2017 Focus Hatchback - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

pete c · 08-29-2017, 04:57 PM

Just picked up a focus hatchback rental. Haven't popped the hood yet,but based on the engine note at idle, I suspect it is the 3 pot ecoboost.

Good looking car. Reasonably nice interior, plenty of room, handles like a sports car and according to the computer, effortlessly delivers 45 mpg.

I could see myself buying one....just not this one.

The Ford auto tranny in this thing is absolutely horrible. I believe it is a dual clutch tranny. And neither one is very smooth. It shudders horribly from a start and on downhills is much too aggressive with engine braking. My wife's Odyssey will downshift and engine brake IF you apply the brakes. This POS tranny does it all the time. I am confident I could get this thing over 50 mpgs with a 5 speed and moderate hypermiling.

Ford, you need to do what Honda did with their DSG. Add a locking torque converter. Yeah, I know, it is redundant, but if you can't teach your clutch how to work better than a clumsy 16 year old driving a manual for the first time, then add one. It is ancient technology, but they work and are buttery smooove.

I would like to hear from those with 5/6 speed MTs. What kinda mpg numbers can you make?

MetroMPG · 08-29-2017, 10:19 PM

Cool! Did you confirm the engine yet?

I was under the (possibly mistaken) impression that the 1.0T was only available with a manual.

I'd love to try either the Focus or Fiesta 1.0T. Manual.

Vman455 · 08-30-2017, 12:50 AM

According to Ford's website, the 1.0L comes standard with a manual, but has an available auto. But, that engine is only offered in the SE sedan in the US.

niky · 08-30-2017, 02:39 AM

Honda doesn't use a DSG, does it? Just a CVT with a torque converter.

But even compared with other CVTs, Honda's is better, thanks to that torque converter. Such a nice, positive feel to the engagement, distracting you from the otherwise dreary nature of the transmission.

pete c · 08-31-2017, 12:41 PM

I thought it was a DSG. Maybe it was a CVT. Anyway, I just remember reading an article that said the TC was kind of redundant as it had some other form of clutch, but that Honda Engineers decided to keep the TC because they weren't happy with the level of smoothness.

Ford engineers need to listen to the Honda guys. This thing is atrocious. Either teach it how to be smooth, or put the TC back.

pete c · 08-31-2017, 12:44 PM

BTW, it is the 4 cylinder.

MetroMPG · 08-31-2017, 02:02 PM

And there's the denouement.

cRiPpLe_rOoStEr · 08-31-2017, 09:08 PM

Ford got a lot of problems with that DCT in Brazil and Australia, presumably due to the harsher operating conditions which render a traditional torque converter more suitable, and is now phasing the DCT out. I don't have any experience with DCTs, but a neighbor of my mom got the transmission of his Fiesta replaced on warranty, while other people had only the clutch packs replaced.

MetroMPG · 08-31-2017, 10:50 PM

I haven't driven one either, but with all the terrible things I've heard, now I want to. Just to see what the fuss is about!

Hersbird · 09-01-2017, 12:37 AM

Some of the problems if not most of them with the Ford dual clutch auto is just that it doesn't act like either a manual or an automatic. It's different, so many drivers just think it's wrong. Sort of like some of the "problems" with a CVT. So if it rolls back on a slight hill it's broken not just being a manual. If it doesn't shift when you wanted it's broken not just being an automatic. That said my brother in law bought a current style Focus used with 120,000 miles on it but did get the real manual just in case. The DCT problems got him a good deal on it as well as the poor reliability marks on review sites rarely break it down to say it's just the automatics with transmission issues.