2007 Focus ZX5

[spacemanspif]

Got into an accident with my 07 Focus Wagon and considering the dead-nuts reliability at 230k I thought I’d go for another (but less rusty underneath) Focus. Didn’t have much time to shop and found a 90k 2007 ZX5 with an auto (for the wife). It’s super clean underneath and I was able to swap my head unit and wheels/tires over to the new car.

The car runs well etc. I’ll do plugs and fluids soon but it’s going back when the tags come in because of a “low coolant temp” light to hopefully have the thermostat and coolant replaced. The difference in these cars between 5spd and an auto is crazy. The 5spd was a decent car; the auto makes this thing a turd...wait for down shifts, wait for upshifts, and deal with upshifting too early.

I need tips on hypermiling an auto. Shift to N at red lights? Can it be coasted in N with the engine on? Is it safe to coast at highway speeds or only at slower speeds? I haven’t done any grill blocks yet like it did on the wagon but they are on their way. I know the wagon had the best aero of all Focus because the longer body but I thought the 4door would be second best. I’ve gone from mid-high 30s to lucky to get 32.

Help me please!

[Blazr]

I have an '07 3 door Focus with auto trans and I don't have the shifting problems you seem to be having. I have added Lube-Gard red to the trans which has made it shift very well. As for gas mileage, I don't hypermile but have achieved as high as 45mpg on the highway and I regularly get 29 or better in town on a car that's rated at 23-31mpg. What I have done to the car is changed the plugs .. go to Focus Fanatics and read the "sticky" on spark plugs. What is suggested about plugs works. Additionally I have also been adding a 50/50 mix of Acetone (must be pure, not the stuff from Home Depot) and Xylene to the gas. The combination of the plugs and gas additive gives the higher gas mileage. The Acetone and Xylene also keeps the fuel system clean and absorbs any water in the system. Will these "tricks" work for your car, it's hard to say as every car is different, but it's worth a try. Good luck.

[Xist]

When I had instrumentation I recall my Forester burning .28 GPH in drive and .27 GPH in neutral.

Your mileage may vary.

[spacemanspif]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Looking at my SGII, it seems my car idles in drive at about 0.30gpg and in neutral at 0.23gph. I’ve been trying to coast below 25 in neutral to red lights. I think my biggest hurdlle right now is the open thermostat; On the highway I’m running 150degrees. Once I get that addressed I’m interested to see how things change.

Blazr: I plan to switch to the copper plugs and do a trans service even tho factory fill is supposed to be good until 150k miles. I might try a bottle of lubegard when I do that. Tell me more about this cocktail, how much you use and how often.

I think for 35-45mph roads I’m better off in “O/D off” mode. The car seems to lug when in OD and as such I see mileage suffer. The other day I was steady driving and went from 28 to 52 instant mpg just by hitting the O/D off button on my shifter. Gotta work out these nuances and get my grill bocks on at some point but until then I guess it’s the low 30s for me...

[mpg_numbers_guy]

I've had no problem coasting in neutral with the engine on at any speed up to 70 mph in my Civic and 75 mph in my parents' Toyota minivan. Changing foot position while accelerating instead of keeping it steady (i.e. letting up slightly when it should upshift but doesn't) can fix some of the shifting problems common with automatic transmissions. By doing this I can accelerate in my Civic at 13-17 MPG instead of 8-12 MPG if I let the transmission choose when to shift. It adds up fast and my coasting is able to almost cancel out the MPG losses from accelerating. Honestly it's the warm up time that affects my average MPG more than acceleration. But from what I've read a manual will still crush an automatic in acceleration. It's an automatic. Embrace it's weaknesses and do your best to give those manuals a run for their money.

[19bonestock88]

Be sure that at least you’re coasting in neutral, engine ON until you know for sure your transmission can take it...

[Blazr]

Mike,

Start out with 3 ounces each of Acetone and Xylene. As I mentioned previously the Acetone must be pure. I get mine at a beauty supply shop. The stuff at the hardware store or Home Depot is not pure and will not work. 3 ounces of each is what I add to 10 gallons of gas. The mix is always added no matter how much or little gas I'm getting. Do the math and you can come up with the proper amount to add to fewer gallons. You will have to experiment with the amount of the mix to add as each car is different and ratio that works in my car may not work in yours. Also, be careful not to go too much higher than 4 ounces of each as you will reach a point of diminishing returns. Some guys also add TCW-3 2-cycle oil to the gas in addition to the Acetone/Xylene or in place of it. The oil acts as an upper cylinder lube and it's said it also increases compression. The ratio is 1 ounce to 5 gallons of gas. Experiment with both of the additives and see which one helps improve your mileage. Good luck.

[spacemanspif]

I don’t plan to do any EOC with the automatic. I’m still trying to get the foot movements in sync with trans shifts but haven’t gotten it down yet. I’ll add a little pressure to try and hold a gear longer and it’ll still upshift on me. Just going to take more time playing with my foot.

Thanks Blazr. Did you run any numbers of chemicals costs vs increased MPG? Wouldn’t the 2 cycle oil eventually clog the cat?

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Acetone is bad for your engine - read up on it.

Sometimes if you're in overdrive you can shift into neutral, cost down to a certain speed, and reengage the gears and still be in overdrive. For example, my Civic usually shifts into overdrive at 38-41 MPH but today on icy roads I was able to keep it in overdrive down to 35 mph.