Mr Hertz' Fiesta, cont'd

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse)
03/15/2020 at 19:20 • Filed to: Ford Fiesta, Hertz

First long run in the Fiesta (and maybe last if the lockdown gets worse).

5.4l/100 km corresponds to 52 mpg (Imp) or 44 mpg (US) which is as good as I’ve ever seen on a non-hybridised petrol car. As it happens it’s exactly the WLTP official figure.

Power is by an 1100cc NA four with 75 bhp ( I had thought it was the 1 litre triple, but no). It’s not quick. Once you’re into third it is very much not quick feeling. For all that it’s quiet at speed and can get up to higher speeds than you would expect. Five gears are your lot and by about 100 (60 mph) you feel the need for a sixth cog.

It’s got cruise control, something I’d not associate with a small and fairly basic car and something that’s not of the slightest use to me as I rarely get the chance to drive at a steady speed for more than a few minutes. Just as well, because I can’t figure out how to operate it (there’s no obvious ON switch and selecting either of the SET positions doesn’t do it ) and Mr Hertz’ policy is to remove handbooks from his cars.

Being a hatch, it has a removable parcel shelf. R emoving and losing this is obviously a big thing and Mr Hertz isn’t having it. He imposes a penalty.

It’s been a long time since I drove a manual petrol car and they’ve changed. This one doesn’t stall easily because, like a diesel, it adds a few revs all by itself as you engage the clutch. Also it has stop/start so as to achieve a lower CO2 figure. It works well despite what you hear about them. How does this work with DIY gears? You have to engage neutral and release the clutch, at which poin t the engine stops. As soon as you press the clutch it starts again.

All in all, it’s good value at the price. How Hertz make any money out of €51.90 for tw elve days out of which they have to prep it for the next driver is another matter.

DISCUSSION (11)

Nom De Plume > Cé hé sin
03/15/2020 at 19:47

The car dying in Neutral would be something to get used to. Especially if you actually have some idea how to drive and coast quite regularly to preserve fuel.

AdverseMartyr > Nom De Plume
03/15/2020 at 19:57

This should be something that happens at a complete stop and not while coasting. Otherwise you could potentially lose power to brakes, steering & AC - though I suppose if all hydraulics and pulley driven systems are replaced with electrical motors it might be feasible.

Nom De Plume > AdverseMartyr
03/15/2020 at 20:06

So long as it only happens under 3 mph or so it might be fine. I’d keep the clutch in coming down the backside of a mountain though.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Cé hé sin
03/15/2020 at 20:15

I imagine you have to hit the LIM (limiter?) button and then the set+ button.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Cé hé sin
03/15/2020 at 22:40

My girlfriend bought a former rental Fiesta SE hatch in that lovely hot pepper red paint job. It’s been a lovely little car for her and converted her from loving SUVs to enjoying the handling of small cars. If it snows again, I promised to teach her how to slide a car.

Kinja'd!!!

This isn’t the exact same car, but it has the same wheels and paint.

Cé hé sin > Nom De Plume
03/16/2020 at 06:11

I think you have to be stationary.

Cé hé sin > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
03/16/2020 at 06:12

I did try that but it seems to be limiter only.

Nom De Plume > Cé hé sin
03/16/2020 at 08:33

Counter intuitive as it might seem. I bet there is a button on the back of the steering wheel you have to hold for a few seconds. Try feeling around behind the ones on front.

Cé hé sin > Nom De Plume
03/16/2020 at 08:52

I actually tried that! I had the same issue with a Clio a few years ago. This time I had the handbook but in S wedish. Turned out there was a switch down by the handbrake.

Nom De Plume > Cé hé sin
03/16/2020 at 09:04

Well, I tried to be as dumb as an engi- nerd. Guessing you were smart enough to try looking it up on the internet as well.

Best I can figure it does not have Adaptive Cruise Control in the base trim. So t hey were too lazy to fully do a second design so you get a confusing variant of the real thing?

Kinja'd!!!

Cé hé sin > Nom De Plume
03/16/2020 at 11:21

I hadn’t actually got around to searching, but that picture is the answer. I don’t have the top right cruise button so it’s limiter only. Guessing next trim level up adds the missing button.