brinks

Not mine but here's one http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive ... 16257g.jpg

Another strange one mate but if you keep the inside of your windscreen clean it helps stop this from happening. Have you checked under the bonnet for an accumulation of leaves? I had this many years ago in a previous car where the leaves blocked the drain holes in the scuttle and when the heater switched on it just drew in wet air. Just a thought....

Whatever you do , don't buy the orange one. They'll be millions of the things on the road this time next year :shock: Have to say it looked a lot better on tv thru the lenses filters than it does in the flesh and it looks damn good in the flesh 8)

No probs Gwyn, I know exactly what you mean though. I'd rather have a free heated windscreen than a most of the other tat they throw in these days. PeterDee - do your heated seats have that nasty side effect of making you feel like you've had a little accident? Had some in a Passat once and it felt :oops: until you realised the seats were turned on :shock:

Sorry :roll:

Blimey, I did a lot of "think"ing in that post :oops:

The BMW mini has it as a part of the Visibility pack option - I think the Ford patent thing is another Urban Myth as no-one has ever actually come up with a copy of the patent. I think most other manufacturers think the heater is good enough and don't want the expense?

Sounds like it could be the fan for the air-con condensor given that it's not on straight away and stops when you move off (air flow means the fan doesn't need to run). Try not using the air-con for a bit and see if it goes away.

Thanks everyone, i'm getting more turned towards a 5dr 1.6 Zetec Climate. Virgin cars are doing good deals at the mo , they're pre-registered but that doesn't matter to me.

The new focus is really growing on me and i'm sorely tempted to go for one. At the moment though i'm loathed to part with the best part of £12-13k for one in the right spec only to find they're on sale in a few months secondhand for less than £10k. Anyone got any idea of how much they're likely to lose over a year and 10k miles? I've got the idea of waiting till next year and picking up a low mileage one instead. Failing that where's a good place to get a discount on a new one. I'm looking at a well spec'd 3 dr 1.6 engine. Ta, Andy

No probs, hope you get it sorted. Dealers seem to be very good at wriggling out of things like this. Definately will make me think twice now when parking on a slope though :shock:

From the Focus handbook "Always apply the handbrake fully before leaving the vehicle. To apply the handbrake, pull the lever up. To release it, pull the lever up slightly, depress the locking button and push the lever down. The handbrake acts on the rear wheels. To reduce the application effort, depress the brake pedal while applying the handbrake." No mention of leaving the car in gear - the handbrake IS designed to hold the car stationary as well as being an emergency brake. I always leave the car in gear on steep hills with the wheels turned towards the kerb but on a slight incline

My 1.8 does about 30 around town and high 30's on the motorway or fast A-roads. I don't thrash it but I don't drive like a granny either....