They do know ahead of time. Sirius sends the artist and song data 10 seconds in advance of the song starting to play.

 

That's a pretty cool feature!

 

Walt's steering wheel picture is not of a hybrid. The non hybrid 08 escape has always had the steering wheel controls available. It is just the hybrid that did not.

I would like to see a picture of a 08 hybrid with the controls...

08FEH

 

My '08 Hybrid wheel is identical to Walt's. No sense posting an identical photo.

 

I think I MAY understand what you are saying, but can you put that in lay terms? Does that mean Ford could install a new steering wheel on my car? And is there a ballpark price?

 

That's interesting because my December-built FEH has black hinges. And, I have both the steering wheel audio controls and the chrome package.

Anybody else know about this hinge change?

 

I bought my '08 FEH on Nov. 10th. I did research for a long time and during that entire time, the steering wheel controls were not an option. As my dealer had the very FEH I would have ordered, I bought it.

While I do feel steering wheel audio controls are a luxury (as the radio isn't that far), it is disappointing that they cannot be added or weren't added before.

I called my Ford dealer asking about those controls and the auto-start feature. As everyone here (including myself) would guess, neither can be added.

The Ford mechanic provided no reason for the auto-start feature, other than saying it's "not available". I'm not sure why this would be difficult, but that's fine. It's a real luxury (but a nice one to have for those who live in colder climates).

The audio control feature was odd. Yes, I admit the steering wheel would have to be replaced. Fair enough. But the dealer stated something about the wiring having to run through the air bag system. Uh... doesn't the horn, the steering wheel lights, and the cruise control do that now? I don't understand why that would be so difficult to do. My guess is that it would require a lot more dismantling of the system to get those wires through.

I realize that no dealer does upgrades to a vehicle, but they should. Ford compared this to upgrading to a V6 from a V4. That analogy is poor - this is a whole redesign of an engine. Likewise, I get adding in a Navigation system when one isn't there (as that would require a whole new dash) or a sunroof (although this can be done post-market, so...). To me, adding in a few extra wires isn't the equivalent to a V4 to V6 engine change.

I also asked about the Sync feature and was again told that this would only be a factory installed item - not an upgrade.

So while I love my FEH and will enjoy it, I am disappointed about some of these little things.

Still, I won't bother buying a new vehicle until the plug-in is sold. Now that's worth an upgrade!

 

I played with my Sirius a lot while on a VERY long drive during the holidays. I had no "saving" feature (and I looked everywhere for it). I can only assume I have the "older" software. Then again, for any song I really want to hear, I have it on my iPod.


While I get not upgrading a few things (like the Sync as a microphone is needed), a Sirius upgrade shouldn't be. I won't resubscribe unless I get an upgrade.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ICBMariner
I think the current conversion kit has a 3 month lead time. You order the new style steering wheel & get the rest of the FEH/MMH. Pricing subject to trade in value of your current MMH/FEH Vs purchase price of the "kit". See your local Ford / Mercury dealer for more details.



In "lay" terms, my joke post was basically if you want a FEH/MMH with the audio controls, visit your dealer & order a new vehicle. The ballpark price would be the difference between your trade in & the purchase price of the new one.

If it could be done, I am guessing you would need to replace the wiring harness in the steering column along with some other hardware (not counting the steering wheel).

Maybe sometime later Ford will create a kit. Who knows, stranger things has happened!

I will agree that this would be nice, look better, but for me & the $$$, I will stick with my digital controls (IE my finger) for now.

 

Guys, I HAVE THE ANSWER!!. I ordered my Mariner Premier 08, I've had it for 2 weeks, love it, but was dissapointed about NO AUDIO STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. 2 weeks later I read the brochure again and that options is included in the HEATED PACKAGE!!! aww come on, when I first read that package all i read was heated seats and mirrors and I didnt pay attention to the rest of the sentences and nowhere in my mind would it had occured to me that AUDIO CONTROLS were in a package with the name HEATED on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im so pissed I'm tring to order the **** steering wheel, I'll see what I do, feel free to reply