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Comments
If all the work is done properly, as it usually is by this dealer, I will be happy.
It was almost midnight when I got back to Texas but I took the LS out for a drive to see what I had been missing. Didn't pull any 142 blasts as I hadn't seen the car in 2 weeks but 100 is just a touch of the pedal.
The more I drive the LS, the more I appreciate it.
For Mania II group- do you view your LS slightly differently after seeing it built from the ground up?
I do view my LS differently since touring the plant. Actually, I've always thought it was amazing that comparatively little goes wrong with a modern automobile considering the amount of parts that go into it. The trip really hammered it home, though. The LS is the most complex car Lincoln has ever built. It was amazing to watch what started out as an empty shell drive off the end of the assembly line as a complete car. How did they do this before computers?
"...defective bearing that the steering shaft goes through, the dealer replaced the whole lower steering column as per factory recommendations, the bearing itself is not a serviceable part."
Then for the icing on the cake, institute 20 changes a week on the fly and mesh all of that into production. Those computers must really be humming! Maybe now you begin to appreciate why the window problem wasn't an instant fix. Just think of all the existing units that must be purged from the system.
For those that missed Wixom, there is a movie called "How a Car Is Built" about producing the Mustang. It's interesting, informative and about a half an hour. It's available from I-collection.
The movie is enlightening, but this was only one model. Not the five model mix that Wixom produces. Just seeing the "old school" Town Car, the "front driver" Continental, and our beloved LS on the same line was amazing. Outside of some of the Japanese transplants, I can't think of a single manufacture that produces such a platform mix that Wixom does so successfully.
YES.
The LS, Conti, TC and Stretch TC are all on the same line and come down the line in a predetermined order one after another. As the cars pass each station, the correct parts are fed to the operator (computer or human) at that station to assemble the correct part so the TC doesn't end up with an LS windshield, etc.
As stated before, this is the only factory in the world where a RWD unibody, FWD unibody, and RWD full-chassis are built on the same line. Quite amazing.
The Tbird is built on a different line possibly because of capacity limitations.
Joe
My thanks to the folks at LM for the excellent tour of the Wixom plant and the engineering labs, and especially to Brian and Debbie for working so hard to make it happen.
I suppose you guys that toured Wixom already knew this, but if you told us you'd have to kill us, right? It's public knowledge now so it's ok to talk about it.
Does anyone remember the auto-dimmer Lincoln had in the 70's? Reflective road signs would drive the system (and driver) nuts.
No car coming - go to high beams, big reflection - dim lights, no car coming - go to high beams - big reflection- ....... at about 1 cycle/second.
Though perhaps this is a slightly off-kilter thought, but if someone isn't smart enough to know that they have their headlights on high beams and dim them when they are approaching another car, why are they driving a car then? I know a luxury car is supposed to take a lot of the mundane tasks away from the driver, but isn't there a limit on how removed from driving responsibility a driver should be?
Maybe it's because I like the mechanical bits, but if the auto wipers and auto headlights were optional I probably wouldn't get 'em.
Just my .0000000000000000000001 cent worth
Autolamps, on the other hand, are now a necessity for me.
Just wait 'til you get OLD, Brian. You'll be wanting those air-conditioned seats from the Navigator. **smirk**
I was coming back from lunch today & got a mystery beep. Just happened to be glancing at the instrument panel, and the message center displayed "AUTOLAMP DELAY 0:03" when the beep went off. That's the first time I've ever caught it. I keep my autolamp setting at 0:10, so it wasn't just a redisplay, and it was daylight out, so the autolamp wasn't trying to activate--at least, I don't think it was. It immediately went back to the normal MPG display.
JLinc, gadget junkie, whose opinion is worth at LEAST a nickel...;-)
New Technology & technical obstacles ?????? My '92 Continental had a photocell driven system that worked VERY WELL, the best part was I did not need to turn the highbeams on and off when driving at high speed on twisting mountain roads.... ie. the moreno valley mountain pass on freeway 60. MIA on the LS.
Unfortunately the bean-counters got their way and removed this SAFETY feature from the LS.
I agree about these automatic features. I get really ticked now when I drive the Expedition and have to actually reach ALL THE WAY to the dash to change the radio station or set the volume. And if it starts raining I sit there waiting for the autowipers to kick in. At least it has autolamps. I don't think I could survive if I had to remember to turn those off and on, too! (kinda pathetic, huh?)
http://www.gentex.com/wn_smartbeam.html
Andy, go ahead and laugh, but I got some big, heavy floor mats at Wal-Mart that fit great, match the carpet in the light graphite interior almost perfectly, & wear like iron. $20 or $25, IIRC.
They are mostly driving Beemers (in my town anyway). It is the yuppie equivalent of the permanent left turn blinker. They are using those dumb "driving" lights or high beams around town and blinding anyone who is unfortunate enough to come across their path.
Tire Rack currently lists 6 varieties of 235/50R17 (plus 2 winter tires), so the choices are getting a bit better, but you're absolutely right in comparison to the 245/45. There are 49(!) of those available from Tire Rack. (I didn't check the Discount website but they're probably similar.)
In short, the 245/45 should be fine.
Note to joe166: The Bimmer light plague has been active in Austin for quite some time now. I always feel like opening the window and yelling, "It's not FOGGY, you moron!" Discretion being the better part of valor, I just yell with the window closed.
The LS with time will fare the same way in those winter conditions.
Back in the mid 80's I souped up an 80 Chev Malibu (originally a V6) by dropping in a HI PO 350. After a couple of winters, I couldn't keep windshields in it as the torque flexed the body and cracked the windshield. Before it was towed off to the boneyard, I could steer the car around a corner by keeping the steering wheel straight and gassing it. Everything would flex.
I remember my first new set of wheels a 350/350 69 Chev Malibu. A new feature for that year from GM was an anti-theft locking steering column. I thought that was great until I remembered my 1930 Marquette's steering column also locked!
Mike, you'll be OK with the Impala. Just avert your eyes when you walk around the back of it.
They should be in today and I can't wait. I've been without a spare for 2 weeks and I'm getting more paranoid every day.
After a lengthy road trip, dealing with the Semi's that would light up their fog lights in retaliation, I learned my lesson. I came upon a car going the other direction that had flame- throwers on, so I flashed a couple of times. I was blinded by the glare. Watching as it traveled on, it was a Cadillac with his fog lights on.
I learned my lesson at that point, figuring that I was putting out just as much candlepower. I now rarely use them, except when I'm in the country where the extra light is needed. I do like their broad light pattern and I do miss them, but I decided that their use was supplemental and not required night lighting.
Of course, I don't even want to mention how sensitive to glare that the eyes become as we age.
Just my 2 pence worth.
The local firestone said they would be glad to install them for about $20 dollars a piece.. Will let you know when its done. I will be able to give an assessment of the feel of the tires when worn and when new.
Regards,
Airwolf1000
P.S. Since I am at 30K and taking it in for the 30K Service What was it those of you over 30K on your LS had done (Itemize please) and how much did it set you back... Thanks
Driving Lights: Mine stay on all of the time... I would say that a very large percentage of the vehicles out here in the wilderness of PA use them.
Tires/Brakes: Just did my rotation and rim cleaning and my brakes look like brand new at 25K and the tires are holding up very well, too.
What I DON'T do is drive around in the dark with only the parking lights and fog lights on. Around here that seems to be a favorite of ultra-macho Dodge pickup drivers. I'm nowhere near that cool.
P.S. I also use the driving lights. They light up the side of the road really well and, outside of Cibie lights, are pretty good for regular factory lights.
The only time I've been flashed down here was by several young ladies during Spring Break. Come to think of it, that was during the day so my driving lights weren't even on ;-)