2012 Ford Focus 1.6 Auto

Yuecwy · 15-08-2012, 07:10 PM

Hi Guys, I am new to this forum.
I purchased a 2012 Focus 1.6 Auto 6 months ago, and it has been a sweet car and now done 5900 km.

And there is 2 problems that I hope you guys can give me some opinion about.

1.
Ever since the car had done 5000km, I started hearing some noise when driving up a hill / on flat road.

OK. Not sure if the noise has been there since I have it, but 100% sure the noise is getting VERY noticable now.

I tested a few times and discovered that the noise comes out the most when the car is driving between 55-65 KM and the RPM is below 2000. So as long as I acceralate the car and RMP goes over 2000, the noise goes away.
And the noise problem is sort of MINIMISED when switcth to Sport Mode.

Went to the NewOakFord(where i bought the car) service centre today, and the reception guy assures me that its very normal and because the car is just 1.6.

OK. BUT my question is : Why the noise happens after 5000 km but not at the begining ? That guy insists my car is operating normally and the noise is normal too. I am frastrated and wondering what I can do now.

I have done some research online, and people says it is the "feature" of powershift transmission. BUT this doesn't explain why it happens after 5000 km.....

I also ask if there is any update for the powershift transmission and that guy says NOOOOOOOOOOO.

I found online there is an update related at the end of last year.

2.
A rattle in the centre console, it just sounds like plastic is not stick firmly. Can I ask ford to repair that for me?

Have any of you experienced these problems? What should I do now?

Sorry I am very inexperiened about car, any help would be apprecaited!!
And I don't know how to deal with the ford service people... seems so hard to get them to check my CAR

vhcbm · 15-08-2012, 07:22 PM

Sounds like the noise might be it trying to pull up a hill below 2000 which isn't that easy for it. In other words it's trying as hard as it can

As for the rattle, take it to the service center and have it fixed under warranty.

kevino · 15-08-2012, 08:33 PM

What sort of petrol do you use. The engine may be rattling when pulling if you are only using 91.

Yuecwy · 15-08-2012, 08:37 PM

Has been using cole 95 for the first 3000 km.
Then switch to BP 95 afterward. Planning to try the V power to see if that changes anything.

kevino · 15-08-2012, 08:42 PM

The 95 should be fine.
What sort of noise is it, does it sound like the auto gearbox or the motor?

Re rattle its not something thats ot part of the car thats rattling ie ballpoint pens, batteries, 10 cent coins etc.Whenever my car rattles its not teh car if you understand my point.

WILDB · 15-08-2012, 09:27 PM

Sounds like it could be the engine labouring based upon that RPM range.

By the way, the 1.6 doesn't have the powershift gearbox, only the 2L petrol and diesel models do.

Yuecwy · 15-08-2012, 09:40 PM

Re: WILDB
Really? I found that from the Ford Website inside Focus Ambient
" OPTIONAL 6-Speed PowerShift® automatic transmission"

Mine one is automatic, so YES?

Yuecwy · 15-08-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

The 95 should be fine.
What sort of noise is it, does it sound like the auto gearbox or the motor?

Re rattle its not something thats ot part of the car thats rattling ie ballpoint pens, batteries, 10 cent coins etc.Whenever my car rattles its not teh car if you understand my point.

YES I understand what you mean Sir.

I have video taped the noise using my iPhone.

So if any of you could give me a hand on the noise,
please leave me your email address and I will send the video to you.

Yuecwy · 15-08-2012, 10:31 PM

Hi everyone, I have posted the video on youtube.
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOgVGd180w4 )

The noise starts at 0:57, listen and please tell me what you think it is.

Because the noise comes out even the car is driving on flat surface.

Gaspode · 16-08-2012, 12:00 AM

If your service centre is insisting that noise is normal, I'd be thinking about changing service centres.

[edit]
Sounds a little like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54_3_qF2xhQ

Yuecwy · 16-08-2012, 12:15 AM

Re: Gaspode

This video is created by me today. You can hear the noise from 0:57.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOgVGd180w4)

It is slightly different from the the video you post

Russ · 16-08-2012, 08:23 AM

That's definitely not the engine labouring :( My advice would be to take it to another Ford dealer (if available in your area) and ask for a proper technician to come with you in the car and listen to the noise. It sounds as though something is loose somewhere but it's hard to pinpoint unless you are actually in the car to hear it

Yuecwy · 16-08-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

That's definitely not the engine labouring :( My advice would be to take it to another Ford dealer (if available in your area) and ask for a proper technician to come with you in the car and listen to the noise. It sounds as though something is loose somewhere but it's hard to pinpoint unless you are actually in the car to hear it

Oh : (..
So should I just go down to the dealer and ask them to assign a technician with me for the noise, or make a booking?

...Sounds like if I make a booking, it might be much longer...

So I decide to go down there soon !!Fingercross you are right man!

Yellow_Festiva · 16-08-2012, 05:32 PM

Dude, show them that clip. On 2 past services I mentioned my radio volume control is sticking. The mast behind the wheel that is. 1 press up or down and the volume jumps 5-12 notches. VERY annoying...

Of course, didn't ever happen when it was there.

Took a video of the problem on my phone and hey presto, they booked the car in and changed the stalk.

The problem is now back... yup, took another video ;)

I think I have a fault with my head unit to be honest. A month back, NONE of the buttons would work.. only way to turn off the radio was to turn the car off... didn't think to get that on video but :(

Make a booking. Explain the seriousness of the problem, say your car has been compared to other cars that DON'T make that noise and be very firm with what you want - in a polite way of course.

Yuecwy · 16-08-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Dude, show them that clip. On 2 past services I mentioned my radio volume control is sticking. The mast behind the wheel that is. 1 press up or down and the volume jumps 5-12 notches. VERY annoying...

Of course, didn't ever happen when it was there.

Took a video of the problem on my phone and hey presto, they booked the car in and changed the stalk.

The problem is now back... yup, took another video ;)

I think I have a fault with my head unit to be honest. A month back, NONE of the buttons would work.. only way to turn off the radio was to turn the car off... didn't think to get that on video but :(

Make a booking. Explain the seriousness of the problem, say your car has been compared to other cars that DON'T make that noise and be very firm with what you want - in a polite way of course.

yes. totally agreed with you SIR.
The best way of showing these problems that happen randomly to them.

I just went down to NewOakFord dealer, and they arranged a technician to test drive with me. That tech agreed there is noise and he believes its partly the computer cannot decide whether to change the gear or not, so sort of stuck in the middle. And he thinks there is some vibration too.

So make a booking on next Tuesday for full day checking. Hopefully they will sort it out for me!!

kevino · 16-08-2012, 08:52 PM

Good luck please post on the forum what happens.

jonohoang · 17-08-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuecwy

Hi Guys, I am new to this forum.
I purchased a 2012 Focus 1.6 Auto 6 months ago, and it has been a sweet car and now done 5900 km.

And there is 2 problems that I hope you guys can give me some opinion about.

1.
Ever since the car had done 5000km, I started hearing some noise when driving up a hill / on flat road.

OK. Not sure if the noise has been there since I have it, but 100% sure the noise is getting VERY noticable now.

I tested a few times and discovered that the noise comes out the most when the car is driving between 55-65 KM and the RPM is below 2000. So as long as I acceralate the car and RMP goes over 2000, the noise goes away.
And the noise problem is sort of MINIMISED when switcth to Sport Mode.

Went to the NewOakFord(where i bought the car) service centre today, and the reception guy assures me that its very normal and because the car is just 1.6.

OK. BUT my question is : Why the noise happens after 5000 km but not at the begining ? That guy insists my car is operating normally and the noise is normal too. I am frastrated and wondering what I can do now.

I have done some research online, and people says it is the "feature" of powershift transmission. BUT this doesn't explain why it happens after 5000 km.....

I also ask if there is any update for the powershift transmission and that guy says NOOOOOOOOOOO.

I found online there is an update related at the end of last year.

2.
A rattle in the centre console, it just sounds like plastic is not stick firmly. Can I ask ford to repair that for me?

Have any of you experienced these problems? What should I do now?

Sorry I am very inexperiened about car, any help would be apprecaited!!
And I don't know how to deal with the ford service people... seems so hard to get them to check my CAR

Hey there,

Welcome to the forum.

We have the exact same 'issue' as you, we have a 2012 Focus Titanium.
The noise started around 3000km. It happens when the car is hovering around the 1500 rpm mark.

We took it back to our local ford dealership and they checked to ensure we had the latest update for the transmission which we did. I also read extensively through forums and there is a video on youtube which explains that this noise is normal for the 'powershift transmission'.

It sounds like the engine is grinding or rattling. The dealer said it will get better when you put more km's on it. My car currently has 10,000kms and the noise is a lot better, but is still there at times. You get use to it.

kevino · 17-08-2012, 02:00 PM

Yeah it will wear in with age!

5 and 6 speed manual gearboxes for me thanks.

Powershift, hmmm.

Yuecwy · 17-08-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonohoang

Hey there,

Welcome to the forum.

We have the exact same 'issue' as you, we have a 2012 Focus Titanium.
The noise started around 3000km. It happens when the car is hovering around the 1500 rpm mark.

We took it back to our local ford dealership and they checked to ensure we had the latest update for the transmission which we did. I also read extensively through forums and there is a video on youtube which explains that this noise is normal for the 'powershift transmission'.

It sounds like the engine is grinding or rattling. The dealer said it will get better when you put more km's on it. My car currently has 10,000kms and the noise is a lot better, but is still there at times. You get use to it.

Thanks for your reply. This is quite comforting as finally someone has the same issue as mine...

Is it possible for you to send me a link of that youtube video?

Yuecwy · 17-08-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Yeah it will wear in with age!

5 and 6 speed manual gearboxes for me thanks.

Powershift, hmmm.

Thanks for you reply SIR.

Ok. Seems like I might end up receiving the same explanation from the ford tech next week.

I will keep you guys informed after next tuesday

Yuecwy · 17-08-2012, 06:34 PM

GUYS. There is a new problem that the car is shaking when accelerating!!

Sometime when accelerating from stop, the car might shake alittle bit, which the Ford Technician says it is normal.

BUT TODAY, was accelerating from 60-85 with RPM 3000 (SPORT MODE).. the car shakes so SCARILY!!

I will inform the technician next Tuesday when taking the car in.

Anyone of you have this experience too??

marg99 · 17-08-2012, 08:26 PM

That sounds like a failing ignition system most likely a spark plug if it does it under acceleration

Gaspode · 18-08-2012, 12:37 PM

~~Carbon build up on the inlet valves?~~

Sorry, didn't pay attention to the fact you have the 1.6

I hope you get it sorted soon

Yuecwy · 21-08-2012, 05:52 PM

Hello Guys,

Just got the car back from the dealership. Results? same as I expected,
they said the vibration and transmission noise are normal and will get better as the car reaches 10000-15000 km. And they also checked that no parts are loose.

So that supposedly everything is normal.... OK..Now I guess I have to wait until my fofo to get to 10000 km to see if they ACTUALLY did a proper check for me...

Gaspode · 21-08-2012, 06:41 PM

Document what they have told you (time, date, person), and also document every time it does it (time, date).

It may be a pain now, but you will need it if it turns our that it's not "normal" in the future.

Yuecwy · 21-08-2012, 07:02 PM

Do you think it is possible to acquire the document of my car they created today? I was thinking of getting a copy of it but forgot to do so.

Russ · 21-08-2012, 08:18 PM

The response from the dealer sounds typical but I wouldn't accept it. See if you can try another dealer or have an independent inspection done and try and get someone with balls to back you up

There is no way that shaking scarily etc etc .... as you have described is normal and I would not sit back and listen to any more of the B.S. If you have no success with another dealer or an independent then I would be seeking advice from the Dept. of Fair Trading and having them arrange for one of their technical people to assess the problem and try to sort it out for you.

kevino · 21-08-2012, 08:44 PM

Are you a member of RACv/NRMA/RACq?
They could look at it and advise.

Yuecwy · 22-08-2012, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Are you a member of RACv/NRMA/RACq?
They could look at it and advise.

Hi Kevino,

I am not

Would you happen to know how much would it cost to have one of them to look at my car?

Yuecwy · 22-08-2012, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

The response from the dealer sounds typical but I wouldn't accept it. See if you can try another dealer or have an independent inspection done and try and get someone with balls to back you up

There is no way that shaking scarily etc etc .... as you have described is normal and I would not sit back and listen to any more of the B.S. If you have no success with another dealer or an independent then I would be seeking advice from the Dept. of Fair Trading and having them arrange for one of their technical people to assess the problem and try to sort it out for you.

Hi RUSS,
Thanks for your reply!

As I pointed out I don't know much about Car, so I didn't really know how to argue with that guy today. I will see if that scary shaking happens again, if it does happen, I will definitely follow what you tell me and try to get myself out of that dangerous car lol...

Where can I get an independent inspector to look at? And how much ?