Cobra Jet
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- April 11, 2006
- Messages
- 152
- Reaction score
- 14
- City, State
- Southern, NJ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2004 XLS
So my 2018 S550 is in for warranty repairs and my Ford Dealer has put me into a 2020 Explorer ST loaner.
First I have to say - the Explorer has come a long way since we had owned a prior 2004...
Second - this 2020 ST is pretty damn cool overall. The truck definitely “giddy-ups” and Sport mode is killer. The one I’m in MSRP’d @ $58k. The overall redesign inside and out is really nice, definitely an improvement even over the prior Gen.
Since this is a loaner, I do have a few questions and comments. The questions are mainly because there is no owners manual in it.
Comments (I’ve read nearly all the posts in this 2020 sub-section):
1) Fuel sloshing - yes this exists and is more prevalent when coming to a stop. I don’t feel or hear it when accelerating or leaving a stop. I’ve read the thread about this and was just wondering more why it occurs only for some owners and not others. Is it possible there’s something loose within the tank?
2) Brake fade - IMO, having owned many Mustangs, other sports cars and large SUVs, the brakes on this ST are just “small”. I do feel like there is brake fade even coming down from say the average 65mph on the interstates or local highways. This thing is pushing 4700+ w/400HP and riding on 20” rims - Ford needs to put much larger front/rear rotors and calipers on the ST (or even Platinum).
3) The Auto Start/Stop (ASS) - Ford, stop putting this useless and annoying feature in your product line. I turn the damn thing off every time I start the ST. It’s just totally annoying, I can’t see how the Engineers feel this saves fuel - and more so IMO, it’s wear/tear on the starter. I saw it can be disabled via Forscan, but maybe someone just needs to create and incorporate a manual bypass with the ASS switch on the console.
4) The 10” Portrait SYNC - nice feature but IMO too large. It just looks like it’s stuck there and out of place. If anything, Ford should mount this so it can be swiveled L or R. Having it dead center and stationary, it’s an awkward reach for the driver to use while in transit OR even at idle. I’ve also noticed there is a lag or delay when going between features or screens - good ol SYNC OS, still buggy even after how many years of its initial roll out?? LOL.
5) 10R60 - no issues with this one. I read all the threads and responses about this trans on here. Every shift in THIS ST is smooth and without any clunkiness, jerkiness or lags. In all Drive Modes the trans really shifts nice and definitely performs great when in Sport or using the manual mode too. It has no issues either with the downshifts when coming to a stop or slowing down. Coming from my S550 w/10R80 - the 10R60 in THIS ST shifts hella way better than my 10R80.... I wish Ford could get the trans parameters ironed out on the 10R80...
Questions:
1) The “auto lamp” feature (headlights). How come every time I start the truck, it automatically defaults to auto lamps ON? I’ve looked for the feature to override it but can’t find it. It’s just (to me) annoying that the headlights come on when starting it every time in the morning when there is daylight.... Am I missing the override feature in the SYNC settings?
2) What is the little button on the left steering wheel stalk? I didn’t want to push it because I have no idea what it will do... lol
3) The remote start works great. But I’m puzzled as to why when I go into the SYNC settings, under “Remote Start”, it’s turned off but still works? Is this “remote start” for the WiFi option for Ford Pass or is it related to the fobs??
I’ve read the mpg discussions too. I can say that having been in this ST going on the 3rd week now and due to my daily driving and distance driven, it is getting 23.2 mph when it’s used in Eco/Normal mode. Pretty surprising again for a 4700lb+ 400HP Beast.
This is definitely a bargain Performance SUV for all the bells and whistles that comes with it - even at the $58k MSRP (which we all know can be discounted down depending on selling dealer discounts, avail Ford discounts/incentives and personal bargaining traits).
Thanks for the read and any replies.
First I have to say - the Explorer has come a long way since we had owned a prior 2004...
Second - this 2020 ST is pretty damn cool overall. The truck definitely “giddy-ups” and Sport mode is killer. The one I’m in MSRP’d @ $58k. The overall redesign inside and out is really nice, definitely an improvement even over the prior Gen.
Since this is a loaner, I do have a few questions and comments. The questions are mainly because there is no owners manual in it.
Comments (I’ve read nearly all the posts in this 2020 sub-section):
1) Fuel sloshing - yes this exists and is more prevalent when coming to a stop. I don’t feel or hear it when accelerating or leaving a stop. I’ve read the thread about this and was just wondering more why it occurs only for some owners and not others. Is it possible there’s something loose within the tank?
2) Brake fade - IMO, having owned many Mustangs, other sports cars and large SUVs, the brakes on this ST are just “small”. I do feel like there is brake fade even coming down from say the average 65mph on the interstates or local highways. This thing is pushing 4700+ w/400HP and riding on 20” rims - Ford needs to put much larger front/rear rotors and calipers on the ST (or even Platinum).
3) The Auto Start/Stop (ASS) - Ford, stop putting this useless and annoying feature in your product line. I turn the damn thing off every time I start the ST. It’s just totally annoying, I can’t see how the Engineers feel this saves fuel - and more so IMO, it’s wear/tear on the starter. I saw it can be disabled via Forscan, but maybe someone just needs to create and incorporate a manual bypass with the ASS switch on the console.
4) The 10” Portrait SYNC - nice feature but IMO too large. It just looks like it’s stuck there and out of place. If anything, Ford should mount this so it can be swiveled L or R. Having it dead center and stationary, it’s an awkward reach for the driver to use while in transit OR even at idle. I’ve also noticed there is a lag or delay when going between features or screens - good ol SYNC OS, still buggy even after how many years of its initial roll out?? LOL.
5) 10R60 - no issues with this one. I read all the threads and responses about this trans on here. Every shift in THIS ST is smooth and without any clunkiness, jerkiness or lags. In all Drive Modes the trans really shifts nice and definitely performs great when in Sport or using the manual mode too. It has no issues either with the downshifts when coming to a stop or slowing down. Coming from my S550 w/10R80 - the 10R60 in THIS ST shifts hella way better than my 10R80.... I wish Ford could get the trans parameters ironed out on the 10R80...
Questions:
1) The “auto lamp” feature (headlights). How come every time I start the truck, it automatically defaults to auto lamps ON? I’ve looked for the feature to override it but can’t find it. It’s just (to me) annoying that the headlights come on when starting it every time in the morning when there is daylight.... Am I missing the override feature in the SYNC settings?
2) What is the little button on the left steering wheel stalk? I didn’t want to push it because I have no idea what it will do... lol
3) The remote start works great. But I’m puzzled as to why when I go into the SYNC settings, under “Remote Start”, it’s turned off but still works? Is this “remote start” for the WiFi option for Ford Pass or is it related to the fobs??
I’ve read the mpg discussions too. I can say that having been in this ST going on the 3rd week now and due to my daily driving and distance driven, it is getting 23.2 mph when it’s used in Eco/Normal mode. Pretty surprising again for a 4700lb+ 400HP Beast.
This is definitely a bargain Performance SUV for all the bells and whistles that comes with it - even at the $58k MSRP (which we all know can be discounted down depending on selling dealer discounts, avail Ford discounts/incentives and personal bargaining traits).
Thanks for the read and any replies.
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