Focus LS LX 2005, Problems, Services and Costs

[Rezab]

I recently bought a used Focus LS LX 2005, it had 49575 km on it at that time and 45000 km service had been done before my purchase.
I have it for about 3 weeks and now it has about 50000 km.
The other day I noticed a scream like sound when I push the brake mostly after 20Km driving, not always but when it starts then continues (every time I push the brake after start). Obviously it's related to brakes or brake pads.
But also there is a vooooo sound (I guess from the rear of the car) that starts after 20-30 Km driving but not always and sometimes stops sometimes continues and goes higher. This one I'm not sure about its cause!
Then I booked a service time by Denmac Ford - (Indooroopilly) cause I'm in Auchenflower and this is the nearest ford dealer base on ford web site.
I'm not sure this problems (and some other minor problems) are covered by warranty (the car has 4 month yet) or not so would you guys advise me in this regard? Also how much it will be cost approximately? Actually I'm a visitor here in Australia and I can't believe that you have to pay 300$ or something like that just for simple service like 15000km service!

In addition to those weird sounds, here is the problems (or may be they are usual and I don't know) that I apreciate if you take a look and let me know what you think:
1- it doesn't start (ignite) smoothly, I have to hold the ignition key in position for 2-3 seconds.
2- according to trip computer it consumes 11 liter per 100km! isn't it too much?!
3- rear driving light doesn't work.

And finally, I need to replace the rear tyres (one potenza ,one goodyear! yes the last owner mixed them) the front tyres are Turanza ER300, what do you suggest?
1-buying same as front tyre and use them on front and put fronts to rear? (expensive)
2-Buying cheaper tyres and useing them at rear?

long post! I know, sorry and thank you for your time and advise.

cheers

[Rezab]

Thanks guys for visiting,

After all I brought the car to Denmac ford. There were very nice and helpful. Unfortunately during the test drive the weird VOOO... sound didn't show up! so I couldn't actually show that gentleman technician what I mean about the sound.

Any way I left the car there at 9am, and 4pm they called me. Nice lady completely explained to me what they did about the car and asked me to go there for pickup that can be done until midnight (cause these guys are open every weekday until midnight!).

They had diagnosed the car including brakes (front and rear) and also system computer (I don't know what is the correct name!), and replaced the rear light's bulb.

so:
1- About the squeal sound from the rear that usually happen after 10-20 Km, they couldn't find out the reason simply cause they couldn't reproduce it (as they can't test drive a car for 20-30 km) they recommended me that when ever I found the sound during driving here around bring the car to check.

2- About the front brakes sound, they said that it is normal and it's because of the nature friendly pad this car has. has been recommended to avoid light braking.

3- The light has been replaced and is all ok.

4- About the fuel consumption they said I can use 95 octane or higher that actually I just used unleaded without noticing the octane. They said 11 lit/100Km is normal.

Oh! and they didn't charge me anything! to be honest after all stories I had read here about ford dealers I was prepared to pay $200 for all diagnostics and there wasn't any! So right now I'm totally a satisfied customer and sure I will try them again. I wish next time (if the bloody squeal shows up again!) I'l be satisfy like this again! (-:

and about the tyres I like edgecrusher89 suggestion and will change all 4 tyres.
So I'll be happy if any one has a recommendation about what tyre? also could anybody tell me what is the original Focus tyres?

Thanks,

Reza

[RJO89]

Originally Posted by Rezab

1- About the squeal sound from the rear that usually happen after 10-20 Km, they couldn't find out the reason simply cause they couldn't reproduce it (as they can't test drive a car for 20-30 km) they recommended me that when ever I found the sound during driving here around bring the car to check.

2- About the front brakes sound, they said that it is normal and it's because of the nature friendly pad this car has. has been recommended to avoid light braking.

3- The light has been replaced and is all ok.

4- About the fuel consumption they said I can use 95 octane or higher that actually I just used unleaded without noticing the octane. They said 11 lit/100Km is normal.

and about the tyres I like edgecrusher89 suggestion and will change all 4 tyres.
So I'll be happy if any one has a recommendation about what tyre? also could anybody tell me what is the original Focus tyres?

Thanks,

Reza

They don't recommend light braking???? .Easy ford excuse? Don't agree with that. Recommend getting it checked by a brake specialist. It's not normal. Seems that Ford enjoy that phrase quite a bit.
11L/100km is pretty high. I average about 8.5, and I give a flog every now and then. Then again, I use 98 octane, but didn't think it would make that much difference.
Not sure about the tyres. Depends on your price range really. Try Bridgestone Potenza. I think the stock focus ones are Goodyear NCTs. But not 100% sure on that...

[20focus05]

I've done nearly 75k on the front pads and are a bit under 50%, but the rears only got 40. the discs were wearing faster than the pads so I changed all rotors to DBA slotteds. I only use light braking the gearbox does most of it. As for the fuel usage 11/100 is what our 4Ltr EB gets?? The focus is usually around 8.5 also and I love to give it some stick (cant help it) thats with 95 ron.
Oh the dont start thing is a problem us focus owners have to put up with, our if it wont start I put accel to the floor and it starts, never get any trouble codes associated with this.

[Rezab]

I'v got some good points here guys, thanks to you.
The problem is I'm not the first owner and so I couldn't be sure about the pas driving history of the car. What I mean is, the trip computer shows 11/100km , ok so what if the past owner had so many stops with running engine? (cause it was a company not a person)
About the brakes I had this issue before with my Pegout 206 (overseas) that one's front pads also had some whistle sound during brake, not always but sometimes.
So here is 2 short question:
1- What is the recommanded fuel type for getting 8.5 lit/100km?
2- If I reset the trip computer, could I get the exact fuel consumption?
3- About the tires, I'm not a sport car type, so I just want smooth an comfort driving. I checked the Turanza ER300 price, it's about $190. So I set that as maximum price.

Thanks again for good advices. (-:

[64ORD]

Rezab you can reset the trip computer at the average fuel consumption setting by pressing the end of the lever and holding for a few seconds as you do the odometer. We run V Power in our Zetec and get 8.5 - 9 l/100k in city cycle with the km/hr only averaging about 30. On the highway its 6 l/100k

Cheers Johnny
Jeans Blue LS Zetec

[BlackLS]

8.5 for manual. Is your auto?

[Rezab]

After sometimes finally I found the time to test the car again (driving over 20Km isn't something that happen every day for me!)

After 20Km there wasn't any sound like before! after 40km yet nothing!
It's really strange to me. May be I should think that it's a good news, the squeal sound goes away. But to me it's not ok, cause I didn't find that weird sound source and cause.

About the fuel consumption it was 18L/100Km when I bring the car from denmac (they said it will be happen and that it is normal) bow it comes to 11L/100Km.
I didn't fill the tank from then and so next time I will try PULP (95 ron) to be sure about that issue cause by any standard all around this forum I found it to be very high. All people here talk about 7-9L/100km at maximum!

And finally, I found another problem! the power window of rear door at driver side doesn't work from it's own switch. Sure it is not a big deal and I will get it repair next time at denmac. Just want to be sure about everything else before bringit there.

So, just wanted to share the experience. (-:

Cheers

[Rezab]

First of all thanks for the tips on fuel consumption.

I don't use my car so much so it took a little time to empty the tank and refuel with premium gas.

So I used 98 octane (the best one they had, I guess!) and no change! still about 11-12 lit/100Km

I will appreciate any idea cause ford insist that this is normal.
Also I noticed that when I drive on cruise control, the consumption significantly reduces to about 9lit/100Km

(all numbers are for city driving and I have Focus LS LX 2005 Auto)

Thanks

[photn]

try getting ford to refash te ECU with the latest software.

[pertuan]

11-12L/100km for city driving on an auto sounds decent. I have a manual and I get about 10-11L for fuel using 95RON.

[Rezab]

Thanks pertuan. So you think it is normal?
And why driving on cruise control reduces fuel consumption?! Is there any technique for riving auto cars that I missed?

P.S.
I guess the guy in Armagedon says "all made in china" (-: