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OK Away we go on our travels
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Driving
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Economy
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I am rather disappointed to only be getting 30 to 32 mpg
I would have expected the computer controlled, high pressure injection system to be far more economical
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Performance
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Well it goes well
In Germany, where there are no speed limits on the Autobahn, the Tourneo would easily exceed 100 mph ( True as checked with the GPS )
The speedometer reads about 5% fast.
100 MPH indicated was actually 95MPH true. This was at 3500 rpm, giving a accurate gearing of 27.17 MPH / 1000 rpm
Fitting the larger diameter tyres (see below) brings the speedometer to be almost perfectly accurate.
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Seating
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Those rear seats are heavy, 89Kg and not easy to move around.
I think it may be possible to turn the front seat round to face rear, but that would also need the anchor plates to be unbolted repositioned.
Taking out the rear row of seats is a struggle. I have found it best to take out the middle row sideways, then move the back row forward and out
sideways, then put the middle row back in.
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Ventilation
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It is really difficult to keep the windows clear in humid conditions.
I have found that there is not enough air circulating to the quarterlight windows, they get steamed up very easily and make the mirrors unobservable.
Solutions all revolve around using the air conditioning. Switch it on. Use the rear compartment environment controls to balance the
heat from the front ventilation system. I have found that to have the rear on full cold, and the front on half heat clear the windows really quickly.
Keep the Pollen Filter clean.
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Headlamps abroad
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It is not really possible to fit beam deflectors to these modern headlamps, the beam formation is all done on the reflector, not the glass as previously.
Ok as a temporary measure, but long night drives on the continent will soon convince you otherwise. They will flash and blind you all night.
Solution. Get a set of left hand drive headlamps. Cost on the continent around 150 euros each, in the UK around £120 each. So go for second
hand. I got mine on ebay, search for "SCHEINWERFER TRANSIT", and I got a pair for around 60 euros and enjoyed the company I met..
After travelling to Munich in December 2004, I can report that using LHD headlamps was well worth the effort.
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Tyres
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It is not easy to get information about tyres, at least what I am interested in.
Grip Rates
Wear rates
Noise
AT 34,00 miles the original Goodyear G28 tyres needed replacing.
After a little internet research I decided to go for Continental Vanco tyres.
I also decided to go "up" a tyre size by fitting 75 profile tyres in place of the original 65 profiles. The circumference went up from 206cm to
218cm.
This changes the gearing and definitely reduces engine revolutions, engine noise and road noise when motorway cruising.
These tyres lasted 63,000 miles, not bad, but we go a lot of
motorway travelling, very little wear.
at 96,000 miles I come
across an offer of 4 Michelin Agilis81 tyres for the cost of 3.
Initial impressions were that they gave a softer ride that the
Continentals, everything else seems OK.
I did notice that the
softer ride resulted in more roll on corners, and I needed to
steer earlier into corners when there were a few people on
board.
At 168,000 miles these needed replacing (76,000 miles
from a set of tyres = no complaints) and once again I found a
good offer on Michelins and fitted 4 Michelin Agilis.
The new
Agilis pattern is less aggressive and I did notice a
significantly quieter ride.
I also think, thought I have no
definite proof, that I am getting around 5% greater fuel
economy.
This means that Michelins are definitely worth the
extra expense.
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Dangers
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Engine Stalling
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If the engine falls below about 600 rpm, it stalls, and will not bump start.
So it can catch you out with a dead engine.
For example when rolling onto a roundabout in 5th gear
Just be careful
The engine will only restart if the ignition is turned off, then back on again.
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Bump Starting
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Times will occur when you need to bumpstart the 125 TDCi engine. The engine will only restart if the ignition is turned off, then back on again.
I have seen 2500 rpm on the rev counter, downhill in Devon at Porlock Hill on the A39, trying to bumpstart after stalling the engine.
It will not restart until switch the ignition is turned off, then back on again. |
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Reversing
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I find the mirror deceptive, it is easy to think you are clear of a obstacle, but soon hit it
Try reversing along a white line and see where you actually drive.
In 2009 I fitted a Reverse Warning system, what a great thing, well recommended. |
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Tailgate
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What an amazing tailgate
It really makes a good sun shade, or umbrella. It's ideal for picnics.
However Do ensure other vehicles driving past the rear of the Tourneo can see it, and don't smash into it. It is so easy for people to drive
under the tailgate.
I usually place a box on the ground at the outer limit of the area. |
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Problems
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Flat Tyres
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When you get a flat, don't think changing to the spare will be easy
The big problem is getting the security bolt out. This bolt is there to prevent anyone winding down the spare from outside the vehicle - hence pinching
it. Ford cut a slot in the bolt, to use like a screwdriver, but if it is too tight, then the tool slips
However Carry a 18mm spanner to remove the bolt
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Wheel Nuts
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You would not think there was anything to say about wheel nuts.
Until you need to get them off.
Over time the chrome shell of the nut is forced to expand - presumably because of ice or corrosion underneath the chrome.
This means that the 21mm whell brace they supply will not fit onto the nuts.
A standard 12 face 22m socket will make things worse and just round off the chrome shell.
Sorry to say the only answer is to carry a 22mm HEX (6 face) socket or wheelbrace.
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Using Steel Wheels
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Ford say you should not use the alloy nuts on steel wheels long term, and not to run above 50mph with them on.
I carry a set of steel nuts ( available from any scrapyard)
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Water Pump failure
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Suddenly the engine started to overheat, while accelerating onto a motorway. off the scale, engine shut itself off.
I survived. I discovered I could make progress at tickover, any faster and it went off the scale.
I found that parked at the roadside with the engine on tickover the temperature gradually comes down.
Power steering OK. No water loss, tank is full. Heater blows cold. Water pump belt goes round and looks OK. Is it the water pump impellor that has
come off the shaft?
Investigation finds the Water Pump has stripped its splines, and the Power Steering Pump has a worn drive.
Replace both, all in now fine except my wallet!!
See the detailed pictures of the Water Pump and Power Steering Pump
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Cab Layout
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I think Ford must have forgotten to look at this when they built the Tourneo.
The lack of ergonomic thinking is unbelievable.
Every surface slopes.
No matter where you put things, it falls off.
Over on the passenger side things are better with the large bin.
The door pockets do not take a drinks bottle, and things fall out of the front segment.
There is nowhere good for the driver to keep a drink, the tiny fold down cup holder is well out of sight and gets kicked when the passenger shuffles
around.
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Security Central Locking
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Another example of Ford not thinking.
A "working vehicle" where you cannot lock individual doors, where are their brains?
Example, Doing a Car Boot sale.
You want to work out of the big tailgate or side door.
But you cannot lock any of the other doors, the central locking simply unlocks the whole system if one door is open.
This makes it very easy for the sneak thief to go round your blind side, open a door and take what they want.
I now use a crude method of tying the unused doors.
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Oil Filter Cap Assembly
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Do take care when removing or replacing this.
IT IS VERY
EASILY CRACKED. £16 to replace.
Removing it I used a grip
round the outer serrations. Just using a monkey wrench on
the centre nut will do the damage.
Similarly retightening
need to be done with care. I apply some silicone grease to the
inner of the Oil Filter housing to allow the big "O" ring an
easy slide in.
What the gap, ensure it is closed and tighten
just enough to ensure a good grip.
It says 10Nm, but I assume
that means using the Ford Special tool.
JUST TAKE CARE !!!
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I would appreciate contributions, especially if this site has been profitable for you.
Please donate to my PayPal account derek@tourneo.com
Thanks
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