I use my phone as a GPS and I like to charge it while driving around. In my SAAB I used the 12-volt charger and it worked great because the socket in the 9-5 had switched power. It was only on when the car was running.

My Ford Focus has two 12-volt accessory power ports, but both are non-switched power and anything plugged into them runs if the car is on or not. Someday I’m going to wire one of these sockets to switched power. Until that day, I’ve been using the USB port for the Ford Sync system to charge my phone.

The first issue is my phone sees the Sync as something to connect to and I get a message asking if I want to go into USB device mode every time I plug my phone in. The second issue is the phone doesn’t really charge from the Sync USB port. It is getting power, but the GPS program can pull more than the USB can give. So here’s the solution to both problems:

Satechi makes a car charger to USB plug. You can find it on Amazon. It’s tiny and sits nearly flush with the 12-volt port when it’s plugged in. A bonus is it’s rated for up to 2.1 amps so it can power just about any USB device out there.

The secret is it comes with a “smart converter” that goes between the USB port and the USB cable. The little dongle allows micro USB phones to connect to computers and USB wall chargers without triggering the “connect as a USB device?” prompt. Instead it enables quick charge.

The USB cable to keep in the car is one I found on Amazon and is a black and red cloth jacketed USB 2.0 to Micro B cable. I think it looks real nice. I keep it plugged into the car all the time (with the smart converter attached) and have routed it under the steering wheel, hiding the excess cable behind the dash.

Satechi 2.1 Amp Car Lighter USB Charger Adapter with Smart Converter

Cloth Jacketed USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B Cable

2010 Focus SES invoice price:

$17,489 +$725 destination charge

Options and invoice prices on my Ford Focus:

Power sunroof, upgraded sound system (401A Rapid Spec) $1,036

4-speed automatic transmission $709

Heated leather seats $704

Total invoice price for this Focus in 2010: $20,663

Used sticker price in 2012 (w/38k miles): $13,998

Options not included on my Ford Focus, with invoice prices:

Remote engine start: $363

Cargo mat: $63

Rubber floor mats: $66

Hood deflector: $74

The Home Alone post got me thinking about prices in movies.

I thought of the scene in The Running Man (1987) where one of the characters is buying a $6 drink from a vending machine and she runs out of change after putting a handful of coins in the machine. The movie is set in the near future of 2017, so drinks from a vending machine being $6 at that time is plausible. The character even says “Six dollars, geez, this place” shows that the high price is still notable in 2017.

Depending on the drink, I’m paying $.60 for a can or $1.25-1.50 for a bottle. Our local grocery store has a machine that sells generic drinks for $.35. The college campus has machines that sell energy drinks, juices and chilled coffees for around $3. I’m sure $6 drinks in a vending machine already exists today in some places and will still exist in 2017. So the movie is in line with current prices, no problems yet.

The part that seems quaint today is that the machine only takes coins.

In April I sold the SAAB 9-5 and purchased a 2010 Ford Focus. I guess this will be the end of my SAAB posts.

It was a good car and I enjoyed it. But it was 12 years old and the worry of future repairs (along with the current shortage of some SAAB parts) made me realize I should sell it while it was still running good. I found a Focus with all the features I loved in the 9-5 (minus the beautiful turbocharged SAAB engine) and the Focus has the added benefits of being smaller, newer, cheaper to maintain, and better fuel mileage (it takes regular, my 9-5 was never happy unless it had premium). So here is the new car:

I can still do my best to assist with SAAB questions. I just won’t be able to run to the garage and check a physical 9-5 to make sure my memory is correct. Meanwhile, expect occasional economics posts and posts about the Focus.

The lift support socks on my Saab went out awhile back and I had never got around to replacing them. I wish I had done it sooner because the removal and installation took less than five minutes.

The aftermarket part number from StrongArm for Saab 9-5 hood lift supports is 4800. It lists as being for a 280ZX, but it fits the Saab 9-5 hood.  I got the set for my hood from Amazon. There is also a set of lift supports for the trunk. They are StrongArm 6143; don’t get the two numbers confused because they’re not interchangeable.

Start by opening the hood and propping it as wide as possible. An additional person can be of help here, but I used a screw-type hood stop on the opposite shock from where I was working instead.

Use a small flat-head screwdriver to slightly pry up the metal tabs at the ends of the support. Don’t remove completely. They only need to come out a little before the support will be free. Do this on the top and bottom and set the old support aside. The new lift support installs the say way. Again, don’t totally pull the metal tabs with the screwdriver. A little movement goes a long way. Start at the bottom and then clip on the top. You may need to lift the hood a little higher to get the end of the shock up to the little ball connector on the hood. Do the same thing for the other side. I kept the hood propped open until both sides were installed so one side was not holding all the weight of the hood at any time.

The replacement lifts come with new ball style connectors for the hood. You can use them or set them aside.

There you go. Reading this will take longer than the actual repair.