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Ford Focus: MPG-Real World Numbers

177 messages,  Last post on Mar 11, 2013 at 8:18 AM

You are in the Ford Focus Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Ford Focus SVT, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

Messages Page 16 of 19

#146 of 177 Re: End game [kam327] by xwesx

Aug 08, 2012 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: kam327 (Aug 08, 2012 3:48 pm)
I don't know about the select shift. I'm not sure the Fiesta I used had it and, if it did, I didn't notice it during that short time.
 
The dual clutch is a bit different than many other automatics, including CVTs, in that it has an "engage" vs. "disengage" aspect. That's the primary problem with transitioning from a stop or going at extremely slow speeds. When starting, it has a delay in engagement from the moment of input, and at very slow speeds, it quickly does an engage/disengage cycling that can be noticeably felt. It isn't harsh, per se, but I sure found it annoying. I guess the best way to describe both issues is that the car doesn't feather the clutch.
 
Like I said, it worked well for me overall, and it didn't have any problems traversing hilly terrain. The hilly terrain in a city environment just made the start/stop traits more pronounced. My opinion is that the DCT automatic is the worst transmission choice for John's driving conditions.

#147 of 177 Re: End game [xwesx] by kam327

Aug 09, 2012 (5:39 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Aug 08, 2012 5:23 pm)
Correct, there is no torque converter in this transmission like there would be in a conventional automatic so there's no fluid damping of the connection / disconnection of the engine / transmission. It's just like any other manual transmission, the clutch is engaged, disengaged, or slipping a little which I understand the DCT is designed to minimize because it's hard on the clutch.
 
The main benefit is fuel economy and feeling more connected to the engine. Look at the new Dart with its similar 160hp 2L engine BUT conventional 6-speed automatic - it's only rated at 24/27/34 mpg versus the Focus's 28/31/38.
 
Ford's Select Shift is standard on most Focus trim levels / option packages. I imagine it would be perfect for hilly terrain where you'd want to downshift before you get to the uphill grade.

#148 of 177 Re: End game [kam327] by xwesx

Aug 09, 2012 (10:11 am)

Replying to: kam327 (Aug 09, 2012 5:39 am)
I agree that it has a noticeable impact on fuel economy. Just the fact that the automatic is rated higher than the manual in EPA testing is evidence enough of that. Often, too, do CVT automatics that don't experience the loss of efficiency through a torque converter. Real world reports don't necessarily mirror EPA results in that regard, but at least if you're paying more for the transmission, you aren't taking a FE hit to go along with it.
 
Paddle shifters are nice for allowing additional driver input into the selected ratio.

#149 of 177 Re: End game [xwesx] by kam327

Aug 09, 2012 (10:56 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Aug 09, 2012 10:11 am)
Yep, the CVT is how the new Altima gets the same EPA ratings as the Focus despite being larger, heavier and more powerful. And looks like Honda's going the CVT route. Too bad they're so unpleasant to drive!

#150 of 177 Re: End game [kam327] by xwesx

Aug 09, 2012 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: kam327 (Aug 09, 2012 10:56 am)
I have little experience with them. I did do a test-drive on a Legacy 2.5i Limited last year just to try out the transmission, and I found it very nice for an automatic. Twenty minutes can only tell you so much, though. It was smooth as butter, but definitely felt much different than any other auto transmission. As far as familiarity of feel, I didn't find the DCT all that different from a torque converter, but it sure sounded different when it shifted gears.
 
I like the frequent inclusion of "manumatic" modes on today's automatic transmission choices, especially when it is my car (in other words, I use it day in and day out rather than just a test drive or rental), but it isn't a substitute for a manual transmission.
 
When the FE numbers are significantly higher on the automatic, though, such as on the new Subaru offerings, it sure makes me pause and justify how much I prefer the MT as compared to the potential hit I'll take at the pump over the long term.
 
Some of the differences, like with the Focus, are negligible if any. Others, like with Subaru, are likely to be reflected in real world experience. With the right gearing, though, that would never be an issue.

#151 of 177 Re: C'mon now [johnplisap] by danjerq

Aug 09, 2012 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: johnplisap (Aug 01, 2012 7:34 am)
My 2012 Focus is currently getting 31.2 mpg..or Averaging 7.2 liters per 100km..not the 54 mpg they claim on the window sticker..The salesman dont bother complaining until youve had it for at least a year they wont look at it for that reason

#152 of 177 Re: C'mon now [danjerq] by kam327

Aug 10, 2012 (5:15 am)

Replying to: danjerq (Aug 09, 2012 5:29 pm)
"My 2012 Focus is currently getting 31.2 mpg..or Averaging 7.2 liters per 100km..not the 54 mpg they claim on the window sticker.."
 
Well come on now, do you always believe the marketing hype?
 
You must be in Canada. The Ford website for Canada does say "up to 54 mpg" or something like that. Which is ridiculous. You can average that high if you stay at a constant 50mph speed with no accelerations, etc. But in the U.S. no one advertises such an unrealistic number.
 
But at any rate, if you had done any additional research you would've seen that your average is right in line with the U.S. EPA combined rating, as well as the hundreds of Focus owners on www.fuelly.com. So feel comforted that you are in the norm.

#153 of 177 Re: End game [johnplisap] by block_edmunds

Sep 22, 2012 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: johnplisap (Aug 08, 2012 2:34 am)
The size of the tank is irrelevent. The fact that it's been mentioned a few times and that you thought you needed to drive the car until you ran out of gas makes me wonder if you're calculating correctly. How much gas you use and the miles driven is all one needs to know.
 
1) Fill it up 100%.
2) Reset your trip odometer.
3) Drive until you get down to 1/4 tank ot 1/8th of a tank...or wait until the dummy/warning light comes on...have 1/4 tank (or less) left so you have used over 10 gallons of gas to "wash out" error due to not filling it the same exact amount each time. For example, if you fill it more the next time by 1 gallon, say 11 gallons, that means you only really burned 10gal (because you started 1 gal lower), but you think you burned 11, so you'd be off by 10%. 10% is not a huge error though (compared to the terrible mileage you saw), and it's not likely you'll refill it 1 gallon differently.
 
4) Put gas in it - fill it back to 100% so you're back to where it started.
5) Done. Now calculate the MPG.

#154 of 177 Suggestions please by goofball81

Sep 25, 2012 (3:04 am)

Hi,
 
I just bought a new Ford Focus Ambiente 1.6L six speed automatic, model year 2012. I have done 3500 kms and am faced with an unusual noise. It could be either the engine or the drivetrain, but it is a shrill and just audible. It is the kind of sound one can expect to hear when driving if the radiator cap came loose (thats not the case though), like a metallic vibration. It dies off when accelarating and is absent when idle, but is there when deccelarating or cruising.
 
I took it to the dealer, but they couldnt identify the problem. Can someone make any helpful suggestions on what could be the problem?

#155 of 177 35 mpg average for 5-speed manual by scrapple1

Sep 26, 2012 (6:15 pm)

I've averaged 35 mpg, measured by dividing miles driven by gallons pumped. The electronic mpg readout overestimates by 2 to 4 mpg. My driving is about 60% hwy, 40% city. The range is between the high 20s for around-the-neighborhood driving and 39 for all-highway.

Messages Page 16 of 19

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