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Comments
Are you seeing numbers that are better or worse than what is on the sticker?
Also, does anyone know where the transmissions are being built or by whom?
Thanks
I have a 2006 3.0L and I get around 27 mpg on highway trips. City mileage on my daily commute averages anywhere from 17 to 21 depending on traffic.
mostly a short highway commute. i rarely use the a/c. have a moonroof, which i keep cracked open as much as possible.
Why wouldn't the Ford 6F50 from the Taurus/Flex/Edge be used in them? Cheaper to ship the Aisin to Mexico maybe?
Not sure why they continue to use the Aisin tranny in the 3.5L Fusion and MKZ. It's either a supply issue or some packaging issue where the aisin is smaller.
Gearing, the 3.5 puts out more power than either the 3.0 and the I4. Its also more sport tuned than the 6F35. Its reserved for use only in the Sport model, which I own and love. The shifts are manualesk in how it shifts, it has a slight pause between gears as if I were driving a stick, under light load, but put the pedal into it and the shifts are crisp and firm but not harsh. The ratios are setup for this car and with the 3.0 would be too high for the power output.
My fuel economy so far with 1700 miles is 24 city/highway mix, and 31 highway. The 3.5 and 3.0 get basically the same eco numbers.
The 6F50 is used in the Flex and MKT. Not sure about the others but I'm pretty sure anything with the 3.5L uses it too save for the Fusion apparently. The 6F35 is reserved for those engines smaller than the 3.5L. My question stemmed from this. Packaging issues or shipping issues are the only two reasons I can think of for Ford to use the Aisin in the Fusion Sport. I can't imagine it would be packaging though because the 6F35 and 6F50 are supposedly the same size and the 6F35 is used in the non-Sport Fusions.
The 6F35 and 6F50 may be the same size - but the 3.0L and 3.5L engines are not. It's possible the 3.0L + 6F35 would fit but the 3.5L + 6F50 would not. It's just speculation. Maybe since they used the Aisin 6 speed with the 3.5L in the MkZ before the 6F50 was available it was easier to keep using it instead of switching.
Just curious.
So a 6F35 has a capacity of 350 ft/lbs. Sounds like a lot but this is AFTER the torque converter and the torque converter can double the amount of engine torque at low speeds.
The first number is the number of speeds, then F for FWD or R for RWD then the torque capacity.
Eight 2010 Fusion owners from throughout the country will be selected to participate in the Fusion 41 program. They will be chosen based on their passion for Fusion and their ability to share compelling information about the vehicle on the Internet. Applicants must have a current Facebook profile with a minimum of 100 friends and an active photo collection.
Each of the eight Fusion owners will then choose four friends or family members to join their team, and each team will be given a 2010 Ford Fusion or Fusion Hybrid to drive in an automotive relay race. To complete the relay, each team member must fulfill an assigned task within 41 hours, tracking competitive variables such as miles driven, stops made or the number of passengers picked up.
The winning team will be chosen based on their ability to complete the activities and provide proof by uploading photos and videos to various social media sites, including Facebook.
The Fusion owner of the winning team will have their vehicle paid off, and team members will win free gas for one year.
Unbelievable.
Note to Ford: Fix those few little complaints, and the Fusion would be a winner. Even more than it's now.
The controls are too low mounted and have too many look alike buttons together, which is hard to find/adjust while driving. Copy the Camry for simplicity, lagre, big controls, clearly marked & illuminated (also light the ignition key ring insert and the glove box), design a new updated steering wheel (smaller size. prefer size as the Honda Civic..) Re-arrange the stering wheel mounted controls to be easier to use, the interior door pull should be like on the MKZ/MKS, and a few more improvements, and you have one of the best sedans.
In general I have an impression than cabin was designed without much thought - probably most expensive and experienced engineers were laid off from Ford in recent years.
Driving expressions. Steering has kind of numb and artificial feel to it - what do you expect from electric steering? But it is common downside of cars with electric steering - Ford is not alone. Engine is very quite at low rpm - you may even think there is an electric motor. But when push hard it sounds harsh. Transmission is not matched well with engine - it feels kind of clunky and confused hardware - it switches abruptly and when you do not expect. I have Ford Focus and I do not feel transmission at all - it is very smooth, responsive and perfectly matches 2.3L engine.
As far as the steering feel goes, I was thrilled with how it felt after test driving a Sonata. Holy moly! It was like a video game controller!
My transmission feels great. Early on, a couple of clunks, but the computer must have learned.
As far as the engine noise, either it quieted down or I got used to it. (Probably the latter...) For the MPG improvement over my Grand Cherokee I could get used to alot. Also, I'm always impressed how smoothly it transitions into cruise control. The Grand Cherokee that I traded for the Fusion always kind of lurched.
Agree those buttons on the lower left (Odometer, info, etc.) are poor, especially the pushbutton dash light brightness controller being pretty much identicle and right next to the trunk release. Duh! I haven't done that yet.... I think they already moved some of those to the wheel in a new 'build' version of 2010.
Anyways, everyone has their preferences, and the Fusion was a good fit for me. Alot of what you guys just posted about are things I haven't experienced, or disagree with, but that's what makes the world an interesting place. If we all liked the same stuff, we'd all be driving the same car, and after the same girl! :shades:
Yes they did. The Info, Setup, and Reset buttons have been moved from near the headlamp dial to the steering wheel and what were single function switches on the steering wheel are now dual function rocker switches to make room for those three new functions. Click here to see it. The bottom two switches on the left side of the steering wheel contain the Info/Reset and Setup functions respectively. The top two switches house all of the C/C functions now and are more logically laid out IMO. The top left switch is a rocker that increases or decreases speed (hitting either one will SET your speed too) as opposed to two separate switches doing one or the other. The other switch rocks to Resume or On/Off. The switches on the right of the wheel are unchanged for the audio/SYNC functions.
I don't recall anyone (owners or reviewers) who had problems with the steering, transmission or button placements on the 2010 Fusion. I think you're just extremely hard to please, especially if none of the other mid sized sedans work for you either.
Wow. In almost every review I've read, especially from the pro's, it was mentioned about "button placement". and not in a good way. Recently, Ford started to offer an abundance with look-alike buttons, which is hard to de-chiper while driving, and on top of that (or should I say "below that"...?) they're placing'em very low, hard to reach area, sometimes blocked by the shifter.
Here is what Consumer Auto Guide says in one review: "Audio and climate systems rely on too many buttons and take time to sort out. Ditto look-alike audio/cruise buttons on the steering wheel. The low-set climate panel can force a long look from road."
Also, in another Ford review, they write: "Some testers complain that the stalks for the windshield wipers and turn signals are too far from the steering wheel..." I would like to know, did anyone found the signal stalk is a little weird, pointing way too up, instead of just being straight?? (you could see it in the photo mentioned in message #5485 above).
The signal stalk in our '06 Explorer was tilted upward somewhat and I found that to be a good thing because you could easily use it when your hands were in the 10:00 and 2:00 driving position. If the stalk is lower, as it is in most other vehicles, you have to take your hand off of the wheel to use it. Not a big deal, but it's a minor convenience you don't notice until it's gone. I noticed the difference immediately when we turned the Explorer in and leased a Flex which has the straight out signal stalk.
Here is what Consumer Auto Guide says in one review: "Audio and climate systems rely on too many buttons and take time to sort out. Ditto look-alike audio/cruise buttons on the steering wheel. The low-set climate panel can force a long look from road."
What trim did they test and did it have the DEATC system or the manual HVAC system. The former requires the push of one button to turn on and the turn of a big knob to set the temp. I've changed the temp maybe twice in the nearly 7 months I've had the DEATC in our Flex. My wive probably never changed the temp in her Escape with DEATC and we both keep them on all the time for the most part. If they had the DEATC then they should not be complaining because the manual system is set up differently and may be easier to use.
I'll have to agree about having buttons too low and small, hard to ID, taking too much attention while driving, but I still like the look of the panel, as I said before, being kind of a tech-geek.
I agree. I always have a feeling that high beam is on while driving the car and every time I find out that stalk is in default position. It is difficult to get used. If you own Fusion you probably get used after while, but for rental car it is another annoying feature.
BTW does Milan also has an electric steering? I hope MKZ does not have it.
I haven't had that issue in my daily driver, or my girlfriend's car.
I want stalks far enough away that I have to intentionall go for them to engage them!
:shades:
the steering wheel buttons each have their own 'brail' code in the corners.
if you pay attention and want to, you can learn them by feel.
it's just too much effort for some.
I also hate Fusion's steering wheel compared to the sportier wheels on some other cars.
Do you remember that old cassette tape player from the 1970's? The one with the single speaker and the pull out silver handle? It had a row of identical black buttons on it that people would always mess up and press the wrong one. That is what I think of when looking at the Fusion's steering wheel. Have we learned nothing since then?
I drive in the winter with gloves on. Try pressing these buttons with gloves on...Brail, with gloves? Forget it.
The wheel and the buttons are something I am going to be looking at every time I drive. Ford should make this the main priority for upgrading on the 2011.
I just test drove a 2010 Camry XLE and an SE. I had no problems with the buttons on these cars.
Another thing I realized that I do not like in Fusion is how front seats are positioned - they are moved closer to the center of car than in other cars. First you seat too close to passenger and it makes center console narrower and forces to place most controls too low in center stack. Driver also has to compete with front passenger for space on center arm-rest which is too narrow compared to other midsize sedans. It also creates empty space between front door panel and front seat. It might be good for fat drivers, but I am rather slim and do not feel comfortable when on the left there is an empty space and on the right I have to compete with front passenger for space.
Gauges are too bright and cheap looking. Doors do close with that assuring "thump" muted sound like in almost any other car today. It is difficult to open doors - they feel to heavy. Trunk lid is also is difficult to open and close. Both doors and trunk lid require too much effort to operate. In my Sable I can do all these seemingly basic operation without much effort and noise. I understand that Taurus/Sable are more luxurious cars but still Ford could make Fusion/Milan feel more expensive as GM did it with Malibu and Aura.
i agree that the fusion seating is not as wide apart as the old taurus and the trunk is an annoyance to close.
maybe because i am left handed, i never noticed the extra distance to the arm rest on the left.
i had one of the last original design taurus's as a loaner(05/06?).
it was a sorry de-evolution compared to our 96 SHO.
I let my blind friend drive my Fusion to see if he could read the braille buttons...
This is a joke, right?
i know you have been posting on various forums for quite while.
Thanks
They were moved to the steering wheel for 2010 JOB2 models. Sounds like you have a 2010 JOB1 model.
Way to go, Ford.
I was a bit disappointed in their results on the Fusion, they must not be driving it correctly, it only scored a 32.9 combined, which is far below the 39 EPA. Reason I say they aren't driving it correctly is two fold, first I can get 31 MPG highway in my Fusion Sport with the 3.5L V6, second I drove a Toyota Camry Hybrid for 16 months and 34,000 miles and got 38 MPG consistently, the Fusion has a much finer throttle and can stay in EV up to 47 MPH, the Toy only 40, and I always had it cruising at 40MPH on battery. They should let me drive it for a while and see what it can really get. Think they would go for it?