FNG in TN, Blue Flame Fiesta

[ccryder]

After 135,000 miles in an F-150 in 7 years I decided to trade it in on a Fiesta hatchback. Considering my drive back and forth to work is 800+ miles a week, more than doubling my MPG has put a huge on my face. I also ride two wheels at 20,000 miles a year but the Fiesta get better MPG than one of my bikes and just a little less than the other bike.

Even on 2-lane TN back roads, to and from work I am averaging 41mpg with the Fiesta. The s'miles per gallon is almost as high as my Buell 1125rt. I'm still looking for more mpg from the Fiesta so any help is greatly appreciated.

Time2run
Neil S.

[SentraSE-R]

Hella good looking car . Give yourself 15 more minutes for your commute, and drive 10 mph slower.

[SVOboy]

That's a pretty extreme commute. Considering most of it is probably at a good speed, have you thought of doing any aeromods?

[Brewin]

These modern engines are more efficient and the cars more streamline but as SentraSE-R says
Give yourself 15 more minutes for your commute, and drive 10 mph slower. and posibly wear a slipper on your right foot

[JMac]

Welcome!

65+ Vehicle modifications for better fuel economy - EcoModder.com

That will take you to the list of mods that are discussed around here. I'd say a good place to start is with a ScanGauge, UltraGauge, or MPGuino. That would help you zero in on your vehicles most efficient speed in a particular gear, as well as help you iron things out as you change your driving habits.

JMac

[TomO]

Beautiful looking ride! I'm glad Ford finally brought the Fiesta back to the US. Enjoy the savings and the challenge of getting better mpg.

[ccryder]

If I slowed down 10mph I would save a lot of gas! I would be pushed along by the traffic. The 70 miles is 2 lane TN back roads with 3 stopsigns and 2 stop lights and little or no traffic.

I wanted the SFE kit but at purchase time they did not exist. The Powershift transmission gets better MPG than the manual. This transmission is actually a 6spd manual transmission with dual clutches controlled by a computer. You don't have the loss' associated with a conventional automatic transmission.

I have an average MPG gauge on the dash and thought about an UltraGauge for more instrumentation. I do some hypermilling when I can since the terrain is hilly. Next will be incremental increases in air pressure to see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the tips.

Neil S.

[Brewin]

Originally Posted by TomO

Beautiful looking ride! I'm glad Ford finally brought the Fiesta back to the US. Enjoy the savings and the challenge of getting better mpg.

Hi TomO
I would love to help you resurect you civic but alass its a bit far to travel, you'll get there in the end just keep at it
all the best
Brewin

[MetroMPG]

You can mimic some of the SFE mods yourself.

Consider a partial grille block for the times of the year you can get away with it. Fixed, manual or automatic shutters depending on how far you want to get into it.

As has been suggested, I'd definitely focus (no pun intended ) on the aero mods, since overcoming aero drag is where most of your fuel is going.

Nice looking car - I've yet to ride in one yet.

Welcome to the forum - and thanks again for the support!

[ccryder]

As you can see the upper grill is pretty well blocked. The lower grill is almost 1/2 blocked. I have been trying to find picts of the SFE parts or even a Fiesta with the SFE package so I could compare. I think my grills are close to the SFE one's.

You will have to drive one of the 11' models they are WAAAAY fun! The Powershift 6 speed manual auto is surprising. It is a traditional manual transmission design but with two cluthes that are controlled by a computer. One clutch controls 1-3-5 and the other 2-4-6. It's always in gear so i coast by slipping into neutral and letting gravity SUCK!

Gotta Roll
Neil S.