How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ?

2407 Views 50 Replies 27 Participants Last post by garbage, Feb 13, 2002

Gumby17

Discussion Starter · Feb 12, 2002

How the heck do you drive a standard transmission Ford Focus ?
I was car shopping for alternatives to the 1998 Jetta GT that I'd like to buy and I ended up at a local Mitsubishi dealer here in Toledo, OH. The salesman was of course, trying to lure me away from getting him to find a Volkswagen to sell to me and he took me to see other cars.
He showed me Neons (yeah right...I don't care if they have sunroofs), and a very nice Ford Focus ZX3 hatchback. I've always loved these cars and I've had tons of fun driving my mother's coupe even though it's automatic. I've always wanted to see how they drive when they're manual, and so he gave me the keys, me and my girlfriend jumped in, and we decided to go for a spin around the lot.
I fired up the car, made sure to place my feet on the pedals, grabbed the shifter...and there I was...baffled as to how I was going to drive this car. I'm so used to driving Volkswagens and the standard R, 1,2,3,4,5 configuration for shifting rather than Ford's 1,2,3,4,5,R. I decided to try it anyway, and it was smooth in shifting and I didn't feel any jerks or anything.
Yet when I tried to move the car out of its parked spot, I just couldn't. I made sure to take off the ebrake, I made sure (or at least I thought I did) to place the car in Reverse, but when I stepped on the gas the car kept going forward. For a good 2-3 minutes I went through all the gears and made sure that I could not shift farther over to the right and tried to find reverse, but I simply just could not. In the end I handed the keys to the salesman and suggested that he call me when he has some VW's for me to take a look at.
In a sense I was glad that I didnt get suckered into buying a car that I hadn't asked for in the first place, but I will want to buy that car if the Jetta deal doesn't go through for me. The Jetta on the other hand, was a breeze to learn to drive and a few seconds after me and my girlfriend hopped in, we were already experiencing the fun and speed of its 2.0L 16 valve engine.
Anybody have any tips for me ? That focus will be my other choice if I can't reach a deal on the Jetta. Thanks,
Joe

See less See more

1 - 20 of 51 Posts

2lowA4

· #2 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

You were probably in fourth gear. Next time tell the salesman to move the car out for you and park it out front

See less See more

Gumby17

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (2lowA4)

OK, and if he had done that how could that have helped me learn to find reverse ? I wasn't asking how to go forward, I was asking on how to place the car in reverse. I don't use these transmissions on a regular basis. What I want to know if there is a special way to shift the gears. Next time offer some valuable input, instead of a stupid remark. Thanks,
Joe

VWteknik

· #4 · Feb 12, 2002

2

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

At the top of the shift boot, there's a little contoured rubber thing (no, not that!) that you pull up with your fore and middle finger to get it into reverse, which if I remember correctly is in the same position as VW's. Funny thing is, my friend's got a Focus and he for the life of him can't get my Cabby in reverse. Push over, and down. Easy. Ironically, I have no probelem with either.

See less See more

Gary C

· #5 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

i THINK Reverse in the foci is press down and slide it back a little bit IIRC.
i've driven em..but off the top of my head i don't remember exactly but i beleive you do have to push down and slide it back and over a little bit...i think..maybe

oh and may i suggest giving the neon a shot if it's an R/T or older ACR? those really are very fun peppy cars. i absolutly LOVE throwing them around. i want one for an auto-x only car.. but too many reside in teh stable to being with

[Modified by Gary C, 12:18 AM 2-12-2002]

See less See more

VWnewbie

· #6 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gary C)

There's a ring around the shifter that you have to pull up to get it into reverse, down and to the right.
The whole answer was here, it was just in different posts.

See less See more

Gumby17

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gary C)

quote:[HR][/HR]i THINK Reverse in the foci is press down and slide it back a little bit IIRC.
i've driven em..but off the top of my head i don't remember exactly but i beleive you do have to push down and slide it back and over a little bit...i think..maybe

oh and may i suggest giving the neon a shot if it's an R/T or older ACR? those really are very fun peppy cars. i absolutly LOVE throwing them around. i want one for an auto-x only car.. but too many reside in teh stable to being with

[Modified by Gary C, 12:18 AM 2-12-2002][HR][/HR]

I like the older neons because they are light and I've recently heard that they're cool for autocross. unfortunately, I wont ever have the money or license for autocross, or even tuning the car for racing, so it's not in my plans.
Also, neons may look nice cosmetically, but I've been told by neon owners and dealerships alike that they're not exactly the best designed automobile out there. I've heard much criticism about their build quality and durability. And from what I've seen from Dodge in the last two decades, I haven't seen anything other than the Dodge Omni drive strong after 10+ years on the road.
I'd like to stick with a European or Japanese car. If I have to go with an American car, I'll stick with the Ford Focus because I've seen Ford improve in the last few years in terms of the cars meant for a Euro audience. I think the Ford Focus would be a good investment and there would be lots of tuning options out there in case I ever have any extra cash. Thanks for your insight though,
Joe

See less See more

Spiro SU

· #8 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

The right way to drive it is off a cliff. But jump out as you approach it.

See less See more

mtrainTurbo

· #9 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Spiro SU)

See less See more

gsrroger

· #10 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (VWteknik)

quote:[HR][/HR]At the top of the shift boot, there's a little contoured rubber thing (no, not that!) that you pull up with your fore and middle finger to get it into reverse, [HR][/HR]

Ya, that's what was in the focus that I test drove. It took me a minute to figure that out, too, but it's no big deal. You'd get completely used to it within a day or two.

Chris V

· #11 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (gsrroger)

That's why there's an owner's manual in the glovebox...

My SVT Contour's shifter was the same. It took me a moment to figure it out on the test drive, though my wife didn't have a problem...

See less See more

speedn16v

· #12 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

quote:[HR][/HR]In a sense I was glad that I didnt get suckered into buying a car that I hadn't asked for in the first place, but I will want to buy that car if the Jetta deal doesn't go through for me. The Jetta on the other hand, was a breeze to learn to drive and a few seconds after me and my girlfriend hopped in, we were already experiencing the fun and speed of its 2.0L 16 valve engine.[HR][/HR]

Uh, the GT has the 2l 8v engine. Last 16v you could get here was in the Passat, the 16v GTi/GLi was dropped in '92.
Still a great car though.
Dave.
'90 GLi
'97 Jetta GT

AKADriver

· #13 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

quote:[HR][/HR]I like the older neons because they are light and I've recently heard that they're cool for autocross. unfortunately, I wont ever have the money or license for autocross, or even tuning the car for racing, so it's not in my plans.[HR][/HR]

You don't need any special licensing to autocross, and it usually costs about $20 an event. You can run a stock vehicle and be competitive.

quote:[HR][/HR]Also, neons may look nice cosmetically, but I've been told by neon owners and dealerships alike that they're not exactly the best designed automobile out there. I've heard much criticism about their build quality and durability. And from what I've seen from Dodge in the last two decades, I haven't seen anything other than the Dodge Omni drive strong after 10+ years on the road.[HR][/HR]

The design is excellent! It's a very solid and overengineered car, in fine Chrysler tradition. They cut corners on certain materials, though, causing problems, which were corrected later on. '97-'99 Neons are mostly problem-free.
By the way I've never heard anyone describe the VW shifter as a "standard" pattern! Every non-VW, 5 speed manual transmission car I've ever driven places reverse back and to the right. Usually without the little "collar", though.

See less See more

simple

· #14 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

hahaha nice post.
Yeah there is a reverse lock-out collar that needs to be pulled up on before the gear will engage.
With very little work this lock-out mechanism can be removed.
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

See less See more

Obin Robinson

· #15 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

Focus is confusing, try this on for size:
my 924 shift pattern:
R 2 4
1 3 5
my Scirocco 16V shift pattern:

R 1 3 5
2 4
my 944 shift pattern:
1 3 5
2 4 R
the pattern in my Nissan POS (when i had it):
1 3
2 4 R
do i ever forget which gear the car is in? yes. have i put it in the wrong gear by mistake? yes. does it take a few seconds to familiarize myself with the gears each time i get in the car? yes.
obin

[Modified by Obin Robinson, 9:34 AM 2-12-2002]

See less See more

Ronin88

· #16 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Obin Robinson)

quote:[HR][/HR]Focus is confusing, try this on for size:[HR][/HR]

Confusing? I thought the
135
24R
patttern was the most common configuration around?
All Japanese and American cars in North America have this configuaration, don't they?
What's the config on your VW's?

[email protected]

· #17 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Ronin88)

VWs are
R135
..24

[Modified by CanuckPal, 10:57 AM 2-12-2002]

MEIN_VW

· #18 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Ronin88)

personally, I like a dog-leg and down first gear, like the old Ferraris had. I think the Porsche 928 had it too.
. 24R
135

[Modified by MEIN_VW, 10:00 AM 2-12-2002]

Crazyquik

· #19 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Obin Robinson)

obin, for road racing do you like
R24
135
better than
135
24R
? I've always thought the first would be prefered by most for road racing, although the 2nd makes more sense in a street car (to me)
J.

V

· #20 · Feb 12, 2002

Re: How do you drive a manual Ford Focus ? (Gumby17)

To get the Focus into reverse you have to pick up the reverse lockout
It is the black plastic thing on the shifter...slide it up towards the knob and then you can put it into reverse...right under 5th
The pattern is
1 3 5
2 4 R
Any more Focus questions let them rip

See less See more

1 - 20 of 51 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.