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Ford Focus: MPG-Real World Numbers

76 messages,  Last post on Oct 28, 2009 at 1:15 PM

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

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#65 of 76 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG by sryder32 Jan 20, 2009 (7:40 pm)
I bought this car in September 2008, and I live in Raleigh, NC. I now have 6800 miles on the car. When the weather was warmer, I would get about 31 MPG. Now with the colder weather, I get about 29 MPG. My drive to and from work each day is 30 miles, 85% of which is highway at 75 to 80mph. Aside from work, I do errands with the car, which is more like 50% stop-and-go and 50% highway.   One thing I notice is that the car's self-proclaimed Average MPG is always over stated. It consistently says I'm getting at least 3 MPG more than I calculate at each fill up.   The MPG is "okay" in my opinion. Other cars that I considered (and test-drove) before buying Focus were the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Corolla, and Nissan Versa. The Focus had the most comfort, quietest interior, and more features than the others for about the same price. So I'm happy overall. In fact, I love the little thing! Just wish the MPG were a little higher. Replies to this message: markus5 (Jan 21, 2009 8:12 am) micweb (Jan 21, 2009 10:35 am) hineblazer (Mar 25, 2009 9:46 am) markus5 (Mar 26, 2009 7:21 am) auto2009 (May 13, 2009 12:15 pm) pf_flyer (May 14, 2009 3:11 am)
#66 of 76 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [sryder32] by markus5 Jan 21, 2009 (8:12 am)
Replying to: sryder32 (Jan 20, 2009 7:40 pm) I know it would be difficult, however, If you drop the 75-80 down several mph, you will see mid -thirties mpg. EPA mileage estimates are not based on your 75-80. My experience with the trip computers ( in a ford probe ) some years back was similar to yours, actual mpg was about 3 less than indicated.
#67 of 76 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [sryder32] by micweb Jan 21, 2009 (10:35 am)
Replying to: sryder32 (Jan 20, 2009 7:40 pm) Stick shift or auto?
#68 of 76 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [sryder32] by hineblazer Mar 25, 2009 (9:46 am)
Replying to: sryder32 (Jan 20, 2009 7:40 pm) I have a 2007 SE. I believe it is a 5 speed auto trans. Definitely find that if you keep it below 60 mph you get better mpg. I have modified the fuel delivery system to include a fuel heater. This seems to keep me up to 34 to 35 mpg in the winter here in Chicago. I also add lucus fuel injector cleaner and upper cylinder lube to the mix, about 2 ounces a fill up. Warm weather is getting me closer to 37.5 to 38 mpg. Replies to this message: markus5 (Mar 26, 2009 7:21 am)
#69 of 76 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [hineblazer] by markus5 Mar 26, 2009 (7:21 am)
Replying to: hineblazer (Mar 25, 2009 9:46 am) I must ask, does this "Fuel Heater" work in the summer-time as well? I don't see this being a good idea under those conditions. Who sells this Product. ? The Focus A/T is a 4-speed unit w/ overdrive, that is your 5th gear. The "green-zone" would be to keep to a reasonable speed on the Highway ( below 60 is probably dangerous today ) The RpM"s on my 2.3 ZTS would be about 2250 at that speed, which I think is about equivalent to top gear in the five-speed manual tranny. EPA estimates will usually show MPG slightly better for M/T models. That does not mean that real world results will be the same. It is problematic at best, but most drivers do not use the tranny to optimize mileage. With an A/T the driver would only need to "train the foot" to apply as little throttle pressure as required to drive effectively.   mark
#70 of 76 Re: Ford Focus Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers [KarenS] by jeromeb Apr 30, 2009 (6:07 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Sep 02, 2005 7:22 am) With the A/C in use, the fuel economy for my commute is about 25 mpg. With the A/C not in use, the fuel economy for my commute is about 29 mpg. With the A/C not in use, and coasting to stops with the transmission disengaged, my fuel economy is 32 mpg.   My commute is 13 miles one way, about half highway and half surface streets.
#71 of 76 i had a focus as a loaner for a couple of days by explorerx4 May 06, 2009 (3:14 pm)
when i figured out how to read the computer, the mpg's read 36+. i reset it and when i turned it in it read 33. it had a 4 speed auto. i was impressed, since my commute is less than 14 miles each way.
#72 of 76 Re: Update on 2005 Ford Focust ST at 65,000 miles [basiliskst] by wjtinatl May 08, 2009 (5:11 am)
Replying to: basiliskst (Aug 04, 2008 9:20 am) Couldn't agree more with the above post. Bought my '03 Focus SVT used in '06 when gas hit $3.20/gal. It had 15k on it then, now has 67k. Outside of tires (2 sets of z-rated hi-po rubber) and at-home oil and filter changes, in the past 50k, I have not spent any money on the car! Still on the original brake pads and rotors and the interior (black leather Recaro's) looks like new with just a little work. I never expected to keep this car as long as I have (I get bored with cars easily) but find that there's nothing on the market that lights my fire enough to replace the SVT. It's a shame Ford discontinued the original hatchback design and SVT version as I'd gladly buy a new one over a Civic Si or similar. Hopefully the 2011 Focus will have a SVT version as mine will surely have 100k+ on it by then and I'll be ready for something new... I think!
#73 of 76 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [sryder32] by auto2009 May 13, 2009 (12:15 pm)
Replying to: sryder32 (Jan 20, 2009 7:40 pm) People seam to assume the computer is wrong but I have found a lot of gas pumps are not accurate. most pumps that I have been to within 10 miles of my house seam to be off by as much as 3/4 of a gallon per fill up. I have found 2 that are within .1 off for a fill up. these descrepancies can make it seam like your car is off but more likley you are not getting the gas you are paying for. Replies to this message: pf_flyer (May 14, 2009 3:11 am)
#74 of 76 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [auto2009] by pf_flyer HOST May 14, 2009 (3:11 am)
Replying to: auto2009 (May 13, 2009 12:15 pm) I'd agree that sometimes different pumps behave differently about when they shut off when filling the tank, but the amount of gasoline they deliver and what you pay for is certainly accurate as those pumps have to be regularly calibrated and certified.   And even though calculating your mileage is simple (and something I do at every fill-up) a lot of people make basic mistakes when doing so. I recall one person who was looking for a new car, but wanted something that got the same mileage as her old one. She said she was getting 35-40 mpg on her old car, but there was no way that was happening since the EPA mileage estimates on that car were like 25-27 highway. What happened was the very first time she filled the car up, it took about 10 gallons of fuel, so she assumed that a fillup meant she had a 10 gallon tank. When she'd drive a tank almost dry, she'd fill up and then divide however many miles she had driven by 10. Problem was she had about a 15 gallon tank! So while she THOUGHT she was getting 35mpg, she was actually getting 23mpg.   But the basic calculation is simple. Fill up, drive, and at the next fill up, divide the miles driven by the number of gallons you put in the tank. Yes, you can get the occasional "short fill" when a pump shuts off short of really filling the tank which can give you a higher mileage number, but that will correct itself the next fillup when you actually do fill up completely.   I use the mileage calculation as a general guide to the health of my cars. If the mileage suddenly changes lower I sort of go on alert. If it stays low on the next fillup or tow, there may be some problem. But if it comes back to normal, it either was a fillup variation or some change in my normal driving patterns that caused the drop.   But back to my original point, I don't think there's any way that a pump is delivering 3/4 of a gallon less than it says it is. On a 10 gallon fillup that's a 7% error. Just not going to happen on a regular basis.

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