What neat tricks and tips have you've found since owning?

[dan50]

If I lived in a warmer climate I would have realized this earlier: with the automatic climate control the buttons directing airflow are independent of one another.

In most cars, pushing the "floor" button will cancel other selections and direct all airflow at the floor. In the Focus, each is independent so the floor button turns the floor airflow on and off, the vent button turns the vent airflow on and off, etc. As a result you can have floor, vent and defrost on individually or in any combination.

[moresound]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

I am very very impressed with how this car will hold speed in 5th gear (55 mph) going up hill. There's only one hill I can think of that I have to down shift on and that's 80 miles away from me.

I agree. It is pretty good at holding speed. Though at 55mph (88kph), hills shouldn't be much of an issue as long as your maintaining speed. It's just a matter of feeling it out; I'll generally shift the second I feel the engine stressing. I'd rather waste a bit more gas than stress my engine.

[rubsterob]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

Manual transmission owners: we all know about the up shift light. If you're in too high of a gear for your speed and you try to accelerate there's actually a down shift light.

I've found this out a couple times while playing with the radio and forgetting to push in the clutch while coming to a stop. (oops)

[rubsterob]

i just noticed on the ford owners site it has a picture on my car a red hatchback. Is it just a coincidence or does it actually change depending on the vin number?

im talking about the little picture under "my garage"

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by rubsterob

i just noticed on the ford owners site it has a picture on my car a red hatchback. Is it just a coincidence or does it actually change depending on the vin number?

Mine is showing a Red Candy sedan. I have a Kona hatchback, so I'm guessing no.

[BetaDnB]

Originally Posted by PratoN

Mine is showing a Red Candy sedan. I have a Kona hatchback, so I'm guessing no.

Mine shows the red sedan as well. My car is silver.

[hoopty01]

Originally Posted by gtncpa

Hmmm ... just found a problem with a feature I like. I normally drop my car off for service and have the dealer lock the key in the car and I pick my car up at night. Well .. you cant lock the key in the car. Anyone have any ideas how to intentionally lock the key in the car only using one fob?

Its not a big deal, but it was just a handy way to pick up my car if the dealer closes before I can pick up my car.

You can lock your keys in the car, just not the trunk or hatch area. Toss keys in driver seat hit lock button, shut door. Just make sure you've got the other fob with you, or rather near by. Was going to try it at lowes but thought better of it and waited until I got back to the house.. glad I did.

[gtncpa]

Hmmmm .... but if the key is in the car could some one steel the car?

[hoopty01]

Originally Posted by gtncpa

Hmmmm .... but if the key is in the car could some one steel the car?

there is that, it'll probably lock if the keys in the glove box too. i don't plan on having the car at the dealership alot though..

[Farkus]

So my Focus only came with one key. The salespeople somehow misplaced the second key so they put it on the Due Bill to get me a replacement. Well today I found that lost key tucked into the drivers seat. I was apparently sitting on it the entire time. Long story short, I can confirm that a locked car with a key inside will stay locked until another key is within proximity outside the car. Just last Saturday my brother wanted to see the "grab the handle to unlock" trick and I had to be standing next to him in order for it to work.