Greetings from the Netherlands
 

Hi all!

With the current Dutch fuel prices (and because I like a challenge), I've been having a go at driving frugally for a while now. I've recently came across ecomodder.com and have already gained a lot of insights which improve both my MPG and comfort while driving.

I live near Utrecht (in the center of The Netherlands) and can easily commute by bicycle or moped, but I have a 2002 Ford Focus 1.6 for groceries and visiting family across the country.

Currently my MPG averages between 36 and 38, but I'm hoping to get around 40 by further inmproving my driving and with some small aeromods like partially blocking of the upper grille, closing panel gaps, covering the underside of the front bumper and by mounting wheeldeflectors. Eventually I want to have a go at creating a frontwheel air curtain, but it may take some time before I get around to that

Welcome, and greetings from Nieuwegein :) (next to Utrecht)

What tires do you have, and at what pressure do you run them?
3 Bar (44 PSI) in mine, up from 2.4 Bar was the single most effective change to my car, except from changing my driving style and speed.

That's very close to my work (Utrecht Papendorp), I live in Bunnik myself :)

I have Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen2 in front and Vredestein Quatrac 5 in the rear, both in 195/60 R15. I've picked these for their combination of fuel economy and grip on wet roads. Currently running 2.4 or 2.5 Bar, I'll definitely give 3 Bar a try soon.

Your tires are slightly wider than mine and your car is a fraction lighter, so 3.0 bar at once might be too much in your situation. Go in small steps and see how it works out.
I do have more tire noise at 3.0 bar. I want to put sound mats over the wheel wells to compensate.

I'll up the pressure slightly next time I'll use the car. I checked the manual and saw that Ford recommends 2.0-2.2 Bar under normal conditions and 2.4-2.6 for "extended high speed driving"(EG 100MPH+), so I'll give 2.6-2.7 a go at first. 3.0 shouldn't really be a problem in the rear at least, as the recommended pressure for a fully loaded car is 3.1 bar in the rear.

I've already bought some sound mats, but I have yet to install them. I've recently gotten the Goodyears in the front so I could move the Vredesteins to the back. The old tyres in the back were slightly cupped and produced quite some noise.

Welcome to the site!

Welkom vanuit Vlaanderen :cool:

Start with Ford's suggested tyre pressure for full load and add 0,2 bar.
Increase gradually

It will feel firmer, but that's OK.
If the car starts to feel bouncy, reduce tyre pressure.
You can usually run pressure a bit higher at the front (more weight) than at the rear.


Start coasting - uitbollen in neutraal
Als je banden wat meer druk hebben, ga je merken dat je nog héél ver bolt :turtle: