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got 2014 focus st, that cover at the bottom what is it for, is it ok to just leave it off? also there is a small spoiler at the front, take that off too? Those are for better aerodynamics I guess? and to protect the bottom of the engine bay area I guess?
 

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Aerodynamics, protection and to keep it clean. Why do you want to leave it off?

My 2012 doesn't have the lip spoiler at the front. I doubt there's a big advantage to having that there other than to let you know when you're about to ride the front end up on a curb.
 

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Thanks for that, think I will put it back in.

It's kind of in the way when you want to work on the car, the aerodynamics does it really work with it on, or maybe it doesn't really work.

Do most people leave those 2 pieces on or off?

The bottom is so clean after 4.5 years after I take off the cover, like almost brand new. Maybe I will put it back on I will see, wonder what do most pepole do.
 

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I absolutely leave mine on. Better MPG and likewise my engine bay is still pretty clean after 6 years. 8 screws every time I change the oil? No big deal to me. I think I've had to remove it maybe 3-4 times other than that.
 

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Is this spot ok for jack stands, some said ok some said no, confused. https://i.imgur.com/cm1f1UZ.jpg

And for brake job just 1 jack stand so you can access the brake is good or 2 jack stands at the front? This video used 2 jack stands.
I jack the car up from that control arm mount, but I always place jack stands under the pinch welds.
 
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I jack the car up from that control arm mount, but I always place jack stands under the pinch welds.
What do you use in between the jack stand and the pinch welds.

Also it's normal that floor jack moves forward when you jack up the car right? When it's almost 90 degrees it kept moving up, I guess coz the saddle thing moves in an arc so floor jack has to move toward the car.

Is this ok to do, this guy plastidip his wheels, so he took off the 2 side wheels by using a floor jack and lift it in the middle of the .....sort of between the 2 jacking point arrows, right in between the front and back doors. Is that ok to do? There is no arrow there.
 

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What do you use in between the jack stand and the pinch welds.
Nothing. I just make sure the pinch weld is in the "saddle" of the stand.

Also it's normal that floor jack moves forward when you jack up the car right? When it's almost 90 degrees it kept moving up, I guess coz the saddle thing moves in an arc so floor jack has to move toward the car.
Yes, it's normal. Be sure your jack can roll as it goes through the arc. I drive up on ramps before I jack mine up to minimize the movement (shorter arc).

Is this ok to do, this guy plastidip his wheels, so he took off the 2 side wheels by using a floor jack and lift it in the middle of the .....sort of between the 2 jacking point arrows, right in between the front and back doors. Is that ok to do? There is no arrow there.
I don't recommend that. I only put the stands where the arrows are.
 

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Nothing. I just make sure the pinch weld is in the "saddle" of the stand.



Yes, it's normal. Be sure your jack can roll as it goes through the arc. I drive up on ramps before I jack mine up to minimize the movement (shorter arc).



I don't recommend that. I only put the stands where the arrows are.
If you can get the Focus on a ramp why do you need to jack it up further? That should be enough room to get to the oil, right?
 

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I haven't tried on this car yet. Firs time I went to do it, I was like, "Where the hell is the jack point in the front?" Apparently Ford doesn't like those. I tried doing it from the side, but that was awkward and dangerous. I have ramps for my Rav4, so I tried driving up those and the Focus just pushed them. I finally made wooden ramps last week, but I haven't tried it yet. I need to do the front brakes and the alignment, new fog lights, and the speakers so when I do all that I'll maybe change the oil. I just did the oil recently at Valvoline, but I have full synthetic sitting in my garage.
 

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Thanks for that, think I will put it back in.

It's kind of in the way when you want to work on the car, the aerodynamics does it really work with it on, or maybe it doesn't really work.

Do most people leave those 2 pieces on or off?

The bottom is so clean after 4.5 years after I take off the cover, like almost brand new. Maybe I will put it back on I will see, wonder what do most pepole do.
If you took your car into a shop to have them change oil/filter or other work & they left the shieldling off you'd be bitching as well as others. Don't ask me why Ford uses different bolt sizes for the 150, fusion, focus...unlike GM & Chrysler uses one size for all. Always good to have a Dewalt 1/4 drive.......
 

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I haven't tried on this car yet. Firs time I went to do it, I was like, "Where the hell is the jack point in the front?" Apparently Ford doesn't like those. I tried doing it from the side, but that was awkward and dangerous. I have ramps for my Rav4, so I tried driving up those and the Focus just pushed them. I finally made wooden ramps last week, but I haven't tried it yet. I need to do the front brakes and the alignment, new fog lights, and the speakers so when I do all that I'll maybe change the oil. I just did the oil recently at Valvoline, but I have full synthetic sitting in my garage.
I use a cheap set of plastic ramps and they are perfect for Focus oil changes. My cars 'push' them too, so when setting them up I kick them into the tires really hard to wedge the point of the ramp under the tire a bit.
 

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The ramps I use have a rubber block under the leading edge of the ramp that bites into the floor and keeps it in place. They are a stackable ramp that I bought several years ago either at WalMart or Advance Auto.

And they are the perfect size to just clear the front lip when driving up the ramp. I've seen several variants of these at the different auto parts stores and WalMart over the years.
 

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If you can get the Focus on a ramp why do you need to jack it up further? That should be enough room to get to the oil, right?
Right, sorry, I forgot what thread I was posting in.

For an oil change, I drive it up on the ramps and don't bother with the jack. I only do the ramp/jack combo when I'm putting it up higher on stands.
 

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Hello, few days ago I grab a 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback, I know the recommended oil is 5w-20, but would like to know if it is safe to 100f-120f (40-50c) summer? or should I go with 5w-30? right now car have 54,7xx miles, thanks in advance.
 

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Hello, few days ago I grab a 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback, I know the recommended oil is 5w-20, but would like to know if it is safe to 100f-120f (40-50c) summer? or should I go with 5w-30? right now car have 54,7xx miles, thanks in advance.
You should talk to you LOCAL Ford dealer service department.
They, more than anyone else could tell you what they do and recommend. [hihi]
 
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