40 MPG Focus
 

I have a new 2009 Ford Focus with a standard Transmission. It is rated at 35 MPG. I recently posted 40 MPG 1 way 54 miles of hilly curvy backroad and some city driving. It has been getting better I believe because its broke in and I changed to a full synthetic blend oil. I have yet to try hypermiling tehniques or modifing the car. I have learned that 59 - 62 MPH is the sweet spot. It actually does worse at 55 or over 62.

No it doesn't.

That's good to know that better mileage is achievable.

I am using the stock instrumentation. I am sure it isn't the most accurate but it is already there. Regardless of how accurate it is I have changed my driving just to try to keep the numberes up. It was averaging 32MPG and now up to 38MPG average. I do know that this car gets way better mileage than my 2002 or 2006 Focus'. They both have automatic trans.

Weird isn't it? You're always in "torque convert lockup" with a manual transmission, less waste.

update: Went to visit my parents today. 350 miles round trip. Traveled on Interstate, through Madison WI, highways, and county roads with lots of hills and little towns Was also a nasty head wind most of the trip. Gage is still reading 39MPG.

I have a 2010 SES. Upper grille block and a bit of foam around the headlights. I got a touch over 41 KC to St. Louis. 70-75, but staying 2 seconds behind a semi. St. Louis to Louisville, some behind semi and overall speed down and got over 42. Hand calculated. Dash was actually showing higher.

The front of these cars is sealed up pretty well. It isn't hard at all to get 34-35 mpg at 75 mpg. They just work pretty good. Want to lower it an inch and do some belly pans.

the 57-62 range is the sweet spot..
the focus has plenty of power to step up to taller with bigger tread.

62 is still slow for todays highways. I could sincerely guess 195/65/15 needed .. if not there already, if so, fill out those wells one size up.

I went a bit extreme with this concept on an old subaru...the sweet spot was moved into 78-92.. yes, miles an hour. :rolleyes:

65 is barely the 2850 rpm needed for max oil pump. it is a little buggy to remember.. ;)