Interesting letter from Ford/Roush

[Russael]

I may be unique to this since I live in Michigan (and very close to the Roush facilities as well as a testing lab), but I received a letter from Ford asking me to let them borrow my car for up to 2 weeks while they run emissions testing.

 

Apparently, they will be testing the car on a dyno, simulating traditional driving conditions.  Some of the interesting things they indicated they would do include:

• 100 bucks cash
• Free usage of a Ford Fusion while they test mine (doesn't specify what trim/model)
• They will wash, vacuum, and refill the gas tank when returning mine.
• And they'll do the vehicle exchange here at my home, my place of business, or let me take it to the testing lab myself.
• If they find something dysfunctional with the emissions gear, they will upgrade/replace free of charge.

Since I figure these cars are super rare as it is, I decided to go ahead and let them do it.  I filled out the postcard and sent it back today.

 

I'm sure they will totally destroy my driving score, brake score, % in EV mode... pretty much everything I've built up over the past year, but eh, they're just numbers in the long run.  Maybe I'll leave them with my spare key and maybe I'll save my own data from being messed with. :)

 

No idea when they'll want the car... just received the letter yesterday.  I'll see where this goes.

[jeff_h]

Sounds interesting -- if it were me I would say sure go ahead and test my car, I will drive it to your testing facility and swap cars there, as I would like someone to give me the 20-minute gee-whiz tour please.

[Russael]

Whelp, once they call me to set up an appointment for my vehicle, I'm backing out of this.

 

Did some Google searching for people who received a similar letter, and the consensus is UNANIMOUS:  DON'T DO IT.  I should've done this first before sending that blasted card back.

 

Everybody who has done it has received their vehicle back in some damaged condition (chips, scuffs, interior damage, etc), and in one case, had their vehicle destroyed.  All of the scuffs are probably from the testing equipment and/or computer they put in the car.

 

Article for the wrecked Toyota FJ:  http://coldinthed.kinja.com/toyota-engineers-borrowed-then-destroyed-my-fj-cruiser-1520072972

 

There are several threads for F150s and one for Ford's ST vehicles.

 

Sounds like they run it back and forth between 2 testing facilities and will likely run it on a dyno for a couple hours at highway speeds.  Do a youtube search of dyno accidents and you'll get thousands of results, but those are usually performance tunes, not just plain emissions testing.

 

I take care of my vehicles as if they're the last one I'll ever own.  I always use top shelf products, always keep it clean, always keep it protected, and when it's possible, I do my own labor for replacement parts (doing a fuel pump on the Expedition... currently sanding down and buzzing all the rust off of the tank straps and skid plate for repainting since it was pretty rusty.  The pump has been swapped.)  I've done my own spark plugs on that... would've considered the dealership until they told me that they'd charge me 40 dollars for every sparkplug THEY break during the removal process, plus they wanted over 300 bucks.  NO.  Did it myself and installed Iridium plugs @ 80 bucks.  No problem.  Few hours of life lost for labor.  Replaced crankshaft position sensor.  Replaced fuel pressure regulator.  I do my own maintenance.  Last thing I want is some hotshot kid at the testing facility to do something extraordinarily stupid to one of my rides.

 

Sounded like a good deal at first.  :shrug:

[Eric4539]

I wouldn't do it either Russael.

 

I don't understand why Ford/Rousch would want to test personal vehicles. They could test cars from Hertz or Avis, but it would cost them more than $100 for two weeks!

[Kybuck]

They could test cars from Hertz or Avis, but it would cost them more than $100 for two weeks!

 

They're providing free usage of a Fusion, which would be more than $100 for two weeks too (assuming a rental).

 

If this is a Ford-sponsored program, why can't they use one of the (likely) many Fusion Energis in the Ford vehicle pool?

[Russael]

Probably because they don't have any, or they need a test pool of Energi vehicles that have more than x number of miles.  Mine only has 3900 and about 300 of those miles are on the ICE, so mine may wind up being excluded anyway.  Energi vehicles are pretty rare.  I believe there are MAYBE 900 in region 5 (includes CMAX and Fusion) based on my fuel sipper stat (I'm ranked 890 with 10 miles as my longest trip).  Can't imagine there being very many who could have fewer miles than I do. :)

[larryh]

If they provided a regular gas Fusion, then for me, at least, it would cost about $25 extra per week for fuel.  I currently spend less than $5 / week on fuel.  After two weeks, that leaves only $50 of the $100 left.  The $100 cash wouldn't really cover the extra expenses and inconvenience for use of my car. 

[larryh]

Maybe it would be worthwhile if they would thoroughly inspect/test the car and fix anything that is out of spec.  That would include updating all the computer modules to the latest calibration and applying all TSBs.

Edited May 10, 2014 at 08:40 PM by larryh

[Russael]

Eh, if they really need one, I'm sure they can find one from a rental car company.  It doesn't necessarily have to be an Energi - a hybrid would suffice since they're identical for the emissions stuff.  Or at least, they should be.  Considering the landslide of people who say not to do it and the fact that cars come back damaged in some way is what is going to hold me back.  My car is still perfect.  I want to keep it that way for as loooooong as possible.  If I damage it myself, then I have nobody to blame but myself. :)

[jeff_h]

Energi vehicles are pretty rare. 

 

There were just over 6,000 Fusion Energis sold in 2013, and just under 3,000 more through the first 4 months of 2014 -- so there are 9,000 out there but tough to spot them among the millions of other cars (I've only seen one other in my town, one time).

[Russael]

There were just over 6,000 Fusion Energis sold in 2013, and just under 3,000 more through the first 4 months of 2014 -- so there are 9,000 out there but tough to spot them among the millions of other cars (I've only seen one other in my town, one time).

 

I've seen 2 Fusion Energi's over the course of a year.  Seen 2 Focus electrics... seen 5 or 6 CMAX Energi vehicles.  I'm seeing a LOT of volts... seen 4 in one day out in the wild (all different colors to boot, so I know they weren't the same one).  Seen 2 Fusion Hybrids today.

 

I do notice the other models that people drive (first thing I look at are the doors), but noticed that the drivers don't seem to glance around at the other cars around them.  I drove next to a CMAX Energi for a couple miles and he never looked over.  hah.

 

Still, out of the hundreds of thousands of vehicles out on the road, 9k Fusion Energi's are not much.  At least the numbers keep increasing. :)

[Kybuck]

 I believe there are MAYBE 900 in region 5 (includes CMAX and Fusion) based on my fuel sipper stat (I'm ranked 890 with 10 miles as my longest trip).  Can't imagine there being very many who could have fewer miles than I do. :)

 

Well, that's 900 that bothered activating MFM... probably at least a handful more that didn't (which I'd assume includes Ford corporate vehicles).

 

I see multiple Energis every day... that's apparently the difference between CA (where ~50% have been sold) and everywhere else.  They're easy to spot flying solo in the carpool lane.

[shaggy314]

Now if they let you borrow a Shebly or a GT 500 Mustang... THAT would be different, otherwise I'd not risk the wear and tear on your car.

 

I find it weird Ford doesn't have any long term loaners or testers. Now they could BUY mine and talk a deal on a 2015... :-D

 

I'm way too much a nerd to ruin my 2000 miles between fill ups a year for $100.

Edited June 2, 2014 at 06:43 PM by shaggy314

[Cairo94507]

No way I would permit them to take my car (when I get it the week of the 9th of June) and run it through testing for two weeks.  I know how they test those cars and they can find another car or buy one from a dealership and sell it when they are done with it.  

[SD Diver]

I've seen 2 Fusion Energi's over the course of a year.  Seen 2 Focus electrics... seen 5 or 6 CMAX Energi vehicles.  I'm seeing a LOT of volts... seen 4 in one day out in the wild (all different colors to boot, so I know they weren't the same one).  Seen 2 Fusion Hybrids today.

One other Energi on my block (purchased after listening to my praise and checking out mine) and two at work. Seen a few others at the local mall (which oddly enough has a Tesla show room).  At least in SoCal they are catching on.  Funny when you consider how expensive our electric rates are...

[shaggy314]

It's REALLY hard to spot an Energi from anywhere but close up to spot the wheels, port, or badging. I think 95% of the Fusions I see are SEs. They REAL easy to spot with their tail lights.

[Rexracer]

My wife commented that Ford needs to do more to differentiate and identify the Energi compared to other models. I can identify a car from 100 yards in the dark based on the headlights/taillights, etc. I have to see the charge door to ensure its an Energi and not a Hybrid (based on wheels). Headlight color/trim color,  larger badges etc something to advertise their own product better.

[SD Diver]

 

It's REALLY hard to spot an Energi from anywhere but close up to spot the wheels, port, or badging. I think 95% of the Fusions I see are SEs. They REAL easy to spot with their tail lights.

 

Well, in CA, you can spot them by the extremely visible green HOV stickers!   :)

 

A coworker of mine was so impressed with my Fusion Energi, that he picked up a CMax Energi over the weekend.

[Rexracer]

Well, in CA, you can spot them by the extremely visible green HOV stickers!   :)

 

A coworker of mine was so impressed with my Fusion Energi, that he picked up a CMax Energi over the weekend.

 

But that would then require living in CA...no thanks. ;)