Willie

You are correct that many mufflers have small drain holes to allow condensation to exit in order to prevent rusting. It is very normal for an engine to produce condensate, especially when cold. So long is it is a small amount of water, that is not a problem. Keep looking.

Assuming you care about having hubcaps, I suggest you replace with a cheap set form Amazon. Just make sure they have adjustable wire retainers and they will stay on a lot better. The stock hubcaps will also work okay provided you are careful to press then on evenly all around the circumference.

Right, you have to admit that Transit Connect is one horrible name for a vehicle in any event.

Good boy! If you can figure a way to jury rig it, that's so much more satisfying than buying an expensive part.

Yes, and empirical results are empirical results.

. Most agree that under inflation will reduce gas mileage but there seem to be mixed results from over inflation. I believe you when you say it works for you. but others find that it does not help to go beyond the recommendations. http://theframjak.hubpages.com/hub/tire-pressure-and-gas-mileage-does-it-really-matter http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/4199963

So is the problem that the plastic fitting where the bulb goes in the assembly is cracked and will not hold the bulb? Or is it that the electrical connection is no solid enough to make a good contact? Whichever, it sure seems like you could shade tree engineer a solution without too much sweat.

Is this door being unlocked with a remote control? (As my Dad used to say about such gadgets "More sh*t to break")

Johnsonmy, I think you may be on to something here. To my understanding, those intake snorkels are generally used to reach cooler intake air. The warmer air from the engine compartment is disadvantageous once the engine has been warmed up. I bet in hot weather you would find that the engine will perform better with the snorkel in place, but in this frigid weather even the air close to the engine was plenty cold enough. It might make sense to disconnect the snorkel for the winter though. It would be great if there were something good about this weather!!!

I think you are correct about the pressure sensor. I'd be darned if I'd give $100 for that curtain thing. Seems like you ought to be able to fabricate a replacement out of some kind of tough cloth. One of the forum member is sure to have an idea along that line that would cost way less than a C note.

Well, you are mostly correct. One error is that ignition timing is, very definitely, a factor when considering octane requirements. Still your conclusion is right.

Sometimes Winter mileage suffers a little due to increased warm-up times, but what I'm seeing is beyond that. I'm talking about two to three MPG on a trip where warm-up is less of a factor. It always occurs with the first tank of Summer gas. I see no Winter-Summer difference with my other cars. Odd. Now I think they are going to eliminate the requirement for Summer blend anyhow. No big deal, just interesting. Yeah, as we've discussed, the TC does not require increased octane, so no point in buying it.

Your results are what I would have expected. Still, it doesn't hurt to try different things. Where I live we get a different formulation of gas in the Summer and Winter. The Summer gas includes more alcohol, in order to reduce emissions. (I'm not sure of the chemistry involved.) Anyhow, my TC gets better gas mileage on the Summer blend which is not at all what I would expect. It does not seem to effect my other cars that way, however.

I would expect better MPG if it stays in a higher gear longer,. Keep us posted, please.

Not to change the topic, but I recently had to replace my 2010 fuel cap, The original fell apart in my hands one day. Cost eleven or twelve dollars as I recall.

Has never happened to me.

Most of us being in the USA have automatics because that is all that is available here. A few Europeans here also though. Good luck. Sounds like you really need one.

That's a great price and I'm surprised that nobody has bought them yet. I would if I hadn't already installed after-market flaps. The Ford units were over a hundred bucks for four when I looked.

Hey Sue, are you one of those people who hang off the side of a building 15 stories up? Yikes!!

It makes a very minimalist camper to be sure, Johnyguy. To me its the opposite of a large Winnebago with all its luxury touches. The idea is that less is sometimes really more, but you either "get" that or you don't. I certainly admit that its not for everybody or even for most people.

The seats of the older model are easily removed and replaced. Can't speak to the new ones, On my 2010 there is just as much room in the wagon without seats as in a cargo van. Backseats for the older model are offered for sale here on a fairly regular basis, but there also seem to be a lot of people wishing to buy them. Hope that helps.

Yes, you're correct. Its mostly water. More common on cold days.

Could be just a tire. Sometimes a belt will break and it seems the car is coming apart at the seams. Behaves just as you describe. Of course could also be a lot of other things.

30 mpg is about as high as I have ever obtained.

Love the stripes!