2011se25

Hi BigJim, You don't mention your region but I've seen more people in northern regions subjected to to more salt / corrosion see more premature rear brake failure. I've seen several people suggest an annual lubrication of the rear sliders help this. Myself, my first set of rear pads and discs were worn out and replaced at 30,000km, and at 60,000km the replacement rears were close to being worn out again, while the factory fronts are nearly brand new. My driving for the life of the car has been largely highway / rural, with a little suburban, and a small amount of city driving. I've also stopped using the parking brake to rule that out. As far as driving habits, I do not ride the brakes, I only drive with my right foot, and when coming up to a red light (for example), rather than a gradual brake, I'll idle closer to the light, then apply the brakes firmer. To the point that people notice this as being "agressive". Firmer stops, and no parking brake have no real impact on this issue. Also it sounds like awaisrauf isn't trying to provide an "answer" but rather providing anidotal evidence. By listing the brake service intervals in km, it sounds like awaisrauf is probably another Candian, and subject to rusty winters as well.

OEM as came off the assembly line are "Blue Box" and are somehow different from Ford's red box "Motorcraft", usually more expensive. I think my Motorcraft pads have a lifetime warantee on parts (not labour). They've lasted at least as long as the OEM.

This is one reason why I went for the Fusion. Not because I'm a senile driver, but because I wanted something with high safety ratings, included features (ESP) and a good chance of survival. Doesn't hurt that the Fusion handles well to proactively avoid accidents, and came with a free set of winter tires. My cousin hit a guard rail on the highway at 110km/h. It wrote off her 2007 Fusion, but she was okay. Here in NS Canada, the handicap placard is hung from the windshield but supposed to be removed before driving, and is significantly smaller than the one in that Fusion. I'm reminded of this spoof: Of this commercial: And the general going ons of Buick drivers plowing through Farmers markets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Russell_Weller How did he manage to go for 1000 ft at up to 60MPH? He killed 10 people and injured 63.

This winter so far has been much worse than last year, and my Husky Liners have been up to the task. I rarely have passengers, but over Christmas I was hauling around car loads of guests (all five seats filled), and appreciated springing for the rear set. As mentioned there's a bump to go over the security post, and the mats are contoured around the floor pan, and have good spikes on the back so they don't move around at all. Be sure to remove your summer mats before applying! They are expensive, but worth getting if you plan on keeping your car for a while.

My '11 Fusion 2.5L was built in Sept '10 and still has original battery at 65,000km (3 years, 3 months). It was cold soaked at -20C last night and was a little slow cranking but no major problems. Our '00 Taurus lasted 7 years on the original battery. Became really weak in the summer (very slow to crank). Batteries are a crap shoot. I always carry booster cables and a booster pack in case I get stranded. Given I've seen batteries last from 2 years to 7 years, I'll carry the extra backup and run them to failure.

I find batteries to be a crap-shoot. Our old Taurus lasted 7 years before the factory battery gave in. In other cars they lasted 2 years before suddenly dying. The replacement in that car was sold with the car 5 years later. I pack a set of booster cables and a booster pack to prepare for a problem, then replace the battery only when it fails.

2014 Ford Fusion S shipped with 215/60R16 tires. Does anyone have any indication that the SE and the S have different sized brakes?

Indeed. Not an issue at all. Just like the F150 Ecoboost when you pull out to pass (on a two lane road), push down on the accelerator, only to have the truck slow down. . .

Remote start is one of the few features I wish I had. Especially since the past few Chevrolet Malibu and Impalas I've rented had it. Here on the east coast we don't get a break at all. They even do construction during the winter. Interesting. In my 2011, the trunk release won't work unless the car has been stopped for a couple seconds (but will work while in gear, unlike Chryslers). The dimmer switch also has a larger cutout in the middle than the trunk release. I haven't heard a lot of problems with the capless system, but I have chased phantom P0456 and "gascap" codes in screwcap Chryslers. So far I've had no problems with my capless, and actually like it. I also like my $10 bluetooth OBDII adapter.

According to Fueleconomy.gov, the 2013 Fusion is rated at 22usMPG city in the 2.5L and 24usMPG for the 1.6L Ecoboost in the city. How bad of traffic are you in?

Do you drive a lot in the 118-126MPH range?

Not a Ford issue. Many makes detune their lighting systems for North American market. Some are requirements. IIRC ECE headlights aren't allowed in the US.

Glad you fixed your leak! Tried FORScan. The only modules I get are: IPC - Instrument Panel Control Module PSCM - Power Steering Control Module RCM - Restraint Control Module OCS - Occupant Classification System Module PCM - Powertrain Control Module OBDII - On Board Diagnostic II ABS - Anti-Lock Brake / Traction Control Module No SJB, which is required to read tire pressures. My reader ( by default) can read HS-CAN (High Speed), but not MS-CAN (Medium Speed) where SJB resides. These pages have more information, as well as instructions on adding this capability to the el-cheapo ELM327 I bought. http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/124-taurus-sable-general-discussion/182569-accessing-advanced-ford-pids-scan-tool.html http://forscan.org/howto.html#ht1

For reasons I don't understand, a lot of new cars have reverted to older trunk hinge designs that impede trunk space (crushing your bread in some designs, or restricting access in others), automatically open to full open, and won't stay put on a hill. As compared to the scissor / gas cylinder arrangement in my 2011 which when popped will only move up a centimeter. Laptops and stuff won't be plainly obvious if I accidentally opened it, and would still be somewhat protected from the elements if it sat like that overnight. AFAIK the 2.0L uses the 6F35 transmission which has been a steamy load of a transmission since the 2009 Escape, though it got somewhat under control by 2011, it is by no means a good transmission. Don't know where you've been. First generation Fusion (2006-2009) has been pretty bullet-proof, especially in the 2008-2009 range (minor bugs would be worked out, and all safety features present) and had the bulletproof Aisin transmission. In 2010, gen 1.5 took a major hit with 6F35 transmission, 2011 and newer have gotten better in that respect, though they're still struggling with it. 2010 also introduced Electronic Power Steering that I've seen a few expensive failures on this forum. Though the 3.0L V6 engine would certainly be bulletproof in the 2012, proving itself since 1996. I agree that the 2013 being the first year of a completely refactored car (except for the crappy transmission) would typically see first model year bugs, and common wisdom is to avoid first model year cars. I'm also not thrilled with EcoBoost at this point. Lots of early bugs to be worked out, especially when I hear stories like a co-worker's F150 Ecoboost that apparently has the common problem of absolutely appalling fuel economy, and under certain conditions, losing power when you step on it after pulling out into oncoming traffic. Then there's the 1.6 Ecoboost in the Fusion that has similar power and fuel economy as the simple and proven 2.5L, but has the risk of catching on fire, costs $1000 more, and is substantially more complex.

Fact is not everyone checks their blind spot. As well if there's a continuous line of slow moving cars in one lane, and traffic cruising by in the other lane, it makes it very obvious if someone is trying to move over, and lets you prepare in case they cut in front of you. It seems to work well in the entire rest of the world outside of North America. Along with amber rear turn signals, much better headlights, mandatory front and rear fogs, and other advantages ECE lighting systems have.