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Signal Mountain, TN Car Consumer Discussions

Re: Buying new Pilot EX cloth. [mercara]

by kipk on Sat Oct 18 05:04:05 PDT 2008

Even the 03 models were rated to tow a 4500# boat or low trailer. But limited to a 3500# trailer with a flat tall front, such as a square type camper or utility trailer, that would have a lot of wind resistance. I got no problem with that. Where I have the problem is with the fact that they don't give me the option of towing something with electric brakes. The only choice Pilot owners have had is "surge" brakes. Surge brakes work fairly well, but are "Re-active" . When the tow vehicle slows quickly enough, the trailer pushes against it's hitch/coupler and hydraulics apply the trailer brakes. If backing up a hill, over a curb, and such, the surge trailer brake may activate because the hitch is being compressed, just as it would be if braking while going forward. This requires getting the pressure off the coupler and inserting a pin to keep the coupler from compressing. Need to remember to remove the pin before getting back on the road. Electric brakes only operate when getting an electrical signal from the tow vehicle or driver. Electric brakes, if properly set up, will apply a slight amount of brake to the trailer before the tow vehicle begins to brake. This really helps to avoid "Jack Knifes", and can even correct swaying when going down long steep grades in the mountains. Or swaying due to a passing 18 wheeler or heavy cross winds. Electric brake controlers have a lever that can be operated by hand that will apply trailer brakes "only" if need be. I've dealt with both types over the years and they each have their place. Just pisses me off, me that Toyota, Nissan, GM, Ford, and Chrysler all offer the 7 pin connector with their tow packages, but Honda does not. :mad: Possibly the 09 Pilots, with the integrated Class 3 hitch, do! Rant over! :) Kip

Light Issue

by dersch on Sat Sep 13 07:20:53 PDT 2008

I have a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. When you turn the head lights on and have the fog lights on, the fog lights do not work at all. Also, the turn signals will not work with the fog lights on and the headlights on. I could only get the turn signal to work with the running lights on. Another thing is that with the lights on and the fog lights on, the left headlight/ fog light would be really dull. and the left turn signal light stays on. I was wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this or if they have any ideas. Thanks Brandon please email me at dersch6221992@aim.com

One Year Later and 30K miles Report

by djp_63 on Fri Aug 08 07:44:44 PDT 2008

Here is a 30,000+ mile report on my Patriot. I purchased an 07, 2.4 litre, FWD, CVT Sport with all the basic popular options and alloy wheels. First, I have only had it back to the dealer to update the CVT software and have had no other problems to date. I drive about 75% on the highway and get 26 to mid 28 mpg consistently. The ride is smooth and quiet with good handling and manoeuvrability. The Exterior: The paint seems good (mine is light khaki), but the sheet metal is noticeably thin. I had a plastic trim piece come loose from along the bottom of the windshield. Everything else seems very solid, tight doors and nice lift gate. I use Turtle Wax Ice for polish with good results because it works on the plastic parts too. I will eventually add a hitch to attach a bike rack. There is also an issue with the hood flexing at highway speed. Mine does this a little, but I understand that the hinges were redesigned to fix the problem. I may get mine fixed. The Interior: The front seats are very comfortable (I'm 6'2" @ 180 lbs) and the YES Essential fabric is great (Florida). The back seat can hold three adult sized children fine, but two is better of course. Overall, the interior is good with a nod to Jeep utilitarianism. My complaint is it scratches too easily. Also the beige colour is a bit unappealing but okay. I think the grey looks better. Carpet is nice, and the plastic stowage area cleans easily. The rear and passenger seat folds flat making it possible to put 8' lumber inside and close the hatch. Plywood and the like must go on the roof. The A/C works well in conjunction with the tinted windows. The knobs and controls feel of lower quality but placed well and intuitive. The fog lamp switch is clumsy and the turn signal stem is stiff. I hope they improve these. Radio is very good for factory. Visibility is good to okay, as the A and B pillars are a bit bulky. However, good mirrors and a higher sitting position help a lot. Engine and CVT: The 4 cylinder is strong and reasonably smooth. The oil, air filter and spark plugs are easily serviced with a well organised engine compartment. One of my hesitations with buying this was the CVT and its reliability. I watched the Dodge Caliber for over a year to see how they were doing and read of testing that showed a 300,000 mile durability cycle. I am hoping for at least half that at a minimum. After driving the CVT for a while, I think I am a convert, and will be completely won over if they prove to be reliable. It does take some getting used to, but once you do, they are great. However, if you are the gas-mashing type and aggressive, it will fight you and make a lot of noise. I routinely pull away from everyone at stops with very little pedal and passing at highway speed is easy with only a little nudge. The CVT shines with mountain driving as the RPMs ramps up without straining the motor at all. I find myself passing lots of cars on my way up, and on the way down, the CVT pays back again by applying engine braking keeping the car at speed without using your brakes much at all. Again, it is very fluid when you learn how to drive it. My wife's Scion xD will hunt for the right gear and thrash the engine. The CVT steel belt is supposedly good for the life of the vehicle and requires no service until 100,000 miles (fluid change). Safety: Front and side air bags, ESP, ABS, roll mitigation and four wheel disc standard on a $15000 vehicle. The body looks and feels stout with multi-layered steel with internal bonding structural foam in-between key areas. The door thresholds are box beams with sturdy looking A and B pillars forming a cage around you. It has very good crash test ratings and my insurance company actually lowered my rates. Overall, I am very happy with my Patriot, but time will tell as it is too new of a vehicle. My last Cherokee gave me 170,000 trouble free miles. Before that I milked over 300,000 out of a Dodge Dakota with very little trouble. So my expectations are high. I have read where many Dodge Calibers are on car lots with over 100,000 miles still running strong. That's a good start, and I have not heard of any pandemic CVT failures. These CVTs are made by JATCO and have been used in Japan for many years now with good results. Ford's CVT seemed problematic at the onset. Understand this is an economy vehicle starting under $16K going into the low 20s. Mine was under 19K and optioned well. So this Jeep represents a good value to me, is solid driving, nice on the eyes, decent fuel economy and inexpensive respectively. I would gladly drive a stripped version 5 speed, crank windows, vinyl seats and steel wheels if all I could afford was $15k.

Re: Fuel pump failures only with PZEV Elantras? [vad128]

by gomst1 on Sun Jul 27 12:29:06 PDT 2008

Safety, Value, Comfort and the simple design made me purchase the 2008 Elantra SE for my daughter. This vehicle drives almost like a luxury car much quieter than the more expensive cars in this class. Traction control and stability control is very important to me as she is a new driver. The brakes is very good too. I drove this vehicle at high speeds through winding mountain road and it is very stable. The only thing I did not like about this car is the rear (RED) turn signal light. I was following her when she was signalling for a left turn and I barely noticed that red turn signal light in the middle of the day. It's a potential hazard so I did two things to the vehicle. I replaced the side mirrors with amber chevron-blinking mirror LEDs and ordered replacement rear outer tail light assemblies that have amber turn signal lights. I ordered these parts direct from Korea where the 2008 Elantras have amber outer tailights. They call them Hyundai Avante over there. I had to wait at least a month to get the blinking mirror LEDs as they are made to order. I am still waiting for the rear outer tail light assemblies.

Re: New Owner (almost) [brianbluemax]

by allmet33 on Thu Jul 24 12:03:02 PDT 2008

Brianbluemax...I guess it just shows that anything is possible. Definitely check in to the TSB, however as one poster has pointed out...be prepared to have to deal with it again in about 5K miles. Keep pressing them on the issue until they come up with a more permanent solution. Turn signal warning is something I don't have on my '06. Sounds like you had a nice little trip. You have indeed found what most have found when it comes to the Azera...a more than competent highway cruiser. While it can handle sweeping curves with grace, it's the tighter switch backs and hairpin turns it may not shine in. Like I said before, the car can handle some spirited driving, but a BMW it is not. I'm impressed to see the FE your Azera returned on a trip through the mountains. Good luck and happy motoring.

Re: New Owner (almost) [allmet33]

by brianbluemax on Thu Jul 24 11:51:09 PDT 2008

Hello again one and all. Thanks for all of this very valuable info and insight. Some comments:- 1) Regarding the comments about time to get from Korea etc, I did check my build date and it is 1/28/07. I still have a copy of the PDI performed by the original dealer and it was performed in May of last year. I bought the car in November, so it sat on a dealer lot for six months. 2) Thanks for the info on the TSB. As you can see from my build date, it falls into the window. So now I have ammunition to hit the dealer with. 3) I forgot to pick up on the thread regarding the turn signal audible warning. I have hearing problems (heriditary I am afraid) and wear a hearing aid but this is the first car I have owned recently that I can easily hear the turn signal warning, even with the radio on. A general update. For want of nothing better to do I decided to take a bit of a road trip yesterday, and drove over the Cascade Mountains from Edmonds to Wenatchee over Stevens Pass (4500 ft). I put it on cruise control at 60-65 depending on limit and it ran like a champ. I returned 27.8 mpg for 375 miles, including some local miles, and it was rock solid. On some of the downhill stretches I pushed the sweepers a little faster than I should have I think, around 75, but it stuck to the road like glue and I did not notice any body roll. With regard to floating I really didn't experience that. It gave me a whole new perspective on the car. The suspension problems were there over any rough sections but where the surface was good it rode great.As has been said this is a great road trip vehicle.