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Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego
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My bet is that the next "Taurus/Sable" will be smaller than the current 500/Montego, which is HUGE!! It will be more in-line size-wise with the old Taurus, which was already bigger than the CamCords. In turn, the Fusion will move down a step, and will be made based on the European Mondeo platform (stretched and revised, much as the current Fusion is on the stretched Mazda 6 platform), but still built in Mexico and still called the Fusion. I for one loved my Contour and hated the fact that Ford abandoned the segment and the Mondeo platform. There was a market for a car between the entry-level Focus and the Taurus. That car was the contour, and now the car is the Fusion...see where i'm going? To compete against the Camcords, you might need two sedans -- a smaller, more fuel-efficient 4 cyl model (Fusion) and a larger, more powerful model (6 cyl Taurus).
This will give Ford their performance-based midsize sedan to compete on the sport side of the equation, while they also will have a more camry-like staid sedan in the Taurus, though the exterior will likely get a major refresh to make it sexier ala the new Malibu or the last Altima.
I also believe Ford will stop selling the Taurus/Fusion to rental fleets altogether, as this will help their resale value. Ford will also go to a bumper-to-bumper 5 year 100,000 mile warranty. These "bold moves" will help the company regain the trust of the american buyer.
If these moves fail (which I don't think they will), say hello to Ford, a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota.
It looks like they fixed everything except greatly improving the looks and making it sexy-looking.
The new grill is not enough to make the car stylish, but at least bland styling is better than wild styling that goes wrong.
They are replacing the weak engine with one that at least has competive power.
It will finally have stability control, AUX input, nav system, Bluetooth and so on that it had been lacking compared to the competition.
I am sure sales are going to improve somewhat since this is "better" than it was, but it just won't sell anywhere near to levels of Camry and Accord.
The Taurus and Sable will sell better than the 500/Montego, mot because they are different, or gobs better, but because people know the names, and millions of people either owned those names or rode in them or rented them. Not true with 500/Montego. Since Ford cannot revise those two cars as fast as the market demands, at least more folks will be exposed to what decent rides they are as they stand. It is a brilliant move in a rough time, and the cheapest thing they could do to increase sales. The dumbest thing they did was to change the names in the first place.
And I see alot of other fellow "Industrial Salespeople" tooling around in the 500's as well.
I don't know how resale is affected going in to "fleets" as opposed to "rental units".
I don't know how significant the private fleet numbers are.
http://www.mercuryvehicles.com/sable08/?intcmp=B_08SableInts_MVHomepage_08SableI- nterstitial_20070207#
To say truth I like Montego name better. Sable does not sound right for the car even though I own one and does not have the same equity as Taurus. But whatever - new Sable looks less massive than Montego. But certainly it is move upward for Sable.
What Are Your Thoughts on the Return of the Taurus/Sable?
Too many other choices available for that to happen to the still boring 2008 Taurus.
In a Consumer Reports test of 18 all-season tires reported in Nov. 2005, the Hankook Mileage Plus II H725 finished third behind Goodyear Assurance TripleTred and Michelin X Radial. Third out of 18 is pretty surprising and impressive to me. I couldn't find out which tire manufacturers they finished ahead of, but I've got to believe there were some well known tire-makers on that list. It should also be noted that all-season tires are on 83% of all new cars and trucks.
In addition, I also found out that Kumho tires, another Korean tire-maker has recently struck a supply agreement with Mercedes Benz earlier this month. Gotta say this was extremely surprising since Mercedes is a premium auto brand. I'm sure they didn't decide to buy Kumho tires on a whim due to their lower cost. They also supply Chrysler and Volkswagen.
A colleague and I had a discussion about Asian companies and the talk turned to Korean manufacturers in general. I had mentioned that some of the Hyundai vehicles like the Sonata, Azera and Santa Fe are really giving their competition a run for their money with quality at a competitive cost. He had mentioned how products from Samsung and LG have become premium brands in a short time period. It now appears the tire manufacturers are receiving recognition from the industry experts. Just as consumers want a quality product at a competitive price, so do the automakers. As it was mentioned in an earlier post, maybe Ford is ahead of the curve on this along with Volkswagen.
I currently have Continental tires on my Five Hundred and was told by a co-worker who also drives one that he had to replace all four of his Continentals at 24,000 miles due to some tread problems. He just told me to keep an eye on it also.
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TSB
07-5-9 REAR BRAKE DRAG, NOISE, DUST, AND/OR PREMATURE PAD WEAR
Publication Date: February 28, 2007
FORD: 2005-2007 Five Hundred, Freestyle
MERCURY: 2005-2007 Montego
This article supersedes TSB 06-22-17 to update the Service Parts and include a production fix date for some vehicles. The production fix date excludes Freestyle AWD vehicles.
ISSUE:
Some 2005-2007 Freestyle FWD, Five Hundred, and Montego vehicles built before 11/29/2006 may exhibit rear brake drag after being parked for an extended period of time, brake noise, excessive brake dust and/or premature pad wear on one or both wheels.
ACTION:
Follow the tsb Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Replace rear brake pads with revised parts following a revised service procedure in the online Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-04.
WARNING: WHEN INSTALLING REVISED REAR BRAKE PADS ON FREESTYLE AWD VEHICLES, IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO INSTALL REVISED FRONT PADS TO MAINTAIN PROPER BRAKE PERFORMANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S WEIGHT.
NOTE: THE LH CALIPER PISTON TURNS CLOCKWISE TO MOVE THE PISTON BACK INTO THE CALIPER AND THE RH CALIPER PISTON TURNS COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO MOVE THE PISTON BACK INTO THE CALIPER. USING THE SPECIAL TOOL, COMPRESS THE BRAKE CALIPER PISTON INTO ITS CYLINDER. WHILE ROTATING THE PISTON IN THE APPROPRIATE DIRECTION, A FORCE TOWARD THE PISTON MUST ALSO BE APPLIED WITH THE TOOL, OTHERWISE THE TOOL WILL SLIP OFF THE PISTON FACE AND PISTON WILL NOT SCREW INTO THE CYLINDER.
Tip: If the piston is unintentionally rotated in the wrong direction and the internal threads lose contact, the piston can be screwed back into the cylinder. If the Piston boot seal loses contact around the piston, replace the caliper because contamination may have entered. It may take a couple full turns before the threads engage. Be sure that the piston is aligned with the cylinder and a force toward the piston is applied while rotating.
NOTE: IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO MACHINE THE REAR ROTORS USING THE ROTUNDA ON-CAR BRAKE LATHE UNLESS ROTOR RUNOUT AND/OR RUST ARE EXCESSIVE. MACHINE THE REAR BRAKE DISCS IF THE DIAGNOSIS HAS REVEALED REAR THUMPING OR GRINDING NOISE WHILE BRAKING. HEAVILY SCORED BRAKE DISCS, SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY PADS WORN DOWN TO THE BACKING PLATE, SHOULD ALSO BE MACHINED. IN ORDER TO MACHINE, DISCS MUST BE ABOVE THE MINIMUM THICKNESS TO MACHINE SPECIFICATION. REFER TO WSM SECTION 206-00 FOR DISC MACHINING INFORMATION.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
7F9Z-2200-A Rear Brake Pads
8G1Z-2001-A Front Brake Pads
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
070509A Use SLTS Operations If Available; Claim Additional Diagnosis Or Labor Performed As Actual Time Actual Time
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
2200 42
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.
Copyright © 2007 Ford Motor Company
Just had to take a trip down to the Catskills from the Syracuse area. There was a lot of uphill/downhill driving and it was snowing and blowing. I was happy to see that I got 25.5 MPG through that bad weather and hilly roads. I'm hoping it will do even better when the good weather gets here!
1) Are there any differences between the 2006 and 2007 Ford 500 Limited models?
2) Is the CVT an option or is it standard in the 2007 Ford 500?
Thanks!
The CVT is the trans you get on all AWD cars the FWD cars come with 6 speed. You can't choose.
Is the side airbag standard in the 2007 FWD SEL? Are there any other differences in the 2006 vs 2007 SELs?
Thanks!
Mark.
07N10 Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank M. Ligon
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
July 3, 2007
TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers
SUBJECT: Customer Satisfaction Program 07N10
Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
PROGRAM TERMS
This program extends the warranty coverage of the rear brake pads to 3 years of service or 36,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. If a vehicle has already accumulated more than 36,000 miles, this coverage will last until December 31, 2007. This program provides one-time replacement coverage, and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
VEHICLES COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego FWD & AWD and Ford Freestyle FWD vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through November 28, 2006.
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Freestyle AWD Vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through Job Last 2007.
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS.
REASON FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
Some of the affected vehicles may have had direct exposure to moisture for an extended period that may have caused the pads to “swell” and create a slight drag condition. Low levels of brake drag might not be noticed by a customer, but could lead to premature brake pad wear and excessive brake dust.
SERVICE ACTION
2005 through 2007 FWD and AWD Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego & FWD Freestyle Vehicles
If an affected vehicle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rear rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
2005 through 2007 AWD Freestyle Vehicles
Due to the configuration of the braking system on AWD Freestyle vehicles the front brake pads must be replaced when rear brake pads are replaced. Therefore, this program will allow replacement of front brake pads, but only if the rear brake pads require replacement during the same visit.
If an affected AWD Freestyle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the front and rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
NOTE: Brake pad inspection is part of normal maintenance and is not covered as part of this program. If the vehicle is within this extended time and mileage coverage and the owner experiences a brake system symptom or during a normal maintenance inspection (brakes every 15,000 miles or more often, per the Scheduled Maintenance Guide) the vehicle's rear brake pads are found to have less than 3 millimeters (0.118 inch) of lining material, then Ford Motor Company will cover the cost of replacing the rear brake pads.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Mailing will begin July 9, 2007.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I: Administrative Information
Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III: Technical Information
Customer Notification Letter
QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Special Service Support Center (Dealer Only) . .1-800-325-5621
1) This means that the brake wear problem is NOT a "design defect".
2) This means that the brake wear problem would not affect ALL vehicles (which explains people like me who've had no issues)
3) More interestinlgy, think of what this implies for those who have had MULTIPLE sets of brake pads wear early. Hmmmm.
That said, I don't think the 3.5L will be a quantum leap over the 3.0 Duratec. The prices on leftover 500s are phenomenal, utter steals.
Regardless, the 500 is the most splendid sedan available. Huge room, good handling, decent economy, unmatched safety. It stuns me that they don't sell well. It covers all the performance bases--so what's the problem???
Why do so many people shop the Ford store and drive out with an ancient Crown Vic?? Why would anyone buy a 4cyl Camry when a leftover 500 is priced less??? :confuse:
I also wonder about fuel economy with the CVT since if you really put your foot in to it (like you need to do with the 3.0) the motor revs are real high for what seem an extended amount of time.
Just my thoughts.
This car isn't what people want and they are probably working hard at a complete redesign in a few years.
They should probably get rid of both the Taurus and Crown Victoria in a couple years and come out with a new rear-drive sedan that replaces both. There is no need for two Ford full-size sedans.
At least Ford is having better luck with the Fusion even if it is not a contender to outsell the Camry and Accord.
Well said.
Splendid is in the eye of the beholder. If you find it splendid, then you will get a darn good buy.
Isn't the 6-speed in the 500/Mtgo an Aisin brand? (Not to be confused with the 6-speed in the current Taurus which is a Ford/GM joint brand.) I know Toyota is a 30% shareholder in Aisin, but Aisin transmissions go into many worldwide cars/trucks and that company is run independently of Toyota. Aisin started by stealing a bunch of tech from Borg-Warner years ago, not Toyota.
Transmission used in the 500/Montego -- click here
Some things I am concered about:
1. The actual value of the Five Hundred, I am wondering if the Five Hundred should actually be an upgrade in price (mainly because it is 3 years older)
2. Reliability - Will the Five Hundred run up to 200k miles with little extra cost (other than regular maintenance)
Lifter