Lincoln Aviator

lolaj42

Allen, we opted for the bench seating for a few reasons. First and most importantly, my 4-year old daughter still rides in a child safety seat, and I'd rather have her located in the center seating position in the 2nd row. I also frequently have two other adults in the car besides my wife, daughter and I, and I'd rather not make them climb into the 3rd row. The benefit to this is that we retain substantial luggage carrying capacity by allowing me to fold the 3rd row flat while carrying 4 adults and my daughter.

There will only be a few occassions each year when I will have 7 passengers, but it WILL happen (bringing my brother's brood up to the Grand Canyon and other National Parks/neat places). This baby will most definitely be driven off paved surfaces! The Aviator really hits all my wants and needs in a vehicle.

akirby

Good reasons! You'll love it.

nvbanker

Interestingly enough, although I'm impressed with the concept, when it comes to choosing my Navigators, I have also chosen the 2nd row bench both times. Need the seat sometimes, and don't like the console in the way if I'm going to do some significant hauling. Interestingly, my wife just passed up a new Mountaineer with the second row console too. Although she won't define why, she says she just "doesn't like it", and ordered a car with the bench.

hectorh97

Can someone please tell me how many watts the sound system in the Aviator Ultimate 4 WD is.
Its suppose to have 6 or 7 speakers with sub woofer and amplifier.

rmyers2

I've browsed through the previous postings and cannot find answer to the following questions: 1. What does the Advance trac do differently on the 2WD vs. the AWD? 2. What does the AWD with Advance Trac do differently than AWD without advance trac? I'm leaning toward purchasing the AWD with Advance Trac but wonder if I really need all those features. I will be driving in the snow a few times a year but probably no off road driving. Can someone help please?

lolaj42

One thing I've discovered since reading my owner's manual (I just purchased an AWD Ultimate w/AdvanceTrac this past Sunday) is that I can manually select whether I want the transfer case LOCKED into full-time AWD all the time, or leave it in AUTO mode. This cannot be done (or so the owner's manual says) unless you have the AdvanceTrac feature in conjunction with AWD. The purpose is so that you can lock the transfer case into full-time AWD mode when in adverse weather, or off-road. The manual also states that it is not advisable to lock the transfer case into full-time AWD when driving on dry, paved roads.

The non AdvanceTrac equipped AWD models ONLY operate in the AUTO mode, which will only divert power to the front wheels once the rear wheels begin to slip.

I'm still reading/studying the manual, so perhaps I don't fully understand this myself.

As an aside, I've had AdvanceTrac on my 2000 Lincoln LS for over 4 years now, and it's a great safety feature that can apply brake force to any individual wheel the computer deems necessary to prevent you from losing control of the vehicle. It's only activated once for me, and I barely noticed it's intervention . . . I was caught in a suprise October snow storm in the Flagstaff, Arizona area (~7,500 ft elevation) about 2 years ago on I-17. In about 30 minutes time, the 2-lane highway turned into a single-trac road with no visible lines and 30 feet of visibilty. I had summer tires on the car, but the LS tracked fine even though the AdvanceTrac light was flashing away like crazy until I dropped to a lower elevation and the snow changed to rain. Needless to say, I (and everyone else on the road) backed-off on the speed during this storm, but I was pretty nervous the whole time. AdvanceTrac made a believer out of me!

nvbanker

I'm not positive, but IIRC, you have 7 speakers including the subwoofer that comes with audiophile, and 30 watts per channel. Now, my son will tell you that's not nearly enough, but for my 50 year old ears, it's way MORE than enough. It's a good system. IMO

explorerx4

i believe my explorer has the same system. 290 watts. has a subwoofer. one of my kids says they think it has 6 speakers. like nvbanker, 3 or 4 'bars' is high enough for me. don't know how many there are on the display. btw, it has dsp, but i just leave it normal. lists for a lot more in a lincoln, though.

rmyers2

Thanks, Lolaj for the information. Very helpful and persuasive that Advance Trac is a great feature. I am now more convinced that AWD with Advance Trac is what I will probably get.

georgefarmer

The dealer put in a new (our 3rd) and updated differential that Ford says will stop the whine. The vehicle has no whine now and also seems even quieter otherwise which tells me there was some noise other then whine going on. Hopefully this will be the end of it. :-)

avfan2

georgefarmer,
Do you have any part numbers,etc. that you could share so we can make sure that I get this "updated" version?

Please give us updates as to whether the whine is indeed gone. I would like to get it done the next time I take it in.
Thanks,
avfan2

akirby

I don't have part numbers but I did get confirmation from my Lincoln contact that a fix has been found and should be on all new Aviators no later than April. Still waiting for other details but it appears they've sent the new parts to dealers already.

asema

Will Lincoln issue a recall on Aviators to replace the part(s) ?
If the Aviator doesn't have the whine yet, should the part still be replaced (i.e. will the whine surely start after a certain time?)

lolaj42

are only issued when safety is the concern. While the rear end whine may be disconcerting, I'm not sure whether it represents a safety concern (I doubt it - but I don't know the root cause, so if it's a half-shaft vibrating at a natural frequency . . . ). If it's not a safety concern, then the problem would only be addressed through a TSB, which are only applied when the customer complains about the condition, or if your dealer is proactive and good with their customer service.

heyjewel

Just wanna add:

Congrats to Lola on the new Aviator.

and

It's very reassuring to learn that Lincoln has found a fix for the rear end whine. Good for all you Aviator owners.

raul69

Does anyone know when the Aviator Catch All carpeted floormats are going to be available?

Also, when I have my climate control set to auto and it is colder inside my vehicle than what the temp is set to on my a/c (1e,set to 72 and 65 inside and outside temp) shouldn't my air be coming out warm to adjust to 72? Instead I get cold air and I have to set my temp to 80 then back down to 72. Shouldn't it be doing automatically?

Please help.

nvbanker

I think if you give it a chance - it will stablize and do that for you. Mine do.

akirby

It appears that the whine is either there from the beginning or not at all. I haven't heard of it developing later. Probably won't know for sure until (if) we get more details on what was wrong.

nvbanker

My buddy's didn't whine until he took it out of town on his first long trip. And coincidently, it has not whined at all this winter. Like it needs to get warm to whine.

akirby

By "from the beginning" I meant within a few hundred miles as opposed to a year or two down the road. Mine doesn't seem to be affected by temperature.

rmyers2

Because of some varied reports on gas mileage performance, I thought I'd throw the following into the hopper. Last week I purchased a new 2004 Aviator with AWD/Advance Trac. I filled up the gas tank, did a little around town driving and then took a long trip with mostly highway driving. This included some hills and climbing to a location of 4000 ft.

I returned home did a little more around town driving before filling up again. I was pleased to calculate my gas mileage at 16.7 MPG. My car was lightly loaded and I was the only occupant of the car.

nvbanker

You could be setting a record...

asema

Yesterday, we were driving on the highway, at around 75mph, in the middle lane, between 2 cars. I guess I was in the blind spot of the car on my left, because he started sloowly moveing into my lane (i.e. into my car). My instincts caused me to quickly swerve to the right, but since there was am 18 wheeler in tyhe right line, I quickly swerved to the left again, causing a very jerky left-right manouver..all this with 5 people in the car, at 75 mph. Not even for a split second did I feel like the car got out of control, or give any tipping-over feeling. I was much impressed with its handling, and it reminded me of handling of my bmw sedan.
It feels good to know that saftey in the aviator is not just limited to a couple of airbags, but also in its crisp handling and manouverability.

nvbanker

It's the best handling SUV I've ever experienced. The independent rear suspension is groundbreaking in the SUV class, and very advantageous. Ford takes risks like this all the time, but rarely gets any credit for it when it works out so well. But let the damn thing catch fire when plowed in the back by a freightliner at 70 MPH, and see who catches hell!!!!

ANT14

It's like skiing, you must keep your knees bent and flexible, and disperse the load between both legs when making turns. Unlike live-axle rear suspension's which act like locked knees, and can topple easily if it's stirred too much.

akirby

I've said it before - it handles a lot like my LS and I really enjoy driving it. NOTHING like the Expedition land barge we traded. I had to put new shocks and tires on that one just to make it driveable. Anyone who says it's just a gussied up explorer is sadly mistaken.

akirby

I found the Oasis bulletin. It says it's for the 3.55 rear axles and includes a new certified differential with revised coating and gear finishing changes (whatever that means). Here are the part numbers:

V-659-H CONVENTIONAL (OPEN) AXLE (with IVD)
V-670-J CONVENTIONAL (OPEN) AXLE (without IVD)
V-601-G LIMITED SLIP TYPE AXLE (without IVD)

I think IVD is Advance Trac but not 100% sure.

cajun_mike

Lincoln says my Ultimate RWD with Class III towing is on hold until April fifth. I sure hope that date gets bumped up. I am going nuts. I have decided to get the dealer to monochrome the paint job for me. I am getting all the grey moldings on the front and rear bumpers, side mirrors and running boards painted tricoat white like the rest of the vehicle.

jmez44

Question:

The first few times I filled up my 2003 Aviator AWD it said I had 287 miles until empty. After that, its been reading 264 until empty when I fill it up. What would cause that?

Gas mileage seems to be getting worse and worse these days with the Winter and the heat running =(

akirby

You answered your own question. It uses average fuel economy to determine miles to empty, so if your mileage gets worse your MTE will go down. The inverse is also true.

jmez44

Then how come when i take a long highway trip (obviouly better mileage) it doesn't go up to something like 275 on my next fill?

Its seems odd to me that its always the exact number "264" everytime i fill up since about a month after I had the vehicle. If it varies based on fuel economy, then I would think it would vary on the DTE too. No?

akirby

Because your avg mpg doesn't change that quickly. I forget what time frame is used for MTE but I think it's something like the last 1000, so one short trip won't change it much. You could try resetting the mpg and see if that affects it. What does the owner's manual say about how it's calculated?

nvbanker

OH, it will. Then it will settle back on about 264 miles to empty, until something affects the average fuel economy enough to give you a gallon or less of expectant mileage at the end of the tank. And BTW, they're pretty accurate. You can trust them. Sometimes, that's bad news.

jmez44

Just got my 5k mile service and my tank fills up to 287 DTE now. Hmmm....coincidence?

heyjewel

I'm not understanding this. Are u implying dealer service adjusted your computer to show a greater DTE?
There are 2 variables in DTE:
- past fuel economy and
- number of gallons in the tank.

If the tank contains less fuel, the DTE will be less. Variations in filling the tank could easily account for this, unless you carefully top off each time u fill the tank until u can see the fuel in the filler tube. And that's not a good idea. I think you're splitting thin hairs here.

ANT14

Jmez, The computer will pick up the previous readings as to what you did. As in, it'll guestimate what your next round of gas will give you, based on the previous fill-up.

jmez44

All I'm saying is that the first time the truck was given to me off the lot with the full tank it read "287 miles to empty". After a few complete fillups at exactly 287, it started to read "264 miles to empty"...and it has been exactly that number(no matter how my tank was topped off) for a few months now.

I took my truck in for the 5k service Friday, and it just went back to "287 miles to empty" after my latest complete fillup. I just think that it is odd to be at exactly one or the other of those two numbers mentioned if this calculation is based on what you say:

- past fuel economy and
- number of gallons in the tank.

....I am wandering why the numbers wouldn't at least vary along the way. If its a guestimate, why wouldn't the number vary?

Just curious..what has your "miles to empty" been reading after complete fillup?

e350v10

Mine is always around 280 - 305

cajun_mike

I had signed up for the automatic updates on the Lincoln site and I received this email tonight. Their 3,000 incentive has now been increased to $5,500... I feel like I am stealing my 04 Aviator.. The Ultimate RWD with 17 inch chrome wheels, class III trailer hitch, Advance Trac Stability control and Tricoat White has a dealer cost of 41,772. Knock 5,500 off that and it's 36,772. My dealer says he is going to sell it to me for 500 over cost so I am at a final price of 37,272.00.. I am so fired up... I just need to make sure he'll lock me into that incentive in case my Aviator doesnt arrive in time. He told me that the old incentive of 3k was locked in even though Ford is holding all RWD Aviators with Class III trailer hitches until April fifth. I'll be calling in the morning.

 
Save now with 0% APR financing or up to $5,500
cash back or choose one of our low lease payments
on select Lincoln and Mercury Vehicles*.

If you think you can find a better deal, think again. Because right now, during the Think Big Sales Event, you can take advantage of the best offers of the year on our wide range of luxurious Lincoln and versatile Mercury cars and SUVs including:

Lincoln Navigator
Available power liftgate, power-deployable running boards
and power-folding 3rd-row seats
The highest owner loyalty in its class**
Luxury for up to eight

Lincoln Aviator
302-horsepower V8
Agile, sport-tuned suspension
Luxury for up to seven

Lincoln Town Car
Best-in-class trunk capacity
Best-in-class shoulder room and front headroom
First car in its class to receive the government’s highest
safety rating in all five categories***
Highest owner loyalty in its class**

Mercury Mountaineer
Disappearing 3rd row seat
Highest owner loyalty in its class**
“Best Pick” rating three years in a row from
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety+++

The all-new Mercury Monterey
Our safest minivan ever
3rd-row Tailgate Bench Seat(TM)****
Forward and Reverse Sensing Systems that alert you
when objects are close while parking

Mercury Grand Marquis
Government’s highest 5-star safety rating nine years running++
Largest trunk in its class
Only standard V8 in its class
Only rear wheel drive in its class
Highest owner loyalty in its class**

SEE YOUR LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER TODAY FOR ALL THE DETAILS
OR GO TO LINCOLNMERCURY.COM

To find the nearest Lincoln Mercury dealership click here.

------------------------------------------------------------------ - - ---------------

*Not all buyers will qualify for Ford Credit financing. APR varies by term. Cash back varies by model. $5,500 cash back available on Lincoln Town Car. Cash back includes $1,000 Owner Loyalty cash for current eligible owners of Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Proof of ownership required. $500 AARP Bonus Cash for AARP members. Proof of AARP membership required. Limit one per member. Offer cannot be combined with any private offers. For APR or cash back take delivery from dealer stock by 3/31/2004. See dealer for qualifications and details.
**According to Polk statistics the following models ranked highest in their respective categories in the 2003 model year by having the greatest percentage of households return to purchase or lease another Grand Marquis (Large Car), Mountaineer (Midsize SUV), Town Car (LuxuryCar) and Navigator (Prestige SUV).
***Government’s driver and passenger front; side-front and rear crash test; Rollover Resistance rating, 2003-2004.
****Rear-facing 3rd-row seat is not intended for passenger seating while vehicle is in motion.
++ Government’s driver and passenger front crash test, 1996-2004.
+++ 40-mph frontal offset crash test

 
 

------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------
Click here to view Lincoln's privacy policy.

You have received this e-mail because you asked us to keep you informed.
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail communications from Lincoln-Mercury vehicles please click here.

This is a post e-mail communication only. Do not hit reply.

akirby

You didn't read that closely enough. $5500 is only on the Town Car. And to get $5500 you must also qualify for the AARP and owner loyalty cash. Did you specifically check the Aviator rebates and all the fine print?

It also says you must take retail delivery from dealer stock by 3/30/04. I'm doubtful the dealer could "hold" that deal for you if you ordered the vehicle and it didn't come in by then. Possible but not likely.

cajun_mike

I feel like an idiot... I got so fired up I didnt read the entire text... oh well.. back down to earth.. LOL

albell

I am about to schedule my first (5000 mile) service appointment with Manhattan Lincoln etc. Anyone have any experience with them good or bad? Everything is AOK with Aviator, save for some of the plastic/nickel trim coming loose on the center console. Hopefully they will address with no problem, but having dealt with MB service for several years, I guess I am gearing up for the worst .

Thanks.

avfan2

georgefarmer, is your rear axle whine still gone?

BTW my MTE is usually around 350.

jmez44

350 MTE is amazing. You must do a fair amount of highway miles right? Mine recently got up to like 295.

avfan2

I just noticed that the part numbers in post #1266 are for the 3.55 rear end, what are the part numbers for the 3.75 rear end (AWD)?

MTE? Actually I don't think I do much highway driving, probably 50% or less.

akirby

The OASIS bulletin only covered the 3.55. It sounded like that was the only one with a problem. Ask your dealer.

e350v10

The Aviator is one of the most powerful mid-sized SUV's available, and we love ours.

I've noticed something very interesting though in comparison to my wife's XC90.

Living in Denver, the altitude has put a big dent in my Aviator's power!

Here are the power ratings:

XC90 T6 - I6 - 2.9 ltrs - twin turbo - 268 hp - 280 ft-lbs. torque
Aviator - V8 - 4.6 ltrs - nat. asp. - 302 hp - 300 ft-lbs. torque

Published 0-60 times (Motor Trend)

XC90 T6 - 8.9 Sec
Aviator - 8.1 Sec

They both weigh in at just over 6,000 lbs.

You'd think the Aviator would blow the doors off the XC90 with 32 more horsepower. And it does - for the first 50 ft.

When the turbos kick in, the XC90 easily catches up and passes the Aviator - and the turbo difference is even more evident mountains.

I'm putting a K&N air filter into the Aviator to see if that makes any difference. I think the engine is starving for air!

akirby

have an advantage in thinner air because they're force feeding the engine. K&N won't hurt but I doubt it would make up the difference.

jmenbob

Does anyone know why the 04 Aviator requires premium fuel, and what will happen if I use mid-grade or regular? Thats one heck of a gas tank to fill with premium!!!!!!

lolaj42

This question has come up in many different threads, so a little research on the part of the person asking the question is helpful. I know I have responded to this question on several occassions over the past 3 years. Here it goes again.

Engines that have compression ratios greater than ~10:1 will require gasoline that has an octane rating greater than 91 to prevent engine knock (detonation; aka spontaneous ignition). Using a fuel grade with anything less than 91 octane will often result in engine knock, especially under hard acceleration. Engine knock (fuel detonation - where the air-fuel mixture burns all at once, rather than a uniform burn that takes place in concert with the stroke of the cylinder) can ultimately lead to significant engine damage over time.

The 4.6 liter DOHC, 32 valve V-8 engine that ALL Aviator's are built with have a 10.03:1 compression ratio, and therefore require a PREMIUM fuel blend (minimum of 91 octane). I do not know whether the ignition timing is variable (which retards the cylinder spark) that can compensate for the temporary use of a lower fuel octane level.

In any event, YOU DO NOT WANT TO USE ANY FUEL OTHER THAN PREMIUM if you don't want to risk engine damage. Even if the engine can compensate for spark timing (I know the Lincoln LS does), the engine efficiency will be degraded by using anything other than premium, offsetting any savings you would realize by filling up with anything but premium. You do yourself a terrible disservice by filling up with anything but PREMIUM fuel.

Here's a link that may help you understand further:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question90.htm