Jump to content

What are you getting for gas milage?


Vankor
 Share

Recommended Posts

Just wondering if anyone knows for sure: my car was purchased in Canada, so my display shows liters / 100 kms. When I switch the display to miles per galleon, does it use the imperial (Canadian) galleon, or does it figure you must be in the USA and use the American galleon to do its measurement?

 

After repeated measurements (when the tank is filled up I check how many kilometers I have driven) my 2010 Fusion 2.5l SE has been averaging 36 miles per imperial galleon driven at an average speed of 110 kms for the whole tank. A combo of small country drives (about 20% of the kilometers) and small city driving gets me around 26 kms.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Just wondering if anyone knows for sure: my car was purchased in Canada, so my display shows liters / 100 kms. When I switch the display to miles per galleon, does it use the imperial (Canadian) galleon, or does it figure you must be in the USA and use the American galleon to do its measurement?

 

After repeated measurements (when the tank is filled up I check how many kilometers I have driven) my 2010 Fusion 2.5l SE has been averaging 36 miles per imperial galleon driven at an average speed of 110 kms for the whole tank. A combo of small country drives (about 20% of the kilometers) and small city driving gets me around 26 kms.

 

 

Your Canadian Fusion will calculate based on US gallons. I have the same Canadian Fusion.

 

The best mileage I've received has been 41 miles/gallon. This was done in Florida on a flat straight road and no wind doing just under 60mph. I usually see about 35 at around 70mph. Not sure if this has anything to do with it but I just had the PCM flash to address a TSB for improved shift quality. My shifts are very much improved.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

For all of you 4-cylinder drivers out there, I'm just curious what milage you are getting on average, or city vs highway.

 

OKay I have 2000 miles on my FF now and just did all highway NY to Baltimore MD and back some of the way and was a little disappointed in mpg though I am not crying in my beer over it.

 

406.9 miles ( virtually all hwy much cruise control 62 mph or better ) 30.74 miles per gallon fillip COMPUTER READ 33 mpg which is consistent with all my findings. I read somewhere concerning speedometers can be legitimately off by as much as 3 mph based on various tire sizes and such on new vehicles due to region of sale etc and that gps is far more accurate at speed etc. Maybe that is a factor on fill vs computer. But then I have to scratch my head and wonder why I have yet to here that computer is lower on any versus fillip calculation.

 

George in NY

 

Spread sheet to date attachedgasmpgford.pdf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OKay I have 2000 miles on my FF now and just did all highway NY to Baltimore MD and back some of the way and was a little disappointed in mpg though I am not crying in my beer over it.

 

406.9 miles ( virtually all hwy much cruise control 62 mph or better ) 30.74 miles per gallon fillip COMPUTER READ 33 mpg which is consistent with all my findings. I read somewhere concerning speedometers can be legitimately off by as much as 3 mph based on various tire sizes and such on new vehicles due to region of sale etc and that gps is far more accurate at speed etc. Maybe that is a factor on fill vs computer. But then I have to scratch my head and wonder why I have yet to here that computer is lower on any versus fillip calculation.

 

George in NY

 

Spread sheet to date attachedgasmpgford.pdf

 

 

Hi George. :D The answer as to why the mpg reading is "optimistic" is relatively simple. Speedometers on vehicles are calibrated to read slightly higher than actual speed. Maybe ~1-2+ mph higher than actual speed at 60 mph. The reason? Well, while I don't know all the reasons, one is obvious: In the overly litigious society we live in, some idiot (idiots actually) would sue the automaker after they get a speeding ticket if the speedometer read lower than actual speed ("It is Ford's fault I received the ticket because the speedometer told me I was doing 60 and I was really traveling at 63, so I am emotionally scarred for life, can not work and deserve pain and suffering compensation of $10,000,000..."). :hysterical: Now, since the speedometer reads a bit higher than actual speed, so does the odometer read higher. So the odometer reading higher means that the trip computer and average mpg readings will be on the higher (optimistic ) side. Throw in the usual mechanical/human error filling variables, tire wear over the course of ownership (smaller diameter with wear), etc. etc. and that can make it even less accurate.

 

Now, of course some will ask why can't they calibrate the odometer separately from the speedometer to make the average mpg reading more accurate? My answer to that is I have no idea. But it is safe to assume that is why they specifically tell owners that the Message Center readout is only an approximation and to use the manual method of miles driven divided by gallons filled for the most accurate mpg calculations. I would compare it to aircraft. Even commercial aircraft have a hard time getting the fuel consumption down to an exact science with their gauges. And let's face it, it is much more important when you are flying than rolling on the ground.

 

Anyway, that is the short story of one reason why the Message Center reads the way it does.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited by bbf2530
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The analog speedometers always read high. However, if you read the digital speed with a scan tool or with the cluster in ETM, then it's right on the money. The speedometer is also within a percent or less.

 

Every Ford I've driven with the electronic MPG display has always read higher than reality by about 5-15%. I think the inaccuracy has more to do with the method used to compute it. The distance portion of the calculation is fairly accurate, but there are no sensors that directly measure fuel flow rate, so the computer has to estimate the actual amount of fuel used based solely on the injector duty cycle. This is like trying to measure how much water is coming out of your hose by only knowing the rough flow rate of the hose and how long you had it on. Slight variations in pressure, temperature, and delays when you turn the hose on and off will affect the end result if you measure the water level in the bucket. So you get close but not exact.

 

If you read the hybrid section, there a few guys that really get into this and tell you a lot more.

 

Since your car is new and it's winter, I think once you have a few more miles and things warm up more for summer you should be seeing 35+ mpg.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Traded my 2009 Milan for the 2012 Fusion. I drive 150 miles a day on the exact same route. My milan averaged 34mpg per the computer. The Fusion averages 32mpg. Fusion is about to hit 10k miles and is still stock, mechanically. The Milan only had a K&N drop in filter.

 

I'll be going to a Steeda CAI and aftermarket muffler in a couple of months.... I use the dealer for all of the oil changes and tire rotation every 5k miles.

 

If I keep my speed within a couple of miles per hour of the 75 limit, on the way to work I can get 42mpg. The trip back involves a grade and increase in elevation of 2500', so it kills my mileage.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi George. :D The answer as to why the mpg reading is "optimistic" is relatively simple. Speedometers on vehicles are calibrated to read slightly higher than actual speed. Maybe ~1-2+ mph higher than actual speed at 60 mph. The reason? Well, while I don't know all the reasons, one is obvious: In the overly litigious society we live in, some idiot (idiots actually) would sue the automaker after they get a speeding ticket if the speedometer read lower than actual speed ("It is Ford's fault I received the ticket because the speedometer told me I was doing 60 and I was really traveling at 63, so I am emotionally scarred for life, can not work and deserve pain and suffering compensation of $10,000,000..."). :hysterical:

 

 

Good Morning BBF,

 

I enjoyed reading your answer. Too bad for Ford will not get relief from of any litigation ;) this I know as I was notified of my extended warranty over standard 36,000 miles as provided by Honda. This based on a class action suit by a Karen Vaughn filed in 2004 claiming that her 2002 Honda overstated her mileage by 2-4%. Bottom line settlement extended warranties by 5% to 37,800, also extended 70k emissions etc. Actually notable for us all should you ever wind up in the position that something goes just after that warranty period and want some edge when crying to the District Manager of any car company for a warranty repair 300 miles after expiration.

 

I don't really expect mileage numbers to be accurate to large degree, too many variables such as temperature, driver style etc, but is a good thing to track individually since can often alert one to a problem commencing if a notable variance from normal is seen.

 

George in NY

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The analog speedometers always read high. However, if you read the digital speed with a scan tool or with the cluster in ETM, then it's right on the money. The speedometer is also within a percent or less.

 

Every Ford I've driven with the electronic MPG display has always read higher than reality by about 5-15%. I think the inaccuracy has more to do with the method used to compute it. The distance portion of the calculation is fairly accurate, but there are no sensors that directly measure fuel flow rate, so the computer has to estimate the actual amount of fuel used based solely on the injector duty cycle. This is like trying to measure how much water is coming out of your hose by only knowing the rough flow rate of the hose and how long you had it on. Slight variations in pressure, temperature, and delays when you turn the hose on and off will affect the end result if you measure the water level in the bucket. So you get close but not exact.

 

If you read the hybrid section, there a few guys that really get into this and tell you a lot more.

 

Since your car is new and it's winter, I think once you have a few more miles and things warm up more for summer you should be seeing 35+ mpg.

 

FD,

 

15% seems a bit much but really don't expect great accuracy as stated in my note to BBF. I started out reading hybrid section quite a while ago now as a friend owns one, which is what got me interested in the FF.

 

Certainly winter kills mileage in NE factoring in warm up periods and such while scraping, something we haven't had to do quite yet although January. I am NOT complaining!!! My mileage should go to OMG since I am retired and when snows have to clean car to have ready for emergency and also to move for parking lot cleanup. So car will be running to ease cleanup and de-ice yet not move but a few feet. That will kill some numbers! However all that said, this particular trip was all highway with virtually no warm up time involved nor sit in traffic time of any consequence. Just pure hywy driving. Do you think newness and winter ( actually also in 50's travel days ) would impact much?

 

Many say that mileage improves after " breaking, " has that ever been actually demonstrated? I presume that the wear in that smooths operation and friction is what is considered?

 

George in NY

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Traded my 2009 Milan for the 2012 Fusion. I drive 150 miles a day on the exact same route. My milan averaged 34mpg per the computer. The Fusion averages 32mpg. Fusion is about to hit 10k miles and is still stock, mechanically. The Milan only had a K&N drop in filter.

 

I'll be going to a Steeda CAI and aftermarket muffler in a couple of months.... I use the dealer for all of the oil changes and tire rotation every 5k miles.

 

If I keep my speed within a couple of miles per hour of the 75 limit, on the way to work I can get 42mpg. The trip back involves a grade and increase in elevation of 2500', so it kills my mileage.

 

OKay I know it's early Sunday morning and I am NOT at my brightest but are you saying that you get 42 mpg doing 75 mph uphill? OKAY it is morning you said on way home is uphill hence on way to is pretty much downhill. Said I don't process well in the morning :) What is your average for the round trip? Sounds like you could glide to work and really get some numbers ;)

 

George NY

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As the engine "breaks-in" the amount of friction created between engine components decreases. In my car it took about 4000 miles for me to reach peak efficiency. Your car is just getting there is seems, as evidenced by your increasing milage.

 

Winter kills milage, even though you are driving on the highway most of the time. The winter fuel mixture might contain more ethanol in your area and you get lower milage than with summer gas. Also, being cold the air is more dense, and obviously harder to push out of the way so drag increases. All this adds up to about a 10-20% milage hit that I see every winter, even when driving 98% highway miles.

 

I believe Idowa was saying he was getting 46 mpg into work going down the hill. Going back he would probably be getting in the 20's going uphill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As the engine "breaks-in" the amount of friction created between engine components decreases. In my car it took about 4000 miles for me to reach peak efficiency. Your car is just getting there is seems, as evidenced by your increasing milage.

 

Winter kills milage, even though you are driving on the highway most of the time. The winter fuel mixture might contain more ethanol in your area and you get lower milage than with summer gas. Also, being cold the air is more dense, and obviously harder to push out of the way so drag increases. All this adds up to about a 10-20% milage hit that I see every winter, even when driving 98% highway miles.

 

I believe Idowa was saying he was getting 46 mpg into work going down the hill. Going back he would probably be getting in the 20's going uphill.

 

 

Had forgotten the ethanol factor! Think it is 10% here.

 

George in NY

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Just back from run to NC to attend Super Bowl Party at a friends. The one tank that was pure hwy almost exclusive 68 mph on cruise control was impressive CALCULATED 35.09 mpg I was happy camper.

 

My total average over 3,470 miles driven 26.293 far more local than why but a couple straight why tanks in there.

 

George in NY

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

I've had my car for about 4 months now, almost 8000 miles. Since day 1 I have not reset the computer average mpg. It currently reads 30.2, I drive 80 miles a day, 76 of those miles are highway. I've been pretty impressed with the average. On the weekends it will drop to maybe 29.8, but goes back up during the week.

 

I also use an app that generally shows my average between 29-30 mpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With just some casual driving on my 2012 I've attained an average of 31.93 MPG, as calculated by dividing miles traveled by gallons put in @ the pump. This includes the 2 miniature "road trips" I've taken, Baltimore -> State College, PA & Baltimiore -> Virginia Beach, as well as my general 'round town driving and my daily commute as a I slog through DC area traffic.

 

Highest MPG so far has been 34.10. Lowest MPG has been 26.93. Still vastly better than my previous vehicle, a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac whose MPG record was 25 but whose average was only 18 mpg!

 

I've been comparing this to the MPG reported by the car itself and the average % error on that, for me, is 3.44% higher than actual (with a maximum % error of 3.74% over). Much better than my 2010 RAV4 which averages 5.49% higher (with a maximum % error of 12.04% over).

 

Of course I don't have that much data to work with as carpooling and driving other vehicles has left me with only 9,000 miles on the Fusion in 10 months of owning it.

 

Some day I'd like to see my MPG with non-ethanated gas, but that seems unlikely with the EPA talking about E15 and living in MD, where gas stations are proud to offer 10% ethanol gasoline. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...

I am a little less than a month into owning a 2007 4 cylinder SEL.

It has just over 81 thousand miles on it now.

Around town driving I been getting 23-24.

That was not too much less than I expected. But...

even now that I am traveling back and forth to work, 60 miles with 50+ of that being highway, I expected better.

25 is as good as I have seen so far with cruise set at 76 mph.

I do have a lot of humming which I think is a wheel hub.

And I have yet to look at the plugs or air filter.

And it is a bout 20 wintery degrees here in Michigan.

I am not "bummed" yet, but hoping for better eventually, especially after seeing so many others report far better.

 

BTW: Just joined, enjoying the forums, and looking forward to hanging out here:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

26.5 in mixed city/highway, 70% city probably, during the summer months, usually 24.5-25 during the winder months, with a fairly short commute to work. Highway trips have been 30 @ 75mph in the winter, up to 34 in the summer across Oregon at 65-ish MPH.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

2012 2.5L When I first started I was up to 29.x MPG now I am down to 26.6 or something. The math a month ago was 25.x MPH now it is just under. I don't understand. I use expressway when I can. Work is 5 miles roads, 10 Highway. Going home is 2 miles roads, then mostly 8 lane devided highway slow lik 35-40 for 5 miles, rest mostly 45-50 with little idling at lights.

If I go from one work to another there is a bit of highway driving, then mostly highway back home and when I go on east side, highway and road with slighlty more idiling then the 8 lane blvd. I would expect high 20's.

 

Any ideas?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2012 2.5L When I first started I was up to 29.x MPG now I am down to 26.6 or something. The math a month ago was 25.x MPH now it is just under. I don't understand. I use expressway when I can. Work is 5 miles roads, 10 Highway. Going home is 2 miles roads, then mostly 8 lane devided highway slow lik 35-40 for 5 miles, rest mostly 45-50 with little idling at lights.

If I go from one work to another there is a bit of highway driving, then mostly highway back home and when I go on east side, highway and road with slighlty more idiling then the 8 lane blvd. I would expect high 20's.

 

Any ideas?

 

This is to be expected. Fuel consumption always increases during winter in your part of the country. Warm-up cycles are longer as your engine takes longer to reach optimum operating temperature. Also, winter fuel blends lower MPG.

 

There are several other contributing factors that you can read about here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

Seems to be a lot of controversy about the mpg reading on the onboard computer accuracy. I'm currently getting 28 around town, and 33-34 on the highway (if accurate). I use the cruise control a LOT, whenever I can, especially on the highway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...