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Comments
with the so-called "green gas" here. its about time.
Now I know that not all brakes squeal as my car is usually the only one making any noise when I come to a stop. So, I know this guy was thinking "dumb blonde, I can tell her anything."
Do you have any more information about the "silent recall." I'm thinking about taking the car somewhere else and then bringing the bill back to Ford and saying, see something is/was wrong.
They've had the car a week and I'm in a mood that is ready to rip someone a new @#$%#^.
jnmartin - You need to tell the a**hole at your dealership to stick those shards where the sun doesn't shine. Ford has been replacing rear brake shoes on drum braked Focii when a customer has legitimate complaints of excessive brake squeal. Call your zone rep, or try another dealer until you find someone who's not in denial.
99194 dated 09/99
13462 dated 11/99
7437 dated 11/99
8327 dated 03/00
8574 dated 04/00
14078 dated 04/00
All deal with rear brake noise.
Just to make sure, I have a 01 ZX3 built in Aug 00 - does that mean she has front or rear brakes? And the squeal, I had assumed was coming from the front, but it is loud enough to have engulfed the car and sound like it is coming from the front.
About the clicking when its full- the manual says to let it click THREE times before it will be full. So i have and it is on the full line after i put 10 gallons in. I suppose the best way to find the answer is to let it run out of gas, or really close to it then see if it'll take the 13.2 gallons. If it does just figure you have a big reserve. If it doesn't, we have smaller gas tanks
petedo - aren't you confusing the "three clicks" with what Ford says about tightening the gas cap? Check your manual - I don't think it mentions fueling until the pump clicks three times - I believe it says to tighten the cap until you hear at least three clicks from the ratchet in the cap.
later guys
2001 model year page 233-Filling the tank
"allow three automatic click-offs when filling"
Also "when the fuel gauge reads empty, you may not be able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank." Just kindof weird that it does it with 1/8 tank still left.
On another note, I'm about to leave for a long camping trip in the Focus. First trip in it. I'm amazed at how much stuff fits in there. I took out the rear hatch cover and rear seat cushion.
Can't wait to see how it handles all the extra weight I put in.
Have a good trip, and let us know what sort of gas mileage you get with a full load of gear!
On the other hand, my fuel gauge is EXTREMELY accurate, so I know it's full. I usually fill it at a quarter of a tank exaclty, and it usually take 10 gallons, give or take a half.
I have noticed with the newer cars, (my 95 and 00 Accents as an example) all do the same thing. Go past the first click or two and your dripping. Actually, my 00 Accent is the worst...the gas will actually start shooting back out. Yet, none of these cars have ANY fule related problems.
Oh well, I'll just keep using one click and not complain about it...hehehehe
click...............
I'm curious - why do you want to remove it?
Not that I use my head "restraints" as head "rests". But they are angled better in the ZX3 in case of a rear-end collision. Some cars I've had I'd wonder if they would do any good at all since they were too far back to do any good.
But they would work as head rests while not driving, when the seat is angled back.
Charlie
rear brake shoe available from ford. the noise can sound like it is coming from the front but the rear brake shoes are the culprit. ask to see the gm of the dealership if the service is not to your liking. they owe you the valued customer the proper respect. demand it! are those
loose shards anything like the hanging chads in florida? by the way,the only thing affecting the cold and wet is that guys poor excuse for a brain. he sounds dumber than a sack of screwdrivers.
My first long distance trip in my Foci. Fingers crossed.
My wife wanted one in either Silver or Black, with: Manual Transmission (5-speed), Power Groups & Performance Group. She also wanted a Moon Roof.
So far we have yet to find the right combination of these options. And we can't find any with a Moon Roof? Is there a shortage of Foci having the Moon Roof option on the vehicle? Seems like it down here anyway!
We can get a real good deal (and more for our trade-in) if we purchase 1 of the 2 JACKPOT GOLD ZX3's that our closest Ford dealer has on his lot. He said he can discount these because this particular color had not been selling well & has been on his lot forever. This vehicle has all the options my wife wants (and this is to be HER vehicle) minus the Moon Roof (of course).
So, any comments on the Jackpot Gold color? If you have it, or even if you have just seen it zip by? Let us hear your thoughts. We will be going back tomorrow to take a closer look at this color in the sun (hopefully).
Thanks for any comments!
Mike & Elisabeth Bunting
Does anyone have a Jackpot Gold Focus ZX3?
We really didn't like the clor at all at first, but may end up buying it because of the discount being applied to it and them giving us more for our trade in vehicle.
mbunting- Don't think I've seen a gold zx3, but the normal foci look just dandy in it. I'm not a big fan of gold, but at least the jackpot gold isn't too garish. Overall, the rest of the car is great! I've got the moon roof and love it, can't keep it closed! At night, with moonlight coming in, it's at its best!
Speaking of that, can anyone solve an age-old question, what's the difference between a moon roof and sunroof?
Beast-I've been avoiding the 1.73 in philly by waiting until I go to my girlfriend's in south jersey (once a week or so), where I've been able to get it for 1.54, although I still can't get used to them filling it for me, especially 'cause I'm so paranoid about them not clicking the cap.
The ZX3 is great on long drives. I've taken five (1000+ each time) and it has performed flawlessly, getting at least 31mpg each time.
I like the gold color but it wasn't available in 2000. It isn't too bright, just right I think.
If you can drive a stick and can live with it in city driving, then go with that. Most people contributing to this forum appear to have the 5 speeds. I had a stick for years (and loved them) but out of necessity went with the 4 spd automatic this time, I have not been disappointed. It is mated well with the engine, very quiet and shifts are hardly noticeable. My car is still fun to drive after 15 months of ownership.
Charlie
I give it three clicks at the pump and it never overfills. Reads ever so slighly higher than the full mark on the gas gauge.Maybe theres a difference between the 2000 and 2001s?
About the back seat cushion. I was going to take it off for alittle more room, but everything ended up fitting. You need the TORX to get it off. An allen wrench fits but the screws are really tight, theyll strip. It looks like whoever put them on didnt want them removed. I was thinking about removing it to reduce weight but why bother when the things gotta weigh less than 5 lbs.
As for the person buying a Focus, I'd suggest holding out and getting exactly what you want, color and everything. I waited an extra 10 days for them to find me my yellow 5 spd with the premium group and love it.
About the head restraints.. I spend about 50% of the time resting my head on it. I wish I could take it off then turn it around and put it back in. I think that'd be alittle more comfortable.
Well, with the grim reaper shortly visiting the S10, I am seriously considering the Focus. I sat in one at the Detroit Auto Show this year, and thought it was nice, but was a little concerned about head and leg room for the bigger person (I am about 5'11 and weigh about 200 pounds, which isn't huge, but am definitely stockier). Are there any Focus owners out there who are stockier and have found that, over a period of time, that there is sufficient room?
Thanks for any advice. I think I am going to test drive tomorrow...
It was $1.78 on Thursday afternoon and it was $1.78 this afternoon. Thank goodness I don't have much of a commute.
The dealer only offered to spray deodorant in the air conditioning vents and says that everything else is normal. I am currently searching for a dealer go actually fix the car and have contacted Ford Customer Relations. The next step is an attorney.
You can do better than this.
I was thinking of putting in a hot cam and exhaust headers, because FocusSport's dyno charts show they offer the biggest gain. I don't want to turbo. Do you know about this stuff? Hey, I was born in Houston and lived there for 10 years.
As far as modifying your ZX3, here's my $0.02 worth - don't bother. Other than replacing some of the low quality parts with aftermarket (the brakes and shocks come to mind), I'd just trade for an SVT when they finally appear. The parts of the stock ZX3 that need replacing are too expensive to justify, but the factory will do it for you in the SVT (Cosworth modified Zetec and Getrag sourced six speed transaxle). Plus, the under car catalyst will yield much better breathing on the exhaust side, and I doubt you'll be able to convert the stock Zetec to the SVT set-up. Pay your $$ and take your choice
Call me crazy, but I baby all of my cars, especially when they are new. Things like this really tick me off. It seems that very few people share the respect I have for property (mine or otherwise). When I was a little punk back in high school, I worked part time pumping gas. Never in my life would I even dream of treating someone elses car like this.
The point is that the law is STUPID...it would also save people from waiting in all the long lines at the pump in the morning.
just venting........sorry for the ranting
registered at the Ford www.ownerconnection.com
web page the following day. The recall service
on this web page listed a Ford voluntary recall,
00S55, for the outboard hinge on the left rear
seat back on my Focus.
The following week, 2001-05-22, I got a postcard
from my dealer recommending I schedule the recall
work on the same number, 00S55. I logged on to
the web page to confirm the notice there and my
postcard matched. The web page no longer listed
any outstanding recalls for my car.
So I called the dealer service department. They
checked my VIN against their data and stated that
my car had received the required service on
2001-05-15 -- the day after I bought the car.
I know the car wasn't serviced on that date. It's
possible the work was done before I took delivery
but only entered into the dealer's data base on
2001-05-15. Anybody know how to confirm the
hinge recall service by visual inspection?
Other than this little mixup, my new car is fine.
I believe all the stories about serious lemons
because I've used and owned Fords and Mercurys
since 1966, but my Focus hasn't displayed any
lemony symptoms yet. First tank of gas got 28
miles per gallon (US) in city driving.
Yesterday, 2001-05-29, I got my stainless steel
Ford Focus coffee mug in the mail. I'm a happy
driver so far.
Silverbullet true the SVT will be a better, less expensive pick but they'll only be available in limited numbers. Also you dont get the fun of modifying and removing stock parts that were put in cheaply. Example- you have to cut the cat back in half to remove it. I like spending time with my car so I don't really mind. Actually if I had the choice I'd want an SVT and a regular ZX3
If you want some good functional floor mats, try the rubber mats from your Ford dealer's parts dept. I got a pair for the front only but you can get some for the rear too. I don't know about the cargo area when the rear seat is folded down. I've used an old blanket with the old mats from the front underneath for the cargo area.
I got mine this winter and they are great for catching the sand and junk that goes right into the carpet. They are made to fit the Focus and they wash right off. They are quite heavy so they should stand up. I think they come in three colors... gray, black and one other... I forget. But I got black because it goes great with the black highlights inside. If I remember correctly, I think I paid $42.00 for the front pair. That's high compared to getting a complete set at an auto store or a place like Wal-Mart, but then they are made to fit the Focus, and they have the Focus logo in white.
One thing was that the driver's hold down didn't work with them until I broke out a plastic plug in the hole in the mat. Someone else gave me the idea to fix that, but it's easy to fix and they stay in place great.
If someone knows a way to make the surface of the back bumper look good after it's scratched, or knows of a protective cover to put on it... so far no one has any answer other than touch up paint. It's really the only part of the car that is showing its age, except for the few dings on the sides where doors miss the black protective molding. And there's nothing I know of to make that look right once it's happened. Too bad because the paint has stood up so well after 15 months of ownership.
Charlie