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Comments
Having said that...try to push down or squeeze while you slide the battery door.
I'll let you guys know what the factory rep reports.
how can they write a TSB when they don't know what they did?
(TSB says to tighten everything...ok, boss, I'll go tighten everything!)
LOL
Thanks for calling it insane It's one thing if you have the luxury of time on your hands, but sometimes you just have to do your best to get as close as possible to what you want. Actually I've found it's incredibly fun to pop a movie in and just listen to the audio. I'm planning on burning a copy of Two and a Half Men to play in there, let's just hope I don't drive off the road laughing :P
And nope, pushing or squeezing doesn't help open the battery cover. It's just so odd. I'll have someone else see if they can get it off, and I suppose as a last resort take them back to the dealer and drive them crazy
1.) We came off the freeway onto a main street and upon coasting to a stop light, the engine RPM did not idle down appropriately as I applied the brakes. The engine continued to rev at about 2,000-2,500 RPM to where it 'fought' the brakes a bit when trying to stop. I put it into neutral at the stoplight and it then idled down fine. This was a week ago and there has been no other repeat of this, but it does make me a bit edgy.
2.) Lots of brake dust "smear" on the rims. Seems to be an inordinate amount. No one wheel more than another, though. We do live in the foothills, more braking than most folks the reason?
3.) We too hear a distinct 'clunk' coming from the underside of the vehicle but only first thing in the morning when coming out of the driveway and then down a slight grade - within 150 yards of the garage. We have made sure it is not the AC engaging. It only does it then and we cannot repeat it at other times. Wierd!
Otherwise, this is one smooth vehicle that we are "fighting" to take turns driving.
Any opinions will be appreciated.
That said, I still can't get the battery cover off. I even grabbed the second pair and tried those in case I got one defective one, but no dice. Now THIS is making me feel stupid, no doubt:P
Also, I would like to know when people start to replace the tires on the SEL models (with the Continental tires). The treadwear on the tires is fairly low (around 360 or so), which is pretty soft. I have a set of Bridgestone G-Force tires on my Focus and they are rated at about 340 for treadwear. That isn't a very long lasting tire. I'm curious to know when people start replacing them (mileage numbers).
BTW, I think this car is great. No problems. I wish I could drive it more, but it's my wife and it's still a station wagon.... When my Mom saw it the first thing she said was "Oh my God, how much did this cost you?" Ford's doing some good things with cars. JR
Is this common or is it just my problem? Any solutions? I can't believe it's an aerodynamic flaw in the design.
A little more open or closed will correct it.
I remember the same issue when we owned an '89 Nissan Maxima with a moonroof.
Guess either they still can't get it quite right, or it may be the nature of things.
Also, has your mileage improved any since getting it fixed? I can't help thinking the two are related -- I've never gotten over 21 MPG on a highway tank, though I'm still just barely at 4500 miles and don't drive it on the freeway that much.
As far as the car slowing down when you brake...I think that's just the nature of the CVT and it's more of a feeling than reality. It feels like it's slow when in reality the 0-60 times are pretty decent, and it feels like it's slow to stop when in reality it brakes just fine. Plus higher revs help slow the car down (sort of like downshifting a manual to slow it down), so I wouldn't be too concerned about the revs as you're braking.
Good luck with your fix.
1. The headlights... we live out in the country so need decent lights when driving home at night. But the lowbeams only seem to illuminate out to 50 feet at most; the highbeams only go to about 80 feet. That isn't much when you're driving on curvy and hilly roads at 55mph in pitch darkness. Put another way, my 99 Civic's LOWbeams illuminate better than our Freestyles HIGHbeams. Has anyone else noticed that, or do you think mine are incorrectly aimed (hard to believe they would be on a brand new vehicle).
2. The radio and clock lights dim when the headlights are turned on, just like they did on the '93 Taurus we traded in. That is a problem because I turn the headlights on during the day when I'm driving on a dangerous, heavily traveled 2-lane road. But when I do that during the day I can't even read the radio and clock lights because they're so dim when viewed through polarized driving glasses.
3. With the electronic automatic temperature control in the Convenience Package, isn't there a way to vent fresh outside air without the A/C automatically coming on and adjusting the temperature? You know - I just want the old-fashioned Vent where I the blue (cold) setting lets the fresh air in, and I can turn the blue->red dial toward the red if I want it to be warmed a bit by the engine. I'd like to have that option because I'd rather not run the A/C all the time because I would think it reduces fuel economy and adds unneeded wear and tear to the A/C unit.
4. As others have pointed out (post #162), opening one or both of the back windows when going 50+ mph just about kills your eardrums!
Thanks for any answers/advice/suggestions!
The service department call me Thursday and said it was ready, the sub-frame was the problem. I picked up Izzy Friday morning and so far the noise hasn't re appeared. Hopefully that was the problem.
They will be mailing me my service record for my records. They weren't finished with it when I picked Izzy up.
I am so happy to have Izzy home. I've already put the vent visors on.
:shades:">
I can't answer your question about the temperature control.
We purchased a 2005 SE FWD Freestyle with computerized frt/rear AC.
We had our first problem within 10 days/300 miles and now are prepping a suit against Ford. We have had multiple check engine light problems, transmission problems, computer problems, brake problems, fuel gauge and fuel system problems. The entire fuel system from the pump through the sensors and gauge have been replaced twice and is scheduled to be replaced a third time. The car has been in the shop 22 days.
The brakes had to be turned since the rotors were warped - how do new rotors end up on a new car and not be to the correct specs?
We were almost hit in cross traffic when the acceleration ceased due to fuel pump problems. I had to go on a cross country trip and the fuel system and transmission went on the blink again. The Ford rep told the dealer to send us back to our dealer (2000 miles away) since they had fixed it twice. This was after the AZ dealer couldn't get the computer code errors to clear with seven hours, tearing the car apart, and 10 calls to the Ford technician hotline.
The Ford rep then ordered the AZ dealer to falsify the repair workpapers given to us and told us to bring the car in when we returned. The AZ service manager advised us the problem wasn't fixed and they guaranteed it would reappear on the trip back - he just hoped the car's fuel system didn't result in a fire on the return trip. How does Ford get away with sending a family on the road out in a knowingly unsafe vehicle? The car has still not been repaired and is sitting in the garage. Guess why?
We scheduled the problem for a final fix but advised Ford we would not accept another Ford vehicle and wanted our money back (under lemon law in GA). Ford cancelled the final repair :lemon: appointment and advised the GA Ford dealerships to refuse to work on any of our three Ford vehicles - and all are under warranty. We now have to travel 5 hours round trip to another state to get any of our vehicles worked on.
We will never buy another Ford product.
I have had Fords for 30 years and have three new Fords so it does not make me happy to write this about Ford. The story is true. We have an attorney. He sent certified notice per Georgia Lemon laws to Ford giving them 14 days to implement repairs - they let it expire. Had an independent third party check the car out - fuel system errors on the computer, runs lean, numerous sensor problems, bad computer, etc.
I can get my other Fords worked on -if we go to the state next door. My understanding is that once a dealer in the purchasing state starts working on a lemon he can be held liable to the state's lemon law along with Ford. A dealership also told us that once a dealer has attempted a repair that the second dealer won't get paid if he has to redo the same repair, so there is no incentive to work on a lemon vehicle.
The attorney told us that it's a form of intimidation (having the locals refuse to honor the warranty on the vehicles) by Ford to force us to settle low.
I have to get a loose interor trim panel fixed today at the same place (the part wasn't in when the strut parts arrived) and I am rather unhappy with the dealer due to a rental car disagreement - after my car broke in their shop, I was told "I will get you a car" but he did not add "from Enterprise at a discounted rate" until I brought it back. :mad: Granted it was on a big sign on the wall (at about 10 ft off the ground and I didn't see it until I returned), but when someone hands you a piece of paper labeled "voucher" and tells you to take it to Enterprise next door, you tend to assume that voucher means complimentary. The joke was on me and I can't wait for that satisfaction survey to come.
FYI, changing to Mobil1 has improved my gas mileage by about 1.5 MPG, mixed hwy/city 50/50.
I adjust the seat to where I like it as well as the mirrors. I push the "set" button and the light comes up on the button. I then push the #1 button within the 5 second period.
It remembers me for the next stop or two, but inevitible reverts back to a setting that is not adjusted for me. HAs anyone else had this trouble? I hate to drive 30 miles and set up an appointment if there is some easy reset or something.
Thanks!
Glen
Just wanted to find out if anyone else has had this as the dealerships don't have much experience with these cars yet.
Also, I was very disappointed when I heard that Ford cancelled this car and it will be gone soon. I hope this does not hurt the future resale value.
Once and for all, Ford has not "cancelled" the Freestyle. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible.
We purchased our Freestyle SE in September and now have about 2500 miles so far. We've just experienced a problem with the fuel gauge,.... it occasionally goes off then comes on, meaning the needle falls to the bottom, then will return to normal??? This happened yesterday, the vehicle has not been driven since and now my wife informs me the check engine or engine light came on??
Has anyone experienced either of these problems?
We've made an appointment with a local dealer, (5 minute drive), not the dealer we purchased from because that dealer is about a 45 minute drive and aside from drive time, fuel, etc. we'd rather not risk a longer drive, just in case?
Any problem with not going to the original dealer we purchased from?
If so, you may have the key fob that is for the #2 position and when you use it to unlock the doors you are setting the driving position to #2.
If not, I'm not sure what could be causing it to lose the setting.