DR SAW Report post Posted December 14, 2010 Finally getting around to post this. Found a leftover 2010 with every option including remote start (great today being 16 degrees and windy in Philly). I think the bike rack must decrease the mileage a bit, but didn't really notice a big change before and after it was mounted on my 15 mile mixed urban/suburban commute. I guess highway mileage would be worse off than city with the aerodynamics being changed. I did get a wind fairing. Oh well, I am turning into a mileage geek...LOL. Car is a great for getting me to rides/races, but the storage is a bit tighter than my Ford Edge. But the gas mileage is double - yes - double in the city. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MKZ 2011 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 It looks great! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rfruth Report post Posted December 17, 2010 nice saw - do you have a roof rack reminder or do you trust yourself to remember when something is up there - if the unthinkable happened what would get most of the damage the car or bike ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR SAW Report post Posted December 20, 2010 nice saw - do you have a roof rack reminder or do you trust yourself to remember when something is up there - if the unthinkable happened what would get most of the damage the car or bike ? Well, I park on the street, so the only reminder would be an ultra-low branch or a parking garage, I guess. But good point; I went from a rear hitch mount on my Edge to this - I will have to give a literal "heads up". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuze-ion Report post Posted December 20, 2010 I have seen a hitch mount added to a Fusion, that the bike carrier would slide into the hitch opening. That person could remove the carrier and not have a negative mpg loss. I guess he didn't use his as often, as it sounds like you use yours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gl3 Report post Posted January 3, 2011 Finally getting around to post this. Found a leftover 2010 with every option including remote start (great today being 16 degrees and windy in Philly). I think the bike rack must decrease the mileage a bit, but didn't really notice a big change before and after it was mounted on my 15 mile mixed urban/suburban commute. I guess highway mileage would be worse off than city with the aerodynamics being changed. I did get a wind fairing. Oh well, I am turning into a mileage geek...LOL. Car is a great for getting me to rides/races, but the storage is a bit tighter than my Ford Edge. But the gas mileage is double - yes - double in the city. How difficult is it to take on and off? Cost? Does it create much wind noise? Leaning toward the trailer hitch type for ease of install/removal, but not sure if it would make the camera useless. what do you think? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR SAW Report post Posted January 7, 2011 (edited) How difficult is it to take on and off? Cost? Does it create much wind noise? Leaning toward the trailer hitch type for ease of install/removal, but not sure if it would make the camera useless. what do you think? Sorry for the late response on this, "rfruth" and "gl3". I get some wind noise on the highway, but drastically reduced by the wind fairing and the way I like to listen to music (real loud). A roof rack, even with having to take of front wheel, is much better IMO for the FFH: - With a wheel-off mount, unless you have a garage issue, the clearance never has been bad - You rear camera may or may not be partially or totally blocked out depending on the manufacturer/style of hitch rack when no bikes loaded. The green/yellow, and red overlay on the screen when may though help you park knowing where your rack lies in the "pattern". Would be rendered useless IMO with a bike or two on it, but again that depends on geometry of bike and hitch rack style. - Finally, and worst of all, the back-up sensors would be on ALL THE TIME with a loud, solid tone when you put car in reverse, unless you disable it. My old F-150 would have a convenient manual switch to turn this function off on-the-fly (more of a towing vehicle, I guess) but the FFH only lets you totally disable it in the dash menu. - I think it's harder to steal a bike (even with locking system) when it is visible, on the roof. Makes me feel better seeing bike when on a post-ride meal, or running errands from a store. Hope this helps! Edited January 7, 2011 by DR SAW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CometFlash Report post Posted January 7, 2011 Sorry for the late response on this, "rfruth" and "gl3". I get some wind noise on the highway, but drastically reduced by the wind fairing and the way I like to listen to music (real loud). A roof rack, even with having to take of front wheel, is much better IMO for the FFH: - With a wheel-off mount, unless you have a garage issue, the clearance never has been bad - You rear camera may or may not be partially or totally blocked out depending on the manufacturer/style of hitch rack when no bikes loaded. The green/yellow, and red overlay on the screen when may though help you park knowing where your rack lies in the "pattern". Would be rendered useless IMO with a bike or two on it, but again that depends on geometry of bike and hitch rack style. - Finally, and worst of all, the back-up sensors would be on ALL THE TIME with a loud, solid tone when you put car in reverse, unless you disable it. My old F-150 would have a convenient manual switch to turn this function off on-the-fly (more of a towing vehicle, I guess) but the FFH only lets you totally disable it in the dash menu. - I think it's harder to steal a bike (even with locking system) when it is visible, on the roof. Makes me feel better seeing bike when on a post-ride meal, or running errands from a store. Hope this helps! Unfortunately, they took away the manual button on the F-150 for the reverse sensor when they redesigned it in 2009. It's now in one of the dash screens as an option as you scroll through. Not nearly as easy to turn off within seconds of hearing the beeps. How have you found it, going from a full-size pickup truck to a car like the Fusion? Any troubles or regrets, things you miss, or things you've gained over the truck? Just curious, as I am seriously considering getting rid of my F-150 for a FFH or MKZH to save on fuel costs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DR SAW Report post Posted January 7, 2011 Unfortunately, they took away the manual button on the F-150 for the reverse sensor when they redesigned it in 2009. It's now in one of the dash screens as an option as you scroll through. Not nearly as easy to turn off within seconds of hearing the beeps. How have you found it, going from a full-size pickup truck to a car like the Fusion? Any troubles or regrets, things you miss, or things you've gained over the truck? Just curious, as I am seriously considering getting rid of my F-150 for a FFH or MKZH to save on fuel costs. I weened off the 2004 F-150 into an Edge lease for 3 years until FFH in Sept 2010. But the gas mileage, technology, and and size (I live in the city) seem to be a great combo. I do miss the cargo capability.. but thats about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
