It’s been a quick three months with my new 2011 Ford F-150 Lariat, and for a refresher on my impression of it, see the review I wrote on it.  In the past quarter, I’ve logged over 3,600 miles, virtually worry-free.  Read on for what’s been happening with my F-150.

Note: Starting with this Owner’s Log post, updates will be quarterly for the first year, semi-annually after that.

Stats:

Time Period: 10/19/2011 – 1/18/2011
Miles Driven: 3,601 (first quarter of ownership)
Average MPG: 16.3 mpg (reported by on-board computer, matches hand-calculated)

Costs:

Maintenance Costs: $0.00
Total Cost (non-fuel): $0.00

Services Performed:

none

Summary:

The F-150 has performed admirably for all it’s been tasked with, including hauling several hundred pounds of firewood, a load which consisted of lawn care equipment and personal belongings, as well as around 1,500 miles of highway driving through MD, VA and PA.  Gas mileage around town has been closer to 13 than to 15, which is a bit disappointing – but based on research I’ve done on several owner’s forums, the EcoBoost V6 engine isn’t fully broken in until somewhere between 5,000 and 8,000 miles.

Speaking of the EcoBoost engine, its power is amazing.  While trudging up the Pennsylvania Turnpike at highway speeds, the truck never downshifted out of 6th gear unless prompted to by my using the SelectShift feature of the transmission.  I only locked out 6th gear because the exhaust was “droning” when traveling around 65 mph, which held the engine’s revs at around 1,600.  Downshifting to 5th gear brought the RPMs up to around 2,000, which lessened the exhaust note considerably.  When driving around town with the bed 2/3 full of firewood, the only thing that reminded me of the load was that the rear leaf springs had sagged an inch or two.

I mentioned earlier that the city fuel mileage was lower than expected, but the highway mileage has been pretty good at 18 to 19 MPGs.  It would’ve been better, but the PA Turnpike includes a lot of uphill grades.

Also on the highway for several hours, I used a decibel meter on my iPhone to keep track of sound levels in the cab, and was quite pleased.  With all the windows closed, the meter registered an average of 73 dB, and with the driver’s window open a couple of inches, that number only climbed to 84 dB.

Armed with all the creature comforts the F-150 is carrying makes highway miles fly by; road trips seem a lot quicker than they really are.  The seats proved comfortable in most regards for the 300-mile trips, except for some lower back pain, which is probably due to an improperly-adjusted driver’s seat.  Turning on the heated seat made the pain go away.  Meanwhile, my wife had no comfort issues whatsoever, sleeping for hours on end.

The only real glitch I’ve experienced was with the SYNC and navigation systems, which froze up for a few minutes, as you’ll see below.

Dated Notes:

• 10.22.2011 – SYNC / Navigation froze.  The navigation functionality returned several minutes later, but it took a full stop (engine off, key out of the ignition, open driver’s door) to reset the radio.  Haven’t been able to replicate this issue since.

General Observations:

• The EcoBoost has a ton of power – the truck’s transmission doesn’t have to downshift on upgrade hills of even 4 degrees.
• Sirius in the F-150 has a much better signal than XM did in my 2010 Nissan Maxima.  Whereas the Maxima’s XM signal would cut out for brief periods in several places on my morning commute, the F-150′s signal only drops out once.  On the highway in Pennsylvania, the XM cut out so much on some days that I used my iPhone as an audio source instead.  The F-150, in contrast, rarely cut out.

by John Suit

Related posts:

1. Review: 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Lariat
2. 2011 Ford F-150 Followup – 20% Increase in Fuel Economy?
3. Owner’s Log: MaximumPhil’s 2010 Nissan Maxima, Update 6

Note: From now on, updates from MaximumPhil will be made on a semi-annual basis.

Stats:

Period covered: 10/01/11 – 12/31/11
Miles driven this report:  1,015
Avg MPG this reporting period: 18.3
Lifetime miles driven 18 mos. 11,015
Avg MPG lifetime 19.3

Services Performed:

11/08/11 – Sched. maintenance to include multi-point inspection,

battery check, tire wear, brake pads, etc., revealed all good to go.  Only cost incurred was for routine replacement of the micro cabin filter.  All systems good to go.                .               $82.50

12/02/11 – Factory recall, navigation system update.                      N/C

Nothing of note to report except that the car continues to run well, period.  So far, I’ve been spared the issues that John Suit experienced in his Maxima with the balky rear sun shade, assorted rattles, and the Rocking Seat Syndrome.  Other systems such as brakes, electronics, etc., have performed as expected.

Best regards
Maximum Phil

If you’d like to join the Road Reality Owner’s Log program (no matter which vehicle you’re driving), please email John.

Related posts:

1. Owner’s Log: MaximumPhil’s 2010 Maxima Update 5
2. Owner’s Log: MaximumPhil’s 2010 Maxima Update 4
3. Owner’s Log: 2010 Nissan Maxima, Update 1

2010 Mercury Milan

Last week, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Ford is recalling over 128,000 Ford Fusions and its sister car, the Mercury Milan, because of a problem with the wheel studs.  The recall only effects Fusions and Milans with steel wheels, not alloy ones.  Wheel studs are threaded bolts by which a vehicle’s wheels are attached.  They run through the brake hub, and if enough of them break, the wheel could literally fall off of the car.  Continue reading for more details and the NHTSA’s press release.

2011 Ford Fusion

While the cause of the defect is not known, it’s likely that it was either a problem with manufacture or lug nut tightening, but the result is the same: wheel vibration and/or separation from the vehicle, which can lead to a loss of control and possibly a crash.  The recall includes an inspection of the brake hub, as well as the replacement of all wheel studs and lug nuts on the recalled sedans.

The recalled vehicles include Fusions and Milans built in April of 2009, as well as between December 1st, 2009 and November 13th of 2010.  The latter grouping is almost, if not all of the 2011 model year, during which the Mercury brand was disbanded.  While the recall sounds like a lot of cars, it’s somewhere closer to 1/6th of total production of Fusions and Milans.

Ford’s recall is expected to begin in late January, and owners of affected vehicles will be notified soon.

Show Press Release

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):      FORD / FUSION 2010-2011      MERCURY / MILAN 2010-2011 Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY Mfr’s Report Date: DEC 05, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V574000 NHTSA Action Number: 2 Investigations found (View)

Component: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS

Potential Number of Units Affected: 128,616

Summary:  FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 FORD FUSION AND MERCURY MILAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH STEEL WHEELS AND BUILT FROM APRIL 1, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2009, AND FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009, THROUGH NOVEMBER 13, 2010. THE WHEEL STUDS MAY FRACTURE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A WHEEL TO SEPARATE.

Consequence:  WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE STUD FRACTURES COULD OCCUR AT THE WHEEL LOCATION, AND THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE VIBRATION AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:  FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE DISC SURFACE FOR FLATNESS AND REPLACE THE DISCS AS NECESSARY. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Notes:  FORD’S RECALL NUMBER IS 11S23. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TOHTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

by John Suit

Source: NHTSA

Related posts:

1. Uh-oh: Ford issues bulletin about Fusion/Milan Hybrid Brakes
2. LA Auto Show 2011: 2013 Ford Mustang
3. 2010 New York Auto Show: New Sonata Turbo and Hybrid will be there

The Mustang team began by tweaking the front and rear ends of its already popular sheet metal.  The front end resembles the 2011 Shelby GT500, with a more shark-nosed appearance, hood bulge, and trapezoidal upper and lower grilles.  GT models, equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 keep the grille-mounted driving lights, while V6-equipped models will have to do without.  That V8, by the way, get’s a bump of 8 horsepower from the 2012 model, to an even 420, 6 shy of the Camaro SS’s output.

Out back, the taillamps have been revised, with a classic surround, evoking Mustangs from the late 1960′s and early 1970′s.  Also cribbed from classic Mustangs is the blackout panel between the taillights.  Back up front, HID headlamps are surrounded by LED lighting touches, which are both functional and tasteful in appearance.

Along the new Mustang’s sides, not much has changed except for a new lineup of wheels which are displayed in the gallery below.  A neat trick is the new Mustang’s mirror-mounted puddle lamps, which display the icon running pony logo on the ground when the doors are unlocked.

Inside, the 2013 Mustang isn’t immune from the proliferation of Ford’s latest in infotainment and driver information displays.  The touch screen navigation with SYNC is still there, having made its debut in the 2010 Mustang, but now it’s been joined by an optional 4.2″ LCD screen between the speedometer and tachometer in the instrument cluster.  The LCD displays instantaneous MPG readouts, distance-to-empty, as well as trip odometers and a new functionality set Ford calls Track Apps.  Track Apps include G-forces during cornering, acceleration and braking times.  It will also display temperature readouts for the air intake and cylinder heads, as well as air-to-fuel ratio.  An updated steering wheel includes an OK button flanked by four directional buttons to scroll through the readouts on the LCD screen.

While the engines are carryover from 2012 models (save the bump in horsepower for the V8), Ford has finally equipped automatic Mustangs with a manual mode they call SelectShift.  A toggle button on the gear shift lever allows drivers to select their own gear, a feature that’s been a glaring omission from order sheets for several years.

The 2013 Mustang, with its relatively minor changes, presents a more aggressive look combined with 21st-century technology.  Hopefully for Ford, these changes are enough to boost its sales compared to Chevrolet’s Camaro, which has outsold the Mustang so far this year.

by John Suit

Source: Ford

Show Press Release

Related posts:

1. LA Auto Show 2011: The 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
2. LA Auto Show 2011: Ford Announces 2013 Shelby GT500
3. 2011 LA Auto Show: 2013 Ford Escape

Originally, this update was going to be for just the last quarter, but a delay in finishing it means it’ll be the final update for my 2010 Nissan Maxima.  As of October 19th, I no longer own it.  I’ve traded it in on a 2011 Ford F-150 Lariat EcoBoost, the review of which you’ll see here on Road Reality soon.  Read on for the last review of my Maxima.

Stats:

Time Period: 6/16/2011 – 9/15/2011
Miles Driven: 2,287 / 20,282 (this update / total) (2,805 last update)
Average MPG: 20.9 mpg (reported by on-board computer)

2nd Time Period: 9/16/2011 – 10/19/2011
Miles Driven: 1,271 / 21,553 (this update / total)
Average MPG: 20.2 mpg (reported by on-board computer)

Costs:

Maintenance Costs: $88.20
Total Cost (non-fuel): $329.89

Services Performed:

9/3/2011: Oil & filter change, plus tire rotation.  Oil was Mobile 1 Full Synthetic, filter was Nissan OEM.  Oil change was performed at 20,211 miles.

Summary:

While the summer baked, and alternately poured, the Maxima soldiered on, despite the dreaded “rocking driver’s seat” and an intermittently-operating rear power sunshade.  The former is a condition in which the driver’s seat “rocks” forward and back with acceleration and braking, a feeling which does nothing for confidence.  While this problem appeared closer to the 10,000 mile mark, it was intermittent, and became worse only during the last reporting period.  The latter issue presented itself right before a vacation, and was frustrating, but after about a dozen tries, the sunshade closed itself properly, which is where I left it from then on.

The next issue is more subjective, stemming from the CVT (continuously variable transmission) in the Maxima.  In its quest for ever-greater fuel mileage, the CVT keeps the RPMs low, which when combined with a sporty exhaust like on the Maxima, can cause a slight vibration in the body shell of the car.  For most people, this is a minor annoyance, and it’s even true that Nissan has issued a TSB (technical service bulletin) for a new transmission program which mitigates this.  For me, it was a major detractor to what is otherwise a decent car.

Once the weather started turning colder, squeaks and rattles began popping up, leading me to question Nissan’s build quality on my car.  Already the roof structure had come loose and the sunroof motor had died, both of which were fixed under warranty.

While I have my complaints, Nissan used very nice materials for its interior, gave it an excellent exterior, built a very nice engine with both power and economy in mind, and made it handle pretty well, even given its front-wheel drive setup.  For someone in the market for a family-hauling sporty sedan, I would recommend they test drive the Maxima.

When all the issues with my specific car are combined, however, I became increasingly upset at the Maxima, and since I have plenty of uses for a truck, I began searching for one.

Now that I’ve purchased my new truck, you can bet I’ll be keeping track of its statistics in much the same vein as with the Maxima.  Stay tuned for quarterly updates on the 2011 Ford F-150.

Dated Notes:

• none

General Observations:

• Nissan got a lot of things right on the latest-generation Maxima, but failed in a few key areas.  Hopefully they can do better on the next iteration of their 4-door Sports Car.

by John Suit

Related posts:

1. Owner’s Log: 2010 Nissan Maxima, Update 3
2. Owner’s Log: 2010 Nissan Maxima, Update 4
3. Owner’s Log: 2010 Nissan Maxima, Update 5

Stats:

Time period covered: 07/01/ – 09/30/11 (15 months of ownership)
Miles driven this reporting period: 2,506
Average MPG this reporting period: 21.8 (reported by owner)
Lifetime miles driven 15 mos.) 9,538
Average MPG lifetime: 19.7

Services Performed:

Oil Change – May 2, 2011 synthetic blend

Costs: Maintenance: $0
Other costs (non-fuel): $0
Total costs: $0

Comments:

With only 9,500 miles on my Maxima, one should expect few, if any, problems and that is exactly what I am reporting for this quarter and first 15 months of ownership – no shakes, rattles,  squeaks, or repairs, just a routine oil change. A deliciously boring report, but still an exciting ride.

Speaking of rides, in mid-August my wife and I took a seven-day road trip from Washington, D.C. to Greenville, S.C., via Brevard, N.C., and returning via Williamsburg, VA, a trip of 1,266 miles, Our total driving time was 26.25 hours, which included a number of side trips in and around the Greenville/Pickens area, and we averaged 47.8 mph getting 25.1 mpg, including side trips.  Factors impacting on these statistics negatively included encountering significant rush hour traffic crawl between DC and Manassas on I-66, and again while heading home from Williamsburg, another hour+ back-up on I-95, caused by a multi-car pile-up.  All of the foregoing had pulled down our average speed, mpg, and increased the hours of driving time.

I’m happy to report that my Maxima continues to handle very well, is quiet, reliable and comfortable, and all-in-all is a fine

Best regards
Maximum Phil

Related posts:

1. Owner’s Log: 2010 Nissan Maxima, Update 5
2. Owner’s Log: MaximumPhil’s 2010 Maxima Update 4
3. Owner’s Log: 2010 Nissan Maxima, Update 3