Ivor_E_Tower

Almost all the time, yes, except when filling up for a trip to the tip etc (and you haven't seen what I've got squeezed into the rear panel alongside the jack yet......)

..and finally the finishing touch is the white expanding net-curtain track that justs rests across the side panels as far back as you can get it. Then just drape the rug over it all, poking it under the 2 cross-pieces to stop rattles etc.

And now... Folded up, the velcro keeps everything in place (and it stores lengthways in the car under row 2 and between seats of row 3 - it's too wide to fit across the car under the middle row unfortunately). The longest piece of wood is about 1520mm from memory, and the main pivot is right in the centre. The front-pointing piece is less than half this length, as is the cross piece that rests on the 2 folded up seats (you can see from the photos that these pieces, when folded, do not exceed the length of the longest cross-piece). When fitting it, the travel rug is passed around the cross-piece to stop it from marking the backs of the middle row seats.

Next... These are the main pivots, I think the bolts I used are M5 (not sure as again, I had them lying around). One washer underneath the head, one between the 2 bits of wood, one under TWO nuts underneath - set the first one to give some tightness to the pivot, then using 2 spanners, a second nut to lock the first one and stop the joint from coming undone due to vibration or repeated turning of the joint.

Next... this is the wooden frame, made in my case from some 18 x 44mm planed all round (PAR) that I had lying around spare, all except the rearmost bit shown at an angle in the pic, which is from something like 12 x 38mm. Self-adhesive Velcro is positioned strategically to hold the frame when folded up, and to grip the "furryness" of the travel rug and hold it in position, as well as stopping the wood rattling on the rear side panels.

And now, at long last, I've finally had the time and the good weather to take some digital pics for you all. First of all, from the back (I can assure you that from outside, you can't see anything much other than the travel rugs):

Welcome from me too - from experience I would also suggest you seek out an aircon specialist and stay clear of main dealers for aircon work!

Nope, but I have twice got 50mpg out of mine on 100-mile trips down the M3/A303 by cruising at about 65 and not exceeding an indicated 70 at all (even on downhill bits). My afc is nearer 40mpg, but almost all of this is made up of town stop-start driving plus a bit of 40mph dual carriage bits. Over the same roads, the Renault Scenic diesel (direct injection) I drove previously averaged around 45mpg.

Depends on who you speak to - those running the aircon servicing garages would like you to get it done more often that is strictly necessary! The most popular intervals that I have come across are a top-up every 2 years and a full re-gas with oil every 4 years ie you alternate at 2 year intervals between a top-up and a "service". I am franky appalled (sp?) that aircon service/top-up is not included in main dealer schedules for routine vehicle servicing.

...and this is progress???

This is safety-related - bite the bullet and buy a new mechanism. I had the same problem with my Rover 820 - the wiper mechanism on that is badly designed and the driver's side ball joint also wears and falls apart. I wrote to Rover and complained and they arranged for a complete mechanism to be supplied and fitted out of warranty at no cost to me. Could be worth you doing the same with Ford.

Depends on where you go, and how much gas is needed. Local company to me quotes about

(you will need an assistant for this...)

Good luck if you're going to try upgrading - the UK option price for a MF wheel is around

Should be OK - the fuel cut-off (FCO) and part of the airbag warning system should be under the lhs front seat (ie front passenger seat in rhd cars). Activates at over 16g but you'd be surprised how much a local sharp shock generates - remember the FCO activating on the Fiat Brava/Bravo which made national TV some years ago, when passengers slid the seat against its end stops when the car was in motion?

err, the cargo net is to stop stuff falling out when you open the tailgate, not to stop things flying forward in an accident (it is, after all, placed just inside the tailgate). Mine works most effectively - not had to chase any apples or drinks bottles down my sloping driveway for a few months now!!!

You'll need special paint and primer and it CAN be done. Don't know if you get the same smooth finish as the factory-painted bumpers though. Not sure if they are a different moulding without the "textured" finish of the "natural" coloured items.

(you're on your own, but if I hear a Gal horn in an otherwise quiet car park, I'll know who it is....)

Not sure off hand if dials are electronic rather than linked by cables to controls. Have you checked fuses yet?

Agreed - my journey to work is about 5 miles on "A" and "B" roads and the temp gauge has never reached the "normal" positon before I get there. Journey home is about 7 miles, about 1 and a half on motorway, and the temp gauge gets to normal position before I get home!

Hasn't been crashed and repaired has it, and someone forgot to re-fit the sound deadening? It should be quieter than a Mondeo.

Rusty - been through this with mine, the first owner has marked all wheels badly. Chips Away came and looked at the car, said that the wheels are a machined finish and have to be taken off, tyres removed and re-machined to restore the finish. The white appearance would appear to be oxidisation. Anyone know how best to fix this without costing loads of dosh? I'm tempted to try some aluminium paint. Best solution would appear to be buy new wheels but we've had a post to say they are about

Yes - the patterns are on the TIS CD. I have heard that the French Police will stop UK cars without beam deflectors, even in broad daylight, and issue an on-the-spot fine even if you have no intention of driving at night. They expect your vehicle to be "adapted" in readiness..... Worth also reminding people that they confiscate (speedtrap) radar detectors, again even if not being used.....

Yes, Tigger this is normal and often very annoying (if you unlock the car then proceed towards it with arms full of shopping etc and don't get there in time!)

Try a search on the forum - various aspects of adding tow bar electrics have been covered. May be worth talking to a local tow bar electrics specialist (or asking your dealer who they would recommend) to get an idea of potential difficulties and how to overcome them.