Fuel Economy Focus Zetec Automatic (2008)

[FocusDavid]

Morning!

I bought a Focus Zetec 1.6 automatic 3 months ago. Great car, but I'm a bit disappointed with the fuel economy. 28 mpg is the best I can do with a normal driving style.

I don't know what Ford's stats are as they often don't mention automatic. Do you experience the same? My last car was a 3.0 v6 and was only slightly less economic than this!

Cheers,

David

[dezwez]

Hi welcome :)

[FocusDavid]

Thanks! Is the 1.8 more economic? :)

[IINexusII]

automatics are generally less economic than the manual equivalent. MPG always depends on driving style. your "normal driving" might be heavy foot driving by someone else's standards, 28mpg around town would be alright for that sort of car, especially in stop start traffic

[dezwez]

Thanks! Is the 1.8 more economic? :)

mine does about 33-34 mpg motorways bit less around town

so I happy with that

[FocusDavid]

Thanks for your answers. I drive a lot of fast country roads and A roads, so I was hoping to get a better mpg. Ah well, in the end it's not that important. I guess I just expected better economy from a small engine.

[Incontro]

Thanks for your answers. I drive a lot of fast country roads and A roads, so I was hoping to get a better mpg. Ah well, in the end it's not that important. I guess I just expected better economy from a small engine.

I have the same car as you, also with the auto transmission.

On my last long run involving 80% extra-urban roads (A-roads and motorways), and 20% urban, I achieved 39.1 MPG. But this with hard acceleration from the traffic lights, revving to 4k a lot of the time. On the other hand, with start stop town traffic where I live, I get 23 MPG.

If you are only getting 28 MPG on only A-roads and motorways, and if you are babying the car, then something is wrong. Maybe your car might benefit from a service.

[ScaniaPBman]

David,

I also run a petrol auto 1.6 just like yours.

I have it for the ease and convenience of a 12 mile commute to work each day usually in heavy traffic and I accept that the fuel consumption will not be great. Occasionally I do a 300 mile motorway round trip to visit the relatives.

Generally the commute gives me around 32MPG and the motorway run around 41MPG.

The consumption falls off a bit during the winter due to the colder weather; headlights on, heater on, etc.

A lot depends on your driving style, expect it to fall off with heavy use of the accelerator and brakes.

ScaniaPBman.

[FocusDavid]

Hi Incontro and ScaniaPBman.

Wow that really puts things in perspective. I am babying this car (my foot gets heavier in more powerful cars, I have to admit) but I have to admit I drive with my headlights and airconditioning on. Still, that shouldn't make that much difference.

I'm impressed with your 40 mpg figures! The car was serviced when I bought it three months ago, but probably a good idea to have it looked at. My drive to work is one hour each way, only A roads. After four days I'm at the pump again.

David

[ScaniaPBman]

Ah, the air conditioning, turn it off straight away. It will make more difference than you might expect.

I don't have that opportunity, mine is bust. I have had several Focus vehicles and none had a working air con!

I would have a go at fixing it but I don't know where to start, it requires specialised equipment to carry out the testing and I am reluctant to dive in replacing a condenser or compressor with drier only on spec.

ScaniaPBman.

[FocusDavid]

But I like air conditioning! :-)

I will drive a week with the air conditioning off, hopefully it will make a bit of difference.