mlwaverunr

110V 150W load limit (pg88)

From the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.... Nearly all published reports indicate DRLs reduce multiple-vehicle daytime crashes. Evidence about DRL effects on crashes comes from studies conducted in Scandinavia, Canada, and the United States. A study examining the effect of Norway's DRL law from 1980 to 1990 found a 10 percent decline in daytime multiple-vehicle crashes. A Danish study reported a 7 percent reduction in DRL-relevant crashes in the first 15 months after DRL use was required and a 37 percent decline in left-turn crashes. In a second study covering 2 years and 9 months of Denmark's law, there was a 6 percent reduction in daytime multiple-vehicle crashes and a 34 percent reduction in left-turn crashes. A 1994 Transport Canada study comparing 1990 model year vehicles with DRLs to 1989 vehicles without them found that DRLs reduced relevant daytime multiple-vehicle crashes by 11 percent. In the United States, a 1985 Institute study determined that commercial fleet passenger vehicles modified to operate with DRLs were involved in 7 percent fewer daytime multiple-vehicle crashes than similar vehicles without DRLs. A small-scale fleet study conducted in the 1960s found an 18 percent lower daytime multiple-vehicle crash rate for DRL-equipped vehicles. Multiple-vehicle daytime crashes account for about half of all police-reported crashes in the United States. A 2002 Institute study reported a 3 percent decline in daytime multiple-vehicle crash risk in nine US states concurrent with the introduction of DRLs. Federal researchers, using data collected nationwide, concluded that there was a 5 percent decline in daytime, two-vehicle, opposite-direction crashes and a 12 percent decline in fatal crashes with pedestrians and bicyclists. Damned studies and facts---don't ya just hate 'em. (smell the sarcasm?) It's a cheap, easy way to reduce some accidents. It would seem that we could remove the human factor in headlights, tail lights, etc. I see people driving at night without any lights on or just their parking lights. The Fusion already has an auto setting. If I had DRL and always had my lights on auto, that would work, right?? I would be safer and akirby would not be annoyed. Everyone wins! Like I've said before, I already turn my lights on. I know it is a small fraction of the accidents that are reduced, but if I can do something so small as to turn my lights on to avoid my family going through a loss, I'll do it. But that's just me. Some folks still don't believe in seat belts. Unless DRLs are mandated for all vehicles, someone will figure out how to disable them because they can. For now, it's still a choice for everyone.

Below is from the manual---note the file size restrictions. The system also told me that it couldn't recognize the format of the CD or it was a bad disc, but you have to ignore it and just follow the instructions. LOADING PICTURES Your navigation system allows you to save and view up to 32 photos. To access: 1. Ensure that you are on the Home Screen. (Press at the bottom left of any screen to access.) 2. Touch the left side of the home screen to initiate the left screen photo display and saved photos screen. 3. Select the ‘Add’ button on the touchscreen. The following disclaimer will appear, “Please confirm the supported photo formats”. 4. When the pop-up dialog box with the disclaimer appears, press OK and ensure that you are using the proper format. 5. Insert a CD-ROM which contains your photos as jpegs. 6. Press OK. The photos will be listed on the right half of the screen. 7. Select either ADD or ADD ALL. The photos are now saved to the hard drive. Photo display limitations: • The file must be 1.5MB or less. • The extension of the file must be one of JPE/JPG/JPEG. • The CD or DVD must be ISO 9660 format, UDF format is not supported. • The file path must be 255 characters or less. • Up to 256 files or folders can be displayed in one folder. • Not compatible with discs written in Packet Write mode. • Only the photograph(s) which meet these conditions will be displayed. Note: When burning a CD, ensure that you ‘close’ or ‘finalize’ the disc when the CD-burning process finishes (you should select this option before you start burning). Consult your software manual or the program’s Help files if you’re not sure how to finalize the disc. Also, write the audio data into the first session of a multi-session CD as audio systems won’t be able to sort through other sessions to find more audio tracks.

I've never had DRL (the feature) on a vehicle, but I turn them on when I get in, out of habit---seat belts, mirrors, lights, etc. I've read a lot about the safety and reduction of collisions in using them and made it a habit years ago. You would think that it should be an owner option to turn on or off somewhere. DRL never really caught on in the US. Lots of 'mericans like to drive around with parking lights on for some reason. I guess it's the same folks that drive with fog lights on when it's not foggy; the same folks that refuse to use cruise control and we end up passing each other 10-20 times.....

Hybrid vehicles are still considered new technology by many. Even the sales people were trying to get me to buy an ICE version---I got the 'do you realize how long it would take to pay off the additional cost' speech. I told him it may be a long time @ $2.50 a gallon, but when it gets back to $4, it won't take long at all. There is still a lot of folks that put a negative connotation on the hybrids. The Fusion will help. I bought one because it looks like any other Fusion---with sporty looks, decent acceleration, and great mileage. I am still amazed at the quiet and comfortable ride. I don't need to take on the 'green' stereotypes to want a car with good mileage that happens to also be environmentally friendly. Ford has done a great job, I think, with making ordinary vehicles that happen to be hybrid---but FULL hybrids unlike the GM/Chrysler soft hybrid models. With all of the great reviews of the FFH and the ongoing longevity and reliability of the powertrain that has been tested for years now in the Escape, maybe people will begin buying more of them.

I had the same issue when i put in a newer CD, so I called the number on the GraceNote page (CD Database Information)---it was Ford. The rep didn't really have a good answer. She 'thought' that the update for the database would be on the NAV updates, but from what I understood the updates were separate. I saw that Acura has free updates that are available for download for their systems---I would hope that information could be available for us Ford Owners through the syncmyride.com site. It was a pain to enter one album manually, I can't imagine several. :banghead:

That will be a nice holiday season treat and a great way to start the new year!! What colors did you order? Good choice with the 502A---I can't imagine not having the complete system in an FFH. The package has a deep discount as well. I shopped around quite a bit for mine and it was funny to see that dealers had ordered some cars with the options separately which jumped the price by and extra 1k+. I'd hate to be the salesman that had to explain that two identical cars had different sticker prices. I'm sure they could come up with some tall-tale though. Welcome!!

What skluck said!! I was a little worried when I purchased the NAV---I didn't want to get a system that was lagging behind current tech in GPS/NAV from Garmin, Pioneers, etc. It is far from lagging. It's down right amazing when combined with Sync!! "She" tells me where I need to go, shows me on the big map, and shows lane to be in for exits, etc. Too much to list really, but I'm impressed. It's a steep price for the option when you compare to a portable system, BUT it does so much more and is a fully integrated system---you would be comparing apples and oranges between the two. And "She" yaps a lot less than my old Garmin "girl" in my Ranger. Now, If I can just get my wife to stop arguing with "Her" about which route to take...

I have NAV, so the camera comes up on the screen. I'm still getting used to having it. It's a bit odd to look down at the screen when backing---I'd imagine that it would be easier on the mirror. The GOOD thing is that you can see your bumper and quite a bit of the peripheral area that you don't usually have. I backed into a parking space recently and it was a breeze compared to not having that capability. I haven't had the need to parallel park yet. I suppose it's similar to having dial up internet and broadband---you don't realize just how good it is to have the high speed until you have to use the low speed. I'm thinking that I will come to rely on the camera/BLIS/CTA and will feel blind with it when I drive a vehicle without it.

Any good pics close up pics of the sills?? I'm considering getting them if they are durable. The lighted part is just flair, but being stainless should be better than the installed 'sills'. Glad to hear you were able to find a 'good' dealer. They are hard to find---sadly.

From the Owner''s Manual; "FUEL FILTER Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed." I don't mind the capless design, I just wish that the door had a latch just to smooth out the look.

What Tx-traveler said!! Yes---502A has a DVD reader and it does play MP3s from a burned DVD. A DVD will hold 1200ish mp3 files.

Mine is straight. I'm surprised that there wasn't a pre-delivery inspection that would have had the dealer take a look the steering wheel. Steering wheel straight---CHECK, etc. That stinks. Hopefully they will get it figured out. Something may have happened during delivery to the dealer. You pay too much money to accept flaws in workmanship or lack of inspection.

You felt like that about a dog? Unbelievable. Get a new one and enjoy it. Sounds simple, doesn't it. It's not about the car/truck, it's about the life that happened around it---like a dog, like a house, etc. It's always about the memories, not the metal box with wheels. I don't expect you to understand and I really don't gauge my life by yours. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful observation though.

I haven't had my FFH very long, BUT I do like the reverse sensor/cross traffic alert. I suppose it could get annoying, but it isn't like it is on very long---I don't back up THAT far for it to become annoying. The CTA has helped immensely while backing out of parking spots. I've had a couple of those "i didn't see them coming" incidents where I may have seen them eventually, but not nearly as soon as the CTA "saw" them. The BLIS is ok. I adjust my mirrors out quite a bit to eliminate the blind spot, so it really doesn't help me a lot. My wife still adjusts her mirrors the "old way" to see down the side of the vehicle, so it helps her. All of those systems aren't going to prevent an accident, but they make a great assistant to the driver by raising the awareness to areas where accidents happen.

Congrats on your new ride!! I'm still learning about all of the gadgetry. It does make it a little more interesting to drive, but there are lots of distractions. You made it just under the bell with the Cash for Clunkers shutting down Monday.

From the IRS website: "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a deduction for state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase of new cars, light trucks, motor homes and motorcycles through 2009. It also provides for the deduction of other taxes or fees paid in states with no sales tax." You can search their site for "Car Sales and Tax Deductions" and it will give you more. It isn't a credit, but it does reduce your taxable income. Where I live, we have 8.75% sales tax (ugh), so I'll take what I can. Vehicles must be placed into service before Jan 1, 2010.

I feel your pain on the loss of your 'loved one'. I traded my 96 Ranger last weekend for my FFH. I bought her new and returned her with 264K miles. I don't know which was harder to accept---that I was losing a major piece of my life or that now I have to make car payments again. With the $4500 from CARS, the $1700 hybrid tax credit, AND the sales tax/fees tax deduction, it was just too much to pass up. Enjoy your FFH.

I loved the ride of my old 67 Catalina. That thing floated on air. It had seating for 6 or about 8-10 by today's standards. The trunk could hold another 4-6 people with a full size spare. The engine compartment was so big that it was difficult to reach the engine. And there was more metal in the hood than probably my entire FFH. We aren't going back there though. There isn't a large market for them and it is still a supply and demand market. Minivans came from nowhere and took over for awhile then SUVs became popular so that we could get our self-respect back. Now those are too big because of the cost of gas so we have the crossovers. It's an evolution that we, the consumers, have influenced. If consumers still wanted big floaty cars, they would be everywhere. The cars today are safer, more reliable (Ranger had 264K miles), more fuel efficient, have better stability, etc. But those are qualities that the market wanted, not any given individual. I'd love to have a Ute like they have in Australia, but Ford isn't importing them because there is no demand. If a 71 T-Bird fits you, great. What color is your FFH and how much are you asking? My wife would love one and I'm not sharing mine.

I guess everything is relative. Compared to my 96 Ranger that I traded, the FFH is a dream.

I asked about the additional scrap value and the finance guy looked at me like I was asking for his retirement money and his kids college money. The program is states that additional scrap value in excess of $50, goes to the customer---in addition to the $3500/$4500. Luckily, the sales manager was in the know and said that additional money would be sent in a check. The cars are piling up in the lot now that they are allowed to keep them until they get paid, so I'm not expecting any money for awhile---if ever. I bought my Sterling Grey FFH 502A Saturday---still learning everything. Traded in a 96 Ranger w/264K that I bought new---roll-up windows, manual locks, etc.---BIG change with all of these newfangled gadgets like power windows.