Mechanical Changes/Improvements to FiST Over the Years.
Carmakers usually make such changes,some small,some large as a car goes through its model year cycle,but they aren't always announced. Lots of folks are getting new RMM's,for example,it would be nice to know if Ford changed the RMM to deal with that issue. I have found that new model info tends to focus on things like a new color or feature, like Sync 3 on the 2016's,the only announced change I am aware of. On my other car, the ABS system was dramatically improved and upgraded one year,but I bet it didn't make it into the new model promo material. People like us who are really interested in the cars then usually have to figure out the mechanical changes and improvements on their own.
UPDATED LIST OF CHANGES AS OF 7/23 reported or speculated on :
AXLE SHAFT SEALS improved for 2016 to prevent leaks
BACKUP CAMERA added for '18
COOLANT CAPACITY reportedly increased from 6.1 quarts for my '16 to 8.5 quarts as reported in the '19 ST supplemental manual. It's possible that this happened earlier, I don't have access to a '17 or '18 manual, if anyone does, please report in. There is some skepticism about whether this really happened, or whether it's just a mistake in the Ford specs in the newer manual.
COOLANT OVERFLOW HOSE now made of all rubber
CYLINDER HEAD changed for '16, with new P/N (reported on the "what will be a future big-time issue" maintenance thread by a member whose head cracked-his car was reported to have a bigger turbo and maybe meth injection.) This fixed a fire risk which could come after the car overheated from a lack of coolant circulating. The overheating could lead to a cracked block and subsequent oil leak that could ignite. This led to a recall on some '14's and '15's. According to member Alkoran- Ford supposedly solved the issue from the 2016 model year on by modifying the coolant passageways (new part # for the head) so there's no hotspot causing failure.
GLOVEBOX- No ambient lighting above for '17- thread references a fix for this-
https://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/12993-2017-Ambient-Lighting-No-Longer-Above-Glove-Box-!
Light eliminated for '17. I just rode in a friend's '17 and it appeared the elastic strap/manual holder on the top and the pen holder were also eliminated from the glovebox.
INSTANT READ MPG added by '16
INTAKE-
Plumbing CCV change for 2016- Possibly to help prevent carbon buildup on Intakes
Here's a thread reporting Intake Tube change-
https://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/6427-Intake-tube-change-for-2016
MAF monitoring/Intake (Air Box),and High Flow Induction Hose changed for 2016
MUFFLER [L]ater year cars seem to have a slightly more burbly rear muffler (part no. D2BZ-5A289-B rather than A). This was reported by member foodtruck in a 1/22 thread on exhaust upgrades. My '16 has that B part number.
REAR MOTOR MOUNTS stiffened for 2016, some follow-up from '17 owners reports this too.
SEAT HEATERS cycle On/Off for 2016 on Recaros(but also reported to do so on a '14 and '15)
SPEEDO OR TACH changed during 2014- redline changed
SUSPENSION-
Bushings softened for 2015
Softer springs and shocks all round and a stiffer rear torsion beam and front anti-roll bar � both by 33 per cent � in an effort to improve both ride quality and handling precision for 2016
[Post #38 in this thread contains more information from a 7/16 Evo article about these changes.]
The suspension changes described above for models from '16 on reportedly originated in the European ST200 model and became incorporated into all the cars. @Dialcaliper recently (2/24) posted a link to some Ford promo material about the ST200 describing those suspension changes, and I am adding that here.
"The Fiesta ST200 utilises recently upgraded Fiesta ST suspension and Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) settings to improve ride quality and driving dynamics. A rear twist-beam with 27 per cent more roll-stiffness and a front anti-roll bar increased to 21 mm from 19 mm diameter support revised damper specifications for better impact absorption."
New shock P/N reported for '17. I've seen reference to a number of changes on the shock P/N's through the years.
THERMOSTAT changed to a 180-degree one from '18 on, as reported by @danbfree
WIND DEFLECTORS added to the molding between both front triangular windows and the main front windows, near the side view mirrors, during the '16 model year, as reported by @Intuit at Post number 176 of this thread.
Just FYI there's also a guy on the "what will be a future big-time issue" thread reporting over 164k trouble-free miles (even reports little stuff like window motors,start button and locks are fine) with basic maintenance but very frequent (~every 2-2.5k) full-synthetic oil changes! He's added a lot of power to the engine,still has the original clutch, and drives on some bad dirt roads with big potholes. His car is dry underneath,no leaks.That's great to hear.
I'll update the list of Changes/Improvements as comments come in or as I find things. If anyone sees any that I've missed, feel free to PM me and I'll add them.
Carmakers usually make such changes,some small,some large as a car goes through its model year cycle,but they aren't always announced. Lots of folks are getting new RMM's,for example,it would be nice to know if Ford changed the RMM to deal with that issue. I have found that new model info tends to focus on things like a new color or feature, like Sync 3 on the 2016's,the only announced change I am aware of. On my other car, the ABS system was dramatically improved and upgraded one year,but I bet it didn't make it into the new model promo material. People like us who are really interested in the cars then usually have to figure out the mechanical changes and improvements on their own.
UPDATED LIST OF CHANGES AS OF 7/23 reported or speculated on :
AXLE SHAFT SEALS improved for 2016 to prevent leaks
BACKUP CAMERA added for '18
COOLANT CAPACITY reportedly increased from 6.1 quarts for my '16 to 8.5 quarts as reported in the '19 ST supplemental manual. It's possible that this happened earlier, I don't have access to a '17 or '18 manual, if anyone does, please report in. There is some skepticism about whether this really happened, or whether it's just a mistake in the Ford specs in the newer manual.
COOLANT OVERFLOW HOSE now made of all rubber
CYLINDER HEAD changed for '16, with new P/N (reported on the "what will be a future big-time issue" maintenance thread by a member whose head cracked-his car was reported to have a bigger turbo and maybe meth injection.) This fixed a fire risk which could come after the car overheated from a lack of coolant circulating. The overheating could lead to a cracked block and subsequent oil leak that could ignite. This led to a recall on some '14's and '15's. According to member Alkoran- Ford supposedly solved the issue from the 2016 model year on by modifying the coolant passageways (new part # for the head) so there's no hotspot causing failure.
GLOVEBOX- No ambient lighting above for '17- thread references a fix for this-
https://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/12993-2017-Ambient-Lighting-No-Longer-Above-Glove-Box-!
Light eliminated for '17. I just rode in a friend's '17 and it appeared the elastic strap/manual holder on the top and the pen holder were also eliminated from the glovebox.
INSTANT READ MPG added by '16
INTAKE-
Plumbing CCV change for 2016- Possibly to help prevent carbon buildup on Intakes
Here's a thread reporting Intake Tube change-
https://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/6427-Intake-tube-change-for-2016
MAF monitoring/Intake (Air Box),and High Flow Induction Hose changed for 2016
MUFFLER [L]ater year cars seem to have a slightly more burbly rear muffler (part no. D2BZ-5A289-B rather than A). This was reported by member foodtruck in a 1/22 thread on exhaust upgrades. My '16 has that B part number.
REAR MOTOR MOUNTS stiffened for 2016, some follow-up from '17 owners reports this too.
SEAT HEATERS cycle On/Off for 2016 on Recaros(but also reported to do so on a '14 and '15)
SPEEDO OR TACH changed during 2014- redline changed
SUSPENSION-
Bushings softened for 2015
Softer springs and shocks all round and a stiffer rear torsion beam and front anti-roll bar � both by 33 per cent � in an effort to improve both ride quality and handling precision for 2016
[Post #38 in this thread contains more information from a 7/16 Evo article about these changes.]
The suspension changes described above for models from '16 on reportedly originated in the European ST200 model and became incorporated into all the cars. @Dialcaliper recently (2/24) posted a link to some Ford promo material about the ST200 describing those suspension changes, and I am adding that here.
"The Fiesta ST200 utilises recently upgraded Fiesta ST suspension and Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) settings to improve ride quality and driving dynamics. A rear twist-beam with 27 per cent more roll-stiffness and a front anti-roll bar increased to 21 mm from 19 mm diameter support revised damper specifications for better impact absorption."
New shock P/N reported for '17. I've seen reference to a number of changes on the shock P/N's through the years.
THERMOSTAT changed to a 180-degree one from '18 on, as reported by @danbfree
WIND DEFLECTORS added to the molding between both front triangular windows and the main front windows, near the side view mirrors, during the '16 model year, as reported by @Intuit at Post number 176 of this thread.
Just FYI there's also a guy on the "what will be a future big-time issue" thread reporting over 164k trouble-free miles (even reports little stuff like window motors,start button and locks are fine) with basic maintenance but very frequent (~every 2-2.5k) full-synthetic oil changes! He's added a lot of power to the engine,still has the original clutch, and drives on some bad dirt roads with big potholes. His car is dry underneath,no leaks.That's great to hear.
I'll update the list of Changes/Improvements as comments come in or as I find things. If anyone sees any that I've missed, feel free to PM me and I'll add them.
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