Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[NHTSA investigating 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan for accelerator pedal entrapment due to floormat stacking <i>*UPDATE</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/01/nhtsa-investigating-2010-ford-fusion-milan-for-toyota-like-floo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/01/nhtsa-investigating-2010-ford-fusion-milan-for-toyota-like-floo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/01/nhtsa-investigating-2010-ford-fusion-milan-for-toyota-like-floo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Ford Fusion Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

After the big mess that was the Toyota recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking quick action when any reports of accelerator pedal entrapment are reported. Case in point: The 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are being investigated after NHTSA received only three instances of floor mats hindering the gas pedal's movement. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

A grand total of 249,301 cars are being investigated over this potential problem with Ford's all-weather floor mats, and we'll have more details as they arise. Here's hoping we don't have to relive the Toyota debacle all over again.

*UPDATE: We spoke with Said Deep, Ford's global product communications manager, who points out that NHTSA's investigation relates to instances where the optional all-weather floor mats have been stacked on top of the factory-installed carpeted mats. Deep further outlines this, saying:
Ford does not recommend stacking floor mats in any vehicle from any automaker. In fact, Ford's all-weather floor mats have these instructions printed on the top of every driver's mat. We are not aware of any customer complaints or any accidents related to 2010 Fusions and Milans with properly installed floor mats.
Ford will be fully cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport


[Source: The Detroit News]

NHTSA investigating 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan for accelerator pedal entrapment due to floormat stacking *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports explains Ford Fusion Hybrid braking issue - Click above to watch the video after the break

It would seem that Toyota isn't the only automaker with braking issues on its hybrid vehicles, as Ford has reportedly issued a technical service bulletin (or "Customer Satisfaction Program" in Ford-ese) outlining a software update for its 2010 Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid sedans. The problem was experienced and reported by Consumer Reports a little while back; here's their explanation of what happened:
As one of our senior engineers slowed for a stop sign at the turnoff to our test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut, the brake pedal went unexpectedly further down than normal but the car barely slowed. He zoomed through the turn, with brake-system warning lights illuminated on the dash. The car more or less coasted to a stop, with what our engineer described as minimal brake feel.

After switching off the engine and then restarting it, everything returned to normal - no warning lights and full braking capability.
That doesn't sound very good, eh? As it turns out, Ford was aware of the potential problem. Sayeth the Blue Oval: "The software threshold to transition from regenerative brakes to conventional brakes can cause the system to transition to conventional brakes unnecessarily." Fortunately, Ford claims that while drivers "may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes... the vehicle has full braking capability. When this occurs, our system maintains full conventional brakes and full ABS function."

In an effort to resolve the issue in a timely manner, Ford has initiated a repair program and will notify all known owners by mail starting in early February 2010. Anyone who owns a Fusion or Milan Hybrid made on or before October 17, 2009 can see their dealer regarding Ford's "Customer Satisfaction Program 10B13." Click past the break for a video explaining the issue and the official statement from Ford regarding the solution.

[Sources: Consumer Reports, Ford]

Continue reading Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion/Milan Hybrid models [w/video]

Report: Ford issues TSB fix for brake pedal on Fusion/Milan Hybrid models [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Mercury Milan

We'll spare you from going over the laundry list of changes for the new 2010 Mercury Milan since you've already read about them in the post above on the 2010 Ford Fusion. Both cars share a lot in common, so instead we'll tell you what's different between them. The 2010 Milan gets its own redesign that includes new front and rear fascias, which we see as big improvements over the current model that further separates, at least visually, the Mercury from its Blue Oval brother. The Milan also only gets two gas engine options compared to the Fusion's three. Buyers can order up the new 2.5L four-cylinder that produces 175 hp or the upgraded 3.0L V6 that makes 240 horsepower. Unfortunately, Ford's 3.5L V6 producing 265 horsepower is reserved exclusively for the Fusion Sport. There's also the new Milan Hybrid, which again is identical to the Fusion Hybrid in all but its looks and can drive up to 47 mph on all-electric power. Follow the jump for Mercury's official press release and peruse the gallery of high-res images in the gallery below. If you want our deeper analysis of the changes, check out our full post on the new Fusion.

Gallery: 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Continue reading LA 2008: Mercury debuts 2010 Milan

LA 2008: Mercury debuts 2010 Milan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You drive like crap and you know it. Stop the burnouts, late braking and 100-mph freeway sprint and you just might make a tank of gas last longer than a day. Sure, automakers like Ford could spend a few million on lectures to teach car buyers a thing or two about better driving. But if you didn't get it in Driver's Ed, you're not likely to get it now. Instead, Ford's new Smart Gauge will teach better driving through rewards. Do a better job controlling your right foot, and Smart Guage adds a green leaf to a display next to the speedo. The better you do, the more leaves you get. Nancy Gioia, Ford's director of hybrid-vehicle programs, tells The Wall Street Journal, "You don't have to count the leaves. But if you're in a forest of leaves, you'll know you're doing well."

You can also grow your Virtual Dash Tree[TM] for a chance to defeat the boss monster on the final level and, if successful, Smart Gauge will reward drivers with Fordelicious Fruit[TM], which you can trade for Microsoft Points that can be used to pay for your Sync subscription. No. Not really.

Ford is expected to announce the Smart Gauge today and it will initially be available on the hybrid versions of 2010 Mercury Milans and Ford Fusions. There is a video from Ford after the jump.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading Ford "Smart Gauge" collects green leaves for good behavior w/VIDEO

Ford "Smart Gauge" collects green leaves for good behavior w/VIDEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every product forecast for FoMoCo shows new products for Ford and Lincoln, but other than the Milan Hybrid, the shelf is bare for Mercury. To make the situation more dire, sales are down 11-percent this year, and last year was the worst for the beleaguered waterfall in 44 years. Regardless of the grim statistics for Mercury, CEO Allan Mulally insists that there is a place for Mercury at the Blue Oval. Mulally sees a "great set of products" at Mercury, but the 1,900 Mercury dealers must be wondering when help is on the way.

We'd love to see a Saturn-like situation at Mercury, where Euro products come to the States donning the waterfall grille. Failing that, without products differentiated further from their Ford counterparts, Mercury is destined to fade off into the sunset whether Ford wants to keep the brand or not.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mulally (again) professes faith in Mercury originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Allan MulallyAllanMulallyFord Motor CompanyFordMotorCompanyLincolnMercuryMilan HybridMilanHybridTue, 16 Oct 2007 08:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1013869/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/10/16/mulally-again-professes-faith-in-mercury/1013869/article-detail.xml 1013869 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/mercury-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/10/mercury-logo.jpg -1 2