Does the Focus just have low mpg?

[poorblackfocus]

I used to have a 2006 cobalt coupe base model, and when I wrecked it I got a 2013 focus base. Both have roughly the same # of gears, are standard, amount of hp. is equal, and the power to weight is about the same (did the math). However I could drive like a dick with a 2.2 L and get 38 mpgs on average, and mid 50's when I tried. Now with a salvage title it gets 33 mpg with dented fender and sides, in town. Dents make it get 31 on highway. (miss the econ gauge and oil life meter which worked of the number engine revolutions) My new focus is nowhere near that which i will admit to the break in but drive the same way. What I want to know is that will driving the same with a standard get me less or more for results of mpg? I mean if a car with a bigger direct injection engine of the same weight can get better mpg where did ford go wrong?

[Sponsor]

[alteredego]

Why would you expect anywhere close?

The 5 speed is rated 35mpg strictly highway. I wouldn't think much better would be possible without a change in driving habits.

[TORQUERULES]

I get mid 40s on a regular basis and I am NOT an eco-conscious driver.

[michaelwb]

Originally Posted by zx3matt

I get mid 40s on a regular basis and I am NOT an eco-conscious driver.

Interesting. I played with the trip computer today, resetting it several times on the highway to see what MPGs I got at constant speed.

I stayed in the far right lane and kept my speed between 52 and 57 mph, letting the car slow down as it went up nearly imperceptible inclines and gliding as much as possible. My MPGs stayed around 45 MPG.

Perhaps it's my 18" Titanium wheels and 5-speed transmission. An SFE might do better.

[kam327]

Originally Posted by michaelwb

Interesting. I played with the trip computer today, resetting it several times on the highway to see what MPGs I got at constant speed.

I stayed in the far right lane and kept my speed between 52 and 57 mph, letting the car slow down as it went up nearly imperceptible inclines and gliding as much as possible. My MPGs stayed around 45 MPG.

Perhaps it's my 18" Titanium wheels and 5-speed transmission. An SFE might do better.

My steady state MPG at 55 mph is around 47 mpg and I have the DCT and stock 17" tires. So you're pretty much right on. ZX3's mid-40's claim seems a little far fetched but steady state MPG at 45 mph is almost 60 mpg so if he's spending a lot of time on country roads around 45 mph then I can see it being possible.

[swansong]

Originally Posted by poorblackfocus

However I could drive like a dick with a 2.2 L and get 38 mpgs on average, and mid 50's when I tried. ?

Gonna have to call BS on that one, especially the mid 50s part.

Fuelly data: http://www.fuelly.com/car/chevrolet/cobalt/2006

Your mileage on the Focus should improve after the break in period though. Give it a few thousand.

[poorblackfocus]

Originally Posted by swansong

Gonna have to call BS on that one, especially the mid 50s part.

Fuelly data: http://www.fuelly.com/car/chevrolet/cobalt/2006

Your mileage on the Focus should improve after the break in period though. Give it a few thousand.

Mid 50's were in a very hilly area actually and normally done at night with a just waxed car on a normal 30 mile trip I take. But i really don't see how answers any questions beyond the break in.
I mean yeah how i drive is the biggest effective contributor to mpg. but even to use the fuely website as a reference would leave you with the fact that it gives the 2006 cobalt a higher mpg than the 2013 focus. I mean realistically i think its in the gearing at this point. cobalt does 5th at 40 mph, while the focus can go into fifth much earlier. The gearing allows it to run at 2.5k rpm at 65, while in the focus the rpms are well above that(anything above 500 rpm means its using more gas).

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by poorblackfocus

Mid 50's were in a very hilly area actually and normally done at night with a just waxed car on a normal 30 mile trip I take. But i really don't see how answers any questions beyond the break in.
I mean yeah how i drive is the biggest effective contributor to mpg. but even to use the fuely website as a reference would leave you with the fact that it gives the 2006 cobalt a higher mpg than the 2013 focus. I mean realistically i think its in the gearing at this point. cobalt does 5th at 40 mph, while the focus can go into fifth much earlier. The gearing allows it to run at 2.5k rpm at 65, while in the focus the rpms are well above that(anything above 500 rpm means its using more gas).

Unless you're talking about the 5 speed manual in the Focus, the 6DCT will be turning over at only 2600 rpm at 70 mph, and 2000 rpm at 55 mph in 6th.

The 5MT does come closer to 3000 rpm at 70 mph with the 16" wheels and tires.

[Focus_2012]

Me and a friend drove to the city here while back we each took our own cars he has a 08 cobalt LT and my 2012 Focus SEL both driving the speed limit when we got to the city we both fueled up at the same gas station and he was getting 28 mpg and i was getting 39 mpg.

So i don't understand how your cobalt could have been doing so much better.

[VOLDAR]

Originally Posted by poorblackfocus

...However I could drive like a dick with a 2.2 L and get 38 mpgs on average, and mid 50's when I tried...

Excuse me, do you talk about UK mpg ? Because I don't believe anything about 50' unless you are talking UK mpg. And even then, I doubt a Cobalt has beter mpg than a TDi of same type. And I have not yet found a gasoline car doing 50 mpg (US mpg).