Ford Focus Sedan

pat · June 2004

Well, please keep in mind that the Town Hall isn't supposed to be used to arrange group buys - that's a form of solicitation for personal gain forbidden by the Membership Agreement.

But the way to contact each other would be for one of you to make your email address public in your profile at least long enough for the other to obtain it.

When your email address is public in your profile, the only people who can see it are logged in members. This protects it from the spam bots.

jasdmw · June 2004

Hi Pat;

We're not trying to do a group buy, per se. We're just 2 owners living close to each other trying to save a buck.

I'll provide my hotmail address (jasdmw@hotmail.com). That makes me feel a bit better. CJSB, send me your address and we'll go from there. I'll provide my real address at that point.

I too was considering the deflector. Have one on the Sienna. Seems all the stones hit just above the line of protection. But it does seem to work, as it's usually got bug stuff on it after a highway run. The dealer wanted $149.00 installed and I found an aftermarket unit for $89.00. Oddly enough, the manufacturer is called Focus! It's a no drill installation.

I'm also seriously pondering an auto dimming mirror. The van has it and it works well. however, cheap they ain't! Best price so far is $399.00 installed at a shop in London. That's for a unit with the compass and an outside temp gauge. Was also looking at tinting. Best price so far for the "good" stuff, $172.00 locally here in Burlington.

cjsb · June 2004

Thanks Pat.

In yet another odd similarity, I just had the window tinting done. Actually had it worked into my deal on the car. Looks great IMO. Though there are a couple of small spots where it appears the tint may not have taken. I asked the tinter (it was outsourced by the dealership) what it would have cost had I brought the car in off the street and he said high $200 range. So your quote seems good.

Where'd you find the deflector? No luck for me at NAPA or Canadian Tire today. I also have one on the second car and though not perfect, I think it's made a diffence. Even if only on those runs up north where it is literally painted with bugs.

I'll be in contact.

Mark.

anglia · June 2004

I have a deflector made by lund. The side wings go to the top of the headlights, somewhat different than the 1 in the ford accessories web site. Mine took 15 min to install. Dezee is another company to check out. Price on ford site is about what I paid for mine.

jasdmw · June 2004

Thanks for the info on the Lund. I found a local source for that make. Can you verify that the model number is 78528? Can you describe how the mounting location on the hood is determined? Is a template included or do you do it by eye?

Thanks.

anglia · June 2004

I can't find the number of the deflector right now. Mon afternoon I will go and get that for u. The bottom of the deflector will only go on so far and the side wings determine the placement by eyeball. The deflector number is the same for 2004 as it is for 2003,as our catolog only went to 2003. We called the distributor. As stated before the wings go to top of headlight lense. They come in 2 colors , smoked and clear I think. I have the liquid gray paint and the smoked looks great on the ZTS (2004). Will post tommorrow with number.

anglia · June 2004

I found the number and that IS THE CORRECT number. If you want a picture of one I will be happy to take one and send it to you. If you like after reading these 2 posts ,I will post my e-ml adress and u can send me yours for the picture

jasdmw · June 2004

Thanks much for your work to find the number, really appreciate it. A picture isn't needed, thanks. I've seen several and am sure they all look similar. My ZTS is sangria red, so the dark smoked one will look fine on that as well. I've put tinted license plate covers on and am still considering tinting the windows, so all that dark stuff will match more or less.

John

agadkari · June 2004

I have 2004 Focus ZTS and just want to share my experience with all. At 9000 mile, I got check engine light, so I took it to the dealer. I am disappointed with my dealer because the way this matter was handled. Anyway, my car was at dealer's service dept for a week (I never receive any call from the service dept and no information was passed to me); Following is description about problem (it is written on the receipt).

PART # 3S4Z9G749AA
9040 VERFIED MIL HOOKED UP TO WDS PERFORMED PERLIMINARY CHECKS PERFORMED KOEO SELF TEST CMDTC P0452 PERFORMED DATA LOGGER USED OUTPUT STATE CONTROL TO ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE CAUSE OF EVAP LEAK TRIED KNOW GOOD FUEL FILLER CAP NO DIFFERENCE USED VACUTEC SMOKE MACHINE TO PINPOINT LEAK FOUND SEAM ON EVAP SYSTEM BUFFER CANISTER UNDER HOOD LEAKING REPLACED CANISTER RESTESTED WITH SMOKE MACHINE OK RETESTED EVAP SYSTEM PASS CLEARED CODES AND RETESTED EEC SYSTEM KOEO P100 0

explorerx4 · June 2004

when did you say you needed the car back when you brought it in?
at least it looks like they had the right tech on the job. i think wds is world diagnostic system, and koeo is key on engine off.
happy with the mileage on our pzev/5speed. last 2 tanks 31+ mpg. longest trip about 20 miles one way.

agadkari · June 2004

I was hoping to get my car back in 3 business days. However, i have been told that the part they (dealer) have ordered is on national back order list. So there was no definite time frame given; meantime i discuss this issue with ford customer service directly, and under their investigation there was no back order for this part.

tgregory1 · July 2004

I have owned a 2000 Focus LX sedan and the check engine light has been on for 6 months but the car runs fine. We went to the mechanic once and he said it may be a bad valve or dirty exhaust valve and suggested we use "SEAFOAM" gasoline system
cleaner and it went out for about 3 months but the light is back on again. Could it be a defective head?

chuck1 · July 2004

When the check engine light goes on, it means the computer is "storing a code." The only way to know what is wrong is to read the code with the proper equipment. When you leave the light on for long periods of time, you could be causing more damage. For example, the code may say your engine is running rich, if this is the case it will cause the catalytic converters to go bad! I can't believe your mechanic didn't know enough to read the code. What an idiot!

dunworth · July 2004

Just spent three days driving a rental 2005 Focus ZX4. It had an automatic and all the toys leather, sunroof etc. Great car but I wish I had the stick.

I must admit I liked driving the Focus more than my 2003 Civic. The Focus feels more solid and heavier. The Civic has the smoother engine but is lighter overall.The Civic quality still feels slightly better but the Ford was decent. They are similar size wise and the Civic does have the flat floor in the back. Both have great seats and driving position.

The Focus sure is thirsty though compared with my Civic. There was not any huge difference in quickness despite the extra horsepower on the Focus. On the highway, I only got about 40 mpg (imperial gallon) on the Focus whereas I get around 48 - 50 mpg on the Civic (even when new). The Civic has gotten as high as 56 mpg given a chance (gentle driving, perfect day etc.)

FWIW I love the Focus refresh, inside and out. I have driven and liked the previous versions as well.

So what us the general consensus. Is this a good reliable car now? Is it as reliable as say a Civic?

jasdmw · July 2004

Hi Anglia;

I received my deflector last night and installed it. Took me aout an hour, including washing the hood. I took my time, no big rush. It looks good but it's a little flimsy, or more flexible, compared to the one on my Sienna. I note that per the instructions, brush type car washes are out, which is OK by me; I always use touch free anyway although my dealer washes cars after every service. Have you had any noise or rubbing issues at highway speeds? I put the 4 bumpers on. 2 are at the extremity by the headlights and 2 are across the front spaced about 4" or so from center.

jasdmw · July 2004

Well, had my first problem this week. Took the car through my favorite touch free car wash (high pressure jets) and now the horn doesn't work! Has anyone else had this problem? I'm concerned it might be a recurring issue.

Also, noticed that if I push the lock button on the fob, the doors lock. Pressing the button a second time, the horn sounds (when it's working). Didn't see anything about this in the manual.

dunworth · July 2004

High pressure car washes are generally a bad idea. Water and high pressure mist gets in where it does not belong and can, in the short term, affect operation of a number of accessories. Let the car dry out and it will probably be fine in a few days.

The horn sounding on the key fob is how my Civic works too. It is how the anti theft immobilizer is activated on my car.

Lots of Canadians on this board. We love our small cars. I am just south of some of you in east Oakville. Not far from the giant Ford plant.

anglia · July 2004

I have not noticed any noise from the deflector and I have been up to speeds of 75. 2 of my bumpers are 4 inches upward from the push pins on the bat wings. The others 2 are 5inches on either side of the ford emblem . or 6 1/2 from center of emblem. the center is very sturdy where they are , but the wings could use a couple of more. I will give them the road test tommorrow as we are heading for ohio the key west fla. car has 635 miles on it, so it should be broke in when it get back. we have no brush type car washes in the sticks. of iowa where i live. i live on gravel road so i wash at home and drive slow to hard surface road. will give road trip report in 5 weeks. milage is only 25 mpg now. hope it gets better.

nyfocus1 · July 2004

Mine works the same way. The first time you push lock, the lights flash & the doors lock. Press it a second time, the horn sounds. It's the cars way of saying "hey dummy, you already locked me"

oily_rags · July 2004

Hello, I just want to get some input from other focus owners. When I have my air conditioner on, and I shift into neutral and come to a stop, the engine makes a sort of hum, or whine at 1000 rpm. once it goes below 1000 the noise subsides, or above 1000.
My dealer said this is normal, and other focus cars make the same sound, but I want to be sure, because it is very noticeable at times.

bowke28 · July 2004

this is one of my pet peeves!

when my customers leave with their new cars, they know them from top to bottom.

this practice of tossing the keys with the 3 c's is horrible. (c your keys...c your car...c ya later)

samie123 · July 2004

I have a 4 dr. sedan. rear seat is a bench seat,can't fold foward because it hits backs of front seats,so can't fold rear seat backs down flat to use for large items.Ford should have made split rear seat so you could use at least one side like the passenger side by moving the seat up to the dash board. ford should have an option to have a split rear seat installed. Roger.

bowke28 · July 2004

you have an LX model, right?

samie123 · July 2004

No, i have a 4 dr zts.But i'am talking about the rear seat cushion,it's a one piece unit, so if drivers seat is in use when i try to flip it up it hits the back of the front seat rendering it useless. so i cant use the function of a flat cargo area.

bowke28 · July 2004

...like you need leg reduction surgery. im only 5'3", so send me the leftovers if you would, please. ;-)

samie123 · July 2004

I would rather go for a bigger car, It's not that i don't appreciate your kind offer,but Thanks for trying. Roger.

bowke28 · July 2004

a good alternative would be a civic or sentra...they both offer split seats in back...as does the '05 focus.

markus5 · July 2004

Perhaps a 2005 rear seat bottom could be easily retrofitted to the 2004 sedan. If so I might be monitoring the Junk yards for the first 2005 which comes in.

bowke28 · July 2004

the seatbacks arent compatible. the mechanisms and locks are in different places.

markus5 · July 2004

I was asking about the seat bottoms only. On my 04 zts, one piece merely flips foreward from 2 front hinges. I was thinking of replacing the one piece with two so that full advantage could be taken of the 60/40 split seat back.

3screwsloose · July 2004

We got it. We gotit! You are talking about the seat "cushion", not the "backrest". I have also noticed this peculiarity. All you need to do is pull the front seats all the way foreward and then try to drive - if you can still get in the car. As you mentioned a "split" cushion would help if you were hauling a long object and didn't need the area behind the drivers' seat - you could lay it on the right side, behind the passenger seat. Gotit!

3screwsloose · July 2004

Side airbags can be either the "seat-mounted" airbags or the "side-curtain" airbags. They perform different functions. The "side-curtain" airbags are a step up from the "seat-mounted" airbags and work in conjunction with the "seats". "Side-curtains" - "curtains" help protect you head. "Seats" help protect your torso. You can't get the curtains w/o the seats. Nor would you want to. Together with the "front" airbags they are the state-of-the-art in airbag protection. Hardly anyone offers the curtains yet. However, after seeing the bone-crushing videos from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). They show SUVS T-boning passenger cars and smaller SUVS. Because of the difference in bumper height of the vehicles, curtains make all the difference between a poor and a good rating.
Don't count on the seats protecting you noggin.
Hopefully, curtains will become more widely available in the near future. My '02 Passat has them standard.
Incidentally, older "seats" are actually mounted in the B-pillar (the body post that runs from the roof to the floor) - where the door latch is. I first saw these on the '97 Mercedes. Now they are in the seatbacks to help when the seat is adjusted for short/long-legged people. It keeps the airbag close to you.

bowke28 · July 2004

in some cars, lincolns to be exact, the seat side airbags DO go all the way up.

and side curtain airbags are available on more than half the models of cars sold in the US.

3screwsloose · July 2004

I didn't know that. I deal primarily w/Mercedes-Benz. I have seen the post-collision deflated airbags on the side and they look somewhat too small and short to protect the headbone. I just considered M-B as state-of-the-art or cutting-edge. I am not familiar w/Lincoln. I like 'em better when they are STANDARD. You don't have all that deciding to do when you are shoppng. I conside safety as a prime requisite.

3screwsloose · July 2004

I noticed that too. My '04 ZTS had no LR liner. The other new cars were mixed and varied - some did/some didn't. I took it back and they put it on. When I drove, I could hear the rocks hitting the metal in the LR. Now it's right. Also I noticed the air deflector from the front bumper to the AC condensor had been "ripped" off the car - literally. The side brackets were there but somewhat torn. That is fixed now. No problemo. The service advisor assured me as did the salesman the car had not been wrecked. Anyway about 1/2 the other new cars had no LR liner. Who knows - maybe that guy took off that day and nobody filled in for him at the assembly plant.
I can only guess that the RR HAD to have the line since the fuel filler pipe to the tank is there. No need on the LR 'tho. Purely a cost-cutting measure. Now that's a guess remember!
My Passat had a recall to install an additional shield to protect the filler pipe in case of a tire blowout and subsequent tire disintegration that could cause a fire by breaking the filler pipe near the tank.

mschmal · August 2004

The keyless remotes on ford cars work as follows.

Once on lock: Silently locks all doors.

Twice on lock: all doors lock, horn chrips once if one of the doors is not completely closed, the horn will chrip 2xs to let you know.

once on unlock only unlocks driver's door

2xs on unlock unlocks the other doors.

Mark

rapidrick · August 2004

Finally catching up on Edmunds and thought I'd reply to your:
"Next on the agenda is snow tires. I've read several reports (verified by the GM at my dealership) this car really benefits from snows. Anybody have word on a good brand of 205/50/16 snow tires?"
comment. My 03 ZTW with the 16 Pirellis was fine and dandy on the snow/ice this past NASTY North Dakota winter. I was shocked, as I'd been planning on steels and skinnys. Granted, they were pretty agressive on plowing out the roads up here this past winter, but still! I doubt the ESP and traction control and ABS and whatever had anything to do with it--I think the tires are way underrated IMHO.
rr

explorerx4 · August 2004

i think the second time you press the lock button, it activates the perimiter alarm.

bowke28 · August 2004

there is no perimeter alarm. the security is a passive anti-theft device, and is active when the doors are locked.

explorerx4 · August 2004

my sticker lists a perimiter alarm for $125. i better have it.

bowke28 · August 2004

alarm. lots of dealers add them.

3screwsloose · August 2004

My '04 ZTS has both. A perimeter (active), and a microchip in the key (passive). Also, the turn signals flash when setting/locking the car w/the keyless-entry remote.

bowke28 · August 2004

yes...the turn signals flash when you lock them.

the "perimeter" alarm is the passive one i told you about, unless your dealer added it aftermarket. was it on the monroney sticker or a seperate sticker?

mschmal · August 2004

There are 2 "alarm" systems available for the focus.

Securelock is the standard system on all Focuses (Foci?) Securelock features a chip in the ignition key that has a code stored on it. there are over 7.2 quadrillion (7,200,000,000,000) codes. Only a key with the correct code can start the car. (an improper code may start the car but the engine will shut off in approximately 4 seconds). The computer allows only 3 ignition keys to exist at any time. This system is always "on" in New Jersey, Securelock is in the category of "Passive armored fuel cutoff switch" and qualifies for a 15% reduction in comprehensive premiums.
A key cut at a hardware store will unlock doors and turn in the ignition but will not start or allow operation of the vehicle unless the key is first coed.
To code a key, all current keys must be present when the new key is coded. Any keys not present will no longer start the car.
If a key is lost, the remaining keys can be recoded so that the lost key no longer starts the engine.

The second alarm system is the optional perimeter alarm. It is activated when ever the doors are locked. When activated, the alarm will trip if a door or the hood is forced open or if a window is broken. This alarm protects interior contents, while securlock protects the vehicle itself from theft.

The 2 systems are separate.

Mark

explorerx4 · August 2004

i guess i got something for my $125.

included in the last fillup was a 100 mile mostly highway trip(5 occupants). got about 32 mpg for that tank(2.3 5 speed).

andyman73 · August 2004

I recently saw a photo of the next gen Focus. Looked pretty agressive. Was from a car show in China. Pic was in current issue of Motortrend or C and D, or something(I get 5 different car rags). Has anyone else seen this pic? Was sea greenish/blueish in color. Is it a concept or prototype, or the real deal? I hope it's real. I like those looks.

mpgman · August 2004

An earlier post said you wouldn't want side curtains without the side seat air bags or you couldn't get it. Correct for Ford, but not for Saturn and maybe some others. Saturn offers the curtains only and no side seat air bags. They claim they don't do much and some kids have been seriously injured getting wedged when they deployed. Just being the messenger.

mpgman · August 2004

Just sat in a new Mazda 3 hatch...the alleged forerunner to the new Focus on the Volvo S40 platform. Is this the last year for the current Focus design? That might make a difference in my decision to buy a Focus wagon this year, even though I have an offer of around $17,500 with every option available for factory order on a SES ZTW. Thanks.

bowke28 · August 2004

last year?!?! this is the FIRST year, dude.

BTW, the article about the chinese focus was in autoweek, and its set to stay in asia.

andyman73 · August 2004

Too bad! Maybe I could move there. NOT! Tis nice to dream.

Ford Focus Sedan

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