Just a mention - Ford Exployer XLT - 2005

[Virginia Foulk]

Are you one who likes to check the oil, transmission and other fluids regularly?   Just in case you want to do so with this vehicle and make use of the transmission dipstick - forget it. The "Dipsticks" with Ford decided a transmission dipstick is not necessary - their transmission doesn't lose fluid, doesn't leak. So if you feel your shifting isn't working properly, guess what - you'll have to take your vehicle to a dealership.

My husband's brother was a transmission specialist for over 45 years, and my husband also worked with him many a time. He is completely baffled with this change.

Well guess what, as Ford owners since 1958 (with a 1951 stick-shift I liked) and a 1991 Ford Explorer Sport that had 348,000 miles before we retired it, we no longer like Fords. Now we will have to check out every single vehicle to see what else these dipsticks are doing to force owners to spend more money at dealerships when a car fails.

And now they are wanting automatic drivability for the vehicle, and special brakes that stop for you. How wonderful. Why not just manufacture a robot driver, and leave the driving to it.

 

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[kevin kiernan]

Why would you leave ford when you have such success with them?

[Virginia Foulk]

Because who wants to have to take their car to a dealership every time they want to check their transmission fluid. And what's next, no dipstick for the oil?  Now if they would bring back the 1991 Ford Explorer Spor stick shift, or the 1951 Ford stick shift, I'd be tempted. 

[kevin kiernan]

I have had good luck with ford over the years. I am sure the other companies will turn to that style too...We will see

[Virginia Foulk]

Well, I suspect the backyard mechanics (my husband was one - but only for our own vehicles) will be really unhappy.

So I'll stick with the old vehicles as long as I can.