Okay. Already added Ford Focus 1.8L Ghia Elite into the list.

http://www.autoworld.com.my/v2/news/nb_det...d=RT.ATC.CAR.PV
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f.../20070111185637

Unfortunately couldn't find the color scheme name using both Ford Focus 1.8L Ghia and Ford Focus 1.8L Ghia Elite as part of the search. Used Metallic Gold for the color reference.

This post has been edited by Dias: Sep 24 2011, 08:59 PM

The middle notch between the zero and quarter marker is when the Fuel Tank Low light comes out. That gives you around 7 liters of fuel remaining.

But the good thing is that I actually know how much fuel is left instead of having to guess whether I'll make it to the next petrol station or not.

Finally surpassed the Ford Fiesta's fuel efficiency standard!



Drove as I normally do daily. Only difference is that I took a different route home via USJ toll once I reached the MUFORS overhead restaurant (ELITE Highway) that was slightly longer but less hilly compared to driving straight to Putra Heights toll. I guess the many long uphill climbs is the main factor that pulls down my FC.

Excerpts from The Star business section today.



http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...67&sec=business

Came back from an ex-colleague's wedding dinner earlier at Dewan Sivik MBPJ. Her husband is working with SDAC. Don't know what position though.

Wedding car? A Ford Mondeo ecoboost (Midnight Sky color). Looks awesome with its huge size. There was an S-Max parked further down but got a few people standing in front (owner and acquaintances/family/friends maybe), so could not take a peek inside.

Got some Fiestas parked in the carpark, most likely colleagues of the groom.

603.1 km on 34.253 litres of fuel. On an extrapolation basis, it would be 739.5 km on a full tank (i.e. 42 litres). That is a mix of urban plus highway.

Assuming full highway drive at constant speed on optimum RPM (1800 - 2000?), I assume that the distance covered can be stretched a bit further, though not sure how far will it be.

Wow...called in SDAC PJ to check for availability of slots for scheduled maintenance and was informed that the next two Saturdays (5th and 12th) are full while for weekdays, they are only available from 10th onwards since all Mondays till Fridays before this date are full. I guess everyone is gearing up for the many public and school holidays this coming November and December.

This post has been edited by Dias: Oct 29 2011, 09:22 PM

Tried this when going down the Klang Parade carpark (attended a function there). On L, your RPM will hover around the 4k range and speed is capped at somewhere slightly above 20km/h (if I recalled correctly). But then, even when driving on L, I can't go past slightly over 20km/h on leveled roads.

Might have to watch out for cars accumulating behind you though if it's a single lane direction (like Cameron Highlands).

My driving style is more towards milking as many kilometer per litre as possible in the most efficient manner. That's why I don't press the pedal harder than what is required. And I'm not sure if it will place unnecessary stress to the engine if the pedal was being pressed hard constantly on L.

Well, tracking my KM/liter is like a game to me. Always trying to beat or equal my historical stats. I have an obsession over this kind of stuff.

Unfortunately for the past 4 weeks it has been raining like nobody's business. So many traffic jams because of waterlogged roads during peak hours (everyone suddenly slows down and causes a backlog of cars, lorries and buses). Even my FC for Shell has taken a hit; should be around 16+ km/l but now it's 15+ km/l. That's back to like Esso standards. But then, on a like-for-like basis, I might be hitting only 14+ km/l on Esso under the same traffic conditions.

This post has been edited by Dias: Nov 7 2011, 10:59 AM

+9999

Anyone knows the name of this part circled in red? Stupid wooden stick fell off a speeding lorry, bounced off the road surface, ricochet against the guardrail in the middle of the road and whacked into that part (plus engine bonnet), leaving a deep dent on the circled part and a gash on the bonnet. From the sound of the thud, seems that the stick is of considerable weight.



I guess I can be considered lucky as the stick could have gone through the windscreen. Few things that were to my favor.
01. Managed to brake hard and swerved to the side so that the stick ended up bouncing to the side after impacting the car's bonnet.
02. Lorry was on the heavy vehicle lane while I was on the overtaking lane (saw that the wood stacked on it was kind of wobbly, hence I moved to the lane as far from the lorry's as possible to overtake). Was unfortunate that the wood fell off and bounced off in that manner. By that time, there was no way to avoid its trajectory

Bonnet based on the price list (don't know how updated is it) is RM445. And I'm guessing the circled area should not be more than RM200.

Anyone know if the parts are covered under warranty?

1.6 LX

Gave a call to SDAC. Engine bonnet costs RM 750.

This post has been edited by Dias: Dec 16 2011, 05:55 PM

2. There's no 3-door model being offered here
3. After sales service like in time taken in obtaining parts/claiming warranty? That would depend on what part is being claimed. I had a waterlogged rear lamp claimed via warranty replaced within 2 working days at SDAC PJ.
4. There's no 1.6 manual offered in M'sia.

As for Q1, can't say much since it's Ford Focus related but I'm sure it's not made in Malaysia. According to PaulTan's blog, it's CBU Philippines. Hence, the higher cost of parts due to freight+bunker costs, handling charges and taxes being levied at both shipping and destination ports. What I do know from casual chat with their staff is that SDAC keeps minimal stock on parts relating to the body (e.g. bonnet, doors, etc) due to space and working capital constraints. Whatever they have brought in is often used up fast (even the extras). If it's small parts like lamps, they can source for it quite easily since they are small, easy to store and does not tie up capital.

This post has been edited by Dias: Dec 24 2011, 11:15 AM

Fiesta - CBU Thailand
Focus - CBU Philippines (soon to be Thailand)
Mondeo - CBU Belgium
S-Max - CBU ???

Based on the specs sheet, steering wheel audio control is standard for sedan. The older model did not have that, which is what your friend is driving.

This post has been edited by Dias: Apr 2 2012, 04:10 PM

It varies from one person to another, as well as the severity of the traffic.

On highways, FC would be somewhere between 15.5 - 16.5 km/l

As for city, it depends on location. From Shah Alam to Bukit Raja/i-City via HICOM industrial area through Fed.Highway will give me on average 13-14 km/l (due to traffic lights and slow traffic near the roundabouts...sometimes also near UiTM).

The above is under conservative driving style, rarely exceeding 120 km/h.

Got this SMS this morning.



Can't find any mention on it on the website though. Maybe need to call up to check.

But then, I'm still on the free maintenance plan and am not going anywhere (just lazing at home or going to the nearest shopping center). So I guess it makes a difference only for older models who are not on the free maintenance plan then?