Topic: Ford Focus ZX5 and Poor Gas Mileage

[ardentib]

This is very discourgaing. I just purchased a 2003 ZX5 Focus Automatic with only 10,000 Kms and eating gas. I mean like 300 kms /tank with just me driving very moderately.  
Not sure how to approach Ford. I have lots of Warranty. What do others get with ZX5 to tank of fuel ?
Does anyone have any tips or advice ?

Dennis

[barrie1]

We only post in one thread at a time Please. The Right Posters will see your problem.

[Roadrunner]

Dennis, Refer to your first post: at the end of... What's happening to fuel efficiency?

[ardentib]

Gas Mileage,  
What does one driving a 2003 ZX5 do when getting about 60% of what it should get for gas mileage and I'm NOT hammering it.  
Casual driving. Ford Motor conpany says if no lights flashing on the dash there is nothing we can do.  

Does anyone have any suggestions ? This vechicle has only 10,000 kms and a 7 year premium warranty

[ericthejet]

That is rather bad.  You can expect to get up to 30% worse consumption in the winter and very cold conditions.  How's the tire pressure?  What are your driving conditions?  Transmission working ok?  Have you tried a foucs forum?  There is bound to be a ton of them and maybe someone has had a simular problem.  How much fuel does your tank hold and have you done any math to start keeping track of?

My 7 year old Civic gets 450kms in the winter to a tank of gas.  In the summer it goes up to about 525 in the city.

[bluebook]

Hi Eric, I was wondering, have you ever changed your o2 sensor on your civic?

BB

[ardentib]

Hi,
Thank you for your comments.
I am keeping track of each tank full and mileage.
driving conditions here on PEI have been good with bare roads. I will check tire pressure good suggestion.
I filled today and only got 23 mpg. This has been on 50% town and 50% hwy. But, I am so upset. This is low for a 2 liter auto Zetec engine and I have been babying it and driving very moderately.

I phoned Ford and explained only 10,000 kms on this vechicle and service manager said I can pay $69  for a check on their computer. But, if nothing shows up you get what you got and you pay.
I have only had this ZX5 for 3 weeks and love it, but this gas consumption is killing the fun.

Any other suggestions welcome.

Dennis

[jeeper]

Ardent take it easy man!! its winter and your engine is still breaking in....so track it again at around 15K and when the weather warms up...
it will prolly increase...

[Smainville]

We all lose in the winter, get back to us in May.  My 00 Focus Wagon was not much better than that.

(Message edited by smainville on March 09, 2005)

[ericthejet]

Both O2 sensors on my Civic are factory.  TB cleaned twice a year, AF once a year, only syn. oils used, plat plugs.  This summer I'm pulling the VC and adjusting the valves.

[syzygy]

Hi Dennis,
I have an '03 ZX5 w/ the 5-spd and I get, at best,550-600 km on a tank in the summer.AND that's only when I am easy on the gas, which is rarely.Winter-wise I am lucky to get 400 km on a tank.This is with 35k on the clock. When the car was new, I was getting about 350-400 km summertime, 1st year.Wait till Spring, keep your tires properly inflated, and see if it gets better over the summer.If not, I would definitely look at calling Ford's Head office if the dealer can't/won't help. Hope this was of some help. -Al

[ardentib]

Just inflated tires to 42 lbs and got 488 kms to last tank. 2 tires had les than 20 lbs.
i am a happy ZX5'er
Dennis

[ovr50]

Rides a tad rough, but the mileage is great..

[Roadrunner]

Yeh, the money he saves on gas he'll be able to put toward new tires.

[ovr50]

Maybe try pumping them up a bit more and maybe squeeze another few mpg's there. If 42 is good, think of the possibilities - course new tires are expensive as Rr said...

[davidy]

Assuming this was measured when tires are cold, IMO, 42 psi seems high. What's the figure on the driver side panel? I would reduce the tire pressure to the figure on the panel subtracting a couple of psi in case if the outside temperatures rise a bit in the near future (typically allow 1psi for each 10 deg C rise/drop)...and then measure your fuel economy again.

Dave

[Shnak]

Wow I didn't think tire air pressure could have such a huge impact in fuel consumption!! We're talking about more than 50% increase here!!! I'll double check the tires on my Jetta!

[safristi]

Don't PUMP em above 35..unless yer AutoCrossing the boundary of common sense..will centre wear like hell and cost a fortune in replaced dental work!!!!

(Message edited by safristi on March 17, 2005)

[Driver]

I did the same thing last October when I got my winters from Tire Trends. It was pre-inflated to 40psi and I did not bother lowering the pressure.  I ran Subie for 650 kms that weekend and I saved a lot of gas.  My mileage that day was equal to Environment Canada's fuel consumption rating.

However, vibrations were apparent all over the car.  It's like getting an electric massage during my 7-hour drive.  I couldn't sleep that night as my body's rhythm got disrupted by the vibrations!

[mrthompson]