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How often any vehicle needs new brakes is 90% a function of the way it's being driven - Most people maintain their desired speed right up to a stop or corner and then use lots of brake to get slowed or stopped. Others take their foot off the gas 100 yards sooner and gradually slow and need to use much less brake. Braking hard while going uphill is a real waste of energy, but I follow people who do it every day - They never seem to figure that just letting off the gas sooner, the laws of physics will slow them down for free. Many times I catch up to them about the time the light turns green and I never had to touch my brakes at all Friction braking is the act of turning the kinetic energy you paid for getting up to speed into heat . . . . and poor gas mileage . . . . and frequent brake jobs. There are more efficient ways to slow down Don

The amount of fuel remaining today is actually rather generous. Old Ford's from the 60-70's would promptly stop driving the moment the needle hit E on the fuel gauge. Manufacturers will only tell you that when the low fuel light comes on, it's time to refuel. They don't want consumers to drive further for liability purposes, and also running out of fuel can permanently damage a fuel injection fuel pump. My advise, time your refuel at the exact time the display reads 0 miles, refuel, and observe the gallons (liters) that it took, and compare it to the capacity listed in the owner manual. In the US, I have done this and found that the TC would take 13.8 gallons at 0 miles, and the manual spec is 15.8 gallons. Basic math shows there is about 2 gallons left the the tank on "reserve". Compare that to your average fuel economy, and you can guess how many more miles you can drive. Of course, once I have driven past that mark, there is an uneasy feeling, knowing you could run out and damage your fuel pump. And the start of a really bad, and expensive day. I stopped doing this years ago. A lot of stress can be created waiting until the last minute to refuel. This especially happens when you're late and in a hurry to go somewhere and realize that now you also have to stop for fuel, which makes you more late and more stress. Some people like to massage their ego to see how far they can go, and then brag about it if they make it. Fools. Now, when my fuel gauge reads 1/4 tank, I refuel. And on my terms, when I'm not in a hurry, like on the way home from work or the store. The amount of stress relieved is a solid feeling. I always have at least 1/4 of a tank, usually more, so if there is an emergency, you can jump in and go, and not have to worry about fuel.

The Gen 1 had two hinge styles , a 180 Degree and a 270 Degree. You will need to replace all 4 if you want to change to the 180 Degree hinges.

The stock hinges are made to stop the doors at around 90 degrees. You'll see a yellow button on the inside about mid point between the hinges - press that, and it releases the stop catch and allows you to swing the doors completely out to the side. something like 270 degrees ... Sounds like somebody might have modded the hinges to bypass that first stop? Maybe pull the inside door panel and check for disconnected linkage? PS - both rear doors in the pic are opened to the first stop ...

You bought a used van in commercial service for 6 years. Who know what kind of abuse those vans went through. From what I have seen, once those doors are open, they take a lot of abuse. You may not want to think about how the van has been "nudged" with forklifts. Or when guys drive around with the doors open, as they try to back them up against loading docks designed for trucks. Not to mention when people load something a little too big, and they either try to slam that door close, or they drive around with the door held in place with bungee cords, straps, or rope. Ever seen a little van with one door open, the rear passenger side door, and building material such as lumber and pipe hanging out? That hinge is designed so that the door can be opened wider for material handling. In theory, that will prevent a lot of the abuse. But it still happens. You should replace with the OEM hinge. If you don't abuse it, then you will be okay.

Even with out Skin in the game the insight you bring would still be valuable. Thanks for your time.

I barely knew ya, but happy trails!

Has anyone ever cut in a new camper style venting window on one of the sliding door panels? Someone told me that panel is a composite material. I want to use a CR Lawrence horizontal vent window. It doesn't seem too hard. Just wanted to hear someone else's experience before I get started. NOTE: I am opting for the sliding door panel because the rear panel has a vertical structural rib running through it. Thanks, Steve (Scottsdale, AZ)

A lot of us suffer from range anxiety. The fear of running out of fuel at a point where there is no fuel available. All that anyone has to do is what you are doing. Refuel to a full tank, before it is needed. But in my daily life, I still talk to knuckleheads who have no clue in regards to mileage, tank range, cost per mile, et cetera. They say things like: "I can get $20 of gas on Monday, and drive until Thursday. Then add $20 on Friday for the weekend. It never runs out. How much do you spend?" I like when they tell me, "your truck is big, does gas cost more?" Nope. I pay exactly the same price per gallon as you do. Your commute is different than mine, so there's no relevant comparison to how much you spend vs how much I spend. But I suppose there's heavenly bliss to not filling up your tank to full, and just handing $20 bills to the cashier every few days.

I have just sold my 2010 Transit Connect, it has become surplus to my needs. It has given me over 6 years and 88,000 miles of very trouble free ownership. Wiper linkage was the only item that went bad. Average 25-26 MPG in the city, and 27-28 on the highway with a high of 30mpg. I am leaving this forum, without ownership of a Transit Connect I no longer have any "skin in the game", time for someone else to take over as moderator. Funny and pleasant thing is, the forum is meant to be self policing, and there have been very few instances I have needed to be involved. Forum member robertlane is the remaining moderator, try him if needed. I hope some of my postings have been helpful over the past years. I have enjoyed my time on the forum. Good-by and Good Luck.

Hate to see you leave. I enjoy reading your posts and they are always very informative. But I also understand where you are coming from. It was a pleasure having you as our Mod on here. I suck at good byes, so I will just sat till next time may the Lord bless you and protect you in your journeys.

Heh, embarrassed to have been part of one of those moderation instances Thanks for your good company and good luck with everything.

Thanks for all your good work here! Curious as to what's replacing the TC for the next 88,000 miles?? Don