Is it safe/easy to use the emergency key in the Mk2.5 proximity fob to open the bonnet latch?  I assume they originally came with a solid spare key but I only got 2 keyless fobs with the car.

Something I'd never considered before but is probably the main reason they changed back to a cabin release lever for the Mk3.  In an emergency (engine catching fire on the motorway perhaps) you'd potentially have to stop, go round the boot, dig through your bag to find the proximity fob, fiddle about opening it up and then presumably it takes considerable effort using the emergency blade, if it's possible at all?   

45 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Is it safe/easy to use the emergency key in the Mk2.5 proximity fob to open the bonnet latch?  I assume they originally came with a solid spare key but I only got 2 keyless fobs with the car.

Something I'd never considered before but is probably the main reason they changed back to a cabin release lever for the Mk3.  In an emergency (engine catching fire on the motorway perhaps) you'd potentially have to stop, go round the boot, dig through your bag to find the proximity fob, fiddle about opening it up and then presumably it takes considerable effort using the emergency blade, if it's possible at all?   

I don't know, but is there something that you are not telling us Tom, have you gone back to a Mk2.5.

I have used the emergency key in my Mk4 door and it is very hard to turn. 

I used to have a 2010 Kuga which I owned from new. It only ever came with 2 keyfobs with the emergency key blade inside. The handbook for the Kuga actually had a picture of you using the emergency key blade to open the bonnet lock if I remember correctly. My daughter has the car now so I can check the handbook if needs be.

1 hour ago, Tizer said:

I don't know, but is there something that you are not telling us Tom, have you gone back to a Mk2.5.

I do own another Mk2.5 but haven't driven it yet.  Haven't been able to drive for nearly 6 months but trying to make a plan for getting back on the road again in small steps.  I know it'll be slow process and there are so many unknowns/variables that it's hard to plan for.  Mk4 has too many issues for me (engine vibrations, jittery over rough surfaces, wallowy on corners, glass roof causing bright interior and hot head and the dash screens (vertigo/migraines) so that's not manageable.  Golf failed MOT in Nov, physically can't fix it myself, too much hassle/stress to have a garage repair it and I can't find a mobile mechanic.  So I decided to buy the only other car that has been physically acceptable for me long term in terms of ride comfort and seat comfort, and has no glass roof or colour screens...Mk2.5 Focus Titanium.  Amazingly found one very local with full MOT, full dealership history and a seller willing to deliver!  The idea is to use it for a few months, and then get something much newer for 99.9% reliability if I can repeatedly manage to drive more than a mile again (no point otherwise).  Still hoping for Motability eligibility but at this point that's still an unknown.  The Mk2.5 can then either be part exchanged or sold on here if anyone would like it.    

 

1 hour ago, unofix said:

I used to have a 2010 Kuga which I owned from new. It only ever came with 2 keyfobs with the emergency key blade inside. The handbook for the Kuga actually had a picture of you using the emergency key blade to open the bonnet lock if I remember correctly. My daughter has the car now so I can check the handbook if needs be.

Thanks Dave.  Maybe that is just how they are then!  The Focus manual states to 'use the spare key' but isn't clear about whether that's an additional physical key or just the emergency blade as shown above.

Tom, from experience, the bonnet lock will likely break negating any 'legitimate' means to open it, mine has failed 4 x times... I now carry a 9" flat blade screwdriver as my emergency 'breakdown' key LOL

1 minute ago, StephenFord said:

Tom, from experience, the bonnet lock will likely break negating any 'legitimate' means to open it, mine has failed 4 x times... I now carry a 9" flat blade screwdriver as my emergency 'breakdown' key LOL

  I don't intend to risk opening it unless there's an emergency for exactly that reason.  It had MOT & convenience check at the main dealer a month ago so will trust they've checked everything under there properly.

In fairness, mine didn't break once on the previous Mk2.5 and I owned that one for 3.5 years! 

We've had our Mk2.5 Zetec for 8 years and it hasn't broken yet. I expect it will now I've said that . . . . .

19 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I do own another Mk2.5 but haven't driven it yet.

That is good news and you may have a better chance of getting back to driving with that one because of the familiarity and good vibes (no pun intended) from when you had one last and I'm not being cheeky by saying that.

If the Motability thing does not work out then the Focus should be a good buy if it has been dealer serviced and MOT'd, all the bits that usually need replaced by now should have been. 

37 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

... glass roof causing bright interior and hot head

I just noticed this. All the previous cars I owned with sunroofs had a sliding shutter to cover them, does the Focus not have one?

4 minutes ago, Tizer said:

That is good news and you may have a better chance of getting back to driving with that one because of the familiarity and good vibes (no pun intended) from when you had one last and I'm not being cheeky by saying that.

If the Motability thing does not work out then the Focus should be a good buy if it has been dealer serviced and MOT'd, all the bits that usually need replaced by now should have been. 

Thanks, yeah that's what I'm hoping!

There is one massive elephant in the room with it regarding potential reliability though.  113k miles, 11 years, no cambelt history...   Could fail tomorrow...could last another few years.  It's not worth the cost or hassle of me having replaced at a garage so will just risk it for now.  As I will only be driving very locally around my suburban estate I'll be able to walk home if the worst did happen.  Financially not great of course, would have to sell as spares/repair, but that'll be a bridge to cross if it comes.

If Motability doesn't work out, I can sell the Mk4, pay off the remaining finance, and then use what's left to buy a newer used car.  Most likely a Mk7 Golf as they were still very similar to the Mk6 in the crucial areas for me.

22 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

I just noticed this. All the previous cars I owned with sunroofs had a sliding shutter to cover them, does the Focus not have one?

It's a full panoramic glass roof, not just a small sunroof.  It does have a blind (even electronically opened/closed lol!) but it's grey coloured and very thin.  Even with the blind closed the sun can be felt strongly through it.  Personally, I'd have designed it with a reflective top surface but I guess they thought the tinted glass would reduce heat enough.  The ST gets a black roof lining which might be better but this video shows the grey one. 

 

5 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

There is one massive elephant in the room with it regarding potential reliability though.  113k miles, 11 years, no cambelt history...   Could fail tomorrow...could last another few years.  It's not worth the cost or hassle of me having replaced at a garage so will just risk it for now.  As I will only be driving very locally around my suburban estate I'll be able to walk home if the worst did happen.  Financially not great of course, would have to sell as spares/repair, but that'll be a bridge to cross if it comes.

I've changed Cambelts religiously on cars that I have owned and never had one that looked remotely like it was about to fall to bits. I do think that they often fail because of something that is driven by them failing and you have the expertise to be able to tell if that is likely if your hearing is ok. 

11 minutes ago, Tizer said:

I've changed Cambelts religiously on cars that I have owned and never had one that looked remotely like it was about to fall to bits. I do think that they often fail because of something that is driven by them failing and you have the expertise to be able to tell if that is likely if your hearing is ok. 

Tbf I changed the belt on the last one at just under 10 years/72k miles and it still looked fine so hoping it'll be ok.  The Golf belt is meant to be every 4 years so that ones now overdue on time as well anyway, last changed in 2017.