MPG poll

[MellowYellow]

Originally Posted by everwinter

You have decreased tire wear with the higher tire pressure. Lower tire pressure increases tire wear.

I've noticed a small change in braking time.

I inflate them to 39, because I like the firmer ride, better mpg (1 mpg better), & I'm trying to get my tires to at least 40k & possibly beyond. Also I like the decreased resistance. With tires at 34 it feels like when I biked around with a low tire & required much more effort. With increased tire pressure you sail along with much less overall effort.

34 is the minimum, so 39 is hardly excessive. I know many who inflate to 10 over, which would be 44 for the focus.

I agree that 39 is not excessive.
I inflate to 40 PSI. Many tires these days are rated to 51 PSI or more, and some people inflate even higher (but i would not recommend it).
I average over 36 MPG in what I would call suburban/country commuting.
I also usually shift below 2000 RPM, since the car has good low end torque.

[calvin1234]

To each his own. First off I think Ford knows whats best since their engineers are a whole lot smarter than I am and they say 32 for my car. Second, for me I would enjoy the better handling, braking and comfort that the CORRECT pressure brings as well as less wear to suspension components because they are not constantly abused by a rough ride. 40 highway/32 city is what I get and the couple additional MPG I might get by over inflation isn't worth it.
Also, I wonder how many have a different size tire and/or wheel than stock? This would throw the recommended pressures out the window, making sense to some of your claims.
Anyway we all agree that under inflation is a big no-no, lol

[JFocus31]

i drive a mtx 00 zx3 ..i get around 20mpg but i know i could get more because i do speed every so often

[andwudz]

30-32 mpg from my '03 LX.

A lead foot doesn't help that that any.

[yakdish]

I jst replaced thew timinmg belt, tensioner and water pump and replaced the head gasketand valves withing the last 1000 miles. My mpg has dropped since all the work was done. I was getting as good as 37mpg highway and now I can barely break 30. in town is even worse as I am getting as low as 23mpg in town.

[calvin1234]

Originally Posted by yakdish

I jst replaced thew timinmg belt, tensioner and water pump and replaced the head gasketand valves withing the last 1000 miles. My mpg has dropped since all the work was done. I was getting as good as 37mpg highway and now I can barely break 30. in town is even worse as I am getting as low as 23mpg in town.

If the belt timing is off even a little bit it can do that. Throwing any codes?

[macdiesel]

Originally Posted by yakdish

I jst replaced thew timinmg belt, tensioner and water pump and replaced the head gasketand valves withing the last 1000 miles. My mpg has dropped since all the work was done. I was getting as good as 37mpg highway and now I can barely break 30. in town is even worse as I am getting as low as 23mpg in town.

Just curious, did you use the zetec timing tools? As stated above sounds like timing might be off. All the spark plug boots down all the way?

[thewarrior703]

if i drive for the mpgs(shift between 2-3k) i get about 30-32 mpg b/c i take the highway to college classes 5days a week.

BUTTTTTT if i drive the way i like to, ill do anywhere between 24-27 ;)
its safe to say i usually get a lil under 30

[PSIaddict]

turbo still seeing 27-28 highway (not beating on it)

[PSIaddict]

higher tire pressure exualy = in lesser tire temperatures

Originally Posted by calvin1234

Why would someone inflate their tires beyond what is suggested for simply a small mpg gain? I can think on a number of negative effects that would cancel out any mpg gain.

-- Uneven tire wear
-- Higher tire temps leading to more wear and increased possibility of blow outs
-- Increased possibility of accident due to less traction because the tire doesn't have an even patch of tread on the ground (more on the middle, less on the sides)
-- Increased wear on suspension and higher possibility of bending a wheel due to less energy being adsorbed by the tires (harsher ride)

There might be others but these are all I can think of for the moment