[RonMaiden]

Messing around with the air filter, exhaust; etc is much more likely to lower MPG than to improve it. Until those K&N's get dirty, they have larger holes and allow more dirt through them. I had a related issue not too long after I installed one on my last car, so I ditched it and just make sure I change the paper filter fairly often. Not worth a $200+ repair bill and the hassle of cleaning/oiling the thing in my opinion.

Yep,most of the time you do see lower MPGs with better flowing intakes since more air mean more fuel is added.

What issue did you have and was the filter 100% the cause of it? I ran K&N filters for over 20 years including on turbo charged apps and never had a problem and cleaning and oiling really isn't a hassle IMO since I only do it every couple years or three. I guess some people get unlucky but for all the oil based filters being used you don't see widespread issues or people wouldn't use them at all.

 

[block]

It was 10+ years ago so it's hard to recall exactly but I think it was a dirty intake/throttle body on my 99 Contour V6. Didn't have an issue for 10+ years after that with paper filters. Of course it could just be coincidence, but K&N do allow larger and more particles to get through and it just didn't seem worth it to me. Have enough things to maintain plus the risk of harming the car.

Nothing stops Ford from using such a filter if it was as reliable yet performed better. They spend tons getting more performance out of engines. A higher performing filter would be a relatively cheap way to get more performance, so I don't think cost is the sole issue. I wonder if any true sports cars (Corvette; etc) come with them - owners that don't mind higher maintenance costs.

 

[frizz]

Here's mine

 

[goingtoscotland]

After 200 miles i'm sitting a little over 41. 70% or so highway.

 

[cruisencode]

I should also add that, according to Fuelly.com, the dash mpg reading is high (by 2 - 3 mpg).

 

[goingtoscotland]

I should also add that, according to Fuelly.com, the dash mpg reading is high (by 2 - 3 mpg).

That depends on the individual car and the conditions. Mine has said 39.6mpg on the dash, but came out to 40.9 when it was actually calculated

 

[block]

My trip computer has been w/in 2MPG, but when it's off in one direction for one or two tanks, it's off in the other direction on the next fill-up - it's much more accurate than 2MPG over more miles. 2MPG/40 can be caused by a 5% delta (0.5 gallons out of 10gal) in how far you fill it each time, which will average out over multiple fill-ups.

Over the past 1100 miles (I refilled 3x during the 1100 miles, and reset the 2nd trip computer each time), I calculate 38.0MPG versus the trip computer read 39.2, 35.6, and 36.8, which averages out to 37.2MPG (via a simple average). So the TC is off by 0.8MPG out of 38 = 2% error, which is pretty darn good for its intended usage/purpose.

I checked the past 1100 miles because the other trip computer, which was reset around 1100 miles ago (somehow by accident - arg! Wanted to never reset that one) reads 36.8MPG (note that's below the true value, so they are not "gaming the system").
38 - 36.8 = 1.2 / 38 = 3.1% error.

.................
36.2MPG (actual) since my very first fill-up (3000 miles ago) versus 36.3MPG if I do a simple average of the trip computer (the one that I reset on each fill-up). Averaging the trip computer values via two other (more accurate) methods both yield around 36.6MPG.
36.6 - 36.2 = 0.4 / 36.2 = 1.1% error.

I am unsure what you base the fuelly.com claim on, as I do not recall anywhere to enter trip computer values versus actuals. A few (most?) members on this board have reported trip computer values being pretty accurate.
They'll be off on a single fill-up +/- 2MPG due to how far the tank was filled to begin with versus how far the person refills the tank, but over 3-4 tanks, any filling error from the 1st to final fill-up is minor compared to the total miles.

 

[cruisencode]

I check the trip computer every time I fill up and compare it to fuelly.com. Every time I fill up, the trip computer is high by 2 - 3 mpg. I reset the trip computer (one of them) when I fill up. Also, I don't "top off" the tank. So, while there will be variations to the amount of gas that goes into the tank, it's not as much as if I did top off.

I'm not too concerned about this, since it's close enough. I'm more curious as to why I can't seem to get the high mpgs that others are seeing. I've never gone over about 34 mpg. That was not for a full tank and was only for the highway drive that I made right after filling up. Once I got off the highway, it started to drop back down. I think that tank came out to about 31 mpg.

I don't think I drive aggressively. As a matter of fact, my wife will complain from time to time that I'm not driving aggressive enough. []

 

[Squad-G]

I check the trip computer every time I fill up and compare it to fuelly.com. Every time I fill up, the trip computer is high by 2 - 3 mpg. I reset the trip computer (one of them) when I fill up. Also, I don't "top off" the tank. So, while there will be variations to the amount of gas that goes into the tank, it's not as much as if I did top off.

I'm not too concerned about this, since it's close enough. I'm more curious as to why I can't seem to get the high mpgs that others are seeing. I've never gone over about 34 mpg. That was not for a full tank and was only for the highway drive that I made right after filling up. Once I got off the highway, it started to drop back down. I think that tank came out to about 31 mpg.

I don't think I drive aggressively. As a matter of fact, my wife will complain from time to time that I'm not driving aggressive enough. []

I experienced something here and others too ... do not remember where in this thread (too many pages) but I remmeber seeing it. Basically, the nozzle at the gas pump stop when it see an overflow of gas. If you do not tank always at the same place, it may varies from place to place. A full tank from station A can be different by 1-2 liters compared to station B even on a full tank.

Also, do you have the updated view ? The quad view is more precise then the old one.

 

[cruisencode]

I suppose I have the updated view. It's a 2014 that was built 11/22/2013. It looks like the one in the pics that were posted a few posts up.

Also, I usually go to the same gas station and I even usually go to the same pump.

 

[goingtoscotland]

I just filled up and got a new best average. Only went 1/2 tank before filling up this time, though. 41.9mpg average.

By the way, the display read 40.4mpg. Like I said it depends on driving conditions as to how accurate it will be, and it varies by the car as well. Your car may usually read 2-3mpg high, but that doesn't mean everyone's does. Mine is usually within 2mpg at most as well. Not always on the optimistic end of the spectrum either.

 

[block]

If you get low MPG, make 100% sure your tires are inflated. For many years I thought I was (purposely) inflating my tires to 37-38PSI but they were a few lbs less than that. I bought a nice $25 gauge (now only $20!) via amazon - made in USA and comes with the rubber protective boot.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00404WDUC/


Also, I noticed when I have a passenger that it's a few MPG less, which makes sense. 200 lbs is 6-7% of the car's weight! Do you often have passengers?

 

[MichaelD]

I just topped off my car's tank with 2.454 gallons after having filled it yesterday and doing a quick trip today. 110.6 miles driven, of which about 20 was in-town driving and the remainder was freeway driving at about 75-80mph average. 45mpg.

 

[aaron.b]

I'm curious if all focus speedometers are calibrated the same. When I run my stock 17" wheels my gps shows I'm going the speed my car is going. When I put on my 15" winter wheels I'm going almost 4% slower. This effects actual mpgs!

 

[mavic]

2012 SEL Hatch 5 speed,
30,000 miles
Average 28 mpg 50/50 driving

to get 35+mpg i essentially have to coast everywheres and accelerate at a rate of 1 mph per second.... which pisses off all the drivers behind me

i'm not very impressed, but i'm still happy, i'm coming from an 08 Ford Ranger 4"lift 33's that averaged 10 mpg haha

 

[frizz]

Since new, 11,000 miles in 3 months. I have left one of my trip counters to record MPGs without resetting. That one is currently reading 34.8 MPGs. I have a 120 mile daily commute. I have been driving this route for going in 17 years. So far the focus has been the best compromise of comfort, sportiness, and fuel economy.

 

[sobhall]

I just topped off my car's tank with 2.454 gallons after having filled it yesterday and doing a quick trip today. 110.6 miles driven, of which about 20 was in-town driving and the remainder was freeway driving at about 75-80mph average. 45mpg.

Really? I've never seen anyone post that kind of mileage at that speed before. Any special techniques employed? I'm getting anywhere from 41 to over 44 on my work commute with too many stop lights for my liking, so maybe I shouldn't complain.

 

[bengtc]

just got this going driving down a mountain heading to San Diego

 

[raptor1956]

I just topped off my car's tank with 2.454 gallons after having filled it yesterday and doing a quick trip today. 110.6 miles driven, of which about 20 was in-town driving and the remainder was freeway driving at about 75-80mph average. 45mpg.

You can have a +/- 1 gallon variation in fill up at any time so adding 2.454 gallons might actually have been 1.454 or 3.454 gallons.

You can't make mpg assumptions based on a single full tank and it takes more like 3 full tanks or even more to average out the tank-to-tank variations so making any assumptions based on 2.454 gallons is absolutely meaningless.


Brian

 

[aaron.b]

Or just get yourself an ultragauge so you can accurately record mpgs per trip as well as instant mpg