Vanity: Ford Focus, Fire Hazard? (Cigarette Lighter Branding Iron)

Self | 8/7/2004 | Robert A. Cook

[Robert A Cook PE]

Rented a late-model Ford Focus in New Jersey a week ago, and got a VERY unpleasant - and very dangerous ! - surprise.

When I pressed in the cigarette lighter, it pushed in (exactly as it should have done), energized, and began to heat up.

BUT - As soon as it got red hot, the lighter "popped" completely out of the holder, flew away from the dashboard 6 inches, and bounced off my trouser leg (handle end first fortunately!) and (still glowing red-hot) landed on the floor .... where it began melting the carpet.

Before I write a safety complaint to the NTSB, I would like to know if any other users (of Ford cars, of the Focus in particular) have had any "cigarette lighter" burns, or any near-burns, from their lighters.

Obviously, this could be a single, unrelated problem, and perhaps I'm worried about nothing.

But then again, I don't like red-hot branding irons to go spinning through the car at expressway speeds.....

[Arkinsaw]

This a Ford product so you should have expected this. Your fault.

[Tall_Texan]

Best advice: give up smoking.

[Tall_Texan]

It's a Ford. Good thing the lighter wasn't connected to the fuel line.

[Ghengis]

It is the Chinese manufactured lighter plug. The quality testing on their springs has been found wanting. There have been some tragic pogo-stick accidents as well.

[BJungNan]

I was wondering how it went at the rental check in. Funny, they had to keep getting managers. I turned in a car once that had damage from a previous rental. I had not noticed it when I rented the car. They kept getting managers when I told them I did not do it and they insisted I had.

In may case, though, instead of a manager resolving the issue, I went and rounded up the guy that washes the car. He confirmed it was there before.

On reporting the problem about the lighter, definately report it. Who knows, could be kid in the car when it happens.

[kingu]

I had to think back, because it's been quite a while since I got a Focus for a rental, and about as long since they accidentally left the cigarette lighter in the car...

It was a 2003 white Ford Focus; used the lighter only twice, both times it went shooting out about 18 inches. Both times, luckily, I wasn't on the road at the time, and was able to get it rather quickly.

Most of the cars I've rented in the last two years don't even have a 'cigarette lighter', only a cover for 'power port' or whatever the particular manufacturer wishes to describe it as.

[ApplegateRanch]

A hot lighter in the lap?

Now that would RElly be "driving while distracted!"

[Conspiracy Guy]

I prefer the projectile lighter. It keeps me from having to reach back down. A tune for you Robert.

”Lying is Their Norm”

Riders on the Storm



Lying is their norm.
Lying is their norm.
They’ve got two ears of corn..



They believe in porn.
Like two pigs upon a throne,
Their brains are made of bone.
Lying is their norm.




They’ve got buses on the road,
John Kerry’s just a slimy toad..
John Edward’s not okay,



They’re both acting gay.
If you give these men a ride,
We’ll all die inside.
Lying is their norm. Yeah!



Lying is their norm.
Lying is their norm.
They’ve got two ears of corn..



They believe in porn.
Like two pigs upon a throne,
Their brains are made of bone.
Lying is their norm.



Lying is their norm.
Lying is their norm.
Lying is their norm.


Conspiracy Guy aka DIF 8/7/2004

[Robert A Cook PE]

Thought I'd a fire under your "Just damn" consideration.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Bump.