Project: The AeroFocus

[HydroJim]

Sven-no problems with clearance. If I find the time, I was going to make a sort of flap that hangs down at the right angle and then flips back up when it makes contact with the ground and then goes back down to the right angle.

tru-I haven't been driving it too much, but if my memory serves me correctly, my MPG keeps increasing until I get to about 65 mph and I have yet to surpass that speed so I'm not really sure what happens after that.

[tru]

what are your actual mpg's at those speeds?

like my car right now

40mph -55ish mpgs
50mph - 50ish mpgs
60mph - 40 mpgs
70mph - 35mpgs

[BlueFoot]

I have the same transmission issue you describe in my 2002 Focus. I'm pretty sure it was caused by the clutch master cylinder leaking fluid down the clutch, making it slippery. My foot slid off the clutch and slammed it into gear while it was revved too high. I believe my motor mount broke at the same time (since replaced that). I've been driving with the problem for a couple years. I don't think you have to worry about it becoming undriveable.

Some tips.

If you get the right rpm there will be very little grind. (the same way you would if shifting without using the clutch)

If you start in 2nd off the line you'll eliminate the shift to 2nd grind.

According to the focusfanatics forum, there's a better transmission oil than what ford stuck in it stock, and they've even switched recommendations. It supposedly helps eliminate some of the grinding people have had.

Just by driving carefully I've increased my focus's mileage to 36 mpg and after inflating my tires to max sidewall psi I'm looking to possibly get 38 mpg on this tank. It would be interesting to see what it would do with all your mods.

Originally Posted by HydroJim

This is good information. Definitely something I will take into consideration when I'm rebuilding my transmission.

Any guess what kind of MPG improvement I would get, or is it pretty random?

[HydroJim]

I haven't been driving the car much because my clutch is on it's last legs and I leave for Tennessee on Wednesday. I definitely want to be able to make it there so I can replace my transmission and clutch

I've been averaging 35 mpg in all city driving according to my ultragauge which isn't too shabby considering all the cold starts. I've only burned about half a tank in the past 2 months!

The trip from cleveland to clarksville is 9 hours according to google but at my speed it'll be more like 10 or 11 plus time for stopping.
But what I'm getting to is what is the most efficient way to drive? I don't want to be going in and out of 5th gear for 10 hours. especially with my clutch the way it is.

So do you think it's better to drive at a constant 60 mph or should I pulse from 65 to 55 in gear the whole time?

[GRU]

if your clutch is on it's last leg then put it in 5th and cruise...the more you shift the more friction/heat you make and that will make it slip...just drive smooth in top gear as much as possible

[HydroJim]

That's what I figured. Not really sure why I asked, but it's good to get second opinions

[Weather Spotter]

Put it in 5th and hold it there. Pick the best speed for the mpg you want.

[suspectnumber961]

Originally Posted by HydroJim

That's what I figured. Not really sure why I asked, but it's good to get second opinions

Sounds like you have oil on the clutch.

Best bet? The faster you go the more likely the clutch will start to slip. The higher the gear you are in the more likely it will slip. Basically...the more load on the clutch the more likely it will slip.

So...if it starts to slip...reduce speed and drop to a lower gear. Depending on how bad it is...biggest problem will be going up hills in 5th? You might have to drop into 4th for these....

You can always drop down into 1st and 2nd (almost no load) ....you'll get there eventually.....

[HydroJim]

no oil on the clutch. the clutch just has 85,000 miles on it from the previous owner which i assume weren't the best considering the transmission synchro problems. Plus me learning how to drive a stick shift in it and 500 miles of riding the clutch and getting the feel for it. Not the best combination for clutch life.

[suspectnumber961]

If you have a "smooth slip" as with oil...you probably have a weak pressure plate? Same driving parameters as with oil on the clutch....except spinning it might overheat it pretty fast. Might check your clutch adjustment to be sure it is releasing all the way?