Goldy

I've not yet done this on the Edge, but have all my other cars (hardwired for Valentine 1). Personnaly, I prefer to use something call 'add a curcuit' (bought mine in the past from Pep-Boys, though I'd guess most auto parts stores sell them). Simply put, I find an existing circuit (from the fuse box) which come on when the key is on (simple enough). I then use the 'add a circuit' to create a new circuit for the hardwired radar detector (maintains the original fuse for the original curcuit, as well as adds another for the added circuit). I remove the trim panels (interior A-pilar molding, and molding between the roof/ceiling liner and windsheild, if it's there), and route the wires. The ground can pretty much be anywhere, though I've always found a place somewhere under the dash (this way, I only run one wire with pos and neg leads, from the fuse box area to the location for the radar detector.) Also, using the add-a-circuit does not require splicing into any existing wiring. Anyway, this is my preference....good luck.

Yes..great minds think alike...this thought did cross my mind...kinda wish Ford would have done this from the 'git-go'. My 2005 F250 has an external cartridge filter (servicing it is easy). I'm going to look closely at the external filter housing in my F250, and see if I could use the same housing on the Edge (I like the idea of being able to use another Ford product as a reference when I need filters)...I'm certain I can order the housing Ford. Though from a quick glance, there's a ton more room in the engine bay of the F250 than the Edge...I may have to get creative...I'll see what I can come up with. I'm not an expert on this tranny by any means, but I'm now starting to wonder if having another filter would cause too much of a pressure drop....or perhaps be more tranny fluid for the pump (to pump)...and maybe cause other problems (ie...pump failure).... ugh... I'm know Ford doesn't over-engineer things like they used tooo...I just hate thinking I purchased a ~$40,000 car, which is engineered to be disposible (in a sense) after 100,000 miles o4r so...I'm used to running them much longer...

Hey Kirb...did you happen to find out the rational for basically making the filter inaccessible? This one does puzzle me a bit...are the clutches in the tranny now made differently than years past? If so (no metal coming off of them), I can maybe better understand...this one just boggles my mind. Thx.

Thx for the response druck...I do appreciate it....definitely gonna buy the manual soon.

With transmissions I've dealt w/ in the past, I would disagree...but, who knows on the Edge. I'm a big do-it-youselfer and maintenance fanatic...had a Bronco w/ 340,000 miles on it before I got rid of it; 240,000 on my Explorer before I got rid of it...mechanically, both ran very well till the end, and I serviced the trannys on both yearly (changed fuild and filter on each at approx. every 25,000...cheap insurance in my opinion). There was always some 'metallic black stuff' in the pan, more-so around the magnet in the pan, and I'm certain a fair amount in the filter. I always noticed the tranny shifting smoother after I changed the filter. I can't imagine the Edge's tranny works that much differently... I must say...happy with the Edge thus far (approx 3,500 miles on it), but would never had bought it if I'd known the filter is not servicable w/o removing the tranny. In my opinion, this is pi$$-poor design...could have put an external filter on if clearance/access was an issue....thank goodness the engine doesn't need to be removed to change the oil filter.... Druck...Thx for posting the tranny pics....where did you get those? Also, I've noticed there's a black plastic cover on the front side (area which faces the radiator) of the transaxle...would you know if the filter can be accessed through this cover?

Wait a sec...I've not heard of this before....'case has to be removed and split'....surely this doesn't mean remove the tranny??? I've not looked that closely at the tranny yet, but I most certainly will.....I couldn't imagine getting to the trans. filter is that big an event.

Hi Lex. Will do...may be a few days till I can get the pic in the daylight, but I'll post it as soon as I do.

quote name='anglwngss' post='30589' date='Sep 12 2009, 04:32 PM']anyone gotten a chrome deflector and had it installed yet? or a smoke colored one, either? thanks! Yes. I put the WeatherTech bug sheild on my wife's '09. It's not chrome...it's smoke colored...looks great on the 'tri-sand white platinum' (I think I'm referring to it correctly...it's the metallic white color which cost a bit more). I don't have pics, but could take some if you'd like. The WeatherTech bug shield cost approx. the same as others (~$80 shipped), and fits perfectly. Instructions said it could be installed using only the double sided tape, or also w/ screws (both the tape and screws came w/ it). I used both the tape and screws to better ensure it won't come loose. Again, very happy w/ it....the mounting part of the bug deflector perfectly matched every contour/indent on where it mounted to the underside of the hood. Here's a pic (just took it...dark here now, but I think it will give you a good idea of how it looks):

I guess you're looking to hard-wire your Valentine 1? (Excellent radar detector choice... ) I've not done this (yet) on the Edge, but have on 4 other cars. My advice...power off a circuit (from the fuse box) which come on/goes off when the key is on/off (ie: Power Windows circuit is what I've typically used). More recently, I've used something called 'add a circuit' (bought my last one at Pep-Boys). This thing takes the place of a fuse, maintains the current circuit and uses the fuse which was originally installed, as well as adds another fused circuit...no cutting wires, and can easily be returned to original condition by removing... One of the best mod's I'd ever done. As far as running the wire, I've removed the trim pieces (a-pilar and the one along the headliner...if one is present), and then figure out how best to run the wire. I've not looked closely enough at the hole for the wires for the auto dimmer mirror...may not be hard to route....the Valentine uses very small wires (only one pair in a typical phone line cord), though you may/probably will need the entire phone cord (all wires w/ sheathing) to connect the modular jack which plugs into the Valentine. (Perhaps better put....I was thinking if you want to use the hole, and the phone cord won't fit, you could try running only the 2 wires which the Valentine needs through the hole...not sure how well this would work...I've not tried it...just a thought.) Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Yup...I'm using a K&N... After I installed it, I did not disconnect, then reconnect my battery; I just left it connected. What did I notice...perhaps more throttle response, but not certain what else. I've used K&N filters for years...never had any issues what-so-ever. (Had a 1990 Bronco w/ a K&N air filter...put 340,000 miles on it before I got rid of it...no engine problems; engine never used any oil per the dipstick). As others have mentioned, I have heard of problems which can happen if the filter element is 'over-oiled'. I never 'over-oiled' mine...no problems. As for my (or I should say my wife's) milage, I don't know if it helped; I put it in when I got the car, so I don't know what the milage would have been w/ the paper filter. The Edge is an '09, AWD, and is getting a combined 21.0 mpg (w/ the K&N). Good luck, H

Thx all for the feedback. Looks like 5W20 is the choice among most here in the Edge forum. If interested, checkout this link...talks about thiner vs. thicker oils. http://www.noria.com/learning_center/categ...oup=Maintenance Howard

Had the exact same problem. Apparently, some of the newer Edges (later 09's and 10's I'm guessing) take the Motorcraft FL500 (or FL500S...I can't remember, but there's only one of these...not both). Only place I could find the darn think was at the Ford dealer. And for what it's worth, the owner's manual states to the Edge takes the FL400S in the manual, but in another supplement which came w/ the manual, it states the Edge takes either the FL400 or FL500. Good luck, Howard

I run Mobil 1 5W30 in both my Cobras ('99 and '03), and both run flawlessly. For the '03, owner's manual 'recommends' using 5W20, but states nothing about voiding a warranty should 5W30 be used. With as hot as the '03 gets (its supercharged, and it gets awfully hot), I feel better about running something a bit thicker...I believe it offers more of a safety blanket w/ regard to protection. Keep in mind it's a thin oil film which actually provides protection...While it may be ok for very conservative operation, I am concerned that the 5W20 may be too thin optimal engine protection (not sure how much of the film is left on engine parts after it's sheared). Years ago, I called SVT (Ford SVT) and asked them about using 5W30 in the '03...all they would say is that Ford 'recommends' the 5W20, but would not say that the 5W30 would cause problems/void the warranty (I asked specifically). The engine in my (or I should say my wife's) '09 Edge seems to get pretty hot...seems to emit more heat after running than my '99 Cobra. I'm not sure if Ford uses the 5W20 to get better milage numbers...In my way of thinking, I couldn't imagine 5W30 causing damage...but I truly don't know. Anyway, I was just curious if anyone has used the 5W30. Thx.

Just purchased an '09 Edge AWD Limited. I was curious if anyone is using synthetic 5W30 rather than 5W20. To me, the 5W20 seems quite thin (kinda watery), and I would think the 5W30 would offer better protection (maybe cost a bit on milage, but engine protection is more important to me). Thx. BTW - I've used Mobile 1 5W30 on many of my other cars, and am a believer that it makes a difference. I traded a '96 Explorer (did the cash for clunker thing) w/ 240,000 miles on the new Edge. The Explorer's engine (5.0 L) was actually in what I would say excellent condition; didn;'t burn any oil, and used Mobil 1 5W30 in it since new (I was the original owner). (Actually, the Explorer ran well, but the body/interior was beginning to show its age, and some things were starting to fail. After 14 years, the AC just went, the water pump and maybe the radiator started to leak, brakes needed to be replaced, and not certain if something major like the tranny was going to south soon...plus the cash for clunker thing made this a no brainer for me.) When the dealership 'destroyed' the engine (drained the crankcase, filled w/ water and something they called 'liquid glass' and then ran it), they said the engine ran for almost 2 minutes before it quit; they said most engines died literally seconds after running w/ the water/liquid glass. I think the continual use of the synthetic oil may have been the reason.