enigma-2

Hadn't considered that, I can see your point. Reminded me of when I was on a business trip around the city years ago. Was on the freeway headed to LaGuardia. Traffic running 90+mph, bumper-to-bumper. The guy in back of me was bumping into my rear end, I was bumping into the car in front of me. Worst place to drive anywhere in North America. If it hadn't been a Avis would gave wanted bigger bumpers. Still doesn't look good though.

It's difficult to say inasmuch as if you have them, how would you know what kind of stone damage would have occured had you not had them. That being said, yes, they do seem to block some spray from the side of the car. The real purpose is to protect stones from being thrown up by the tires.

It would agree that WWWperfA hit on the coating on the cat converter burning off.

Mine always squeek every time I back out of the garage. Like WFDEdge, it stops after I've driven a short distance. Was told that a thin layer of rust forms overnight that burns off after braking. (?)

Is it possible that there is a different version of Sync for non-US cars than US cars? I would tend to think that the hardware is the same, only the software being different. Considering this, I wonder if it would it be possible for your dealer to reflash the radio/nav unit with the US version.

FYI, I don't know about the traffic part as I don't subscribe (no coverage in the rural areas) but I do carry travel link weather, and it's fully accessible through voice commands. Push the media button, say "travel link", 2 boinks, and say "weather", "weather map" or "five day weather forcast". Traffic commands are listed in the manual (as well as sports, movies at local theaters, etc.)

Just make sure the ice reallllly thick. (Heavy car). Speaking as one who slows down for even small puddles LOL

They're on the out takes reel.

Don't know the answer but yellow light (or amber) is preferable over bluer light for fogs. (See better in circumstances of low visibility).

BTW, are you certain the old filter was Motorcraft and not an aftermarket?

May have to switch to aftermarket.

Do you smell it after the car has been sitting overnight, or when the car is running and still cold, or only after it's been warmed up but not driven, or only it's been warmed up and driven? (Sorry for the run sentence, but knowing when you start to sense the smell could help to isolate the cause).

Gasoline varies in composition from batch to batch. The refine from whatever source the can obtain it from, Middle East, Europe, US, Canada, South America, etc. What was perfect gas one day can easily have a much higher sulfur content the next. Exactly what kind of smell is it? Sour, putrid, musty, wet, dusty, like exhaust, like gasoline, like something burning, like burning rubber, like sulfur or acid? Can you describe the smell better? When you smell molten solder your really smelling the mostly resin in the solder. I would lean to protective coating on engine parts burning off.

Just curious, did you put the old one next to the new one on a flat surface and compare what differences exist? Be interesting to see if they were made differently, or if the existing one became compressed.

Perhaps this might help.http://owner.ford.com/how-tos/maintenance/engine/selectshift-automatic-transmission.html

Ford's offering an 8 year battery for $120. http://owner.ford.com/maintenance/service-coupons-and-offers.html?couponId=BT090

Fuse?

Yea, I agree with knickerbocker, some gasolines with high sulfur content can really stink. Nothing you can do but try a different brand. Cat converter just doing its job.

Have the 09 MKX and have no problems with the tranny or AWD. Talked the a mechanic at local Ford dealer and he recommended changing gearbox fluid. (Tranny already flushed). Still smooth as glass (knock on wood).

Marines, CH-46, avionics. Was assigned as Air Crew, flew as a door gunner by day, patched them up at night. TAD for 2 weeks to Chu Li in January, 1970 as air/sea rescue; should any Phantoms need to ditch after takeoff. Our helo was sited on a pad, halfway down the runway. As a game we used to stand as close to the runway as possible as the Phantoms took off, full load of ordinance, full afterburners. Game was to see who could get their nose the closest to the wingtip as the plane passed by. I won twice. Loved those Phantoms, what a rush standing right next to the runway, feeling the jet exhaust burn your face. Loved flying at dawn. Clouds came off land, rolling ever so slowly over the hills at the ocean. Like slow motion waterfalls. The early morning cold, crisp, clear air, away from the smell of the jungle. There were some good times amongst the bad. Seen nearly all of I-Corps by air and some of Laos (although we were officially never there). We resupply ed all of the fire bases, Fwd units, ran medivac's deep in the jungle in the A-Shaw, the Highlands and most all air fields. Took some flying lessions after I got back but never pursued as had two young'ns to raise and flying is expensive. Have traveled extensively by air on business, but not the same as being in "Fields of the Lord" by yourself. I envy you, what a thrill.

I think the bars make the car look chintzy. Might consider adding curb scrapers on to match. LOL.

You know, that reality looks great. Rich looking.

Don't have this problem, but good to know. What did you use to clean the contacts and what's the name of the grease you used? Great writeup btw, thanks for posting this.

Lucky you. All I got was a VW Beetle with a wife and two young'ns, no job to go back to (went under) and a recession (no one was hiring). Sweet ride, but honestly I really don't care for Corvettes. Seems like your always filling up the tank and on regular roads, it's like your riding inside a basketball. (Hard suspension). But they will definitely put you back in the seat! (If you can afford the gas). Wasn't my first, but a senior in high school (64-65), I bought a 62 Tbird convert. Loved that car, real chick magnetic (not that I needed it mind you - cough, cough). {How did that song go "Those were the days, my friend...."}. Semper Fi

Eh, .... 90? Where do you live, Wyoming, Texas, Boston?