[M_a_t_t]

Originally Posted by 2016 Versa

I have a '94 Escort that I currently don't have licensed but as I remember if I'd keep the speed down to about 50MPH on the open road I got much better mileage than if I ran 55MPH. I know I had a few tanks that exceeded 40MPG in it. You might try 50MPH in your Mercury when conditions allow to see if that will help you any.

Is yours a 5 speed? I have noticed that 40-48 seem to by my best (my usual route to work has a 40 mph speed limit) for any decent speed. I have added a lock up switch though and can lock the converter as low as ~27 mph and maintain speed. I usually don't go lower than about 30-35 though. Instant mileage around there is about 60-65 mpg. Too bad I can't drive down the highway like that though .

My low tanks are because I did a good proportion of short city driving. When just driving to work I would usually get low 40's. I've been off due to COVID-19, but on a drive to work to see how much the warmer weather affected it I got 45 just using basic techniques. If I PnG I got 55 mpg. Too bad those were both pretty good runs as far as traffic.