Ridiculous non-enthusiast maintenance/car buying philosophy...

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
02/19/2016 at 14:09 • Filed to: None

I just went out to lunch with a few coworkers in one of these, a 2014 Ford focus sedan. It was a nice enough inside and surprisingly quick under 40 MPH. But the torque converter was on its way out and it kept slipping out of gear. The owner asked “Should I get this checked out? Only if it won’t be expensive...”

I had no idea what to say; one would think that any driveability issue would result in a trip to the dealership immediately!? I mentioned that it’s probably the torque converter AKA the thingamabob “that connects the engine’s power to the wheels” to keep it simple and recommended that she take it to a dealer. “But I don’t want to be screwed into fixing something that isn’t broken!” was the response.

*facepalm*

She says she’ll get it fixed before she trades it in. Sounds like a fantastic idea... as long as it doesn’t blow up first. Furthermore, why do people trade in cars after two years!? What is the point? I didn’t get the sense that there was one, beyond trading in for a newer car? That makes no sense. Yet someone else in the car also said that they were planning on doing the same thing. Exchanging one beige car payment for another, just because? Sounds like one of the 7 circles of car enthusiast hell. Obviously I kept my mouth shut. And thought about trading in a new focus for an E46 M3.

That’s not all. One of my coworkers asked: “Do you have a car phone? Why is there a dial pad on the dash?” Someone else chimed in: “Can you connect your phone with bluetooth and dial there?” The driver said she didn’t know. There is a giant button on the the dash that says “phone.”

I am consistently amazed by how disinterested and neglectful non-enthusiasts are when it comes to cars. Conversely, I’m sure they all think we’re weird as fuck. That is why ironically, most of the car nuts I know keep their mouths shut when the norms talk about their beige appliances.

DISCUSSION (44)

Rico > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:12

I just laugh at how dumb they are. How can a 2 year old car’s torque converter be on the way out? Why wouldn’t that be covered under warranty? It should cost them nothing.

crowmolly > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:15

But the torque converter was on its way out

What makes you say that, specifically?

I’d get the thing in to the dealer right away- before it shits the bed in the middle of the interstate.

Rock Bottom > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:15

Pretty sure that’s Ford’s attempt at an automated manual (the Powershift, or Powershit, depending on who you ask). Those are poop right out of the box. Did it feel like a disabled person learning how to drive a stick for the first time? Did it hate parking lots and stop-and-go traffic?

SteveLehto > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:16

That is a common and well-known problem with Ford. If she brings it in, they will teak a few things and give it back to her. It will continue doing it. If she brings it back, they might tweak more or they might replace a valve body or somesuch.

But she should bring it in. If she keeps driving it and it gets worse, it may go out of warranty OR they may claim it was abuse to not get it looked at.

Ike > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:16

It's not the torque converter. It's a duel clutch and they are slipping it's a known issue with the car, it's covered under an extended warranty automatically

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:16

Was it the DCT? I know that generation Focus is known for having issues with the DCTs.

Uug > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:18

....there is no torque converter? I’m pretty sure the auto in those cars are DCT’s

Stapleface > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:25

To answer your question about why people continually swap one beige car for another, I think it has a lot to do with people like to have their car under warranty at all times. Since my current vehicle is a year old, I must say it is rather refreshing to know that if something is wrong, I just go to the dealer and they will fix it.

I also think that some people just don’t know how to live without a car payment. I know that sounds dumb, but they’re used to paying for the vehicle, so they just keep getting a new one every couple of years. Or, you have the case of my dumb ass, and I'm on my 4th new car since 2011 because I haven't found what's made me happy yet. Next time I'm going CPO most likely.

Noah - Now with more boost. > SteveLehto
02/19/2016 at 14:34

Thanks, I’ll let her know.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Stapleface
02/19/2016 at 14:35

Yeah CPO sounds great, I’m sure I’ll join that club at some point

Azrek > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 14:36

I know I twitch when I get into a friend’s car and I see the CEL, can feel the wheels outta balance or other basic stuff. I just don’t get it.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Ike
02/19/2016 at 14:36

Thx I’ll let her know

Noah - Now with more boost. > Rock Bottom
02/19/2016 at 14:36

Yeah it shuddered at low speed and slipped under acceleration

Noah - Now with more boost. > Uug
02/19/2016 at 14:37

Thanks wasn’t aware

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > SteveLehto
02/19/2016 at 14:47

My 2012 had a software update TSB when I took it in to the dealership this past November that dramatically improved shifting. I’m not sure if it was for early Powershifts or all of them, but that would be the first thing I’d ask about.

Noah - Now with more boost. > crowmolly
02/19/2016 at 14:47

That would be the issue if it was a traditional issue but apparently it’s a different kind of transmission

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 15:21

Yep. My sister’s Fiesta has that same box, and it’s crap...

That, and there’s one other Oppo on here with a Fiesta sedan that has it. Hers has also given a ton of problems.

jjhats > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 15:29

I don’t know how 90% of the tech in my focus works. I still pick up my phone to read texts or call people. yes it dumb but I hate Bluetooth and Microsoft my ford touch

Ike > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 15:31

Feels bad now that everyone else pointed this out.

Also I agree on all other points

go4broke360 > Stapleface
02/19/2016 at 15:42

I think I fall into the category of always having to have a car payment. I have been looking at a newer car for the past few months trying to fight on pulling the trigger. I have always had a car payment since high school (35 now). I don’t know what to do with myself if I had no car payment.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Ike
02/19/2016 at 15:46

*feels stupid for assuming torque converter*

Ike > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 15:49

Haha, you assumed the base car with an automatic had a torque converter what a fool!

Oh wait with the exception of 2 fords, every sub 20k automatic car has had a torque converter since like the history ever.

strayts > Uug
02/19/2016 at 15:56

Came here to say this. My brother’s ‘14 Focus Sedan and my supervisor’s ‘13 Hatchback both had this exact problem. Both under warranty.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Ike
02/19/2016 at 15:57

Silly Ford. DCTs are for Porsches!

strayts > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 15:58

These are the same people who say “this car has left me stranded so many times. It’s a terrible car.” No one taught them that you’re supposed to MAINTAIN a piece of complicated machinery.

Personally, I’m fine with them wasting their money by buying new cars and trading them in when they’re 2-3 years old. This leaves some fantastic CPO inventory for the rest of us. Why on earth educate the masses? ha

Noah - Now with more boost. > strayts
02/19/2016 at 15:59

LOL so true. Gotta keep that CPO lot well stocked for the Jalops

Noah - Now with more boost. > jjhats
02/19/2016 at 16:01

Oh yeah I bet most people don’t actually dial on the pad; that’d be annoying! I just found it hilarious that she didn’t know she had bluetooth whatsoever. I love using it for music

Noah - Now with more boost. > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
02/19/2016 at 16:07

Wow that sucks, what a piece of junk. Come on Ford! You’re better than this...

Noah - Now with more boost. > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
02/19/2016 at 16:08

Yep! I told her about the recall

Noah - Now with more boost. > Rico
02/19/2016 at 16:08

Yeah it’s under warranty she didn’t even know lol... just told her and supposedly she will fix it this weekend

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 16:13

Yep. My S class didn't come with Bluetooth so I had to buy a Bluetooth tape adapter. I love it though.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Azrek
02/19/2016 at 16:13

Yeah poorly maintained and/or trash filled cars give me major anxiety. I’d rather walk

Azrek > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 16:18

I just struggle not to go...”Um, your wheels are outta balance, you should really check your oil and I am pretty sure that CEL isn’t just for show!!!”

But they are adults...good luck...and yes, I’ll come pick you up in my car later!

I had an Uber ride the other day where I could tell which wheel was messed up and my friend knew I wanted to say something badly.

Noah - Now with more boost. > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
02/19/2016 at 16:18

UGH I’m jealous. I have a tape adapter for my Q45 but it makes SO much noise. Constant rattling from the cheap internals. I wish someone made a “premium” tape adapter lol but that’s kind of a non-sequitur... maybe I’d get lucky if I ordered a handful of different models from the internet all at once

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 17:12

Is it a Bluetooth tape or a tape with a AUX cord.

ranwhenparked > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/19/2016 at 19:18

Meh, I didn’t enable the text to voice feature on my car for like 3 years, because I didn’t want to bother figuring it out. Still can’t get it to work on my iPhone, but it connects to my Android just fine, so 1 of 2 ain’t bad.

The other stuff, I don’t get. I mean, even if you don’t care about cars, its still something you rely on every day to get to work and expect to take up to high speeds without dying, why wouldn’t you want to make sure everything is working as it should? There’s a big difference between obsessing over a shopping cart ding (which someone who cares about their car would do) and a major mechanical fault (which everyone should care about).

coqui70 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
02/19/2016 at 23:12

Yep no torque converter - it’s a bad calibration of the dual-clutch automatic that allows too much slippage under certain conditions (you can tell by the burnt clutch smell). Ford has a software update that takes care of it for the most part - and they extended the warranty on the transmission and components. The 2.0 is surprisingly quick after the fixes are in place, pretty solid handling with the optional wheels and tires. Still though the ST is the one to have.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/20/2016 at 03:28

I can tell when I’m in a car with issues where they’re coming from eexactly, and it pisses me off I can’t do anything about them.

the ABSOLUTE WORST though is a car that’s dirty. like, I get mud slinging and all, but if your 2006 BMW X5 looks like the last time it saw a cleaning was in 2006, then there’s something wrong.

I dated a girl for awhile who drove a 2004 X5, and it was absolutely filthy . She had to drive her young siblings around, and she never really bothered to clean it outside. her brakes were also VERY worn, and she didn’t know she had to change the oil in it....
I spent 2 hours washing the outside, and shining the tires. I then spent an hour and a half waxing it to give the paint life. I spent THREE HOURS vacuuming, washing, brushing scrubbing, wiping scenting and drying the interior of the car, before I told her to take it to the BMW shop I know to get the oil and brakes done. When I was finished with it, it looked absolutely mint.

Noah - Now with more boost. > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
02/20/2016 at 09:38

Aux. I’ll look into Bluetooth

Rock Bottom > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/20/2016 at 12:18

Yeah, those are “features” of the PowerShit. Enjoy it or throw it away. Maybe one day someone will devise a set of modifications to reduce it’s level of terribleness.

Rock Bottom > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/20/2016 at 12:20

Yeah, it’s a surprise for 90% of car people. You’d expect that Ford would make a big deal by marketing the lack of a torque converter like VW does!

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/20/2016 at 14:03

https://www.google.com/search?q=ion+c…

Noah - Now with more boost. > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
02/20/2016 at 22:51

Hell yeah thx

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Noah - Now with more boost.
02/20/2016 at 23:32

No problem!