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Comments
Greybaby
Steve, Host
But how many of the Five Hundred / Montego were with the CVT.
I'd guess SIGNIFCANTLY less than the 45,000 Freestyles.
Did the moonroof deflector make THAT much of a difference?
I've been debating whether to get one or not. There is the "built-in" pop-up deflector, but it still can get fairly noisy.
NEW holes had to be drilled? I thought these things usually only required clips and existing hardware.
Actually, I'm not playing MP3 discs at all. Nor are any of the discs I'm playing burned. They are just plain-old store-bought (well, library-borrowed in the case of audiobooks) CDs. I've never experienced any problems with any of these discs until this CD player. Skips aren't nearly as noticable on audio CDs, but they occur. On audiobooks, however, it is totally unacceptable. I am average about 1 skip per minute, and they cut off anywhere from 1/2 second to 3-4 seconds from the ends of tracks.
I'm curious about the mention of this being a Visteon unit. I was under the impression this was made by Delphi, though it has the same look as the unit made by Visteon.
I'm not a heavy driver. My driving habit haven't really changed since I bought this car. I try to coast when I can, use cruise control when I can, rarely go above the 3000 RPM mark, but generally keep it around 2000 RPM.
I just expected better that 20 MPG when it is advertised at 27. I never expected 27. I did a mileage check during a recept all-freeway trip. I got 20.4 MPG. That's on cruise control almost the whole way.
Well, anyhow. Whatever. I can't do much about that. I just want my CD player working!
Regarding Visteon, they are Ford's (independent) electronics/accessories arm so we on this site assume that is the audio unit's source. Since Delphi is General Motors' electronics house, it may not be normal for them to supply Ford with product. With second sourcing and private labeling, anything is possible. If it is a Delphi unit, their product consistency is not reassuring. :shades:
You might try one or two more experiments. Sit in the Freestyle with the radio on, but engine and other accessories off. With a CD playing, try stepping on the brakes, turning on the headlights, anything you can without the motor running. See if you get the same results as when you are driving.
The MPG tracker on your Freebie is very subjective. The manual suggest's that you reset it and then have your car on 'speed control' for at least 5 miles. This will only give you an average for that 5 miles. It's constantly changing due to overall driving conditions and driving habits.
3 questions:
1) Are you using name-brand fuel?
2) What speeds are you traveling at on your highway trips?
3) Are you re-setting the Message Center's MPG feature when you fill-up?
Gasoline from the "el-cheapo" stations frequently doesn't measure up to the standards of what is sold at Shell, Texaco, Chevron, etc... It can and will affect mileage.
It takes a lot more horsepower to go 80 mph than 70. Simply stated, excessive speed wastes fuel. I've experimented with my 2wd Freestyle and have found that at a steady 62mph (100kph) on a flat highway I achieved a 31mpg reading on the Message Center.
If your Freestyle has the message center feature, make sure you're re-setting the MPG to zero when you fill-up. Otherwise it continues to display information that includes previous tanks of gas.
One last thing... I heard on the radio the other day that the #1 complaint of Toyota Prius owner's is that their Prius's don't come even close to getting the mileage that is displayed on the sticker. People that buy Hummer's complain about it's gas mileage too. At 3 bucks a gallon, it's human nature to complain about fuel mileage.
My husband thinks I misunderstood the service manager! I looked at the car this morning and there are two screws on the top of the moonroof deflector. I remember the service manager apologizing to me for having to wait so long to get the work done. He said it was more complicated than they allowed time for. But he might have been referring to the bracket I was also having put on. I will call him this week to find out exactly how they put it on! Didn't meant to alarm you.
Greybaby
On my Honda Accord (rated 20-25) I used to get from LA to Sacramento - 450 Miles - using about 15-16 Gal. It took FS almost 35 Gal - This is not funny!
Nor is it credible. That works out to 12.86 MPG highway. Given the gunplay that LA freeways are known for, maybe someone shot a hole in your fuel tank.
Steve, Host
You may want to give it another couple of tanks before cooling your heals at the dealer. If there was something obviously wrong, like a bad 02 sensor, your check engine light should be on.
Steve, Host
I saw a review of the Freestyle at www.cartv.com and they stated that Ford plans to discontinue the Freestyle after the 2007 model year. Has anyone here heard that before?? That stinks! They make a nice vehicle (as far as I know) and only run it for 3 years? What gives?
Forgive me if this has been covered before. I used to follow this forum, but since 99% of the feedback was always so positive, I didn't think it was necessary to keep following it. This vehicle is definitely near the top of my "To Buy" list, but looks like by the time I'm ready for an (pseudo-)SUV, it won't be around.
I would think the CVT would be especially sensitive to having the computer reading the wrong tire size.
They can access a menu that lists every available tire size and has a "other" selection where they can enter your tire size if it's not a stock size.
I had it done on my F-150 and Expedition.
I read the user-forums last night (got mine in yesterday). It appears that there's an issue with the installation on the Mustang. However, one person said he also had an issue with the Five Hundred, too.
It sounds like they'll need to come up with a replacement IC on this thing to solve the issue.
There is a workaround (discussed on the site), but it results in the dimmer not working on the radio, and also the speed-volume control doesn't work after this workaround.
For now, I'm planning on holding off, since I will probably be paying somebody to do the install.
Let me know how it goes if you do it this weekend. Also, any hints about getting the radio in/out, and where you hook the thing up would be appreciated (maybe some pics?). If it's easy enough, I might attempt it myself.
I have 2005 SEL, nautical blue, with shale leather interior. i was going to buy mats from here http://www.drivingcomfort.com/index.cfm?fa=p&pid=657&addcar=1
i got that link from this board. Any suggestions on color, choices are beige, black or grey. stupid question, but i am not real good with colors.
thanks
ron
Brand new AWD SEL... I mean 4 days old!!!! Less than 200 miles.
Went on a 2100 mile long trip. Averaged 24.5 on the major highway stints. Cruise @ 72-77 depending on traffic. Loaded with self, wife, 2 kids, rear seats folded flat and STUFFED to the ROOF with crap. Oh yeah, it was in the high 80's in GA last week, so the A/C was on the ENTIRE WAY!!!
If you are not getting the mileage that is posted on the sticker, then you are abusing your vehicle (or don't know how to properly calculate the correct MPG).
Don't believe all this hype in the media about 'inflated' mileage on the sticker. If you drive like a normal person you'll do just fine.
I have noticed that since I drove a manual xmsn before this, it was easier to make the transition to the CVT. My wife on the other hand, who drives an auto, tended to be a little heavier in the foot during stoplight-to-stoplight driving. Felt it should be moving faster with the initially higher revs.
But go ahead, keep blaming the car. Ford is already going to discontinue it... If I wanted an exploder, I would have purchased one! :surprise:
What I would try (in a situation like that) is to get up to cruising speed on the highway, then reset the mpg computer, and see what it said over a few miles of driving at constant speed. That would be the first step, anyway.
Regarding the workaround for the audio box that prevents the panel lights from dimming, we would prefer that. In fact, I just got back today from having the 10K service at the dealer. I asked them to modify the software to keep the panel lights bright when the headlamps are on as we drive that way often during the daylight. Since the panel lights dim, they are impossible to see in daylight. Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to talk to the technician who worked on the car. I was simply told "That's how it is supposed to be. If you can find someone else to modify the code for you, go ahead". I may just unplug the data cable like Logjam suggested. The speed controlled volume doesn't really seem to do much, so we wouldn't miss that either.
Regards,
Allan
That may be true for FWD Freestyles, but the door sticker on my AWD Freestyle says 32 PSI on both front and rear.
I might add that when I picked up my vehicle, all the tires were overinflated. Some as much as 8 pounds and none less than 5 pounds over! My recommendation is to buy yourself a good digital gauge, check them regularly, and check the door sticker to see what pressures are applicable to your particular vehicle. Checking the spare should be on the list too.
Nobody I run into has ever heard of the Freestyle. Ford's marketing is scant. The dealers around here (San Francisco Bay Area) don't seem to know much about the car, espcially some of the finer points of the gizmos and gadgets. The brochure is pathetic when it comes to anything more than pretty pictures and color choices. Other carmakers advertise they have Bluetooth, and Ford neglects to mention anywhere that they have an accessories department where you can get it. Only found out after playing around that the radio displays RDS information. They mention they have a DVD player, but none of the functions it has.
We bought a Freestyle because it was the safest, most flexible car we could get into at a decent price - not because of any advertising by Ford. If the car doesn't survive, it will be Ford's marketing department's fault, not the car itself. I never could pack into an Expedition what I can get into the Freestyle, and the hip-height seating is the best thing since sliced bread. The ergonomics are fantastic, nothing is out of reach and the flip-fold seats are, heh, the best thing since sliced bread too! But I discovered all this by playing around in one by myself. The car sells itself, but as of yet Ford seems clueless as to how to drag people in to check it out in the first place. And bland styling? I came out of a store today and looked for our new car, and saw a pretty blue pearl gem sitting in the parking lot.
That was a very longwinded way of saying that if they had a commercial that showed how fabulous the car is, and put more specs in their brochure, we would've bought one without much research months ago.
If I'm not mistaken, you have to have the Audiophile System radio for the RDS feature. Pretty much limited to the Limited's I'd say. Alas, mine is a mere SEL.
Does it have the 17" or 18" tires?
My Limited (18" tires, also built in Dec 2004) says 32psi front and back.
It may be a tire size thing (34 vs 32 psi in back)
I remember the message, but I don't remember the details.
Where do you intend to put the RCA outputs in your installation?
I'm wondernig about those two "vacant" spots down by the Traction Control, Rear Sensor Control, Flasher. I don't know if they're easy to get to or not. But was thinking that having an RCA input in each one of those spots would be kinda neat.
I'm not big into sound systems, but I was trying out the DVD player that I ended up with because that's what they had left of the 05's here. In the movie I plunked in there was a chopper flying back and forth chasing down a car, and honestly the sound was more fun than at a movie theater. Sounded like the chopper was over my head flying back and forth. But I'm not an expert. I'm sure people with a finely tuned ear to that sort of thing would see room for improvement, but the sound was pretty awesome for watching a movie on a tiny screen in a car.
I am firmly on the fence. My instinct and past experience with domestics says stay away but the practical side of me says this appears to be what we need - Is this Freestyle the real deal?-