economy?

[Mark Eckels]

We bought a 2002 Focus Wagon 2 yrs ago and have been VERY DISAPPOINTED in our MPG. We are lucky to get 20 on a trip let alone any projections the EPA fuel standards are for tat car. There are no codes and we have had the car checked as well as new plugs installed at 38,000. We now have about 45,000 on it and no change. Our Mercury Sable gets almost 10 more mpg. Any suggestion????????? Thanks

[AltecZX2]

auto or manual?

[Loekee75]

Tires all fully aired up? Check air/ breather filters, change fuel filter.

[Mustangman25]

I'm assuming you mean 20mpg almost complete highway driving, right?

[Mark Eckels]

Originally Posted by AltecZX2

auto or manual?

Car is auto, Air pressure is and has been maintained , air filters etc... maintained. There has been no reasonable explanation for the poor mpg even from the garage other then the wagons are a heavier car.

[AltecZX2]

It can also depend on the computer code your car has....Ford does terrible programing..I can put one pcm in my car get 42mpg/hw 117whp, and then put in another computer get 30mpg/hw and only 103whp.

I have a dyno of those 2 computers on my car, one is terrible gas and at one point in the powerband is 19hp/15tq lower then the one that makes better gas. Fords idea of an "unpdated" or "reflashed" computer makes the car run richer. I would not be surprised if every focus after 2001 or 2002 makes low power then a 2000 and also get worse milage, I would also assume the 2003 focus zetec is the worst of all.

For the Zx2 line you can look at the computer codes ove the years (98-03) and see that they slowly add more fuel to the mix untill the car is not making the rated HP or gas anymore. the 98-00 years are where the cars are both making more power and getting better milage....the 2003 year is just terrible, so for the Zx2 it is popular to put a 99-00 computer in a 2003 car.

[bunyz06rabbitt]

Here's what happened or is happening with me. I was getting 17 or 18 mpg and on a whim decided to change my wires for "more performance". Got a set of Taylor 8mm's from AJ-USA and boy what a difference. I then went ahead and got a set of Autolite Double Platinums (NAPA) just to see if any more improvement could be squeezed out'a the thing. Bigtime! Mileage is now 25 MPG and I drive like I stole it! I know other guys are gonna claim they get 25,000 miles to the gallon but hey, I've got a wagon just like you. It has the 2.0 Zetec engine, automatic. In my line of work (handyman) I drive a lot. I do over 100 mph every single day without fail, even in the rain (Michelin Pilots, K & N, Royal Purple). And my wagon is loaded to the hilt in that back area behind the back seat. In fact it's so f***** loaded the wheels are bowin' out! (three stooges! and helps with cornering) Now on a more serious note, I don't know if you're good with your hands and I don't know if you're technically inclined. But I observed on one of my plugs that there may have been some blowby occuring so when I reset the new plugs I made sure to use anti-seize (an often overlooked detail) on the threads and dielectric silicone grease on both ends of the new wires (de riguer). But man I'm tellin' 'ya, noticable pick-up and verifiable MPG. Might wanna change your gas filter too for good measure. All, easy to do yourself!

[RahX]

i would rely more on the programming in this situation. ive never heard of replacing wires that werent causing problems and getting more performance. double platinum wouldnt net you anything over a single platinum or a copper plug. platinum isnt made for performance, its for durability.

[dazada]

It might be one of your o2 sensors...expensive to replace.