Ford Focus ZX3

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  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
  • njbongonjbongo Member Posts: 66
    sorry, I should have specified in the above post, mine is also a 2001............I don't know if what I experience is really the same problem...it's not so much a stumble or misfire, it just kinda feels like a little moment of "under power".....it never happens when accelerating from a stop and upshifting.(like getting on the highway)....it ususally only happens when cruising for a long period in low gear (2nd or third) in heavy traffic and going under 25 or so....the rpms are just at 2000 or slightly above, which is still high enough to keep the engine smooth, then if you hit the gas too hard, it hesitates for a split second....if you ease on the gas, it doesn't happen.....does this sound like what you guys are experiencing?

    PS - I heard a rumor at another site that there is a not so well known fix that involves a FORD dealer reprogramming the computer...but again, it's just a rumor.

    later

    vic
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Rumors about the fix are still popping up at "another" site. Unfortunately they are still just that - the rumors.

    http://www.teamfocaljet.com/ubb/Forum28/HTML/000254.html
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    Just got back from a 30 mile trip and was dealing with my new, not so smooth running, stumbling Z. Very depressing. Then, I thought, why not push the baby a bit more than I have been, and clean things out a bit. So I pushed the tack to 3500 or so before upshifting a few times (usually I upshift at 2600 or so). And then, the "check engine" light comes on. I pulled over and checked the book and it said that this light does not usually constitute an emergency situation. So I kept going, and here's the funny thing... the light stayed on, and I couldn't feel the stumbling anymore. Well I made it home. I guess I'll wait a bit and see what transpires before calling and bringing it in.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    the 2000 rpm stumble is an inherent feature of the zetec engine. it can be found also in the zx2 as well.i agree that the stock speakers sound great.
    good luck with the polks.speakers always sound
    different to different ears.i have found the stock
    cd and speakers to have an overall pleasing and
    balanced presentation. even after long listening
    periods,they are non-fatiguing.i give the stock
    system very high marks.its one of my favorite likes about the car.i need my tunes on a daily a basis. the stock system delivers very capably and then some.
  • petedopetedo Member Posts: 27
    I've purposely tried to keep the car around 2000 rpms to try and find this infamous stumble, but I don't notice it at all. Maybe they made me one of the good cars. I'm usually not around 2000 so it wouldn't bother me if it was there anyway. I don't bother going to 5th unless I'm going to be going over 45 mph for extended periods of time, which isn't often around here. Congrats on the push to 3500. Maybe you can work your way up to 6K by the end of summer.. zoom zoom! I'm dieing to start modifying this car. Driving it has been one of the better parts of my day.
  • boston14boston14 Member Posts: 111
    Is the Z engine now in the 2001 Mazda Protege ES? I know that it went up to 2.0 from 1.8 and also has 130hp. I test drove the 2000 Es stick and it shifts a little better than the Focus. However, road noise and I do mean noise is too much for my ears. Love my car, no other out there can complete for the price. Maybe, a VW Golf 1.8 Turbo if it came down in price like the Nasdaq in value.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    The 2.0 in the Protege is different from the Ford Zetec - Mazda got this 2.0 from the 626 sedan. In the next few years, look for more platform sharing between Ford and Mazda. The next generation Focus and Protege may be the same basic car.

    rwgreenberg - shifting at 2600 RPM? Your engine is barely awake at that speed. Try running it up to 4K or 4.5K with each shift, let the poor thing breathe a bit. You might be amazed how peppy it is! FWIW, the Zetec redlines at 6250 if I remember correctly, and the rev limiter will cut fuel before you damage the engine. The upcoming SVT Focus does have a redline on its tach -- at around 7500 RPM! A very massaged motor in that car.
  • kebbatkebbat Member Posts: 41
    Let me start off by saying that I only have 700 miles on my Z and I'm still trying to take things nice and easy.

    A question; do people here shift by sound or sight? Meaning do you listen to the sound of the engine and go by that? Or are you more concerned about where on the tach you are?

    Maybe I was taught to drive sort of wimpy, but I think I shift WAY sooner than most of you (which I do understand isn't a BAD thing). Not exactly when the shift indicator light goes on, but more around 3500 - 4000 if I'm not paying attention. I know next to nothing about engines (well, ok - I know next to nothing about cars in general) but it just seems to sound ready to upshift. Quite honestly, I'm afraid to do damage by revving the engine too high.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    You're doing fine - learning to shift by sound is a good goal. Shifting at 3500-4000 RPM is about right for the Zetec, as the torque peak isn't much higher than that. You can run the engine up to the rev limiter once its broken in, but the Zetec makes mostly noise after 5K or so. What you want to avoid is lugging the engine, i.e., upshifting too soon and making the engine pull from low speeds. This technique works with a diesel since they tend to produce tons of torque at low engine speeds, but don't do it to your Focus. Honda engines are good examples of "good power, but no torque". Much like sportbikes, they can produce very good power at the top of the rev band, but are gutless down low (where most of your driving is done). Drive a VTEC equipped car, and you'll see the difference - you get tired of having to rev the bejeezus out of it all the time.
  • njbongonjbongo Member Posts: 66
    Well, I learned to drive on a really old Honda Civic (70's someting) with a broked tach. The last two stickshifts I drove were Hyundais (no tach on the base model Accents, so I always learned to shift by 'feel', not sound or sight. You can actually FEEL when you need to shift in the gas pedal, stick and even a little bit of sound. The sound part is harder in the Focus, because it is very quiet. My Accent, as amazing of a car as it is for $8500, got very anxious sounding of you reved it out (it also hauled pretty quickly if you learned how to drive it well). The Focus on the other hand really doesn't get very loud at all unless you push it past 4500 RPM's.

    Anyway, this whole "feel" for a shift may sound wierd, but if your a car nut like I am, you know what I mean. You have to drive your car alot, and really 'connect' with it...someting that happened immediately in the Focus for me, anyway. I know, I sound like a nutjob, but it's all good !>!>! :-)

    Anyway, shifting at around 4000 is normal for most people....if you usually shift a little ower, I think its a good idea to 'let er rip' once in a while just to give the engine some exercise.

    Although there's no proof to this theory and I don't really want to argue it...I really beleive that a car gets used to the way you drive it. For example, if you drive like an Sunday driver with your new Focus for a year or two, then all of a sudden start revving it really high ALL OF THE TIME....chances are it's not going to respond very well. On the other hand if your gentle with it in the beginning (for about 2000 miles), then slowly start to workout the engine....the car will respond better and be less troublesome.

    Again, this is not something that is really proven, but my dad who was a mechanic all of his life and a few other GOOD mechanics I know will agree with this.

    ...just my 2 cents........

    later

    vic
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    Such an interesting topic! Well, I'm one who always shifted kind of low, around 2600 on the Z. The user's guide recommends this. I think shifting this low gives better gas mileage, but poor acceleration. And also, if one needs to take off faster in a given situation, shifting this low would be a strain on the engine. Anyway, I have an 89 Colt with 110,000 on the original clutch, and the car still goes fine. I've often wondered whether my conservative shifting style was just what the doctor ordered. Any thoughts?
  • petedopetedo Member Posts: 27
    Well shifting at lower rpms will give you good gas mileage, but no performance. Shifting at too low an rpm will ultimately damage your engine though. I usually shift around 4K and push it to 5 or 6 every once in awhile. I like my head to be planted to the headrest.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    with this engine, i agree with the 4000 to 4500
    suggestion for a more spirited response. gas
    mileage difference is very insignificant. i have
    always shifted by sound and feel.seeme to have served me well the past 30 yrs.thus far.as always,
    looking back,i wish i had still had some of the
    old 8cyl.push rods with the 4spd.stick.1974,
    fifty cents for a gallon of gas.what are they
    crazy? i will never pay that to drive a car. id rather walk. some teenager i use to know at the time.
  • kebbatkebbat Member Posts: 41
    thanks for all of your comments. I learned to drive a stick on an 80-something Subaru Justy (I must confess that I LOVED that car - right up until the day I got smacked by a F-150, but that is another story for another day). I was 19 and I needed a car, my Dad helped me find the Justy and I got it for a steal, the only problem being it was a 5 speed and I had only ever driven an auto. After much bucking and stalling etc. I finally had it down. But my Dad taught me how to drive it and some of the things he was screaming in my ear have stayed with me through the years. Things such as "STOP REVVING THE ENGINE SO HIGH!!"

    Anyway, when I drive with my sister (2000 Toyota Celica GT) she revs the hell out of her car. When she drove my little focus I just about killed her - the tach was approached the end of the road and she would finally upshift.

    I guess I'll just go with instinct and occasionally air it out.
  • njbongonjbongo Member Posts: 66
    Wow, I had no idea this would catch so much attention. I actually have yet to push it all the way to the 'phantom redline'...or lack of...

    I can tell you that someone with an older 280ZX was so intimidated by my little ZX3, that he had to race me....guess what, I won...without pushing the car all that hard....oh well, just goes to show you how far the 4 cylinder engines have come since the 70's...he didn't stand a chance.

    I just think it's really funny that people with much faster sportscars (and even slower ones) see the Zx3 and feel so threatened by it. I didn't buy the car to drag race with it, I bought it for the look, price and fun level. I haven't done any modifications to the car yet...and probably only minor ones in the distant future. Even so, I get VWs, Camaros, Firebirds, Nissans, etc constantly sizing the car up...I love it !!!

    Anyone else notice this...or am I being singled out here?
  • tgrcubtgrcub Member Posts: 22
    Day three of my life as a Focus owner, and it's suddenly fun again to have to run errands!! sure, the nice spring days here in NH sure do help, but I'm just giddy with glee over this car... but, a question for the fine folks here... has anyone put an aftermarket moonroof into their Focus? the various dealers mentioned that they'd be happy to put a tiny pop up on in, but I think I'll be soon yearning for the power moonroof that I had in my dearly departed Acura Legend... help anyone?
  • petedopetedo Member Posts: 27
    There are ALOT of import tuners around here. Tons of modified Civics and Acuras. They stare at my yellow ZX3. One day an older MR2 pulled beside me looked at me, looked at my car and frowned. After that look he gave me, I had to smoke him. I noticed his car was an automatic and knew he had no chance. Let's just say he got a good look at the back of my car.
    About the girl revving the Celica GT. The high rpms are where all the power is in those cars. You have to make those cars SCREAM to get any performance, especially the GTS. Push to over 7000 to get the fastest 0-60, takes around 6.6 seconds in the GTS. Drive them at low rpms and you wouldn't even know they're sports cars. Same thing with a Prelude. The Focus however has a good amount of low end torque and can perform reasonably well without approaching redline. You'd have to modify it to get the high end hp you'd need to make it worth pushing to 6500-7000.
  • boston14boston14 Member Posts: 111
    When is the SVT Focus out? Looking back I now really want a Contour SVT.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    ... is due at the end of the year - I've heard November, or possibly December. Projected base price is $18K or thereabouts.
  • desertguydesertguy Member Posts: 730
    I too would like to add an aftermarket roof. I'm in the desert in SoCal and you are probably some place else. I would bet that if there is an answer it won't do us much good.
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Look for local outfits that install Webasto sunroofs, or someone affiliated with ASC. Quality of these aftermarket jobs varies widely - don't commit your car until you can examine cars they've done - Caveat Emptor!
  • fgaydosfgaydos Member Posts: 319
    Is this RPM stumble also apparent in automatics??
    Anyone?
  • zx3amigoszx3amigos Member Posts: 5
    Hi every one, its been a week of fun with my zx3,01.....Its just great. I love it.......
    I took the car for a 600 miles trip last weekend, push it until 90 mph.. maybe I did wrong because its brand new... does any body think its wrong to get it 'til this speed?
    Also, does any body knows if there is a way to turn on the fog lamps excluding the main lamps?
    later.
  • boston14boston14 Member Posts: 111
    Here in Seattle, the Focus SVT should sell out real fast as their are plenty of us out there who dont want a Civic clone on every corner. I personally dont know why anyone would fix up a Civic when its been done to death.
  • njbongonjbongo Member Posts: 66
    Hi guys, it's me again....quick question....my 2001 ZX3 has the optional 16" Wheels...it came with the Firestone Firehawk 205/60's.....I noticed that my front tires looked a little low (lower than the normal FWD sag), I checked them with an air gauge and they all read 32PSI...which I thought was perfect. Today, I checked again, and read the side of the tire...the lettering is so tiny, it's very had to read, but it looks like it days "44 PSI MAX LOAD". Does anyone else have any experiance with this...it seems very high to me, even for a 16 inch, wide tire....I'm gonna check with the dealer, but figured I'd ask you guys too.

    And fgaydos, I have a 5 speed, but I've heard from numerous people that the stumble happens with all treansmissions....I shift pretty high, around 4000 - 4500 RPMS, so I don;t really notice it on mine.

    Thanks everybody.

    PS - Saw the S2 edition at the dealer....ITS PRETTY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • desertguydesertguy Member Posts: 730
    I have the same tires and the fronts always look a little low. They aren't. Keep them at the factory recommended 32psi. The 44 is a maximum figure only and is usually found only in performance tires such as these.
  • njbongonjbongo Member Posts: 66
    Thanks...actually, geing the genius that I am (yeah right)...checked the tag on the passenger door, and actually is says 34 PSI, mine are at 30, so they are low. I know the front wheels on FWD cars always look low, but these actually are. Thanks for the help though.

    V
  • petedopetedo Member Posts: 27
    Yeah make sure you check what the car says about tire pressure. Never go by the tire. My friend pumped his up to 48 psi once and it blew up.
    I also am sick of modified Civics and Integras. That's why I didn't think twice about getting a Focus.
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    ..but there is quite the community of people moding their Foci. Mainly the ZX3.
  • desertguydesertguy Member Posts: 730
    Right you are. I looked at the tag when I first got my car and for some reason picked up the middle number which is 32psi. It should be 34psi for our tires. I will adjust mine this weekend.
  • jimzzx3jimzzx3 Member Posts: 5
    Hey could you people answer me this? how do you avoid chirping the tires in second? when I stomp on my gas when I go in second I tend to chirp. I generally try not to push my car beyond 3000 rpms. except in fourth when passing above 60 mph. does it hurt the car pushing above 4500? if I knew it wouldn't hurt in the long run i wont worry so much.
  • petedopetedo Member Posts: 27
    Some of you Focus drivers are a little too hesitant to rev the zetec. You can push it to 4500 no problem, maybe 5500-6000 sometimes if you really want to push it. I can't speak personally for long term reliability- I only have 800 miles, but other people on this board and other boards can. Check out teamfocaljet.com
    You'll see people that've modified their cars with basic mods- cat backs, cold air intakes, and chips, raising redline to 7100.
    True the ZX3 is gaining ground on the civics but at least it's a Ford. Also for some reason around here, every Focus I've seen has been a female driver.
  • danger_cowdanger_cow Member Posts: 5
    Damm i love this little car. I live in NYC Brooklyn and the car is agile enough to dart around the canyons that pass for potholes in NYC. I have a few minor complaints. I dont mind it but when women get into the car they keep complaing about how far they have to reach back for the seat belt. I keep hearing a slight ticking sound (very low) from the left rear wheel. It sounds like the same thing i had when i had my 90' Camry wheel bearings. Of the really bad news, a couple of kids were playing around my car and broke my antenna. My Ford dealership says $90 for labor and $45 to replace the mast(the areial part is still good) talk about highway robbery. All in all the Car is very nice. I am plaing a trip to Boston soon, i can hear the highway calling. Love the Focus, and the ladies like the ride...lol Viva la Focus
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    There was a recall for the left rear wheel bearing assembly due to a possibly mis-torqued retaining nut. Don't ignoe wheel noises in this car - several folks have reported early failure from rear AND front wheel bearings.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    best of luck with your new ride. i wouldnt hesitate to recommend
    mccafferty ford in langhorne on u.s. rt.1 north. the facility is super clean and they now have a service director who is really on the ball.
    no nonsense,get the job done right the first time. its reassuring to know that someone who is in charge of the joint,actually knows what their doing. a class act,knows his stuff!
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  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    Although you'd think Ford would pull out every part they could to save money, I'd guess they decided it was easier to install a grab handle at all four seating positions to standardize the Focus for various markets. The ZX3 started life in Europe, and many of the designers were British, so that left side handle makes sense when the car is built with right hand drive.
  • newzontheblocknewzontheblock Member Posts: 8
    So it seems as though I'm having a more difficult time posting here than with the car. I have to admit, a trade-off I'd make any day.

    bullet- thanks for the sage-like answer (but then why handles on the right side? just kidding).
  • kebbatkebbat Member Posts: 41
    yesterday I put mile 1000 on my ZX3 - going from the junkbox I was driving to my new car has me volunteering to do much more errand running that per usual. So 1000 miles a bit high for the amount of time I've been driving it, but it is so much fun to drive. Especially with the beautful weather we're having up here in MA.
  • cgsangelcgsangel Member Posts: 79
    Hi,

    I think I read it at Edmund's longterm test for April. Someone commented that the seats are not as comfortable on long rides as around town. I think that's dependent on the person... some people fit the car while others just don't. Mine are fine..:)

    Recent comments here have repeated the engine stumble/hesitation around 2000rpm. Mine has done that since day one and continues to do so (w/ auto transmission). Mileage on my recent highway trip (1000 miles round trip exceeded 30mpg. The last two round trips (same route Maryland to Massachusetts and back) achieved 31mpg both times. Speeds averaged 65mph...(anywhere from 35mph through towns to 70-75mph on the open road).

    I'm still concerned about the ignition lock problem though. Both my brother and his daughter had to have their ignition locks drilled out and replaced after their keys wouldn't go in. And their cars were made 5 months apart (dec99 and may2000). Mine was made in dec99, so I guess I have a right to be concerned. No recall is planned by Ford, according to my brother. He said the dealer wants it though because the fix (part replacement) is alot easier to do before the lock actually breaks. That's what the service tech told him. But I guess the cost to Ford to recall thousands and thousands of cars is cheaper that fixing them as they occur.

    Anyway, I say a little prayer or think good thoughts everytime I go to put my key into the ignition.

    Charlie
  • cefurodcefurod Member Posts: 72
    Anybody know anybody looking for a used 2000 ZX3 in the NY, NY area or nearby? Everything manual, a/c, 28,000 miles. I'm looking to get a toyota mr2 spyder.
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    cgsangel - I had to have the ignition switch replaced under warranty because when you'd remove the key, the center part of the switch wouldn't "pop out", so it thought the key was still in it and chime accordingly. Replaced no problem under warranty. I believe that Silver Bullet had the same problem. I have heard of other Focus owners having problems with the ignition switch and that Ford in general has had problems with ignition switches since the 80's
  • silver_bulletsilver_bullet Member Posts: 1,339
    ...no, its just the "key in ignition" chime, even though the key is not inserted. Yes, this has happened twice in the last month, so I've asked my fiancee to pay VERY close attention to inserting/removing the key, and let me know if it happens again or seems to get stuck. I can make this problem happen by holding the core of the lock in while withdrawing the key - ding! ding! ding! BTW - my car was assembled 12/99.
  • zx3beastzx3beast Member Posts: 661
    please add that to my list. recently, almost always sticks upon removing key.need to push the cylinder in,then it releases. only happened once
    in awhile the prior 14 mo. build date,dec.99. also, tractor trans is still annoying. i like the car but........
  • tgrcubtgrcub Member Posts: 22
    took my week old ZX3 on it's first road trip and headed into Boston Sunday night... and it was the first time in years that I could actually park on a main street near where I was headed... *sniff* I sure am falling hard for this car... :)
  • petedopetedo Member Posts: 27
    I have no complaints on my mileage. The two times I've filled up, I got 22 and 24 mpg respectively. Not bad with 95% city driving and under 1000 miles on it. I know others have complained about low mpg, that's why I thought this article in Sport Compact Car about the SVT was interesting:
    "The standard ZX3's Zetec engine is tuned for one thing: gas mileage. High-mileage Focus sales raise Ford's corporate average fuel economy, allowing more dinosaur- sucking SUVs to be sold. That little piece of reality is why the seemingly capable Zetec makes only 132 hp in its base form." Not sure where they got this info but i thought the Focus has 130 hp. Not that that matters because I've seen anywhere from 100-115 hp at the wheels from dyno charts. However this is good news to anyone that wants to modify the car since all the power is supposedly bound up to keep the mpg high. Also the website has some awesome pictures of the Focus SVT. It's at www.sportcompactcarweb.com
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Looks like the stumble/bog/hesitation mystery has been finally solved.
    Dealers are replacing the DPFE (Defferential Pressure Feedback Exhaust) EGR sensor (which is on national backorder of course).
  • joeb4everjoeb4ever Member Posts: 7
    is there any focus magazines that i could subscribe to? Any European focus magazines that are in english?
  • newzontheblocknewzontheblock Member Posts: 8
    So my z just got me my first speeding ticket (I had nothing to do with it of course!). Driving down a nice, twisty, picturesque back road in south jersey, taking in the view, pushing the car a little (the real fun part!), I go around a blind corner and bang. Cruiser coming in the other lane. 72 in a 45.
    I was mad at the car the whole way home, but I've forgiven her.

    So it goes.

    Ok, so another installment in first new car ownership, is windex and a paper towel ok for glass surfaces? Wasn't sure...

    By the by, those SVT pictures look incredible!
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