Jock

NEW LINCOLN Experience. I traded in my EDGE after three years of relatively trouble free driving for a new LINCOLN MKX. Paid the extra dollars for all the bells a& whistles. The first thing I noticed after taking delivery was that the "daylight running lights" which are described in the Manuel as "headlights at a reduced intensity" were not working. After a visit to the dealership and some research I learned that the running lights which are now being installed are not the Headlights but the FRONT Turn Signal Lights programed to switch on when the car is running and activated to blink OFF when a turn is indicated. I find this a bit disconcerting given Ford's claim to "Advanced Safety Features". Nowhere have I found any mention of this in automobile articles or specifications. I called the Provincial Police Traffic Division to ask if highway driving with "parking lights" on was a recognized procedure and their response was an unqualified NO. They didn't think it advisable and suggested that in the alternative I switch to full headlights for daylight driving. So much for that "convenience" feature.. AND If you are a Canadian owner driving in the USA and think you will be covered by "Roadside Assistance" .. FORGET IT. At least if you are driving a LINCOLN and suffer a breakdown. After calling and going through a routine to provide your VIN Number, License Plate (TAG) Number etc you will be redirected to the USA provider where you will be told that.. "they only service automobiles built and REGISTERED in the USA".. and if you insist on speaking to a Supervisor you may be told, as I was, that.. "LINCOLN is a Chevvy product and we only deal with Ford customers.." No Kidding Folks.. truth is stranger than fiction. Oh Yes.. Then try using your "Bluetooth" with "Intuitive Voice Recognition Technology" to connect you with a Ford Dealer / Any Dealer/ OK a Gypsy tow-truck operator. Good luck if your car is disabled / switched off, and eighteen wheelers are whizzing by as you sit helpless / terrified at the side of the freeway looking for "Connectivity".

Took my six month old Lincoln MKX to the dealer to have the latest SYNC updates (three Notices of updates) installed, in conjunction with a 10K kilometer (6K Mile) service. They had the car for the full day i.e. from 7.30 am until 5.00 p.m because, according to the Service Manager, "the mechanic worked for 4½ hours to do the Sync upgrade before getting to the rest of the service". That's another hassle story .. No functioning Air Conditioning .. Technician says " a system check (costing me $120.00 + Tax ) indicates the AC meets specs. therefore it must be /is working fine.." So much for Under WARRANTY maintenance. What a joke. And here is the real hook, If I go to a maintenance facility other that Ford to have it fixed I could "Void the Vehicle Warranty". Well! The upgraded SYNC isn't so upgraded. I have lost all my Navigation 'Favourite' destinations' and 'settings'. Not a big deal but no one mentioned this would happen and not exactly a 'confidence in the system' builder. I think I'll be sticking with my trusty "Tom-Tom" for navigation. I can rely on it. More irritating is the fact that I have lost my phone 'bluetooth' function. There again it's not really a big loss as the "Voice Recognition" never worked me anyway. And the word "Intuitive" which Ford uses to describe it is a joke. I don't have that many contacts on my phone and it was always a hassle to try and get 'her majesty' to dial the correct one. Forget about a request to find a business establishment or the like. The system never ever comes close to working in the way it is shown in the commercials.. Oh and as an aside, If you are a Canadian owner driving in the USA and think you will be covered by "Roadside Assistance" .. FORGET IT. At least if you are driving a LINCOLN and suffer a breakdown. After calling and going through a routine to provide your VIN Number, License Plate (TAG) Number etc you will be redirected to the USA provider where you will be told that.. "they only service automobiles built and REGISTERED in the USA".. and if you insist on speaking to a Supervisor you may be told, as I was, that.. "LINCOLN is a Chevvy product and we only deal with Ford customers.." No Kidding Folks.. truth is stranger than fiction. Oh Yes.. Then try using your "Bluetooth" with "Intuitive Voice Recognition Technology" to connect you with a Ford Dealer / Any Dealer/ OK a Gypsy tow-truck operator. Good luck if your car is disabled / switched off, and eighteen wheelers are whizzing by as you sit helpless / terrified at the side of the freeway looking for "Connectivity". Or as a wise man said "I can't speak highly enough of this product".