Road Tests: Long-Term Test

It was with some trepidation that Senior Road Test Editor Neil Dunlop logged his notes for this month's update of our long-term 2000 Lincoln LS test car. Last month, when we reported Neil's dad's problems with our long-term Nissan Xterra tester, a reader complained that it was no more than an insubstantial "impression of the McKenzie Brothers." (We think he meant impersonation. See Letters to the Editors -- June 2001.)

This hurt Neil's feelings: He can't help being Canadian, and if he sounds like those famous hosers Bob and Doug McKenzie, it's only because he has neighbors just like them. Neil thought the complainant's comments were unfair. "What does my being Canadian have to do with the value of my work?" asks Dunlop. "After all, does anyone blame Texas when a Texan screws up?"

Nevertheless, Dunlop is an intrepid reporter, and he wouldn't let South Park-inspired "Blame Canada" sentiments get in the way of reporting his experiences with our long-term Lincoln test car.

It was a big month for the Lincoln. Not only was it delivered to Dunlop in the Great White North, but shortly afterward the odometer reached 30,000 miles -- time for its first major scheduled service.

Dunlop dutifully took the LS to Rowland Ford Lincoln Mercury in Toronto where it was checked in by service advisor Larry King (no kidding). Besides the scheduled service (which, for $205.55, included a tune up; oil change; fluid checks; replacement of oil, fuel, air and crankcase filters; spark plug inspection; and transmission service), a complete interior and exterior detail was performed for an additional $100.

Dunlop also had to follow up on several complaints logged in our May update. Previous drivers complained about a rattle coming from the glove box-mounted CD changer and weather-stripping on the driver-side rocker panel that had ripped free of its anchors. In addition, other editors complained the transmission didn't shift as smoothly as they would like. The dealership fixed the first two complaints free of charge and a transmission tune up was included in the 30K-mile service. Larry King also informed our Senior Road Test Editor that the headlamps were prone to water leaks and to watch them for signs of trapped water. If any appeared, Mr. King promised to replace them at no cost.

Now, a few miles have passed since the check up and Mr. Dunlop has had time to evaluate its effect on the LS. The transmission service and a pint of new tranny fluid has made a world of difference. Dunlop reports shifts are now "immediate and imperceptible. There's still that great take-off thrust, but now the herky-jerky shifting has given way to more seamless gearchanges."

The new weather-stripping is holding fast, so far. However, due to its placement on the rocker panel where it's susceptible to constant duress by drivers clambering in and out of the vehicle, it probably will need to be repaired.

The headlamps are still water-free.

Dunlop reports that the irritating CD changer rattle disappeared for several days, but returned like an unwanted cat. He has gone back to stuffing paper napkins between the unit and the glove box door, which muffles the sound sufficiently. "It's one of those minor irritants that can turn you off a car," he ranted. "If Ford wants the LS to compete with the big German marques, it's got to work this stuff out. How many times have you heard a rattle in a 5 Series?" The 2001 LS has an in-dash CD changer, but the persistent rattle suggests lax build quality, so Dunlop's point is still relevant.

We also have more to report on the Lincoln's RESCU (Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit) system, operated by two buttons mounted on the ceiling near the map light and sunroof switches. One, labeled SOS, summons emergency roadside assistance from a live operator who communicates with the occupants via the Lincoln's integrated cellular telephone system. The Lincoln Security Center can establish the car's location through the on-board global positioning satellite antenna. The other button, labeled Info, can be pressed to receive travel information such as route planning, points of interest and directions.

We've complained before that it's too easy to push the buttons accidentally, and the detailing crew at Rowland Ford Lincoln Mercury will back us up on this point. While they were working on the car, one of them tripped the SOS button. The Lincoln Service Center operator could hear them swearing at each other and arguing over what do, but they did not respond to her questions. Fearing the worst for the Edmunds staff, she called the local police. Within two minutes, a squad car and two of Toronto's finest appeared at the garage. "I couldn't believe it," said Larry King. "I thought we were being raided."

Despite the poor placement of the buttons, we are now quite impressed with how well the RESCU system works. Unfortunately, it was only offered on 2000 Lincoln models and was dropped for 2001. Too bad, because we'd like to keep tabs on Dunlop in all our cars.

Current Odometer: 30,397
Best Fuel Economy: 23.2 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 12.4 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 17.1 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: $305.55 (30,000-mile service and complete detail).
Problems: Persistent rattle from glove box-mounted CD changer.