Fuses and radar detector and more

[hotrodlincolnMARIA]

Hi, we're new owners of a 6/auto LS. I have a question about the "1 power outlets" listed as standard equipment. Where is it? Is it the second cigar lighter that I saw once but dont have? Is the second lighter an option? On what model? Also, I'm putting my radar detector in this car and I'm wondering what fuse (pass. kick panel) would be best to use? I want the radar to shut off with the car and I notice the cigar lighter doesn't do this. There was a previous post about the driver mirror vibrating at high speed or loud music, we have noticed this too! It does seem looser than the pass. side mirror. Anyway, all advice is appreciated! Great car so far!

[Lscman]

Howdy. Use the radio fuse for the detector. The Ford/Lincoln electric mirror servos have some slop in them that sometimes shows as blurry vision & vibration. Tell them to replace it.

[hotrodlincolnMARIA]

Is it true that only the LS8 comes with the rear cigar lighter? If so, why? Seems like a simple/good thing to have. We run a laptop or cell phone and the fron is just not a good place to have it plugged.

By the way, if all the LS come with Firestones then why did ours (purchased 9/00) comes with Continental brand tires? Salesman said only 4 of his 40 cars had them and he didnt know why. We wanted Firestone so he swapped them out the other day. Are they just being paranoid over this Firestone thing or what?

[351CJ]

V6 non sport LS's come with Continentals 215/60R16that have a 120 MPH speed rating. Your V6 LS's governor is set for about a 120 MPH cutout.

V8 non sport LS's come with Firestone FireHawk LH tire with a 140 MPH speed rating 215/60R16 size.

V6 & V8's with the sport option both have 235/50R17 size Firestone FireHawk tires (140 MPH rating).

While the 16" Firestones are a better performance tire than the Continentals (cornering grip) I hope you don't have the out of round or slipping belt problems that many of us V8 non-sport Firestone tired LS owners have. As far as I'm concerned the Firesone tires I have are garbage. They act act if they are flat spotted from sitting in one spot for 5 years (my LS was 30 days old when I got it). They've been rebalanced with no results. I'm sure the balance is just fine but they are either out of round or have the famous Firestone slipping belt problem. I've also heard of 2 16" blowouts that LS owners have had with 16" Firestone tires. I just hope I don't wind up rolled over after a Firestone blow out like a Ford Explorer. I'm about to give up on my out of round Firestones and get some real tires, like Michelin.

PS: Hate to be a downer here, but slap your salesman in the face for me next time you see him. I simply can't stand those auto salesmen that don't know about the product they are selling. (i.e. didn't know which tires came on which model). Hope your dealer didn't stick your old 120 MPH Continentals on a V8 LS that has a 140 MPH governor!

[Lscman]

351CJ,
A friend of mine just purchased a top-of-the-line Y2K Taurus with the $700 option DOHC 3.0L. Three of the Firestone tires caused bad vibration in turns. It was very noticeable and the dealer knew exactly where to look. It is quite common.

[351CJ]

LSCMAN: Thanks for the info, on the Firestones. As I mentioned in my previous post I am aware of the problems with the Firstones but so far I have not been able to get my dealer to do anything but rotate and re-balance the tires. If you have any in print or internet references to the problem that I can show my dealer I'd appreciate it. My LS is at the dealer right now for another vibration problem go around. I've also read chat rooms for non-Ford brands that have had the same Firestone tire problems.

Maria: My apologies if I was too nasty in my reply on the tires and your salesman, but I was having an anxiety attact at the time beacause I was about to bring my LS into the dealer one more time for the above problem. I should complement your salesman for being honest enough to say "I don't know" instead of making up some salesman story. As far as my LS-8 goes, great car, horrible Firestone tires and mediocre, at best, dealers.

[Lscman]

I think $30 generic tires from a discount store might beat the current crop of Firestone's. Perhaps you're lucky you got the so-called lesser Continental tires, Maria. Sorry, 351CJ but there is no link or TSB concerning the wobbly Firestone sedan tires. However, most brand name tire dealers (Firestone, Michelin, Goodyear etc) will exchange a vibrating tire for free if it has 90% tread remaining. A Firestone dealer may not be in the mood to do this for you at this moment, for obvious reasons.

[lincolnls8]

Hi,
My LS8 does not have the power outlet that you mention. I have the sport package and all the little goodies including the phone. I did notice when I looked at the 2001 models witht the LS Sport Package that they have it under the rear passenger a/c vent. I too have the lovely vibrating Firehawks.
Hope this helps.
Mine was built in April.

[351CJ]

lincolnls8: The 2000 MY LS's do not have the 2nd power outlet at the rear of the console. The 2nd power outlet is a MY 2001 addition along with the new recessed and larger cup holders. Some of the last MY 2000 LS's may have been built with these changes.

At what speed(s) do you feel the vibrations in your tires?

[lincolnls8]

I know that the 01's have them but the nice little video that came with the car stated that it has the aux power outlets. The video also shows putting in the CD changer cart. in upside down which is incorrect. I am sure that Maria thought the same thing. The tires vibrate for at least ten miles at all speeds until them seem to "warm" up. It can be 100 degrees outside and they still do it.
I have been told this is common to Z rated tires but my BMW M3 with Michelin Pilots that were also Z rated did not do this even with 30k on them they still did not do this.
And I am glad that they changed the cup holders. There is also a Valet button inside the glove box for what I don't know yet.