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Comments
So the best proof, short of watching them actually do the work, is to trust them that they actually did the proper work. (plus the tech's note). Even if I did watch them do the work, I wouldn't know if they were doing it correctly anyways.
He also said that because they only used 6 qts of fluid is also a very good indicator that they did the correct thing because the tranny holds 13...which syncs with what I have read here.
I learned something and thank you guys for helping me.
fordwrench,
If I do the CVT fluid/filter change myself with the FT178 Motorcraft kit, is it OK to just measure the amount of fluid that comes out and replace it with the exact same amount of new juice? The Workship Manual describes a temperature dependent fluid level measuring procedure with a dipstick, and I was wondering if its possible to ignore that and just put the same amount of fluid back in that came out.
Changing oil once a year is a good idea. However, the Ford Racing Parts CM-6731-FL820 has 250 sq. inches of filter surface area (synthetic blend media), while your Amsoil EAO11 has only 109 sq. inches. Also, look at bypass valve location and consider the Amsoil will flush dirt directly into your engine when bypass occurs, while the Ford Racing Parts one won't. For one-year oil changes, I go with the larger surface area and correct bypass valve location.
I agree with the statement made by the oil filter web page guy: "If you are looking for the "best" filter for your Ford, regardless of cost, then in my opinion, this is the one. "
Bottom line, the Ford Racing Parts oil filter is a direct replacement for the standard Motorcraft FL820S, as Ford themselves recommends.
Any help is appreciated.
Curtis
You will need a second person to hold up the liftgate for you while you replace them. It is actually pretty heavy without the supports in place.
They just attach to balls attached to the frame of the car.
It takes a little effort, but just pop the old ones off, working one connection at a time. Don't worry, you won't break anything.
Then pop the new ones on.
I would suggest changing both at the same time.
Not so at Lindsay Ford. First time I was booked in at 8.00am and did not get away until 1.00 pm. They took drive-ins before me and then lied that the car was being worked on when clearly it had not moved from the parking spot.
Second time I booked in again, 9.00am this time and called beforehand to discuss my needs. Arrived at 9.00 and was told it would be two hours!! Just about to go back at 11.00am and got a call saying the rear brake pads needed to be replaced under the Ford recall scheme. So they had not even started on it anywhere near 9.00am. When I complained during the phone call the service manager got uppity with me.
I am now told that it will be ready at 12.00. Another morning of missed work and appointments. Terrible old fashioned service mentality - we have you in a bind attitude - so they have just lost my custom and I am going to complain to Ford.
Recently it has begun to exhibit hard starting behavior. Occaisionally it will catch, only sputter for a cescond or two and die. Attempts to restart are always successful but follow a longer than usual cranking interval.
More common (not quite routine) is that the car will start but idle around 500-600 RPM for 15 seconds or so, smooth out an run higher than normal say 1500 RPM for 30+ seconds and then gradually slows to normal.
Car runs great otherwise and gas mileage has not changed, 21-23 in mixed use depending on how impatient I am...
It can do this cold or warm - much more frequently on the first start of the day.
It has never given a CEL.
Anyone esle experience this or have ideas?
Curtis
I am in the market to buy a 2006 Limited AWD:
1) Besides the rear brakes, are there any other known problems with the 2006 models?
2) Do the FWD models also use the same CVT transmission? Is the FWD a better bet in terms of service and dealer maint. costs?
Thanks!
Did you ever find out what was wrong with your transmission? My '05 freestyle makes a kind of low pitch droning sound at exactly 2400 rpm. I'm trying to figure out if this is a defect or if thats just how they drive.
I'll drive my '05 Freestyle today to see if it does that. I'll need to watch out for the highway patrol on this stretch of highway I'm about to go on, because 2400 RPM steady is about 80 or 85 mph I think. I know I do about 2000 RPM at 70 mph.
I'd say its probably a structural harmonic resonance in the tires/chassis that you are hearing, just guessing. All vehicles have a certain speed (frequency) that excites a major vibration mode. My specialty a few years ago was mechanical engineering, noise-vibration-harshness (NVH).
However, it is clear that Ford is not committed to the CVT. As far as I know, they are not using the CVT in any other vehicles.
Compare this with Nissan. They are committed to the CVT and are introducing this in different product lines.
Today, while out and about in my '05 Freestyle, I accelerated 0-60 mph at a steady 2400 RPM, and I also cruised on the freeway (nobody near me) at a stead 2400 RPM. No extra odd sounds of any kind. Usually the kinds of sounds you experience are due to something a little loose, maybe the intake manifold or exhaust manifold, or possibly just imbalanced wheels/tires.
I've heard the steel belt used in the CVT, from ZF and used in Audi cars as well, was one of the things that drives the cost of the CVT up compared to a 6-speed, and Ford decided to drop it. Also, it seems some people thought the CVT was strange in some way, and trashed it in the media repeatedly. I've read many reviews by magazines and websites in the past few years and most of them have something nasty to say about the CVT. I don't understand that, as the CVT always finds the optimal RPM for the conditions, period. Thats a good thing in my book.
I think the Escape hybrid's CVT is a planetary gearset like what the Prius uses. Not at all remotely like the ZF-sourced CVT in the '05-'07 Freestyle and Ford500. A similar ZF brand CVT is used in MiniCoopers and Audi's.
This is correct. It is needed for the Ford system because the transmission has to put power back into the battery when decelerating, and to spin up the engine to get the ICE going; the Escape Hybrid has no starter motor. This kind of thing is not possible with a conventional CVT.
We purchased an '06 Limited last week and love it so far. Have a few questions though. Is the chime supposed to sound whenever you open the driver door? This happens even when the key is not in the ignition. It is kind of annoying, is there any way to change this? Also, the cruise control has been turning itself off on the highway occasionally. I didn't find anything in the owner's manual about this. Are there certain road conditions where this will occur?
Thank you!
The cruise control will turn itself off if it can't hold speed. That is typically very rare, though, like when going up a steep hill.
PS - Anybody know where to get those H13 Silverstar Ultra? Advanced Auto parts didnt have them in stock
Regardless, I am out of the extended warranty period and have had it with these obviously inferior parts. I know some of you have gone aftermarket and was wondering what you found to work best and more importantly, what to avoid. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Curtis
I've at great luck with Duralast (Autozone) pads on the front, and the recall Motorcraft pads are on the rear. No problems here.
I am looking for aftermarket alternatives for rotors and pads to try and combat this problem. If it is an overall brake design flaw and has nothing to do with materials I will buy the cheapest pads and Chinese rotors I can find. In reality, I am hoping to put good quality parts on and forget about it. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
CC