shiuraz

Hi, hope to get some advice. I have a 2015 Fusion Hybrid SE with 137k miles. I've had it since new, no major problems, it's been regularly serviced. Long story short, I need a new transmission, it will cost $6.6k (includes tax/charges) from the dealer. I might be able to get $8/$9k as is if sold to a place like Carmax and they didn't find out about the transmission problem. I like my car a lot, it has all the features I want and like and I really don't like the idea of dumping $20k into a secondhand car on which I don't know the driving history. Finally the idea of selling the car makes me so sad. Is it a bad decision to go ahead with the transmission replacement? I'm hoping the fix would get me another 60k miles (hopefully without any major parts failing along the way). Is this unrealistic? From a pure value of the car perspective it seems silly to put $6.6k into a car potentially worth only $8-$9k (without considering that replacing the car would require a higher car payment, unknown other issues etc). Thanks for any thoughts you can share or if I'm missing something. Longer background: Recently a humming sound started at 40mph. Took it to a local mechanic, he said it wasn't the wheel bearing, sound was coming from the transmission. Took it to the dealer who did diagnostics. Said there there was metal in the transmission fluid, the fluid was burnt...need a new transmission. I've been quoted $6.6k (inc tax) to get it replaced with a reconditioned transmission, 3 years unlimited mileage warranty by the dealer. I haven't finished calling around for non dealer quotes but the 2 mechanics I called won't replace a hybrid transmission (difficult, not worth their time). Looking online, seems like I would get between $8/9k if sold as is to a place like Carmax. Maybe $11k max if sold privately (though I'd have to get the transmission fixed first).

Thanks for all your helpful replies! @3clusterliver9 yes I love my car. It's drives nicely, has all the bells & whistles that I need. Only bad thing has been that I've gone through a few tires due to sidewall damage. Twice my partner hit the kerb at very low speed and that killed the tire. I have noticed that the fuel economy isn't as good as when it was new. To be expected I guess with the age of the battery.

Hi, I have a 2015 Ford Fusion SE Hybrid due for its 130,000 mile service. It's the first service out of its extended warranty and I'm wanting to know if there are any pros and cons specific to this model/year vehicle of a dealer service vs local mechanic on an ongoing basis. My intention is to keep the car until it doesn't work or the cost of maintenance doesn't justify it. I have been taking the vehicle to the dealer since I purchased it new and the work has been good but expensive. I have a local mechanic who has done good work on my partner's 2003 year cars many times in the past. They don't work on the hybrid system. I know that the dealer service will be more expensive (~ 50% more), but they use OEM parts, have specifically trained technicians and can work on the hybrid system. Are there any other considerations I need to be aware of for this year/make? Would it be good to have the minor services done at the local mechanic and the major services done at the dealer? I know that I can look up the maintenance schedule for the car on https://www.ford.com/support/maintenance-schedule/. I don't know a lot about cars so I am not able to service the car myself. Thanks for any knowledge you can share!

Hi, I wanted to share my experience with replacing the tire mobility kit with a doughnut spare tire in my Ford Fusion Hybrid SE 2014 (17 inch wheels) in particular what to look out for in case others are thinking of doing the same. I've included a lot of details for those like myself who do not know a lot about cars and are learning this stuff for the first time. I've sustained side wall damage several times on my Fusion. The tire mobility kit did not work for side wall damage and even ruined my tire pressure monitoring sensor on one occasion. I decided it was time to get a spare tire (which the car did not come with). Pricing The dealer I called (I am in California) was quoting the wheel for $207.95 (without the tire which they did not stock), jack $139, lug wrench $37 and foam insert $54. The tire can be purchased online for $158. Total $585.95. I called my local auto wreaker - they had the wheel and tire, jack, foam insert and wrench and quoted me $150 - $200. I have also seen the wheel and jack sold together and separately on eBay for a range of prices. Important information I did my research on this forum (thank you for the wonderful wealth of information) and looked at my friend's Fusion spare tire setup. Here are the important things to know if you decide to go the secondhand route: 1. The wheel you want to get will have CM5C-1015-CXA engraved on the wheel (the part number is CV6Z1015B but this is not printed anywhere on the wheel). 2. The tire on the wheel is Maxxis T125/80R16 3. I recommend getting the jack (which should have a slim metal stick that moves the jack up and down attached), the lug wrench and the foam insert (see pic from my friends car). The foam insert with all the parts will sit nicely inside the tire. 4. The Fusion comes with a lock nut holder (spindle) which holds down the foam insert. This spindle also works to hold down the spare tire and foam insert. 5. I recommend installing the doughnut onto your car before you buy if you have the time - that way you can test if the jack works and the tire fits. I am glad we did this as the first tire the auto wreaker gave us was 16 inches but did not have CM5C-1015-CXA engraved onto it and the tire was a Maxxis T145/80D16. It sat too high in the trunk (as it was wider) and the holes on the wheel would not line up with bolts on the car. It would have sucked to be out in the middle of nowhere 2 years later with a flat only to find it didn't fit and the tire wasn't returnable! Fit To fit the tire in the trunk 1. Lift up the trunk floor carpet/liner 2. Unscrew the spindle holding down the foam insert (which holds the tire mobility kit) 3. Remove the foam insert 4. Put down the newly purchased foam insert containing the jack and lug wrench (jack side up). The bottom of the foam should have a rectangle divot cut out which sits over a small rectangle of metal on the trunk floor. 5. Put the wheel in, outer edge up. The jack and insert should sit nicely inside the wheel 6. Screw the setup down with the spindle (see picture) 7. Replace the trunk floor carpet - it should sit flat. The tire mobility kit will not fit under the carpet but I keep it in the trunk as the compressor may come in handy. Here is a post from another member detailing their experience driving on the doughnut Here is post from another member discussing how to make the spare work for 18 inch wheels. Hope this helps!