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Ford Focus: MPG-Real World Numbers

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

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

Messages Page 9 of 19

#72 of 177 Re: Update on 2005 Ford Focust ST at 65,000 miles [basiliskst] by wjtinatl

May 08, 2009 (6:11 am)

Replying to: basiliskst (Aug 04, 2008 10:20 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 177 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [sryder32] by auto2009

May 13, 2009 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: sryder32 (Jan 20, 2009 8:40 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.

#74 of 177 Re: 2008 Focus SES Sedan MPG [auto2009] by pf_flyer HOST

May 14, 2009 (4:11 am)

Replying to: auto2009 (May 13, 2009 1:15 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.

#75 of 177 Pleased with Focus mileage on first long trip. by sammy3165

Jul 29, 2009 (10:19 am)

We have had our Focus (2009 sedan -SEL) for just four weeks. Around town we were getting about 28.5 to 29.0 per gallon. My wife is an RN and makes short (10-15 mile) trips from visit to visit. This past week-end, we traveled 358 miles from our home in Southwest, FL to Brunswick, GA. I was very surprised and pleased when the car would "only" take 10 gallons of gas when I filled up for the return trip. That 35.8 figure with automatic and cool AC while cruising at 75 mph was really good news. I traded in an Escape that would do only about 25 mpg highways on its best day.

#76 of 177 '04 3-door SVT by jcp123

Oct 28, 2009 (2:15 pm)

I kept track of the '04 Infra-Red SVT Focus I had for 7358,8 miles. In that time:
 
28,73mpg average
21,22 worst
36,61 best
 
I noticed that SVT's are fuel-intensive in town, usually getting 22-24ish on a commute cycle, though with some mild hypermiling I usually garnered in the range of 27-28 on my commutes. However, on extended freeway travel, knocking down 33-35mpg tanks wasn't that hard to achieve.

#77 of 177 2003 3-Door SVT by europawill

Dec 04, 2009 (10:05 am)

I've been very satisfied with the mpg i'm getting in the SVT. This car has an awesome combination of performance and efficiency.
 
The car currently has about 70k and was bought new in 2004.
 
I had flashed the computer at the Ford dealer with the latest profile (I think sometime in 2005).
 
I've been averaging about 28-31mpg in mixed but mostly highway. Its usually consistently either 29 or 30mpg mixed. I usually drive at an indicated 70-75mph on the highway. I also drive very conservatively in the city and only rarely will I go past 4500k RPM.
 
Best I've ever recorded was 37mpg on a trip from NY to Boston. I didn't think it was possible but I traveled 283.3 miles on only 7.65 gallons. It was mild weather in the 60's, had the windows closed most of the way and kept the car mostly on cruise control at an indicated 65-75mph (my gps says my speedo is about 7% optimistic so my real speeds were ~60-72mph).
 
Is this the highest mpg seen on a SVT?

#78 of 177 Excellent mileage by highmiler650

Jun 09, 2010 (1:07 pm)

I just want to share my experience with a 2009 Focus, AT, odometer 13500 miles.
 
I have had this car for the last 4 days and used it for my usual commute. 40% is city, 40% is highway and 20% rural roads.
 
I drive 47 miles each way (75 Kms) and keep speeds at 62 Mph or less. Other than for accelerating away from a red light I rarely go over 2000 RPMs. When I accelerate I do it rather swiftly. No use of AC. Ambient temperatures between 45 and 71.
 
My average, not by the computer but by dividing gallons used by miles traveled is 42.
 
My my normal ride, a 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0. S with CVT only achieves 37 MPG, probably because it is somewhat heavier.
 
Locally I can purchase a brand new 2010 Focus (AC/AT) for US$ 14095 plus taxes. Seems like a real good deal to me.

#79 of 177 Re: Excellent mileage [highmiler650] by mnf

Jun 10, 2010 (9:41 pm)

Replying to: highmiler650 (Jun 09, 2010 1:07 pm)
You should be able to do better than that look around with all the rebates off. take the $3000 off invoice ( not MSRP) thats where you should be able to purchase.
 
Good luck

#80 of 177 Re: Excellent mileage [mnf] by highmiler650

Jun 11, 2010 (9:10 am)

Replying to: mnf (Jun 10, 2010 9:41 pm)
I will check with all the local dealerships and have them provide me with their best offer.
 
Many thanks for the advice.

#81 of 177 My 2011 Focus sedan by carlrjr

Mar 15, 2012 (5:35 pm)

I bought my 2011 Focus sedan new in February 2011; it's a base model that came with a hefty rebate. It drives a lot like my 2003 did but with softer tires and suspension (I blame the OEM Hankook's vs. the Goodyear's Ford used in 2003). The more powerful engine (140 vs. 2003's 110 hp) and stability control are a fair trade though; overall I'm quite pleased with the car.
 
I have checked nearly every tank fill=to-fill for over a year noting the computer's stated MPG (reset every tank), gallons used, and miles. Here's what I've learned:
 
1. If the 89 octane ethanol blend is only 10 cents per gallon less, I save money by paying 10 cents more per gallon for the 87 octane without ethanol due to increased mileage. I run ethanol every fourth tank or so because the ethanol carries any moisture in the fuel system out the tailpipe (like Heet).
 
2. The MPG counter on my car is 5-15% optimistic. I have never had it come within 5% of calculated MPG, it's always high. It says 36 MPG, math shows 33.5. It says 42.5 MPG, math is 38 (roughly).
 
3. I get 400-460 miles per tank at 11.5 to 13.1 gallons per fill. High score was exactly one tank just a drop over 40 MPG so far, average is 30-34 winter, 34-38 summer. And yes, I've ran the 'MILES REMAINING' indicator up to 8 miles past zero. I know, I know, that's not good for the fuel pump...
 
In summary, I would recommend any 2003 or newer Focus to anyone shopping used that prefers to buy American (both of mine were built in Michigan). I have needed only maintenance, no repairs for 115,000 miles on the 2003 I sold in 2007 and 25,000 so far on my 2011.

Messages Page 9 of 19

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