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Home > Driving |
OK Away we go on our travels
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| Driving
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Economy |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Times will occur when you need to bump-start
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 bump-start after stalling the engine.
It will not restart
until switch the ignition is turned off, then back on again. |
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Reversing |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 wheel 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 wheel brace. |
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Using
Steel Wheels |
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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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 |
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 |
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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Replacement
Battery |
This is not as simple as one would think
It is not a simple "go get a new battery"
The battery
has to be a Silver Calcium type, a basic cheap lead acid battery
is not going to last very long
It is that the smart charging
system, alternator and control unit is designed for Silver/Calcium.
It gives out 14 volts after a cold start.
This causes a lead
acid battery to dry out very soon.
Expect only 10,000 miles from a lead acid battery.
JUST TAKE
CARE !!!
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| Failures
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Water Pump failure |
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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Seized
Gearshift |
Suddenly I could not move the gear lever.
No gears and 200 miles from home
I have a look round, then call
the RAC
As I wait I begin to rummage around and find the problem is
related to where the gearshift goes into the gearbox.
It looks like a big job!!
I squirt some WD40 onto the mechanism, and try moving the gear
lever for around 10 minutes.
Then it becomes to move a little, encouraged I use more WD40,
trying to target it onto the input shaft on top of the gearbox.
Cheers of Joy !!! It comes free just as the RAC man turns up.
LESSON = give the shaft a drop of oil at service time.
There
is a pipe from the fusebox to the gearshift, that I though was to
do with ventilating the area. I think it is useful to send some
light oil down that pipe at Service time. |
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Dual Mass Flywheel Failure |
WHY ON EARTH SHOULD A FLYWHEEL
FAIL !!!
PURE BAD DESIGN BY FORD
Surely such expensive parts
should be designed to last forever!!!
The Air Conditioning is not working as well as it should. Then
into Ringways for a refresh and check over. Cost £81. HOWEVER, whilst
there they point out that the Dual Mass Flywheel is about to collapse
and the Accessory Belt Tensioner bearing is about to fail. They
give me quotes for the job. I check out various options and go to
Ringways for the work have the work done by Ringways to replace
the Dual Mass Flywheel. They also replace the thrust bearing and
clutch slave cylinder. I have the Accessory Drive Tensioner, Belt
and suspension bushes replaced. Total job cost £1022.24 |
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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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