ctrcbob

I wonder if these EcoBoost engines will need premium fuel, like most turbo engines? Most turbo engines slightly lower the compression ratio, but when it gets the boost from the turbo, the compression is higher, so the need for higher octane fuel. With the price of fuel today, I don't know how well the consumer will like it. Note that the EcoBoost in the MKS V6 will be a 3.5 liter engine. Lincoln will also have as their standard MKS engine a 3.7 non turbo. This 3.7 will have 270hp, very slightly more than my 3.5 at 262hp in my MKZ. (Note that my MKZ is fast, and scares me when I tromp on it to pass another car or truck).

Fuel system flush is a waste of (your) money. It is a money maker for the dealer service departmentl. My 07 MKZ has OCI listed as 7500 miles for normal driving. (5000 mile OCI for severe driving - note that dealer and quicky oil change places will still try to get you to change it at 3000 miles as it is a money maker). I am using Penzoil Platinum 5W-20 (synthetic) in my MKZ and as long as it is in warranty, I change it every 7500 miles. In my 02 Continental, I use Castrol Syntec 0W-30, (Made in Germany, full synthetic) and I run 10000 mile OCI. (This oil only available at Auto-Zone). Whenever I am in Europe, I lease a Renault Laguna and the owners manual states OCI of 30000 kilometers, which comes out to every 18750 miles. I guess European oil is better than American/Canadian oil.

Ditto to Brday. Fram is perhaps one of the worse oil filters you can buy. Get the oil changed at a dealer and you will (should) get a Motorcraft Filter. (Watch them to make sure). If you change your own oil, go to Wal-Mart and get a Motorcraft Filter. Even buying it at a Ford/L/M dealer, you can normally get the price reduced if you ask the parts guy nicely <grin>. (the reason I said you "should" receive a Motorcraft Filter at your Ford/L/M Dealer is that there is one dealer in the Orlando area that sells many brands of cars, [Courtesy] and if you use one of their coupons for a money off oil change, they will use the cheapest oil filter they can find. Once had the oil changed on a Buick at Courtesy Buick, and a saw that they installed a white filter - AC filters are blue. Complained to Service Writer and his answer was "well if you wanted an AC Filter, you will have to pay more. When I removed the filter, I saw that the name was "Formula 7" which I knew is the filter used by your local corner garage for cheap oil changes. A couple years later, I had a Sebring Convertable, and when checking out Courtesy Chrysler, I mentioned the Buick oil change to the Chrysler Service Writer. He said "we do the same thing" so my advice is to Watch them to keep them honest) Another thing I do is I insist on the Motorcraft 5W-20 in Bottles, not bulk. When asked why by the dealer, I tell them that when they use bulk, not only don't I know what oil is in their bulk tank, even they don't know what is in there as their jobber could be selling them something other than Motorcraft 5W-20. If I can see it on the bottle, I will believe it. JMHO

Ditto to Jimmy G; My AWD has never given me any problems in the 17500 miles (28000km) I've owned it. Taken it on three long trips, but never in cold COLD weather.

Sorry I have not been on the group lately. Just returned (three weeks ago) from a trip to Sicily taking care of some family business. (Froze my butt off as I thought it would be as warm as Florida - Wrong!) Boz, I see that you are still getting that poor gas milage you had a year ago. I wish you the best. As for me, my milage has gone up a bit. Since I returned from Sicily I have only been putting in $20.00 worth at a time, never filling it, however I have not reset my milage indicator, so it indicates that I got 19.5mpg since I returned, and I've put in about $80.00 of gas in since return. This is just driving around the county, plus in the small town traffic we have here in this part of Central Florida. I think I mentioned somewhere in this group a few months ago that I had my local Ford Dealer run the MKZ "TSB 07-6-10" as I did not like the way the 6-speed transmission would linger in the lower gears. (Had L/M Dealer do it last year, but he must have done it wrong as it still lingered at that time). Ford dealer took all of five or six minutes to run the TSB and now it not only shifts when it should, but gas milage also went up slightly. Note that the TSB is for Lincoln MKZ not for the Fusion. Also of interest to you all, The price of gas in Sicily ranged between 1.379Euro to 1.409Euro per liter. Calculating that 1.0Euro costs $1.50, and that there are 3.85 liters per US Gallon, the price of gas was $8.02 a gallon. Only just slightly more than what I paid in Paris 18 months ago, at $7.75 a gallon. Not all cars in Sicily are small (just most). Saw many Jeep Cherokee, Kia Santa Fe, and other large SUV's. Was surprised at how many "Smart" Cars I saw. (They are now starting to sell Smart Cars in the US). The "rules" of driving in Italy are quite different. For instance, "You are not allowed to have anyone driving in front of you". "You must pass". :wacko: :rolleyes: They park wherever there is a space. Don't matter if it is a no parking zone. No motorcycle helmets, don't matter if it is the law. Police don't bother you. Matter of fact, very seldom see the police. I see more police here in one hour than I see in one week in Italy. (don't tell me we don't live in a police state). All in all though, I never saw any accidents, fender benders, etc. None.

From all the reading I do on www.bobistheoilguy.com I have learned that of the NON Synthetic oils out there, you can't do any better than Motorcraft "Blend" 5W-20. Note that is the non full synthetic oils. Motorcraft Blend 5W-20 is a great oil. A full synthetic oil can take the high heat better than other oils plus it will pour at a lower temperature than regular oils. Lastly, do not think that a "Blend" is 50/50. Its not! A blend has between 2% to 5% synthetic. People see the word "Blend" and they think it is 50/50. If you want a 50/50 mix, buy 3 qts of regular and 3 qts of synthetic and mix them yourself.

I change the oil in my MKZ close to 7500 miles. My dealer wants me to change every 3000 miles, but he just wants to sell me the service. My last two oil changes were using the Motorcraft "Blend" 5W-20. Now that they are no longer free, I will use a FULL SYNTHETIC PennsOil 5W-20 in this car. My Continental goes 10000 miles between oil changes using FULL SYNTHETIC 0W-30 Castrol Syntec (Made in Germany) (can only be purchased at AutoZone). (Just purchased my third car and have not yet changed the oil, but when I do, it will be with the same Castrol Syntec as above). In Europe, the oil change interval for the cars I have leased the last two times say to change oil every 30,000 kilometers. Thats 18,750 miles, so this tells me that their oil is better than ours. (Don't think their cars are better <grin>)

Sorry about the "i" word. I've replaced it. I know not everyone thinks like me, nor should they.

I went back yesterday and took a good look at that Focus. Anyone who slams the new Focus is an xxxxx. That 08 Focus is a great looking, nice car. I mistook it for a Fusion because the new Focus (4 door) is much larger than before, and about the same size as the Fusion. The one I looked at had a 2 liter 4 cylinder engine, with automatic transmission ($8xx.00 option) and full leather interior (optional) plus Serius Radio ($190.00) . The interior looked as nice as the exterior. Don't remember what the other options were. I know it had manual seats, but don't remember what else it had. I sat in it, and it was very comfortable, but then again, I did not drive it. The MSRP was $19xxx.00. IMHO, this Focus will sell great. Don't know if there are any optional engines, but if I needed a third "knock around car", this would be it.

In the words or RossAnn Rosannadanna (or was it Emily Latilla) "Never Mind"! OK, you got to be right. I must have read the model wrong. That FOCUS looks a lot bigger than the previous year. (thats probably why my mind read Fusion not Focus). It is a good looking car though. I'm going to the Ford dealer tomorrow and if they still have that car in the showroom, I'm going to check it out. (BTW, see what happens when you get old and have a "Senior Moment"?)

Edit: This was a Focus, not a Fusion, as you will read in following posts. Sorry. Visited my local Ford Dealer this morning, and in the showroom, he had an 08 Fusion (4 Cyl) and I noticed that the VIN started with number "1". Cars made in Mexico have the VIN start with a "3". Looked at the window sticker and it said the car was "Assembled in Wayne" which I guess is Indiana? Also the 08 Fusion has a complete "facelift". You can still see it is a Fusion, but although it is the same, it is different. (The same but different <grin>) Still looks good. One thing I could not find on the sticker was the normal addition that says where the Engine and Transmissions are made.

I have the factory moonroof on my MKZ. No problems with it. Also have the factory moonroof on my wifes 02 Continental, (as well as the two 98 Continentals we had) and never had any problems with them. Yes, we use them often.

If you live, or do a lot of driving in "Heavy Snow Country", it may be worthwhile. Otherwise, ------ DON'T DO IT. First off, you will take a hit on your trade. Second, the gas milage of the AWD is much lower than the FWD. Third, the AWD holds 1 gallon less than the FWD. Forth, the AWD costs a lot more than the FWD. The only advantage I've found on my MKZ AWD is that: The car holds the road great, going around corners faster. The car does not get blown around by the wind (I.E.- does not wonder) The car is better when the road is slippery - better traction. JMHO,

OK, latest update. I WAS WRONG! This morning, I decided I would get under the car and make my own cover to go over the 4x6 hole in the bottom engine cover. Looked at it from under the car, and said, "thats strange, where are the screw holes for screwing or bolting the 4x6 cover"? Looked further, and I saw that half the bottom engine cover has a sign molded on it saying something like "remove for oil filter". This is 12x12 piece, held on by two large bolts. OK, I said to myself, "am I wrong"? Why would Lincoln make a bottom cover with a 4x6 hole? The hole is not exactly under the filter and also not exactly under the forward exaust pipe, (but close). Also looks ugly when looking at car from a distance. Next, I did what I should have done in the first place. I visited the L-M Dealer, and looked under a new MKZ. Identical to mine. I sent the an e-mail to the Service Writer telling him that I apologize to him. (Still can't figure out why they put such an ugly hole in bottom of cover when they just could have made the removable 12x12 piece slightly larger).

Well, I said they were Bullit Proof, not Bullitt Proof. Been thinking of getting one of those 08 Bullitts, but not sure if I like the wheels, so I'm thinking of a California Special instead.

Dave may be correct. The little trap door is now missing on my car. Either the tech did not replace it, or if he did, it fell off, so what I now have is the plastic shield without the trap door. Looks like it wants to scoop all the dirt and water up from the road. Informed the dealer who did the oil change, and the writer said that they would order another trap door for me. That was a couple weeks ago, and all I get from him is that it has been ordered. Then per Daves post, I looked under a couple V6 Fusions, and Dave is correct, it is different, with only a small spoiler and no shield. I'm not going to bug the dealer anymore. but I will probably take the car to my local Ford dealer, rather than going all the way to Orlando to the L-M Dealer. Sometime next week, I will put the car up on blocks (ramp) and make my own trap door, bolt it on just like stock, except I will install a couple plastic wireties at the front, in case the bolts come loose, so that I don't lose the whole trap door.

The 3.0 (and 3.5) V6 both use Timing Chains, and both engines are Bullit Proof. My sister has a 97 Taurus Wagon with this engine, 100k miles, and never a hint of problems with either the engine or transmission. I've been trying to get her to sell me this wagon, but she won't sell as the car is too good. (Matter of fact, they have an 05 Freestyle with this same engine, but with the CVT transmission - no problems with that car either).

Anyone check the Transmission Code on the 08 V6's yet? Located on the sticker on the left driver door sill. Is the code still "B" or is it something else? Its not that I don't like this six speed transmission (code "B"), its more like the transmission is "Not Likeable", and am wondering if they went to the Ford Six Speed Transmission on the 08's, just like they use on the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX.

Around town, day in and day out; The Continental gets 18 to 20; The MKZ gets 16 to 18. On the open road, (on a trip); The Continental gets 26 to 30 (fill up to fill up) averaging 27. The MKZ gets 23 to 26 (fill up to fill up) averaging 24. Only took one 3000 mile trip with the MKZ, but many with the Continental. Matter of fact, will be leaving for a long trip on Sept 19th, visiting my daughter in Columbia SC, then friends in El Paso, then more friends in Phoenix, then to Roswell NM for a few weeks. Taking the Continental and leaving the MKZ here in Florida. May have to spend a few weeks in Penfield NY this coming winter (ugh) and for that trip, will take the MKZ as Penfield (Rochester) is in deep snow country and the MKZ goes better in deep snow.

Both the 3.0 Duratec engine (4speed auto) in my Sisters 97 Taurus and the 3.0 Duratec engine (CVT) in my brother-in-laws 05 FreeStyle are 220 hp DOHC engines that are basicly the same as the 3.0 Duratec 220 hp engine of the Fusion (6speed F21 auto) , with only the intakes different due to the different hoods on the cars. This is a bullitproof engine, but it shure get better economy in the older cars. The only real difference is the @#$%&* 6speed auto. As for the Continental with the 4.6 Intec V8 DOHC 275hp (in my 02 but was 260hp in my two 1998's), with the very same 4speed transmission as the 97 thru 05 Taurus, your answer about "emission standard revisions" just does not cut it with me. Much heavier car with basicly the same hp, and much better fuel economy than most Fusion V6's. (Note, I said most, not all, as there is always an exception). The shifting is not any quicker in my MKZ than my Continental. The only real life difference is that in normal throttle, as when leaving a stoplight or stopsign, the Continental is in top gear much sooner, and at a lower speed than the MKZ. RPM's in TOP GEAR for both of them is the same for any given speed. Both cars, top gear (6th in MKZ, 4th in Continental) 70mph is 2100RPM). I would much prefer the 4speed automatic over these "gas saving" 6speed transmissions. Note I have the experience with the F21 6speed. Don't know much about the 6F 6speed transmission, but from what I read on the Ford Edge site, the Edge with the 3.5 Duratec engine (same as me) and the 6F 6speed transmission gets even worse gas economy than I get, but that could also be because the Edge weighs 500 lbs more than my MKZ, about the same as my Continental. BOZ, if you read this, how is your Gas Hog doing these days, and what do you think?

What I want to know is if the 08 V6 Fusion/Milan/MKZ's will use the same AWF21 (6speed) automatic (TRansmission code "B") or the Ford 6F (6speed) automatic. (Unknown TR code). If anyone sees an 08 (it must be a V6), check the transmission code on the sticker on the driver door sill. BTW, this business about a "6 speed transmission saving fuel" is a bunch of huey. If anything, it causes a car to use even more fuel because the car is in the lower gears for a longer period of time. The 4speed transmission of the Taurus with the 3.0 Duratec (same engine as the Fusion) gets much better fuel milage than the 6speed. My buddies MKX (Edge) with the 3.5 engine and the F6 transmission gets even worse gas milage than our Fusions/Milans/MKZ's with the F21. My V8 Intec Continental with the 4speed gets better than my MKZ. JMHO

I've been a "left foot braker" for over 40 years so I never have that problem. Before you ask; NO, I never ride the brake. NO, I never get confused when I switch to a manual transmission car.

Dan, What Mustang do you have?

I know nothing about the automatic transmission in 4 cylinders Fusions. In your owners manual, it will state which transmission fluid to use. The 6 cylinder Fusions use the six speed AWF21 transmission which uses an "oddball" fluid. If you take it to a Ford dealer, make sure they use the fluid that your owners manual calls for. Do not take it to other places as they will not use the correct fluid. (Even if your 4 cylinder transmission uses Mercon-V, those other places only use Dextron-Mercon, which is not the same as Mercon-V, even though they may tell you that they add some super "additive" to the Mercon: Don't do it; Only use a Ford Dealer for the flush).

E-85 Vehicles use YELLOW Gas Caps.