I thought it looked like a submarine porthole! I think some were interested in replacing the plastic gas door, plus some get all those billetted aluminum geegaws inside so why not take it outside the car, I guess!
Using your head lights doesn't use sap any HP or reduce your MPG at all, your alternator's running anyway, so it doesn't make a bit of difference. The rest of it makes sense. Kind of. In a bohemian sort of way.
Driving with only the parking lights on? That's illegal here in Iowa. The police do enforce it. (Parking lights... hence, they're to be used when parked to let other drivers know that a motorists is in the vehicle) something like that anyway...
Excerpt from the curent iUpdate zine on Ford ownerconnection.
ESP (Electronic Stability Control) "Already available in Europe and under development for North America, ESP is designed for the new Ford Focus with automatic transmission."
I just asked an electrical engineer about this point and it turns out that your alternator CAN steal away engine power and reduce fuel efficiency (by a small margin). He made a point that the power generated by the alternator is not "free." The only time the alternator is putting out a constant amount of juice is when the car is running and no additional electrical devices are used. Things like the radio, A/C, headlights, cig. lighter (or anything else powered by the power point) and map lights are all drawing ADDITIONAL amps from the alternator, each contributing to degraded power and fuel efficiency.
Sorry Judas, but wmichgrad has you on this one. While the alternator is turning always, in daylight with no electrical accessories turned on it is under a very light load, just topping up the battery. Your headlights suck current from the battery. Try leaving the headlights on for a while with the engine off. As the electrical load increases on the alternator, it becomes progressively more difficult to turn demanding ever more torque from the motor to keep it going. After all as wmichgrad pointed out the power generated is not "free". Ok it's not going to make that much difference really, but it does exist. Running with the headlights on constantly is going to mean higher electrical loads on the system however, so you'll be changing bulbs/fuses/relays/batteries more often. The loads on these components will cause extra heat in the engine bay which isn't going to be appreciated on a hot sunny day.
How about attaching blue flashing lights and a siren, everyone would see you coming and get out of your way too. The easy way to trouble free motoring!
Gabe: "Already available in Europe and under development for North America, ESP is designed for the new Ford Focus with automatic transmission."
The Focus sold with ESP in Italy is manual. Automatic is not an option.
The marketing men strike again. Maybe this is just aiming the product at those they think will buy it i.e. the ZTS sedan crowd.
That said, if the ESP is being redesigned in the US to better suit the automatic, it's a pity, as I suspect they will make it a lot more intrusive, in order to let conservative sedan drivers feel safer. By cutting in at lower speeds, the driver will feel it working and so feel more assured that all is well with the world. The ESP really should let you take the car to its limits safely, but how many sedan drivers are going to take the Focus to its limits? (I'm going to get hammered for this, but that's reality for you). They'll buy it to feel safer and because it's another option to stick on the car. I admit I am second guessing Ford on this one, but if this isn't the case, why is it "under development" in the US? Why not just fit the unit from the European models?
I think ford has switched to firestones,I saw a brand new 4dr. zts with firestones on it. The aluminium gas filler covers are found on many racing cars,so I guess people are after this look. I think some cars will come with this feature from the factory in the near future.
Torinopaddy, Like with most technological developments that "second guess" the driver (ABS brakes, Brake Assist systems, traction control, etc.), Ford wants to make sure the lawyers bless it before they'll sell it to us. It is this liability nonsense that kept ABS out of the US market for so long.
that the US market in general is trying to sell ESP stuff to the fogies in us. I participated in a phone survey all about perceptions of new cars - questions started out general but quickly turned to all these ESP and traction questions, revolving around Oldsmobiles and a few other, (sorry) fogey-ish cars.
Using your headlights while driving, even during daylight, does NOT make you "look like an Amateur". It makes you look like a responsible driver and in many parts of the world a legal driver. The loss in horsepower is negligible. But where I live, most people don't even use turn signals, so what's the use...
Power loss due to headlight use is negligible. However, head loss du to that jack**s up the road not being able to see you and hitting you...not so negligible. I'm no nervous nellie driver by a long shot. I just know that people are stupid, and I don't trust their driving.
I read a study somewhere (sorry, I don't have the time or inclination to search for it now...maybe later) that showed how much sooner you are seen when your lights are on. It was significant, and more so in the rain.
As far as driving with your parking lights. That's illegal in CA an WA (where I've had my licenses). The logic: Parking lights are for a PARKED car with a person inside. If you see the ambers on, you're to assume that the car is STOPPED. When it's dark, or visibility is low, you can misjudge where a car is because yu assume the car is stopped, when really it's moving. This is a stupid assumption, but drivers in this country assume way too much.
Bottom line: It's not inexperienced drivers who drive with their lights on. In fact it's the opposite. Inexperienced drivers almost NEVER do this. I learned the habit from my stepfather, who raced cars for years.
As far as "bikeys" getting lost. 1)they choose to ride motorcycles, which they know is dangerous, and 2) should I sacrifice my car and my safety because they don't want to bled in?
So producing glare and blinding people is responsible driving. During the night time it is a necessary evil but during the day time? Also in many parts of the world they pay more than $4 a gallon. Should we be ashamed having an opportunity to live in relatively socialism free society? It is funny how people always mention those other countries. God bless America.
Here in Canada they are law for any car made after 91. They only turn on the headlights and not the tail lights or dash lights. Most manufactures started with highbeams at 60 to 80% power (wattage) when you turn your lights on the low beam comes on full and the highbeam turns off until you switch to highbeam. The focus I've noticed uses low beam at a lower power. They get brighter when I turn the lights on at night. A problem is that idiot drivers are now driving at night with parking lights on and the reduced power daytime running lights. I'm sure this system does reduce accidents durring the day. It's funny driving into the states and seeing all the cars with their lights off. They are starting to mandate them. About time. Sorry you can't be cool anymore and drive through a rain storm with your lights off.
And if daytime lights are so beneficial, why consumers don't demand them in cars. Looks like the most of the people are realy concerned about safety nowdays. In my opinion most of the drivers hate them.
1. Daytime running lights are meant for daytime use. They are lower in brightness, uses much less power from your car resulting in unnoticeable change in gas usage and hp loss. In your everyday driving, i doubt you're using every single hp your car has. And if you did push your car, don't you think that would waste a lot more gas than those lights????
2. Parking lights are for parking, so why did someone bring up this issue? Y would anybody be using parking lights for driving? If you did, then it's your problem.
3.How much glare does daytime running lights cause? I don't ever remember being blinded by headlights during the daytime. You get so much more glare from headlights during the night. Isn't that why you could flip your center rearview mirror up or down to reduce glare at night? Are you going to turn off your headlights during the night so your lights won't distract anybody else?
4. In regards to motorcycle blending in with traffic - that must be one of the dumbest things said. So you're telling me since everybody have their headlights on at night, either we or they should turn off the headlights just so motorcycles won't blend in?? Whether it's a motorcycle or car, headlights will make it VISIBLE. So once you see headlights, that driver have made him/herself visible. Whether it be a motorcycle or car, it doesn't matter. Here's a tip in case some of you don't know, on cars, you see two separate headlights, on motorcycles, you only see one. That's how you distinguish the two. got it? (For the wannabe bike riders, don't use the argument that some bikes have two headlights cuz they're so close together that you only see it as one.)
Hey my zx3 doesn't come with daytime running lights. Neither do i turn on my headlights during the day. I always look at all my blind spots before i switch lanes. But it doesn't bother me if someone decides to use their headlights for extra precaution. We all know there are many dumb drivers out there who doesn't look.
That report made interesting reading. It confirms some of the stuff stated before about increased fuel consumption and car wear, but I guess it points out how aware you have to be about how easy it is to be distracted while driving. After all in a perfect world where we were all attentive drivers, there would only be Norwaydoug running into goats as an accident statistic :-). As statistics show we are always running into each other, maybe it is time to turn on the lights. I don't think I'll bother when the ambient light is high though (here in Italy that is most of the year) but I will keep this in mind as light levels begin to drop. Cheers.
Remember where those studies are coming from. My God, from Europe. Even worse-from Scandinavia. I just want you to remember that governments have very significant power out there. Once they made their opinion about a particular subject they have an option to sponsor "studies" to support it. Don't be "blinded" by commys, please.
Recently, I've been hearing ticking noises in the back seat of the car near the rear seatbelts. I just think it's rubbing where the plastic parts meet (near the seat belts). Has anyone else heard this? It's driving me crazy....I have to drive with the radio up not to hear it...
The US has the worst history of having private companies affect legislation. "My god, it'll increase production costs, call the Senator!"
And why are the govenments forming the opinions that they want so badly backed up? For kicks? It seems private business has much more at stake, and much more pull in the US.
I remind you about seatbelts. Remember how Nader was being followed and harassed by the BIG Three because he was trying to save people.
Click on the links in the upper right corner to check out the other studies on that site. Very unbiased. By the way, as an academic, I ALWAYS note who does the study. I found about three, I chose this one because it seemed the most fair.
I did read that article, and it was valid. This is why I never use my high beams.
Also remember that people freaked out about airbags recently, when, in truth, something like 50 people had died because of them, and THOUSANDS had been saved.
togneter, I am talking about governments forming publick opinions in order to create more restrictions and rules to inforce so it can grow even larger and feed itself. Airbags is a completely different animal and I don't wanna jump on that.
Who cares about daytime running lights my gosh! Please don't get me wrong,safety features are important but they have nothing to do with enjoying our cars.To hell with the headlights. P.S. no offense
By the way, I'm still wondering about the experiences people have had with spring/shock upgrades.
I know that silver_bullet put in a eibach/bilstein combo, but I didn't see where he indicated the part number, or whether he was pleased or displeased. I've seen th Eibachs, but I haven't found the corresponding Bilsteins anywhere.
Where do I go to talk about femurs and fluoridation of water?
Togneter, I haven't installed Eibach springs or Bilstein shocks - am still running the stock set-up. I don't know if Bilstein has developed an application for the ZX3 yet, but I did find out that Koni is working on shocks for the ZX3 that will be available later this summer. Supposedly, they will be compatible with the stock springs.
If you replace the springs with 1.2-1.5" lowering springs, should you also replace the shocks? If so, what kind should you use? I hear a lot of talk about springs but not much about shocks. I don't know much about suspension, but I'm considering the performance springs as a later upgrade. Once I actually get my ZX3, that is...
I waxed my z with zymol wax yesterday and I just wanted to say that I recommend this product. It was easy to apply (smells like coconut) and buff. The result was a very shiny car. The price for a container of wax was about 13 dollars. One does not have to use much to wax a z and therefore the cost is acceptable. I purchased it at Target.
Earlier, I posted a slight problem regarding the alignment of my steering wheel. I noticed that the air pressure in the tires were uneven (1 was 2 psi greater than the other). I evened the pressure and I am now convinced that the steering wheel is virtually dead-on. Needless to say, I am pleased.
Driving with headlights on is the law in Norway, Sweden. In Canada, all cars made after 1990 are equipped with DRLs, but it is not the law to drive with your lights on.
I drive with my headlights on. I believe drivers are less likely to inappropriately pull out in front of me (from a sidestreet) because they see me better. People drive very agressively in Philadelphia and I find driving with the headllights on makes other drivers aware that I am close to them and perhaps they should wait for another 5 seconds and let me pass. Then they can pull out on the main road in a safe and courteous manner.
Perhaps I annoy people and perhaps I don't know what I am talking about, but this is my view.
I am prepared for abuse. It won't hurt my feelings. I am expressing an opinion. My opinion. I enjoy everyones viewpoint and I enjoy this townhall.
...you do need to replace the shocks if you use shorter/stiffer springs. Springs and shocks are designed to work together -- change one, and you need to change the other. All of you folks wanting to lower your cars need to keep in mind how that affects your overall suspension geometry. In general, lowering a car results in an increase in negative camber, a condition where the wheels seem to "lean inward" at the top when viewed from the front or rear. This will cause increased tire wear at the inside edges of the tread, and will affect the handling noticeably. Any suspension mod of this sort also requires a very careful realignment of the front AND rear suspension. That's just the way it is...
No problemo, Doug. Zymol is neat stuff, but you should know that the Zymol that Target sells is not the "real thing". Go to the Zymol website and prepare for a shock - their premium line of products is VERY expensive. Sure work nicely, though - ask Ralph Lauren. I understand Zymol is all he uses on his mega-buck show cars.
Today is Cinco de Mayo! has anyone noticed if their ZX3s are running better than normal? Ole!
Silver bullet is on the ball,right now your best bet are the euro shocks which are firmer.You should also add the euro swaybars which will round off this mod.
i have less than 1800 miles on my zx3. this morning as i was getting into the car i notices a hairline crack about 15 inches long (and getting bigger) on my windshield. it run from the very top of the windshield around my rear view mirror. sort of like a "J". I figured this to be really odd especially because it doesn't seem like it was a result of sand/rock that got kicked back. my insurance covers this type of stuff but do you guys think the dealer would do anything here? it doesn't seem right that this would happen to such a new car. i've read posts that said that people have had bad experiences with replacement windshields but the hairline seems to be getting bigger. at least it will be done by people who use OEM parts, do pretty good work, and it'll be free. anyways let me know what you guys think about bringing this gripe to the dealer.
Well I had the same problem. Same location, same shape. I took it to the dealer who determined it was a stress crack and had the windshield replaced at no charge. To determine whether it was a stress crack or an impact crack he took his ball point pen and ran it along the crack feeling for an impact point. If it was an impact crack it would not be covered under warrantly. They did a great job replacing it and looks like new.
goofy + moronic- give the bikers a break,its the only thing that really discerns them from other vehicles.abs-i dis-like it immensely,same with auto trans.come on people ,dont you want to control the machine?do you truly believe these are great advances in auto safety?for those driving a 5spd., why do you need abs? if your driving in daylight, its redundant to have on lights.im glad the focus didnt come with them.its downright silly.use your god-given senses of awareness.those that are passionate about cars + driving will understand about being in harmony with their machine.for others,how about a fur cover for that snazzy new aluminum fuel filler door for the winter months. note to rubberban-sorry to hear about your windshield.
If you can't see a two ton, 4 feet tall, 12 feet long, 5 feet wide vehicle because its lights were OFF during the daytime...Please turn over your license to the nearest garbage can.
F.Y.I. air bags killed more children last year than handguns. If you are short and have to sit close to the steering wheel. If you get into a minor accident with your seat belt on. The air bag will brake both your wrists, your nose, knock out teeth, and posably snap your neck. If you are tall and there is a delayed deployment...same thing. If you do not wear your seat belt, instead of going through the windshield and posably surviving, you will ride up the air bag and impale your head against the roof.
There were several posts about squeaky brakes and what to do, probably between Parts 3-6 of this Conference. As I recall, most of the posts thought dust was the cause of the squeaks. You ought to do a search and/or just scroll.
hi everyone! wow! norway congrats! alot to catch up on around here to say the least! we now have the borla exhaust system on:) zx3 is treating us well. i have about 260 posts to read in order to catch up so thats it for now.
Comments
Gabe
ESP (Electronic Stability Control)
"Already available in Europe and under development for North America, ESP is designed for the new Ford Focus with automatic transmission."
Gabe
How about attaching blue flashing lights and a siren, everyone would see you coming and get out of your way too. The easy way to trouble free motoring!
Gabe:
"Already available in Europe and under development
for North America, ESP is designed for the new
Ford Focus with automatic transmission."
The Focus sold with ESP in Italy is manual. Automatic is not an option.
The marketing men strike again. Maybe this is just aiming the product at those they think will buy it i.e. the ZTS sedan crowd.
That said, if the ESP is being redesigned in the US to better suit the automatic, it's a pity, as I suspect they will make it a lot more intrusive, in order to let conservative sedan drivers feel safer. By cutting in at lower speeds, the driver will feel it working and so feel more assured that all is well with the world. The ESP really should let you take the car to its limits safely, but how many sedan drivers are going to take the Focus to its limits? (I'm going to get hammered for this, but that's reality for you). They'll buy it to feel safer and because it's another option to stick on the car.
I admit I am second guessing Ford on this one, but if this isn't the case, why is it "under development" in the US? Why not just fit the unit from the European models?
I read a study somewhere (sorry, I don't have the time or inclination to search for it now...maybe later) that showed how much sooner you are seen when your lights are on. It was significant, and more so in the rain.
As far as driving with your parking lights. That's illegal in CA an WA (where I've had my licenses). The logic: Parking lights are for a PARKED car with a person inside. If you see the ambers on, you're to assume that the car is STOPPED. When it's dark, or visibility is low, you can misjudge where a car is because yu assume the car is stopped, when really it's moving. This is a stupid assumption, but drivers in this country assume way too much.
Bottom line: It's not inexperienced drivers who drive with their lights on. In fact it's the opposite. Inexperienced drivers almost NEVER do this. I learned the habit from my stepfather, who raced cars for years.
As far as "bikeys" getting lost. 1)they choose to ride motorcycles, which they know is dangerous, and 2) should I sacrifice my car and my safety because they don't want to bled in?
During the night time it is a necessary evil but during the day time?
Also in many parts of the world they pay more than $4 a gallon.
Should we be ashamed having an opportunity to live in relatively socialism free society?
It is funny how people always mention those other countries.
God bless America.
There is too much ambient light for the headlights to bother you. If they do, you might need to have your eyes checked. This is not a joke or a slam.
Seriously, I'd like to know the number of accidents that are caused by daytime lights as opposed to those that are caused by not being seen.
I'll be back with some stats if I can find them.
And if daytime lights are so beneficial, why consumers don't demand them in cars.
Looks like the most of the people are realy concerned about safety nowdays.
In my opinion most of the drivers hate them.
http://www.swov.nl/en/actueel/swovschrift/The_Safety_Effects_of_Daytime_Running_Lights.html
________
"In my opinion most of the drivers hate them." --vapd
What is this opinion based upon?
Remember, there was a time when consumers hated seatbelts...
1. Daytime running lights are meant for daytime use. They are lower in brightness, uses much less power from your car resulting in unnoticeable change in gas usage and hp loss. In your everyday driving, i doubt you're using every single hp your car has. And if you did push your car, don't you think that would waste a lot more gas than those lights????
2. Parking lights are for parking, so why did someone bring up this issue? Y would anybody be using parking lights for driving? If you did, then it's your problem.
3.How much glare does daytime running lights cause? I don't ever remember being blinded by headlights during the daytime.
You get so much more glare from headlights during the night. Isn't that why you could flip your center rearview mirror up or down to reduce glare at night? Are you going to turn off your headlights during the night so your lights won't distract anybody else?
4. In regards to motorcycle blending in with traffic - that must be one of the dumbest things said. So you're telling me since everybody have their headlights on at night, either we or they should turn off the headlights just so motorcycles won't blend in?? Whether it's a motorcycle or car, headlights will make it VISIBLE. So once you see headlights, that driver have made him/herself visible. Whether it be a motorcycle or car, it doesn't matter.
Here's a tip in case some of you don't know, on cars, you see two separate headlights, on motorcycles, you only see one. That's how you distinguish the two. got it?
(For the wannabe bike riders, don't use the argument that some bikes have two headlights cuz they're so close together that you only see it as one.)
Hey my zx3 doesn't come with daytime running lights. Neither do i turn on my headlights during the day. I always look at all my blind spots before i switch lanes. But it doesn't bother me if someone decides to use their headlights for extra precaution. We all know there are many dumb drivers out there who doesn't look.
As statistics show we are always running into each other, maybe it is time to turn on the lights. I don't think I'll bother when the ambient light is high though (here in Italy that is most of the year) but I will keep this in mind as light levels begin to drop. Cheers.
My God, from Europe. Even worse-from Scandinavia.
I just want you to remember that governments have very significant power out there.
Once they made their opinion about a particular subject they have an option to sponsor "studies" to support it.
Don't be "blinded" by commys, please.
With love from "evil empire"
The US has the worst history of having private companies affect legislation. "My god, it'll increase production costs, call the Senator!"
And why are the govenments forming the opinions that they want so badly backed up? For kicks? It seems private business has much more at stake, and much more pull in the US.
I remind you about seatbelts. Remember how Nader was being followed and harassed by the BIG Three because he was trying to save people.
Click on the links in the upper right corner to check out the other studies on that site. Very unbiased. By the way, as an academic, I ALWAYS note who does the study. I found about three, I chose this one because it seemed the most fair.
I did read that article, and it was valid. This is why I never use my high beams.
Also remember that people freaked out about airbags recently, when, in truth, something like 50 people had died because of them, and THOUSANDS had been saved.
I am talking about governments forming publick opinions in order to create more restrictions and rules to inforce so it can grow even larger and feed itself.
Airbags is a completely different animal and I don't wanna jump on that.
Tuner 1,
What,? This isn't a Volvo site? You don't all drive S80s?
My bad.
Gotta go...
Let's return to ZX3.
As torinopaddy might say..."bo"(sp?)
By the way, I'm still wondering about the experiences people have had with spring/shock upgrades.
I know that silver_bullet put in a eibach/bilstein combo, but I didn't see where he indicated the part number, or whether he was pleased or displeased. I've seen th Eibachs, but I haven't found the corresponding Bilsteins anywhere.
Thanks in advance.
IF YOU WANT TO TALK DAYTIME HEADLIGHT/RUNNING LIGHTS START A NEW "HEADLIGHT/RUNNING LIGHT FORUM!
pat
Togneter, I haven't installed Eibach springs or Bilstein shocks - am still running the stock set-up. I don't know if Bilstein has developed an application for the ZX3 yet, but I did find out that Koni is working on shocks for the ZX3 that will be available later this summer. Supposedly, they will be compatible with the stock springs.
Hope ZX3 owners are the sort of folks that ad was aimed at.
Earlier, I posted a slight problem regarding the alignment of my steering wheel. I noticed that the air pressure in the tires were uneven (1 was 2 psi greater than the other). I evened the pressure and I am now convinced that the steering wheel is virtually dead-on. Needless to say, I am pleased.
Driving with headlights on is the law in Norway, Sweden. In Canada, all cars made after 1990 are equipped with DRLs, but it is not the law to drive with your lights on.
I drive with my headlights on. I believe drivers are less likely to inappropriately pull out in front of me (from a sidestreet) because they see me better. People drive very agressively in Philadelphia and I find driving with the headllights on makes other drivers aware that I am close to them and perhaps they should wait for another 5 seconds and let me pass. Then they can pull out on the main road in a safe and courteous manner.
Perhaps I annoy people and perhaps I don't know what I am talking about, but this is my view.
I am prepared for abuse. It won't hurt my feelings. I am expressing an opinion. My opinion. I enjoy everyones viewpoint and I enjoy this townhall.
ND
Today is Cinco de Mayo! has anyone noticed if their ZX3s are running better than normal? Ole!
Vadp, it must be great living in the free world. Why don't you tell me about it and I'll tell you how the ZX3 handles on the autostrada at 125mph?
I took it to the dealer who determined it was a stress crack and had the windshield replaced at no charge.
To determine whether it was a stress crack or an impact crack he took his ball point pen and ran it along the crack feeling for an impact point. If it was an impact crack it would not be covered under warrantly.
They did a great job replacing it and looks like new.
If you need more info:
fgaydos@earthlink.net
only thing that really discerns them from other
vehicles.abs-i dis-like it immensely,same with auto
trans.come on people ,dont you want to control the
machine?do you truly believe these are great advances in auto safety?for those driving a 5spd.,
why do you need abs? if your driving in daylight,
its redundant to have on lights.im glad the focus
didnt come with them.its downright silly.use your
god-given senses of awareness.those that are passionate about cars + driving will understand about being in harmony with their machine.for others,how about a fur cover for that snazzy new
aluminum fuel filler door for the winter months.
note to rubberban-sorry to hear about your windshield.
F.Y.I. air bags killed more children last year than handguns. If you are short and have to sit close to the steering wheel. If you get into a minor accident with your seat belt on. The air bag will brake both your wrists, your nose, knock out teeth, and posably snap your neck. If you are tall and there is a delayed deployment...same thing. If you do not wear your seat belt, instead of going through the windshield and posably surviving, you will ride up the air bag and impale your head against the roof.
Wear your seat belt!