Feirstein

The only issue with the plug change on the Edge is with early 07's. They sport an extra wire going to a heated PVC valve. If you don't know about this extra wire you will think you have removed everthing needed and pull on the intake valve to remove it and wind up breaking the wire. (Yes, I speak from experience). Be careful out there.

Ford recommends an SN quality 5W-20 for the latest Edge. The use of Amsoil will not void the warranty. I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 which I know meets Fords requirements.

Have you figured out how to retrofit the new tail lights into older Edge's so that they can benefit from the amber turn segment?

You may say that, but I just went over the 90,000 mile mark on my Hydroedge set on my Chrysler mini-van, but at 165,000 miles will not pay for a set of Defenders as replacements, the Hankook Optimo H727's will have to do.

For better fuel economy get rid of any extra weight in the vehicle, keep the tires pumped up, replace the tires with low rolling resistance tires (none yet made in the Edge size that I know of), use the proper motor oil viscosity, (0W-20) and drive conservatively.

Remember, Ford spec's different shocks on car's equipped with the 20" wheels. They weigh a lot more.

The Defender is not a compromised tire but a high end tire that exhibits high levels of performance for an all-season tire; and lasts 90,000 miles. I have read that Ford tested many tires, but some of the OEM tires Ford offers with the Edge actually exhibit some of the lowest scores from users on the Tire Rack site. The Edge tires are so unique that relatively few choices are offered. Just why would Michelin insist that the Edge is a light truck not worthy of a wider selection of tires outside of their light truck offerings? Seems like Ford could step in to correct that impression. I need new all season tires and feel a bit fustrated.

I contacted Michelin to find out when their new super tire (90,000 mile warranty all season, etc) would be made available in a size that would fit the Edge. Their email reply was that Michelin considers the Edge to be a light truck and therefore will only offer light truck tires in a size to fit the Edge. I think Ford needs to get into contact with Michelin and let them know that a broader line of tires needs to be offered for the Edge other than the current light truck tires Michelin now thinks is the only line appropriate for the Edge.

Yes, the converter box was not a solution. Strange things started to happen. I will report back when I find a good solution.

It is not just the wheel size but also the offset that can cause interference. The only way to tell for sure is to get a wheel of the proper offset in a 16" size and give it a try.

My recommendation, posted above, came from a Ford engineer who had inside information. I followed his suggestions and they worked. Just changing out the front pads is not a complete solution for a 2008 Edge, in my opinion. All I can report is that my Bendix police rated pads and the upgraded power booster solved my lack of confidence in the Edge's brakes.

If KYB or Bilstein offered mono-tubed high pressure shocks for the Edge it would be a wonderful thing. But they don't because they don't view the the typical Edge owner as a likely purchaser of high performance shocks. I have called both companies and left the conversations truly fustrated.

I speak from experience here since my 07 Edge came with brakes that were not adequate. With the changes made to my Edge it now has superb braking performance. First; update the power booster to the latest version sold by the Ford Dealer. About $100 and a 1 hour self-service job. Search on this site for instructions and pictures. Second: switch to a good semi-metalic pad set for the front. You know, the kind that gets your wheels dirty. If you go to NAPA ask if they have a police semi-metalic pad set that will fit. I am using a set from Bendix. Ford also addressed the bad braking reputation of early Edges by installing stiffer rear shocks, but I did not find that change necessary in my case.

My O7 SEL+ Edge (all wheel drive with the Big Ass Sunroof) in 100,000 miles, has needed a change of plugs and a replacement Brake Booster. Other than the fact that a jammed CD just distroyed the changer, it has been a great ride. I have no complaints about the ride quality or road or wind noise on my 18 wheels and OEM shocks and springs. The new brake booster and a switch to highly rated brake pads even turned this into a good stopping vehicle. But again, my vehicle is not equipped with any of that new electronic stuff that is driving too many people nuts.

Mobil 1 EP is specifically formulated to extended drain schedules such that sludge will not form under an extended drain schedule. Mobil guarantees the motor if 15,000 mile changes (or less) are utilized. Yes I have specific experience and training to support my opinion on this matter. As I say, if you have a motor that tends to for sluge, use a good synthetic, it you also want to use an extended change cycle, use an oil formulated for that use; such as Mobil 1 EP. Sludge usually is attributed to short drives in cool/cold damp weather or to motors that have areas that remain too cool to burn off the water. It is water + contaminates that are not driven off or nutralized that result in sludge formation. The quality of the filter has no role in this process.

Mobil 1 EP can be used in those rare sluge prone motors for an extended period without producing sluge. It is always important to match the type of oil to the application. My sluge prone RAV4 motor is always fed Mobil 1 EP 10W-30 and I only change it once a year and it has no evidence of any sluge buildup; none.

When Audi and Toyota had sludge issues (related to too much cooling in parts of the motor), they strongly recommended that users switch to Mobil 1.

Mobil 1 Extended Performance (EP) oil is a great example of an oil that can be used for extended change cycles (15,000 miles or 1 year) and meet every expectation of engine protection. (But not if you only take very short drives that do not worm up the oil in cold weather to drive off the water in the oil). I have used it in several vehicles with 1 year oil changes and have had no wear or sludge issues and have over 150,000 miles on these vehicles. My BMW Z3 3L uses Mobil 1 0W-40 European Formula and BMW's oil change program indicates a 2 year change cycle for this vehicle that does not get any use over the winter months and less that 5000 miles during the milder seasons. No evidence of sludge and the Blackstone test came back after its first 2 year cycle with Like new oil results. Be sure to use oil with at least an SL, SM or the latest SN specifacation and the proper viscosity for your location. Your manual will tell you if SM or SN is mandated in your motor. It is a complex subject, but 3,500 mile changes are likely way to frequent to justify under most if any circumstances except for the user who never drives long enough to truly heat up the motor; that is the true oil killer.

Ford, at the very least, at the factory, changes to a stiffer shock when changing from a 17 or 18" wheel to a 20" wheel.

If you were a reader of "bobistheoilguy.com" you would understand why, under most circumstances, 5,000 mile oil changes are a total waste of money and natural resources. 7,500 miles on conventional oil and a bit longer, up to a year on something like Mobil 1 EP, is consistant with long engine life.

Go to your car's service manual pages in the owner's manual and only do what it tells you is required! Asking for a 30,000 service is = to please TAKE MY MONEY.

Do you have the three plug OEM changer radio?

Do yourself a favor. Keep the 17" size and opt for some cool looking light weight wheels. You will actually lose some ride quality and performance switching to much heavier OEM 20" wheels and tires.

The latest and greatest tires are not offered in the Ford Edge 22" and 18" sizes. Production runs in these sizes is limited and Ford actually had to cut back production of the Edge a number of months ago because it could not obtain enough tires in its somewhat unique sizes. Ford could produce a Sports edition of the Edge with 16" tires that likely would outperform the Edge with 22" tires. It would ride a lot better, tire choices would be far greater, and likely performance would be enhanced. The decision to go with 22" tires is purely a fashion decision, not a performance decision.

Tire Rack shows only 4 tires in the 22" size. The Yokohama Parada Spec-X had the highest user rating. The Perelli Scorpions had the lowest. None of the 4 had a high wear rating; all were over $200.00 each! (Too bad Ford does not offer the Edge with a 16" common sized option.)