chriscatt

Hi, having air con switched on with this model is no different than any other car, you just need to adapt. If you can't adapt then turn it off when required.... ChrisC

Hi, I beg to difer, sorry but our 1.6(100) is more than refined and quiet enough for long distance driving and is much quieter than the previous model at any speed. I also think that, in my experience on a 400 mile round trip where I averaged a similar mpg figure to yours at speeds above the limit, more than adequate. The only engines that will give you more are diesels..... ChrisC

Hi, nome, not a dicky bird, all cars have the differences... ChrisC

Hi, the last one is a WRC focus... ChrisC

Hi, I hope you are sucessful because if our Focus is anything to go by, 4 months down the line it is still doing it and they've replaced everthing that mastertech has recommended.... ChrisC

Hi, modern cars fitted with cats produce quite alot of water from the exhaust until the engine is fully warmed up, you can actually see a trail of it coming from the tailpipe. It is what makes the rear silencer boxes fail early because of internal corrosion, especially when the majority of journeys are short ChrisC

Hi, no I don't think so but would that cause the groan/creak? ChrisC

Hi, thx for you advice mastertech, I went up there but they are claiming that was the first thing they looked for ans that it has already been done, I even spoke to the mechanic and he verified the issue without looking at my printout. They said that they had disconnected the steering arms and just turned the wheels and the top mounts were definantly creaking, they are going to investigate further though. Thing is it seems to only creak at a certain temperature, at 12c it didn't do it, however at 11c it does, go figure.... ChrisC

Wow, thank you mastertech, now when they ring me tomorrow I will have some ammo... ChrisC

Hi again mastertech and thx for all your help, is there any documented evidence to support this I could take to the dealers? They say they've been in contact with Ford's about our issue, so who's to know? ChrisC

Hi mastertech, when you say 'latest level track arms', do you mean the track rod ends or the lower control arm? ChrisC

Hi, drove it today, as soon as I drove off the groaning was there. Went into the dealers and kicked off, poor bloke. It is not good enough they do not seem to know what they are doing. It isn't rocket science, no way can this noise be down to the top mounts when it comes from the lower front firewall. Certainly never going to buy another car from them, and I'm up for 05 Mondy as well... Mastertech, no the top mounts are the top suspension mounts, strut tops as Tony states... ChrisC

Hi, well my partner collected the car this evening, they reported to her that they've just changed the top mounts again. They didn't say whether this was a modified mount from the last time they changed them, well we shall see. If the creaking returns I'm not going to bother with them, I'll go straight to Ford customer relations.... ChrisC

Hallo again, just bumping this up as the car went in this morning for its two days at the dealership. I will post again tomorrow when we collect the car... ChrisC

Hi, I'd call them a gadget that's not really necessary. but if you have it then you become dependant on it. I can park fine using the door mirrors, infact I could park my mondeo with the passenger door mirror missing all together.... ChrisC

Ok, the dealers rang today and will have it in over a couple of days. Giving us a courtesy car to use. Let's wait and see.... ChrisC

Hi, well I had no such phone call. I was even in the dealership getting my vehicle washed, the guy couldn't even be bothered to come out and speak to me. Getting in touch with Ford's own customer relationship centre tomorrow, if that doesn't work it will be the trading standards.... ChrisC

Hi, I mentioned that, again they didn't seem to know about it. Our creaking is so bad sometimes even people in the back seat complain about it! ChrisC

Hi, just a update to my continuing creaking, the local Ford dealer still don't seem to know what's going on but I've been promised a phone call on tues, whatever that means. I await with bated breath.... ChrisC

Hi, I've seen instant mpg on our Zetec Climate as well, I can't remember how I got it really, but I think I just reset whilst driving and showing average mpg.... ChrisC

Hi, the A4 is the Durashift 4-speed auto spec... ChrisC

Hi, actually the 2.0l duratec produces 170c02, which, according to the recent budget, makes it band E which is £150 isn't it? New cars 2001> CO2 Emission | Band | 12 months duty ******************************** <100 g/km | A | - £0 (down £65) <120 g/km | B | - £40 (down £35) <150 g/km | C | - £100 (down £5) <165 g/km | D | - £125 (no change) <185 g/km | E | - £150 (no change) <225 g/km | F | - £185 (up £25) >225 g/km | G | - £210 (new band) For Diesel Cars: CO2 Emission | Band | 12 months duty ******************************** <100 g/km | A | - £0 (down £75) &

Hi, I'm still waiting for the local Ford dealer to get back to us with our creaking, just to remind you that we have had our tie-rod and top mount bushes already replaced and it still does it... ChrisC

Hi, well they had it in all day and didn't find anything wrong, for some reason they were looking for a suspension creak, when I quite clearly said it was the when you steer. Anyway, took it back this morning as it was doing it, good thing was it got worse whilst I was demonstrating it to the service chappie. He heard it ok and he's going to investigate with Ford what the issue is, to my way of thinking - replace the track rod ends. ChrisC

Hi, ours is just going in for the same issue, unlike yours, though, it's already been in to have its top mounts and tie-rod bushes replaced. Thing is, the creaking seems to be temperature dependant, when its cold. like this morning, it won't do it... ChrisC