Comments on: Ford Focus MPG Review

By: Larry Dommer

Larry Dommer — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:02:41 +0000

So it’s been about two years and nearly 40K more miles on my Focus. I still say it’s not practically possible to get more than 40mpg. OK you can do all the questionable tricks like putting car in neutral, drafting semis, driving 40mph on highways where flow of traffic is 70 or more, but in real life I smile when I get 38 mpg on a trip at highway speeds. I’m still averaging better than 31mpg on weekly driving to and from work and around town.
OK – and I’m not above playing the numbers for mpg either. I filled up at the Speedway at the top of the hill a few months ago, and coasted the eight tenths of a mile down to Wal-Mart (in gear) and pegged the mpg display at 99.9mpg

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:09:18 +0000

I just bough a 2000 SE with 52k. after paying $150 per tank full of diesel in my 99 F-250 SD, I almost had a tear in my eye filling the Focus @ $ 37.00. I am looking forward to a fast pay back and the Michelin tire performance. The last skate board was a 72 Pinto. Having a bit of a culture shock along with flash backs. Cool!

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:56:35 +0000

@Susan – Two quick ideas … Has your daily routine changed, by chance? Are you driving in more stop & go traffic?

Do you go to the same service station(s)? The percentage of ethanol content in gasoline can have an effect on MPGs and can vary from station to station. Unfortunately, most gasoline contains ethanol these days, but it depends on location …

By: Susan

Susan — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:12:44 +0000

My 2003 Ford Focus Wagon consistently got 34 mpg the first 7 years. I’m at 100K miles. In the last + year, the mpg dropped to 25-28. I’ve obsessed with the loss. I’ve taken it to the same mechanic since birth at the slightest sneeze and change the oil/filter @ 3K. Recently, I got new tires, the fuel injectors clean (moto vac), new spark plugs, air cleaner and am still at 25 mpg. What else should I try?

By: Gus

Gus — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:56:34 +0000

I have a 2002 ford focus ,I was getting around 30 miles to the gallon on the high way then i tuned it up ,spark plugs /wires/fuel fillter/air fillter/ now i am only getting 20 miles to the gallon on the high way ,please any one can tell me what did i do wrong

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:54:44 +0000

@Todd – 24-25 highway sounds low. Is this recent (winter driving) or is it the same in warmer weather? Are you running with the cruise control on or off? When was the car serviced last? Little things can add up (check the tire pressure), but 24-25 is a considerable drop from spec.

By: todd

todd — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:46:53 +0000

Have a 2002 Focus ZX5, with 125,000 miles and am only getting around 24-25 mpg highway. RPM’s are running at 3000 @ 70mph. Is this right?

By: DH

DH — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:35:33 +0000

I am currently looking at an 08 Focus and took it out for a drive. I loved it but I’m not to sure if it will perform the tasks I would like it to. We have a club here in town that sets up time trials racing in our stadium parking lot and I was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me if it would be able to handle tight fast corners, hard launches and hard breaking?

By: Mark Stanbeurg

Mark Stanbeurg — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:14:25 +0000

I have been able to achieve 38mpg over the tank on my 2004 ZX5 5 speed manul, with the 2.3 Liter Duratec engine. This was going 65mph 70% of the time, 20 mile highway commute typical. I have done this numerous times, but this was with a Cosworth Cold Air INtake in place, which I have since removed, and now only am getting 34-35 mpg doing the same.

By: Denbo

Denbo — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:16:43 +0000

have a 2003 ford focus zx5 (auto) driving 90-100km per hour will get me 39 – 43mpg best of 44, driving 120- 130km per hour will get 31-33mpg.
122K on the car, change upper O2 sensor , IAC sensor and couple front end parts. Pretty cheap for all the parts.