2004 Ford Focus SE wagon from North America - Comments

Nothing went wrong at this time.

I adjusted the idle speed from standard 1,000rpm+ to about 450 - 500 rpm for better breaking, less engine wear and mpg increase ($ decision...)

I installed a more comfortable harm rests on passenger seat and GPS (4 to 6) to improve drive-ability and comfort.

I installed convex mirrors and fish-eye vangard films (3M) on rear window to kill any remaining dead angles.

Very roomy and resonably powered engine for the car weight.

The a/c seriously impaired available engine power (standard 110hp engine)

Believe it or not mpg quote for my car are: 40mpg for regular city driving and 47mpg (4.96L/100km) for highway driving

this summer.

Seats and Elbow rest comfort needed to be improved and idle speed lowered to about 500rpm (rev usually higher to 1000rpm, that's crazy)

What are the techniques you use to save this extra 40-50% gas from regular driving (are you really slow driver or just a brainiac driver)

I would like to see the quotes and facts about mpg for the summer in order to consider buying one instead of the Jetta wagon diesel (diesel is much noisiest and tricky concerning performance/rpm)

When you buy a car, consider how many dealer ships are around. If you travel, and have any kind of car trouble, it helps when you go to just about any small town and theres a ford dealer. My wife has a Deawoo, I have a ford, when we take trips we take my car.

Has there been any ill-effects from lowering your idle speed? Does it effect the car's pick-up (from a stopped position)??

You know, since I disconnected the connector in charge of idle speed, It also operates as the choke plug. So, during the winter I increase a bit the idle (manually) to prevent the car from stalling on idle (when engine's cold). You really hear how an engine struggle when he's cold. However, I've done that for the past 12 years with my cars and never damaged an engine.

Try this first: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CheapPower/message/32

There was a full-graphic version in the past, but it is now very hard to retrace (I have it printed in the car...)

I am going to have to call out the original poster here as I have serious doubts that her/his Focus could ever get an average near 40 mpg let along 47 on the hwy and 40 in town. Even with the small 2.0L with the 5-speed, EPA esitmates on city driving is rated at 29 and hwy is 35. I could see 30 in the city and 37 on the hwy - but not getting too much better than that.

My good friend has the 5-speed with the 2.0L engine and he gets 36 on the hwy and 30 in the city he thinks. While it could be argued that a "perfect" driving style could improve fuel economy, this size engine coupled with the weight of this car (whatever that happens to be) has limitations on what it can achieve. People are just going to have to use their common sense on this one as it is impossible to refute someone who claims ridiculously high gas mileage.

I like the part about convex mirrors. I have been doing this for years. It eliminates all blind spots.

Do what you think is the best for your conscience.

I don't have anything to sell here.

Most recent readings said between 40 and 45 mpg in summer driving (depending on the usage of air conditioning / temperature) and 30 to 34 mpg in winter driving. Highway and city driving readings are similar at this time. This car is supposed to be drinking (as per EPA) 27/35 mpg city/hwy. Don't drive above 3,000rpm and cool-off on acceleration and predictable breaking.

The ill-effects:

1- the car stalls when put on idling/neutral for too long (RPM has to stay above 300 and engine at normal operating temperature),

2- when you take the foot off the accelerator it is pretty brutal and you instantly feel the deceleration

3- when the engine is compressing (engine brake) and I use the A-C it also give an added engine braking power. I think I'll never have to change the brakes on that car ;)

4- bigger are the tires (diameter) sluggier is the driving (now 9.7% bigger) but it's so smooth driving.

5- Check-Engine has been permanently lighted on since June 2004 without any other related reason (Automatic Idle Speed control regulator disconnected) I think the light will run-off soon...

6- On Idle speed, the engine is unstable, the alternator is dead and forget about air-conditioning, defrost or any battery charging...

7- Following me when the light turns to green is a bit irritating if you're in a hurry ;)

Some cars DO get better than EPA mileage estimates on occasion. For some reason both of my 4-cylinder Dodge cars got up to 8 mpg better than the highway EPA estimate at times if I were on the interstate and drove a steady 65mph.

My Daytona got 37mpg on one trip, and the Omni routinely got 35 in town, which was awesome. I wish I had kept it, but at 240,000 miles the CV joints were getting noisey and I was afraid I'd start having trouble with it.