So far this summer, I've been getrting 32-34 mpg on my ZX3. Since I was curious about just wgat it's capable of mileage-wise, I've decided to do a test. The last time I filled up, I topped off until the filler neck was exactly up to the top. Since then, I've been driving to obtain maximum mpg's.
There has been no change from my regularly driven routes, which include a mixture of city, suburban, rural and freeway driving. I've been accelerating moderately; not short shifting--just driving "normally." Normally for me means frequently using 1st, 2nd, 3rd, then 5th. I also use cruise control a lot, even in town. I've been driving exactly the speed limit--not 1 mph over. (yes...this is killing me) I'm removing my foot from the accelerator as soon as I see a red light, and trying very hard not to use the brakes unless and until absolutely necessary. I also try to maintain as much momentum around corners as I can. Naturally, I've checked my tires before I started, and I've not used my AC at all...windows and sunroof open all the time.
So far I have driven exactly 300 miles and the fuel guage shows exactly 1/2 tank. In my experience, the second half of the tank goes faster.
The car is a 2002 ZX3 5spd mtx with the power premium pkg, including the eletric sunroof. Mods include UDP, 65mm throttle body, Ford Racing head, headers, Magnaflo cat back, Ford Racing 9mm wires, and a home made shorty intake, (thanks PFF). There are more mods, but these are the only ones that should make any difference.
I'll keep you posted.
Last edited on Mon Jul 4th, 2005 02:57 am by Mr. Versatile
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
I had some driving to do, and gas was $1.85 at Costco, so I filled up today. I used the same pump as last time, and filled the tank exactly to the top of the filler neck. My mileage was 38.778 mpg. This is certainly an all-time record for me with this car. Hell, the last bike I had, a 1000cc Kawasaki, didn't get any better than that.
This mileage was achieved by driving carefully as described in my above post. This was not all freeway driving. This was done driving my usual routes. Those include freeway, city, suburban, and rural roads. I did not keep track, but my estimation is that this tank included no more than 75 or so freeway miles. The gas used was Costco 87 octane. No fuel or engine additives were used. The oil used at the last change, about 1200 mi ago was Valvoline 5-30.
Assuming 100% freeway driving in good, warm weather, using no air conditioning, using cruise control, and religiously obeying the posted limit, or perhaps 5 mph below the posted limit, the ZETEC is probably capable of 40+ mpg.
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Interesting. My duratec 2.3 has been consistantly over 30mpg. Typically 32-33mpg per tank.
The tank I'm on now has seen mixed driving: back or smaller route hwy - city and only slight major route hwy (say 10 miles tops each day with a total of about 20 miles each way) I have been carpooling with a co-worker and I have been using A/C as the heat and humidity has been opressive here lately. Thick air like this doesn't help cars to breath very well either, but we can ignore that for now. I noted 120 miles on a 1/4 tank today. I think that is an alltime high for me on a 1/4 tank with no additives and running 87 Octane. Also running 5w-30 Amsoil synthetic 25k mile. I am due for a filter change later, so there's a good 7k miles on this filter.
I'm curious to know what improvement, if any I could gain with a larger TB. I think I'd probably opt for a 55 or 60mm if they were avail. I found the 65 to be 'touchy' and sometimes sticking was a problem.
I know my car has a lot of restriction as it is the PZEV but I've been very impressed with the milage and performance over my Zetec.
This is very interesting though coming from a Zetec. I could say that whoever gets my engine out of my poor wreck will have an excellent motor. She ran very well and consistantly pulled out over 30mpg after I began driving more under 70mpg.
As a note: with the Zetec it would be @ 3k rpms @ 70mph vs. the nearly 80mph I can achieve and just pass 3k with the Duratec. I'm certain bringing the rpms down below 3k and closer in the 2k-2,500 rpm range would be ultimate in getting the best milage.
I really do wish Ford would look deeper into the economy available out there with a few changes with the Focus. I have no doubt they could pull 40mpg avg out of these cars if they just paid attention to the experimentation we gearheads have been toying with.
Hey Mr. V - how about sending us some of that UNDER $2 gas! Last fill w/ 87 was 2.20/gal.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Chelly03PZEV wrote: Hey Mr. V - how about sending us some of that UNDER $2 gas! Last fill w/ 87 was 2.20/gal. Nah. For one, I want to keep it for myself, and second, shipping costs would eat up all the price benefit. Besides, the postal service takes a dim view of mailing things like gasoline.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
Thats pretty darn good Mr. V. I think the best Ive ever been able to do was right at 34mpg, but I have an automatic and I'd shoot someone if I had to go through all that though, or 'accidently' run someone off the road to keep me entertained, LOL.
I definately think I will do my very best to make my next vehicle a manual tranny.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
. I'm doing pretty good...
