HEVeng

Brand manager? Just some PR dude? Get the chief engineer on the phone, they actually know what is going on since they work in the shi*! Link doesn't work.

Visually modifying a Fusion is like doing the same to a Taurtus...its a four door family sedan. The only thing more lame is pimping out a Grand Caravan!

Not sure about y'all, but I like keeping my clock radio next to the bed. Radio clock? Why? That analog one is great. But I guess some people ain't figure dem der tricky clock thangs out.

And require manual trans only...can't imagine how slow the I-4 auto must be.

Did you get the appearance package? Good price on that package at $395.

My SEL I-4 Manual is at 25.1 with 6200 miles. The FWD rental Five Hundred I had on a recent business trip was getting close to 27mpg. And that was with driving with the cruise set at 110mph (speed limiter) for a while. Plus I probably set a new speed/time record going from Omaha to some small town in BFE.

I'm pissed the US government is serving French Fries once again...FREEDOM FRIES!!

Check out the pics - http://mlav.com/car/telegraph2006 http://mlav.com/car/telegraph2006-2/

I skipped the filter change and plan to change the oil early on the next change. Haven't taken the filter off but I have the tool for the hybrids. The reason for the two filter types is probably due to a running change made at ChEP to build out the old parts. The drain plug is not upside down, the plug sticks out horizontally. I was shooting the photo while on my back. My car is a 36 months lease, so the spark plugs don't concern me. The Fusion owner's manual sucks. I tried to find the recommended lug nut torque...its stuck in the middle of the maintenance section. What ever happened to putting it in the spec. charts in the back of the book?

Aisin supplies all of the Volvo transmissions. I think they finally phased out the old GM trans that was used on the 2.8 I6 with the new I6 they have coming out - it uses the Aisin 6-sp.

The 2.3L 5-sp manual sucks in normal driving, no low end torque. If you shift into second and floor it at 1k rpm, make sure no oncoming cars are visible. Check out the blog in my website...see the signature link. The 2.3L is great over 3k rpm. I hit 107 mph on Saturday with four adults in the car. Just punched it in fifth at 75 and it took off pretty good. Reminds me of my Escort GT - the GT runs at 4k rpm at 80mph in fifth. The Fusion is a bit lower, but you really never have to downshift on the freeway.

Aisin AW lost the Aisin Warner name 20+ years ago. The 5-sp auto is likely JATCO, Japanese Automatic Transmission Company.

It is not Aisin. AKK?? Also used on the Mazda 3, Escape/Tribute I4, Mazda5, Mazda6...from what I understand. The auto 5-sp is probably from JATCO. The auto 6-sp is an Aisin F21++, same as the Five Hundred FWD, Mazda CX7, Volvo XC90 and MANY other cars.

Yeah, I just changed my oil on Saturday and found the cartridge. The FRAM book at Murrays specified a normal spin on filter. Never checked the owner's manual. It is the same stupid filter as the 05/06/07MY Escape Hybrid - the engines are almost identical. Maybe all 06MY 2.3L I4 engines have the cartridge now. I know in 05MY, the non-hybrid I4 Escapes used a spin on. Maybe someone at Chihuhua Engine Plant can answer that for me. MAKE SURE YOU REPLACE THE TWO O-RINGS WITH THE FILTER!!! If you don't, the filter can leak and you will be out a few $k for a new engine. Oh yeah, after 5000 miles, the message center reads 25.0 mpg. (manual trans)

Man, its amazing that 18s used to look big. Those tires either need more aspect or you need a drop. How much circumference did you lose?