Overall Satisfaction w/Focus DCT

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by Focus YBTC

You may want to shop around some because Gas Buddy shows approximately a 20 cent difference per gallon difference for Milwaukee WI between regular and premium which is similar to around here.

It's funny because I checked before I posted that - that's why I said "most". Because I rarely ever go out of my way to get gas unless it's ethanol-free. I work like 9 hours a day and have an hour commute both ways - after 11 hours I just want to get home and make out... maybe after the honeymoon stage I'll start taking my sweet time getting lost after work?

[Focus YBTC]

Originally Posted by PratoN

It's funny because I checked before I posted that - that's why I said "most". Because I rarely ever go out of my way to get gas unless it's ethanol-free.

Funny how? I mean what's funny about it?

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by Focus YBTC

Funny how? I mean what's funny about it?

You're killing me.

EDIT: I think everyone really should shop around, though. I've found a Thornton's station in Illinois nets me 38-39mpg per tank on 93 and then I fill up at the BP and my gas mileage instantly drops to 33mpg. It's happened more than once and I think it's more than just a coincidence / weather / driving style changes.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by PratoN

You're killing me.

EDIT: I think everyone really should shop around, though. I've found a Thornton's station in Illinois nets me 38-39mpg per tank on 93 and then I fill up at the BP and my gas mileage instantly drops to 33mpg. It's happened more than once and I think it's more than just a coincidence / weather / driving style changes.

For consistancy's sake I've not been "shopping around" too much, but I'm not sure if that is helping or hurting in this case. The one tank of shell v-power I ran following many from the local BP didn't seem to net any positve reaction either. Either the regular fuel is actually always 93 octane (which would cost too much), the 93 octane isn't really 93 octane, or the computer is so sophisticated that it can tune out the differences and gain nor lose efficiency in the process?

Car has 8700+ miles now afaik. Original testing was done between 0-4200+ miles. Latest tests were these last few tanks.

[Focus YBTC]

Originally Posted by PratoN

You're killing me.

EDIT: I think everyone really should shop around, though. I've found a Thornton's station in Illinois nets me 38-39mpg per tank on 93 and then I fill up at the BP and my gas mileage instantly drops to 33mpg. It's happened more than once and I think it's more than just a coincidence / weather / driving style changes.

That's the thing, there are big variations in gasoline octane quality between different stations and I don't necessarily mean between oil companies. I noticed that way back in the 80s when I had a VW GTI with a spark knock ignition. That car would vary the ignition timing alone but you could tell when you put premium in it because it would run better. Often times when you put premium in, it didn't run better so you knew that station was cr@p. Going even farther back, when I worked in a gas station they would often top up the premium tanks with regular when they ran out of premium on the delivery truck. So to me if I pay for premium and the car is not noticeably running better that station or maybe the distributor is dishonest. Sure there's other variables too like summer/winter gasoline blends but that variance you saw shouldn't happen going from one station to another in the same general time period.

Lest anyone think this thread has gone astray talking about gasoline, it really hasn't because it is now talking about driveability problems that the DCT is often blamed for but may not be directly attributable to the DCT.

[Woggy64]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

By design it's a manual but by operation it's still an automatic;if you aren't directly controlling the tranny it's an automatic in my book.

Automatics in my world have torque converters, and manuals have clutches.

[RonMaiden]

Originally Posted by Woggy64

Automatics in my world have torque converters, and manuals have clutches.

I get that but if I can drive a car with the brake and a gas pedal and never touch the shifter than to put it into drive and a computer dictates shifting that sounds like it's shifting automatically for you and that's really the definition of automatic no matter what the internals are.

In my world I like to control the shift points manually and enjoy the more organic feeling of driving without too many electronic nannies stepping on my toes. I guess I'm old school and enjoy the rowing and more connected feeling to the car.

[AZfocus2012]

Originally Posted by PratoN

I think everyone really should shop around, though. I've found a Thornton's station in Illinois nets me 38-39mpg per tank on 93 and then I fill up at the BP and my gas mileage instantly drops to 33mpg. It's happened more than once and I think it's more than just a coincidence / weather / driving style changes.

I have found Shell V-Power gives me better mpg's and performance, I could not tell much difference in other brands premium vs regular. This video is a couple of years old but it was a comparo between BP Ultimate and Shell Optimax/rebranded now V-Power and regular gas. Of course I am sure the fuel they were testing was not contaminated with ethanol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQghB4asSnI

[AZfocus2012]

Here is another place Ford dropped the ball on the DCT by not emphasizing that the DCT is a computer automated 6 speed manual, and not a tradition torque converted automatic.

[vacman]

Originally Posted by AZfocus2012

Here is another place Ford dropped the ball on the DCT by not emphasizing that the DCT is a computer automated 6 speed manual, and not a tradition torque converted automatic.

I think they did that to keep the average buyer from balking at buying a focus or fiesta altogether. Most consumers just want to put it into drive and go, they don't give a crap how it goes.

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