Shockingly low mpg numbers reported for 2013 Focus

[sobhall]

I'm an owner of a 2012 Focus w/ DCT. I've had some mechanical issues with the car, hopefully resolved, and have averaged over 42 mpg so far. However, I see that 27 owners of the 2013 Ford Focus have reported an average of 28.6 mpg (!) on the Fuelly website. That borders on scandalous for a car touted by Ford for it's good gas mileage. Can they all be driving like idiots? Any thoughts?

[Sponsor]

[mrpeaches]

That doesn't seem too out of line for people in an urban setting who are mashing on the gas pedal after every stop light. Also, they could be driving in a location with a lot of gridlock. I've averaged about 33 mpg on mine here in Colorado, but if I had to take the 405 in LA to work like I used to I'm sure I'd probably be around 28 or so as well.

[BrApple]

didn't every 2012 mpg thread show that as more miles where put on the vehicles the mpg improved? How long have the 2013's been out and how many miles are people reporting? I bet it comes up in due time ....


If you want to talk about poor reported mpg to the stated mpg look at the 2012+ Impreza.

[kam327]

Originally Posted by BrApple

didn't every 2012 mpg thread show that as more miles where put on the vehicles the mpg improved? How long have the 2013's been out and how many miles are people reporting? I bet it comes up in due time ....

Not true, my analysis of fuelly data showed that many owners' fuel economy stayed the same or even went down in some cases from their first fuelly post. On average I think economy can go up 2-3 mpg in the long term due to powertrain breaking in, which matches my experience with my Focus.

[JonathanGennick]

Originally Posted by mrpeaches

That doesn't seem too out of line for people in an urban setting who are mashing on the gas pedal after every stop light. Also, they could be driving in a location with a lot of gridlock.

Could well be the above. On my last trip home from the airport my mpg stayed under 20 until I cleared the airport area and had run highway for a few miles. Stop-and-go driving really brings down the numbers. Hills hurt it too.

FWIW, my own mpgs are in line so far with what the sticker predicted.

[miuzi05]

I've got a 2013 with almost 2000km on it now, and I've been watching my mileage with keen interest. Since I'm in Canada, my car displays L/100km, instead of mpg. My commute to work is through the city, and even though I drive it gently, I still see only around 8L/100km, which works out to a little below 30mpg. If I take a decent drive on a highway, though, the average quickly improves, falling below 7L/100km. I reset the average every time I fuel up, and the best I've seen the average fall to is 6.6 L/100km, or about 35 mpg. That's still mixed driving though. Today, I'm going to be doing a long trip that is almost purely highway, and I'm going to brim it before I depart, so I'm eager to see what I can get.

[Kaaru]

Originally Posted by miuzi05

I've got a 2013 with almost 2000km on it now, and I've been watching my mileage with keen interest. Since I'm in Canada, my car displays L/100km, instead of mpg. My commute to work is through the city, and even though I drive it gently, I still see only around 8L/100km, which works out to a little below 30mpg. If I take a decent drive on a highway, though, the average quickly improves, falling below 7L/100km. I reset the average every time I fuel up, and the best I've seen the average fall to is 6.6 L/100km, or about 35 mpg. That's still mixed driving though. Today, I'm going to be doing a long trip that is almost purely highway, and I'm going to brim it before I depart, so I'm eager to see what I can get.

I was able to do 5.2L/100 Km @ 112 Kph using cruise control on a 2 hour flat strech of highway (Montreal/Quebec). 2 adults, some luggage with A/C 'cause it was during summer. Also, my car gets 8.2L/100Km for my daily commute. It's been like this for months. I had a SE 2013 Flex fuel loaner with 3800 Km on it and used it for 2 days to use it to get to work. I got 8.2L/100Km out of it. Same numbers, same usage. The only difference is the flex fuel option the loaner had that I dont have on my car. But then again, the Flex Fuel thing does not much help when stuck in traffic as it is, I beleive, an aero dynamical thing only.

[AZfocus2012]

Originally Posted by Kaaru

But then again, the Flex Fuel thing does not much help when stuck in traffic as it is, I beleive, an aero dynamical thing only.

Flex fuel cars have the ability to run on E-85 whereas non flex fuel cars can't. Nothing to do with aerodynamics.

[Kaaru]

Originally Posted by AZfocus2012

Flex fuel cars have the ability to run on E-85 whereas non flex fuel cars can't. Nothing to do with aerodynamics.

You are correct, I forgot the main ''meat'' of the package, it does take on E-85, but the Ford site also states that the Flex Fuel cars are equiped with low resistance tires, fully covering hub caps and a spoiler. I think those can be placed into the aero dynamical section of the flex fuel package. I agree tho, that the main appeal of this package would be the ability to use E-85...if available. I am not saying it's not avalable around here, I'm just saying that I acheived the same numbers with the same reg fuel on the same roads conditions, on the same comute and driving the same way.

I never had a FF car before, that may be the reason I am not fully aware of the E-85 availability. I mean, it must be available, 'cause why sell Flex Fuel car around here then ??

[AZfocus2012]

I thought the aero hubcaps and LRR tires were part of the SFE package not necessarily flex fuel related? There are only a couple of places I have seen here in Mesa, AZ population 500,000 that sell E-85. There could be more, I just haven't noticed them.