akirby

Your dealer knew about it or at least had the information available.

Ignore any lights like that unless the engine is running.

I wouldn't trust any shop that says it can be patched or plugged.

NOT repairable - too close to the sidewall.

You can't "add a button" because they're not controlled by wires. You'll lose all the current touch screen functions.

There will probably be a version of the sync3 software for MFT vehicles but it won't have all of the functionality due to the hardware. It should be possible to swap the hardware too but it will be enormously expensive, if it's that important wait for the 2016.

We're on a cruise in the Mediterranean. Barcelona, France, west coast of Italy this week. Today we're in Venice, then Ravenna and Montenegro and back to Barcelona. I may not be able to eat American pizza again.

The MKX always weights more than the Edge due to more heavier equipment, more sound deadening, etc.

The tunes are new from Ford Performance and were probably developed for the ecoboost mustang first.

MKX is also heavier so it's probably a wash. Even if the Edge sport isn't on the current factory tune list that doesn't mean they won't add it later.

When you go from longitudinal (F150) to transverse (Edge) engine mounting you change intake and exhaust in addition to simple tuning differences. The advantage to using a Ford tune is you can be sure it's safe for the other components since it maintains the factory warranty.

Rear door speakers are not that important. I used the Polk Audio db5251s on my 06 Fusion and was happy with them - they're also not too expensive ($189 at crutchfield). I don't know if they'll sound better than the Sony speakers. Probably but you might want to search for someone who's already done an upgrade to be sure.

There is no reason your Edge liability insurance wouldn't cover your rental car. Did you ask your insurance company?

As long as you understand it's a gamble that's fine. For me the thought of spending $1500 that I may not use is much more stressful than paying for a needed repair.

But you would have SAVED $1500 up front. If you simply put that in the bank you could pay the $1K and still have $500 left. The price goes up $100 after 12 months. The best option if you can't afford a large repair bill is to finance it with the vehicle so you're never paying more than a few bucks per month. But it IS going to be cheaper in the long run over several vehicles except in very rare circumstances. Just like Vegas - you might win a jackpot now and then but if you play long enough the house will always win because they set the odds in their favor. Ford sets the odds in their favor by the price they charge. They charge more than the average repair - otherwise they wouldn't make any money. So by insuring yourself you will, on average over multiple vehicles, end up paying less over time. That's just the way it works. I think people have an aversion to paying for a $3K repair one time and would prefer to pay $1500 up front on 4 vehicles, even though $6K is double $3K. I guess when it's rolled into the cost of the vehicle or purchased individually it just seems better. E.g. - I've kept at least 5 vehicles at least 2 years past the factory warranty, sometimes longer. I may have spent $500 on all of them in various repairs that would have been covered by the extended warranty. However, by not buying any of the warranties I've saved at least $7K. Even if I have to spend $3K tomorrow I'm ok with that because I'm still $3500 ahead.

The pulley spins but the load on the engine is varied, otherwise there would be no fuel savings possible. Not sure how they accomplish it - gearing? It's definitely mechanical.

The same way the pulley for the A/C compressor is always spinning but only engages when necessary. It's like the difference between spinning a car wheel with it in neutral versus in gear. In neutral there is virtually no load so it's not robbing any power from the engine. When engaged it's robbing torque.

Spark plugs won't hurt but I wouldn't do anything else without codes. Buy a code reader - they're cheap.

Stop it already!

Yes the alternator does variable charging but that's not what is killing batteries. It's the added current draw from all the new electronics including when the vehicle is not running.

If you really want to do something, replace the front speakers with a good component set first. The rest gets complicated bypassing the Sony amp and adding your own amps, subs, etc.

Most finance contracts give you a 30-45 day window (at least) for the first payment.

Guilty......

Oh the willpower it's taking me not to quote your last 2 sentences........

Sorry - got confused between Fusion and Edge. If you replace the door driver you'll need a crossover to run the factory tweeter.