92merc

I use FireFox and UBlock Origin. Works pretty well for most sites.

Mercedes couldn't let Subaru have all the ugly...

I'll bet they did the same thing as they did to the F150 3.5EB. Adding a particulate filter.

I watched that YT video last week. I'm sure Ford didn't think the average Joe was likely to encounter a scenario like that. But Ford figured they could easily program that fix into their systems and did it. So I do give Ford a little credit for at least addressing it quickly. Not waiting until the next gen to alter the characteristics.

My issue is it seems to kick in just when I don't want it to. It's not a great comparison, but I'm getting about .5 mpg worse than previous owner with ASS disabled. So within statistical norms. When I start the vehicle, I see a message right away on screen "Auto start stop disable by button". Then the ASS light is illuminated. I can hit the button to enable it if you want. Next start, it goes back to off. So opposite of what is factory. I tried the Forscan method. For some reason my truck didn't like that setting. Threw the battery warning light on the dash. Tried a couple of combinations people suggested. None worked without the battery warning. So went back to the 4DTech device like I have on my Escape. No issues for me.

I put one of these in both my Escape and 2025 F150. Works great. Easy install on the F150. https://www.4dtech.com/f150-21-26-start-stop-eliminator/

Many European countries are allowing Chinese electric vehicles in. Since Europeans don't drive as far as us Americans, the shorter distance is fine by them. Nothing Ford has over there can complete with the Chinese vehicles. Mostly on price. So yeah, Ford is pulling out of a market they just can't command well.

I'd bet this is one of the reasons the new F150 was delayed. They'll be using the same principals on electrical for the new F150. Maybe not the universal platform ideas. But other savings would only make sense.

I own a 2020 Escape 2.0 EB Titanium. I also occasionally drive a similar model year Escape fleet vehicle. My Titanium has a much nicer and quieter interior. But on topic, for me personally, not going electric. Just doesn't have the range to satisfy me. If I had to replace mine today, I'd either get a Maverick hybrid AWD Lariat, or a Toyota RAV4. Although I have thought about getting a lower end Chinese Nautilus too.

Our local mall has a EB store. I've been buying from them for 10 years. Mostly my work clothes. They announced they were closing right after Christmas. At the time they said they were closing due to another store wanting the space. Looks like they would have been closing regardless. I liked their shirts and pants because they had some good quality iron free stuff. But now I work mostly from home. Don't really need the clothes any more. And I don't have too many more years before I can retire. Won't need them anymore. But I did like the old EB Explorers. Thought they were always trimmed nicely.

I love the auto-dim in my 2020 Escape and my "new to me" 2024 F150. My coworker says in the 2025 Lariat, Ford decontented the fog lights to be the same ones as the XLT. So they don't have the LED strip in them any more to match the Lariat LED running lights.

I'm a bit dubious about that claim. They already have the 6.8. And those two engines have only been out since 2020. Unless they have some push for emissions or something else, I just don't see the point. If Ford were to make an SD EERV, I would think they'll clean sheet design a V6. Make it good for EERV engine duty cycle from the get go. Steady state RPM's in mind for most efficient electricity generation.

Unlikely. Issue is with the block and the way Ford designed it. They put a cooling slit in between the bores. That eventually cracks and causes the head to leak. So the issue isn't with the head/top end. It's with the block. Once that block is cracked, won't matter what you do with gaskets and heads.

I didn't think in the picture, the Outback looked too bad. Just saw one on the road. Uhhh, nope. Nope. Nope. Ugly. Seems like they tried to make it look a RAV4 Woodland or something. Lots of plastic and those sharp Toyota lines. No longer looks like a Subaru, and not in a good way.

That YT video shows the reviewer getting an actual 23MPG, or 10.2L per 100 km. So yeah, not that good IMHO.