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Taurus/Sable MPG-Real World Numbers

59 messages,  Last post on Mar 09, 2009 at 8:47 PM

You are in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 5 of 7

#32 of 59 Re: 2008 Taurus and Sable [desertrat5] by 0311vn

Mar 04, 2008 (1:19 pm)

Replying to: desertrat5 (Nov 03, 2007 4:16 pm)
Desertrat: I don't think with modern car engines there is any 'break in' factor as there was said to be when I was a kid in the '60s. (Have you ever read anything what you term "loosening up" of an engine?) I suspect that AWD will get less fuel mileage than two wheel drive. I see you live in Colorado Springs. My Focus radiator fan unit went out while I was in Colorado Springs en route home in 06. I ended up spending several days in Colorado Springs while my Focus was at Phil Long Ford. I would like to believe that Phil Long Ford did the right thing for me, but that $670. bill for a radiator fan unit had me wondering if they did me right or did me in.
 
My wife and I have Colorado Springs on our B list for possible relocation sites from San Diego, if we ever decide to leave here. CO has plenty of good driving country. Last time there were discovered Pagosa Springs where we stopped for a soak.
 
Is AWD that much of a plus when driving on snow? How does it handle different on dry pavement? I've never had AWD. Feel free to contact me via private email if you like... Al

#33 of 59 Re: 2008 Taurus and Sable [0311vn] by coldcranker

Mar 09, 2008 (7:47 pm)

Replying to: 0311vn (Mar 04, 2008 1:19 pm)
Replying to 0311vn #32: I live near Denver, and I'd say AWD is occasionally useful, but front-FWD with our standard traction control is plenty good enough on snow and ice. On dry or even wet pavement, AWD has almost no benefit.
 
 I have an '05 Freestyle with FWD and love it. Remember AWD drops your MPG and also lowers your acceleration. This forum will answer the question if the newer TaurusX and Taurus owners are getting as good MPG as I have now. In comparison, with virtually the same vehicle (Freestyle vs. new TaurusX), it looks like the old V6 with CVT tranny gets a couple more MPG than the TaurusX, although these new whipper-snapper hotshots get 23% more power (205hp vs. 260 hp). In this time of high gas prices, I'm happy to get better MPG and live with 205hp, 0-60 times of 8.5 seconds, vs. 260hp and 7.5 seconds for the newcomers.

#34 of 59 Re: 2008 Taurus and Sable [0311vn] by coldcranker

Mar 10, 2008 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: 0311vn (Mar 04, 2008 1:19 pm)
0311vn: About my direct experience with Phil Long Ford service dept., I have gradually noticed that they are not ethical. Also, a friend of mine at work as that opinion. Your suspicions abut Phil Long may be true. Phil Long has many dealerships across many brands near Denver/ColoradoSprings, and they are powerful, with questionable service dept. tactics.

#35 of 59 True MPG by 7milehi

Mar 29, 2008 (8:57 am)

Is anyone really getting 28 or better MPG in the 2008 Taurus? I put about 30k miles a year on my auto mostly interstate driving at 70-75mph. I like the 08 Taurus but MPG is getting important with gas headed to $4 a gal.

#36 of 59 Re: True MPG [7milehi] by bobber1

Mar 29, 2008 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: 7milehi (Mar 29, 2008 8:57 am)
Actually on my last tank, I was running right at 28 mpg with 3/4 of the tank burned, but then got into town with stop and go and it dropped down to about 26 by the time I filled up.
 
It looks to me like the warm spring weather is definitely helping. City driving sucks the mpg down fast. If you drove nonstop on the hwy, I think you'd see 28 pretty easy.

#37 of 59 Re: True MPG [bobber1] by ronsmith38

Mar 29, 2008 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: bobber1 (Mar 29, 2008 1:45 pm)
I have only a little over 800 miles on my 2008 Sable, and am getting a little over 20 mpg with mostly town driving. These cars (Taurus/Sable) seem to be very sensitive to the "heavy foot" syndrome, especially around town. Consumers Report only got 12 mpg with their tested 2008 Taurus. The tester must have had a very heavy foot.

#38 of 59 True highway MPG by 7milehi

Apr 15, 2008 (10:20 am)

I rented a 08 Taurus SEL yesterday from Hertz. I proceeded to the nearest gas station to completely fill the tank even though it was showing full. After the 3rd auto cut-off and 2.4 gal. later I was sure I had a full tank. I then drove the Taurus for 171 miles and re fueled prior to returning the car. I again went to the 3rd auto cut-off when re fueling and it was 5.52 gallons added.
 
This gave 30.8 miles per gallon, needless to say I was impressed. 90% of those 170 miles were interstate driving at 70mph with no heavy acceleration at any time.

#39 of 59 2000 Taurus SES with 24 Valve Duratec by badgerfan

Jun 03, 2008 (11:55 am)

Just returned from an over 4500 mile trip west from Wisconsin to Denver, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Black Hills and home.
 
Our 2000 Taurus with Duratec, for the whole trip averaged 27.6 miles per gallon. Best leg was just under 31 mpg across Wyoming. Worst was 24.5 which was mostly Denver city driving and a jaunt up to Central City. There was a substantial mix of stop and go siteseeing and semi-mountain driving, of course in and around Yellowstone and the Black hills. On the freeway legs of the trip, we generally kept speed at 70, though occasionally ran at 75.
 
The Taurus drove well, with no problems, and I am still pleased with it, now at almost 74,000 one owner miles.

#40 of 59 Re: True MPG [ronsmith38] by jontyrees

Jun 05, 2008 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: ronsmith38 (Mar 29, 2008 2:53 pm)
"The tester must have had a very heavy foot. " - or he left the emergency brake on!
 
Couple k miles in here on a 2008 Taurus FWD Ltd, and I'm seeing ~22mpg in mixed city driving, (stretches of highway, some stop'n'go, some short trips around the 'burbs), 27.5mpg at 76mph on flat freeway, ~24mpg at 83mph on flat freeway. All with the a/c on - this is Texas and it's hot already.
 
I'd have to drive like I just robbed a bank to get 12mpg

#41 of 59 Re: 2008 Taurus and Sable [0311vn] by desertrat5

Jun 09, 2008 (8:28 pm)

Replying to: 0311vn (Mar 04, 2008 1:19 pm)
Hi Al,
 
We bought the AWD because of the 2006-2007 winter here in the Springs. Of course we bought the after the winter was over and this past winter was not nearly as severe. So I don't have many words about AWD in the Taurus. Our other vehicle is a 2005 Lexus RX330 with AWD and I can say that during that bad winter I was very happy to have it.
 
I have two issues with the Taurus - one is the fuel economy even tho the car performs as advertised. The other is the driving position. I cannot find a position that is long term comfortable. If I get the seat and peddles adjusted for arm comfort my right leg is mashed agains the console. If I move the seat further aft to get my right leg comfortable then my arms become uncomfortable. A telescoping wheel would fix the problem.
 
Other than that the car is great - roomie, quiet, tight, responsive - and trouble free so far. So I have not had to test Phil Long's maintenance facilities for other than LOF etc.
 
Colorado Springs is a beautiful place - the air is relatively clean, the people are friendly, and the scenery is outstanding. But the wind does blow and it does get cold in the winter. And the other thing that most people don't realize - it is fairly far above sea level - we live at about 6700 feet. If you or yours has any issue with the heart or lungs - try it before you buy it!

Messages Page 5 of 7

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