Since I got my MTX ZX3 (stock) a month or so ago, I have been monitoring mileage. 90% of my miles are at constant speed of about 75 on the highway.
I have noticed that with regular (87) unleaded I get about 28 MPG but with midgrade (89) I get about 32. Both of these numbers seem low, since I was expecting closer to 34+ on regular.
The 28 mpg I would say is low, the 32 mpg is pretty much on target I would think, course I have an ATX also. If I keep my foot out of it I do about 33 on the highway but most of the time Im around 31 mpg and I do quite a bit of highway driving.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
that's about right, thinking you'll get 34+ is a pipe dream, the numbers on the Focus are greatly exxagerated. I get anywhere between 28-33mpg depending on a number of variables.
This is a dog that gets beat to death re: the focus.
Your 28mpg average is about right on. Pending what speeds your maintaining on the hwy.
I keep my RPMS @ 3000 and speed avg. of 70 (trying not to fluctuate much) and I get my best milage and to date have only been able to attain a best of 34mpg.
The realistic avg. I would say will be between 28-30mpg (again, an average)
Check your tire pressures weekly (cold tires, before driving) use cruise control (this really does help). I have noticed an improvement with the use of synthetic oil use - 1-2 mpg better. Rotation and balancing your tires on a regular basis helps with tread wear and potentially other issues. Check your air filter, fuel filter & clean your MAFS - this may help air flow and air fuel mix for you.
As for how your car seems to run better with the 89. I agree. I currently can't see past the price at the pump to warrant me to run the 89, but I can say I do see a slight improvement with 89. when I move up to super, there is no difference with the stock ZX3.
Best of luck!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Well that kind of sucks - I wonder why there isn't a big to-do about it in the media, not unlike the Cobra "advertised vs. dyno" HP debacle a few years ago?
Anyway, I put in a K&N filter and a bottle of fuel line cleaner and we'll see what happens. The tires are only a few weeks old, so I haven't bothered checking the pressure yet, but it's on my list.
What do folks driving a SVT Focus see on the highway? I believe that has an advertised MPG of about 31-31, right? I would guess that since a regular Zetec is rated at 35 or so but only sees about 30, that the SVT rated at 30 should see closer to 25?
Question on the tire size issue - if my car has 16" stock tires, wouldn't the speedo be calibrated for that size? And wouldn't putting smaller tires on the car only artificially inflate the mpg because the wheels have to turn more for each true mile travelled?
It depends on the aspect ratio of the tires. What really matters is the circumference or the diameter of the wheel/tire combination. Wheel size can make a difference, but the total diameter is what counts.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
those numbers on the tag are only estimates, and for maybe the first week I had my car did I get them. I actually managed a 38mpg all highway roadtrip number. I was happy, only came close to it once on the same trip though. There is a big difference between misleading with HP and misleading with fuel mileage. Mileage varies far too much depending on the type of driving, terrain, etc. That's why it's only an estimate. Even the numbers on some of the hybrids are overstated. As for the SVT, I've been told it gets mileage similar to the Zetec focus, only difference being you have to put in the premium
I've seen the same thing. I put about 50k a year on my car, and write down every tank. I've done a week/month/year comparo and found that per dollar it's exactly the same. I get about 5 percent better mileage on 91 which costs about 5 percent more. Same miles per dollar. If you want to take it up, try full synth oil and go lower on the weight. I ran 0w mobil one last summer and my mileage did a lot better, the car did better on the dyno with it too, but that could have been any one of several factors at play. That's not really bad for mileage, I'd be pretty happy with that. Go to 12:1 compression and 42lb injectors, single digit mileage makes me long for the 20's. haha. good luck, keep keepin track, take care of your car, she'll take care of you
averaging 21mpg right now, just put in the amsoil pi improver(seems to be helping)
