Ford Problems

The fourth-generation Ford Focus launched in April 2018 and, given the previous generations' long model runs, it is likely there won't be a new generation model launched until at least 2025.

Walk to the rear of your car and look directly at the back. Near the right-hand taillight should be a badge telling you which model you are looking at. This will either say, Trend, Titanium, Sport, ST or RS. The Focus range runs from the Trend at the bottom up to the sporty ST, with the high-performance RS standing out on top.

There are four generations of Focus, built since 1998. If you cross-shop parts in between those four broad generations you stand a better chance of finding interchangeable parts.

The generations are, 1998-2005, 2004-2011, 2011-2018, and from 2018-on.

Whatever battery your particular model comes with, which should be written in the owner's manual.

The different engines used in Ford's differing Focus models require different specification batteries so I can't answer that question without more information.

A Trend hatch comes in a 1360kg while the Sport hatch is 1380kg, the Titanium models range between 1403kg (hatch) and 1409kg (sedan), the ST2 hatch is 1425kg, and the all-wheel-drive RS is 1575kg.

They are indicators that show work was done on the differential, but they're not anything should be on concern. Cars have all sorts of marks on them from production, they usually indicate a check has been done along the way.

We haven't had any feedback on the issues you mention, but have had complaints of poor build quality. Your problems would seem to be because of build quality issues.

Ford Focus four-door sedans are 4538mm long, while the five-door hatch comes in slightly shorter at 4360mm for the Trend, Titanium, and Sport, and the ST's bodykit pushes this model to 4362mm long. The body-kitted all-wheel-drive RS model is longer again at 4390mm.

Pop out the side trim panel next to the centre console using a plastic trim removal tool, and then remove the plastic trim surrounding the gear shifter console. There is a T20 Torx bit holding the back of the shifter trim down, so remove that. Pop off the trim panel above the temperature and fan controls (housing the passenger airbag warning light), then disconnect the wiring connector for the passenger airbag warning light. Remove the four T20 Torx bits holding the fascia to the car, then put the car into Drive (or 2nd gear if a manual), pop up the gear shifter boot, then pop out the rest of the shifter and fan control plastic trim. Pop the radio and vent panel out by pulling on the opening under the hazard light button, then unplug the radio wiring.

The radio unit is held in by two T20 Torx bits.

The oil change process hasn't really changed much in the last 100 years of internal combustion engines, as you need to drain the old oil out, remove the old oil filter, fit a new filter, refit the drain plug and top up the engine with the correct amount of oil. However, some modern cars (like Fords) have sensors in the oil pump that cause problems if you take longer than 10 minutes to change the oil. For this reason I recommend taking your car to a qualified mechanic to have the oil changed to avoid costly engine repairs.