Ford Focus Hatchback ZX3 - Part X
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Comments
rgarner, I agree, your dealer should check for any fault codes set in your engine management computer. An intermittent fault like yours can be a real hair-puller, but that's what the service folks get paid for. I'll bet it comes down to a bad connection or defective control unit affecting either ignition or fuel injection.
Washing: If your going to use "Super Good" wax for the first time, remove the old dealer wax by washing the car with Dawn liquid Dish Soap.
Don't need a duster as the dust blows of my ZX3 while going down the road. Gotta use a anti-static polish. IMHO it's the only way to go!
Oh, ZX3 : The bumps on steering wheel. Something you learn while driving off road (many thanks to the US Army and a couple of other jobs I've held). If you wrap your thumbs around inside of steering wheel, it's very possible to break them.
Pat
(rs)
Not yet, but being a bit impulsive, I've had one on order since May 12. I hope to get it in a few weeks.
>The zinc yellow for the ZX-2 is a bit of an odd color, but I have heard the zx-3 yellow is much more lemony in nature.
I would assume Zinc Yellow, code B7, would be the same on any Ford. I hope so anyway because there is a Zinc Yellow ZX2 at my local dealers right now, and it makes me hot!
An odd color for an odd fella I guess.
>Is it a 2001 MY option or is it available in 2000 MY.
It's been available for a couple of months now, but wasn't originally. For 2001 it becomes "Egg Yoke Yellow" but with the same B7 color code. I'm guessing it's a renaming of the color for the Focus. Some have said Ford calls the same color by different names for different models. I would guess the code would be the key.
One thing I noticed on the ZX2 was the red badging. Against the Yellow it looks terrific - to odd ole me.
(the car surface) it renders a slight pale orange cast.
Thanks. I never noticed till this morning the "2 & 10 O'clock" grips on steering wheel. And I only noticed them because I was trying to figure out ND's post.
Yup, the z is running like a charm. Hope yours is too.
I feel almost guilty when I read here about occasional little "z problems" (glad to hear they're not big ones) because mine has no flaws yet (900mi).
NOTE: I don't list the occasional "slight hesitation" in 2k-3k range as a flaw. Because most everyone else seems to have it too.
Maybe its a design flaw. Or maybe its deliberate for "fuel economy reasons" as someone said (but that sounds like a kinda wierd reason to me).
P/C:
Thanks for clarification. Also, for heads-up on the "broken thumb" possibility. Never occured to me that such can happen.
S/B:
Thanks for paint info. Yup, the Body shop guy does mostly painting of repairs, not totally-new paint jobs. And warns customers about leaving things alone till paint cures.
An aside: He does total paint jobs too, when he restores old clunkers to new (sort of a hobby).
I think I missed someone, but it'd be a hassle to find out who, since Carlady has put us in a new thread. So... "Thanks!".
zx3
out of concern but more out of curiosity. i was
fully aware of this when i had my 5spd.1998 zx2.
i have tried this-when you reach that point about
1900 to 2000 or thereabouts,i have let up the gas pedal then re-accelerate. it appears to be less
noticeable or non-existant.if you steadily accelerate without letting up the gas,you will
most definitely notice the hesitation ,stumble,
then surge. give it try and let me know what you think,thanks! how can one not love this car?
I like the California duster I have a small one for the interior and a large one for the outside.
I also have a synthetic chamios called the Absorbor. You keep it in its own tube, it always stays moist. Works amazingly well @ Walmart for under $10.00
The overfilled oil is still a problem. I have my first oil overfill in December. My solution I only give them four quarts to install (Mobil one) I put the 1/2 quart in myself.
I have a very bad habit of driving with my left hand at the one o'clock position and my forearm accross the wheel (long arms). Another reason for the 2 & 10 o'clock position is for the airbags to deploy safe and correctly. I will be in a world of hurt if the airbag goes off with my forearm accross the airbag.
Break my own nose with my fist flying off the wheel?
I have stayed away from wheel cleaners they all have a very acidic base. I use car washing soap (Meguiars) about once a week. I take my time and go over the whole wheel. Staying on top of it makes it an easier job, waxing them also helps. A friend uses petroleum jelly to remove the brake dust with very good results.
Scott
I have crummy white streaks, all over my Black Plastic Trim. Put there by accident, when waxing the z.
Dang stuff is on, like a rock!
I tried using fresh wax to remove it, rubbing it in vigorously. Then wiping vigorously with terry towel while it was still wet.
Figuring, that the new wax might "melt/soften" the old, and I could wipe it all off with terry cloth.
Result: No dice, it had little effect.
Today, I dabbed finger in a jar of Skippy peanut butter --- and smeared it lightly over a big piece of black trim (that was real bad, all cruddied-up, with old wax stains).
Then rubbed it lightly with clean terry towel.
Voila !!
The crummy old white "wax-stains" .... dissolved and disappeared (under the attack of the peanut butter Oil).
The Trim is now totally-black again. Factory-new, gleaming with a soft sheen.
No hard work, no heavy rubbing, cost no $$, and the job went like a piece o'cake.
Wow.
So I went back inside, and celebrated with peanut-butter, crackers n' milk......(Hmmm, tasty).
zx3
chunky-syle peanut butter?
well.chamois is great for drying vehicle.thats all i ever use.worth every penny.petroleum jelly seems
to be a good idea.
it's been a little over a month now since I ordered my Z, and I gotta tell you... reading all these posts from you guys is doing 2 things to me... it's making me more and more excited about gettin my car, but it's also driving me insane reading about how great the car is but not having mine yet... this wait is seemingly endless!!
zx3: good deaql with the peanut butter... i'll have to keep that in mind fer when i wax my baby for the first time.
I just cant tell you all how envious I am of all of you who already have your Z's... i feel like a little kid staring into the window of a toy store that has a locked door while everyone else is inside havin fun... is there anyone i can call to find out the progress of my car? i have the VIN but thats all.
kevin
I was up in new hampshire visiting my girlfriend this past weekend and i saw a Z drive by and it had what looked like a wing type thing an the front of the roof just above the windshield... kind of like a wind-blocker for a sun-roof... it looked incredible. does anyone know where I could get that?
BTW, that peanut-butter post was not a joke. Peanut butter really worked. It erased all traces of wax-stains from exterior plastic and vinyl trim on my z.
Also, when it happens again, I'll try to stop that hesitation, by using the gas pedal as you suggested -- and let you know. Thanks.
zx3
Just having fun, no flame intended, I plan on trying the P/B thing myself for my few misplaced wax smears.
obviously we need to be careful, i'm sure P/B also takes the wax off your freshly waxed paint.
Just trying to be pro-active I am almost certain the next question would be of this nature.
BTW, what did you get for options?
Also, maybe someone here can help you find where your z is (in the Assy Plant schedule) since you have a VIN.
zx3
I wonder if the p/b would restore a dull dashboard, or interior door trim? It's a thought. I think about this, because the exterior plastic trim had a "nice soft sheen" on it, apparently from the p/butter oil.
zx3
Twilight Blue exterior
Dark Charcoal interrior
Auto Trans (i love drivin manual, but it sux in all the NJ/new york city traffic)
Air Conditioning
Convenience Group 50c (tilt/telescope steering and map lights
Power Group 60a (power windows/mirrors)
Anti Lock Brakes
Remote Keyless Entry/Power Locks
Front/Rear Floor Mats
Speed Control
and the ever so necessary SMOKERS PACKAGE!! lol
< jw-would you describle that egg yolk color to
< have a hint of orange in it? its not like the
< canary yellow vw bug or is it?
Do you have any idea how difficult it is to accurately remember, or photograph, the details of a color? I've been trying to get a sample with my digicam, photographing color samples, and the ZX2 last night. It seems that yellow in particular is very easily altered by very minor adjustments to the color balance. The color sample photo was taken in the dealer's show room under mercury vapor lights. The result was about useless. The car pix look better, but it was really overcast and starting to rain when I took them so they don't capture the original look very well. Minor adjustment in the computer can make a radical difference in the look, but I think it's about impossible to get an accurate representation of the color.
That said, I really like the VW yellow, and the ZX2 looks great as well. But accuratly comparing or describing them without actually having the two cars in front of me at the same time on a sunny day (remember those?) is next to impossible. Perhaps I can do better after I get mine.
an answer.zx3- i was only kidding,i had heard that
peanut butter worked previously.i would think the chunky may leave fine scrathes on molding surface,
since its coarser.tojw- i know it is difficult thats why i asked you.
1) they fixed my AM radio reception by replacing the flasher unit
2) they took the door apart and determined that the actuator needs to be replaced. Parts on order
3) they looked at my rear seat and agreed to replace it, some fabric damage, parts on backorder so it might be a while
4) agreed that the whining when decelerating is not normal. Mechanic went on a test drive of a new zx3 and we heard the whining just a little if we paid close attention. Nothing like on my car. Have to bring the car back in when they have more time to do a proper diagnostic and they can talk to HQ about the problem.
So waiting for 2 parts for now and hope the tranny does not fall out on my next road trip.
I saw a couple at the dealership when I bought mine two weeks ago. Not sure if the package is worth it, but one of the exterior colors exclusive to the Kona was interesting. For lack of a better description, it was a metallic brown/goldish color.
As far as the Kona options go (bike, bike rack, seat covers, dorky plastic side molding, wheels and tires) the only one I'd really like to have is the different instrument cluster. It had white numbers on a light grey backround, looked much better than the green on black that we all have. If you have the grey interior as I do, the Kona dash would go very nicely. Unfortunately, I haven't seen this option in the Focus accessories catalog. One must from the catalog for me will be the armrest/console for $80.
And then if I could just find a spare $3,000 for that Jackson supercharger................
clarification anyone? anyone? bueller?
I am just wondering because I have to to at least 65 on the interstate on my commute.
Thanks.
Yeah, the performance ratings in the SCC article of the JR ZX3 were surprising. 0-60 improved from about 9.6 to 8 something? They talked about all of the added weight (220 lbs), but for pulling 168 HP at the wheels, I would have expected a lot more improvement.
On the reliability issue, I think the JR systems are very well regarded. But at $3000 + installation, it's unrealistic for me. Will have to piecemeal other bolt-ons first: exhaust, intake, maybe a chip, springs, wheels & tires, etc.
Do you have info on chips? I think I've only heard about the Superchip for the ZX3 so far.
Is the instrument panel the same as the Sony Blast edition on the SE Sedan?
Driving over 60 is ok in my opinion during the brake in period. Keeping the revs under 3500 rpm is very prudent and that is exactly what I did. When I reached 1000 miles, I let the engine rev up to 5000.
I cannot think of 1 benefit of driving under 60. In my area, you would have a lot of annoyed drivers behind you and they would be having 'a fit' because you are slowing them down. This creates an accident waiting to happen situation.
Driving gently, avoid stressing the suspension by finding out the maximum 'g -force' the car can handle before spinning out of control, be soft on the brakes (but brake hard if you have to to avoid an accident), not reving the engine over 3500 rpm (often), not going on a 250 mile road trip before a 1000 miles are on the car, not idling the car for an hour are all recommended thoughts to keep in mind when breaking-in any car.
Drive like a 'grandmother' for the first 1000 miles kinda puts it in perspective. (Unless your grandmother drives like Mario Andretti)
I do like z-grrrls option choices as well as
ND
Is the instrument panel the same as the Sony Blast edition on the SE Sedan?
Driving over 60 is ok in my opinion during the brake in period. Keeping the revs under 3500 rpm is very prudent and that is exactly what I did. When I reached 1000 miles, I let the engine rev up to 5000.
I cannot think of 1 benefit of driving under 60. In my area, you would have a lot of annoyed drivers behind you and they would be having 'a fit' because you are slowing them down. This creates an accident waiting to happen situation.
Driving gently, avoid stressing the suspension by finding out the maximum 'g -force' the car can handle before spinning out of control, be soft on the brakes (but brake hard if you have to to avoid an accident), not reving the engine over 3500 rpm (often), not going on a 250 mile road trip before a 1000 miles are on the car, not idling the car for an hour are all recommended thoughts to keep in mind when breaking-in any car.
Drive like a 'grandmother' for the first 1000 miles kinda puts it in perspective. (Unless your grandmother drives like Mario Andretti)
I do like z-grrrls option choices as well as the other person (forgot the name) who is getting even the 'oh so important, smoker's package' Both are cool cars and with the charcoal interior too. My personal favorite!
ND
1. slow/easy break-in period
-or-
2. drive it the way you're going to drive it from day one
I did some of both, most of the time taking it easy, not pushing it above 3500rpm or over 70 mph. Occasionally reaching into the higher numbers. (Dealer sent me a card saying I should have approx. 3174 mi. on the car now and time for an oil change.) I've actually got 1800 miles on it now, let's see...I guess this week makes it 3 months I've had it!
No problems yet, (I take it in for an oil change next week) {Wish me luck?}
Gabe
to zx3 I think? (or whoever put peanut butter on their car) Any dogs in your neighborhood? I'm wondering if they might not mistake your molding for a treat? {slobber, slobber} not to mention scratches...
very ingenious idea btw,just a thought about freagrance though
later,
Gabe
I have put quite a few miles on it already. Work commute is 60 miles one way (120 at least every day). I did drive it a lot Sat. and a bit Sun. so basically I have had it since Saturday, it had 152 on it when I got it (it was delivered from another dealer about 90 miles away- as explained earlier) and now? after this morning's drive...it has over 500 on it.
Oops.
Squeaky Brakes: Is it coming from the front? Do you feel any pulsing on the brake pedal when braking softly (I assume you do not have abs)? Take a look at your disks through the aluminum wheels.
My experience: I noticed that my disks looked a bit like a silver record with circular grooves in it when it had less than a 1000 miles on it. When the car was cold (brake disks can get extremely hot), I touched the disk and it was a bit rough. Now....the disk is very smooth.
I can't stress how important it is to allow the disks to cool. It would take about a half hour after driving. Do not touch it until the car has sat for 1\2 hr.
I think you should not have any noise at all. When you take your car in at 1000 miles, have the dealer check it out. If they say it is normal, tell them that you are on a website dedicated to a discussion of zx-3 and many have said that this is not normal. My brakes do not squeak.
Still....it could go away, but you have spent your hard earned money and you should be 100% satisfied.
Good Luck,
ND
If you think about it, what you're doing is getting the parts to wear together. This isn't as critical as it used to be, but still very important.
With that in mind, try not to take very short trips. Allow the engine to heat up all the way. Then, when you're done, allow it to cool for a few hours. This gives time for complete cycles of expansion and contraction, and prevents microfractures. On your drives, try to take a few windy road trips. Not only is this FUN, but it gets you moving through the gears, and varies the revs enough to let the engine work itself in.
Also, ALWAYS let the engine run for about 30 seconds if the car has been sitting for a few hours. The oils drains out of the engine when it is idle, and it's a good idea to let it run for a bit to work the oil back in before putting load on the engine. This is not just during break-in, this is always. I usually start the engine, put my stereo face in, adjust my radio to what I want or otherwise keep myself occupied, then take off. Your engine will thank you.
Enjoy...
I'd say, "I sure hope so!"
I wonder how a Zetec would sound at that speed? Crunch!
my comment on the 60mph was from my pops, and I figured that there was a lot more to it... 60 didnt sound right to me either... thanks for all the clarification. Now if only my car would arrive I could take all that advice and put it to use.
Is there something wrong with that...? =]
nj
thanks,
kevin
If you've read earlier posts, we determined that the average wait time from order to delivery was about 10-12 weeks. I waited just over 11. It was worth getting exactly what I wanted, though...
that realy sux... 10-12 weeks... if thats the case my car wont even be here by the time i gotta go back to college... I was told 6-8, but im assuming thats just BS from the dealer... anyways, im off to work again fer the night shift... thanks fer the info tog
Kevin
Speaking of Breaking in...I almost forgot to mention that the other day, in broad daylight, a group of guys broke into cars at my job. They got into one car and started for another one before we noticed and ran out to stop them. I checked my car and there were no signs of tampering which relieved me to say the least. To my horror, when I got home later that night, in the glare of the street lights I noticed hand and face prints on my passenger window as if some one was trying to look in through the tint. Luckily I had removed the face buttons of my stereo, because I am pretty sure that the two flashing red lights had detered the thieves from trying to break in to my baby. So heed my warning, you may think it's trivial but removing the buttons and taking them with you just may be the thing that makes a thief skip over your focus.
Pat
www.mcafferty.com is this it?
check it out at www.focus247.com