MPG poll

[DigiBill]

Just got back from a trip to Oregon for L.A. and averaged 32.8 on the highway. Hi of 34.5, low of 30.4 (through mountains). Not bad for a Ca. model with 1000 miles at the start of the trip!

[penguin]

Just took a trip from Iowa to Phoenix and got mileage ranging from 28 to 35. Oddly enough, the highest mileage was through the mountains in SW Colorado. It seems I picked up more on the downslope than I lost on the upslope.

The Focus is badly lacking in HP for climbing those moutain passes however, I felt like one of those logging trucks trying to make it up with the engine downshifted and going 4,000 - 4,500 RPM to maintain a speed of only 45-50. One of the times I wish I had a manual instead of an automatic.

If I drove the mountains regularly, a Focus simply wouldn't do it for me, at least not an automatic one. But cruising across Nebraska on I-80 at 75, getting 31-32 MPG with occassional use of the A/C was quite nice in the Focus.

[DigiBill]

I didn't have much problem going up the mountains on my trip. Went through three passes all around 4300 ft. Tranny downshifted out of o/d and was able to maintain 65-70 with rpms at 3200 to 3500. Strange, when it downshifts the rpm goes up to about 4000 then within about 10 seconds it drops 400 to 500 rpm. must be the lock on the tourque converter cutting in. I agree, great car on the open road. Only problem is the drivers seat back gave me a back ache.

[dameon81]

Not getting that great of gas mileage lately, though it is im proving slightly. 99% city (with a heavy foot ), and I average between 20 and 25. Got as low as like 17, then changed the Oil and threw in some Fuel System Treatment. Dont think the previous owner did stuff like that. Been as high as 30ish, staight highway, but dont do highway driving that often. Im averaging closer to 23-25 now. With a recent plug change, oil change, K&N Panel Install, the fuel cleaner, and a 5sp, I Wish I were getting better with gas touchin $3.00 a Gallon and it taking $34+ to fill her. .

Anyone with suggestions on small tips to improve my mileage (aside from a lighter foot) PM me

[penguin]

"Went through three passes all around 4300 ft"

The ones I went through were 10,000 - 11,000, so that might be the difference. The drvier's seat gave me a back ache at first, but now after a few months and 7,000 miles, either the seat has broken in to fit my back, or my back has broken in to fit the seat. In either case, I find the seat much more acceptable than when I first bought it.

When going uphill I kept the O/D locked-out the entire time.

[neo_mouse]

when i first got my focus i was geting about 32mpg
then i was shifting at about 3k
about a year and half later i am getting about 25mpg
i shift at about 5-6.75k lol
car goes faster lol
fuel shuts off at 6.75 on me i think thats a good thing
oh well

[igor]

hmm.. still breaking in... verage at 22mpg... mostly city..

will improve though as I have 2k highway miles scheduled in the next month and a half and another 500 miles around christmas.... the highway driving should help my stats :-)

[Domesticated Focus]

100% city driving during the work week (school, taking mother to work, etc....). I drive with a lead-titanium-steel-anyother[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]gmetal foot. I'm surprised I get over 23 MPG. If I don't, it's usually 20.9-22.8 MPG. I rarely, if never, use my AC or heat (for heat, I let car warm up, then I drive the way I usually do. Since I have the dial on heat, as air passes over the engine, the heat comes into the cabin, therefore eliminating the use of the fan. I'm not that stupid though - I will use my heat this winter, but it's been those very cold fall mornings where it's 40, but it warms up to about 70-85 by 2pm).

On the weekends... it all depends if my mother wants to check up on her brother (he's definitely not himself...) in Philly, or if my cousin wants me to pick him up from Delaware State. In those cases, I get between 27.4-29.2 MPG.

[NJZX3]

I'm getting about 36-37 mpg during the summer w/oxygenated gas. Almost all highway, 33 miles one way to work, only 3 stop signs. Usually at least an hour of stop and go per tank.

2002 ZX3 manual.

getting 20+ mpg and driving spirited seems like a good deal. not that many opportunities for spirited driving for most of my miles.

[viney266]

36-37 seems to be quite good. Especially on oxygenated crap ^^^