you are looking at. if it's marginal, go for the bigger rig.
you are going to have some scary times on the road with a tow on that prevents you from stopping on a dime or zigzagging around some critter or baby seat that falls in the road sooner or later, and having extra braking power and some unused suspension power at those times could make a big difference between becoming part of the problem or getting past it.
at work, the guy across the aisle from me bought wranglers to replace his wrangler OEMs, and his were pretty well balanced and he likes 'em a lot. maybe there was a separate set of lines for the retail market, and another working OT to get the ford recall done....