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Comments
Back in the 70s, the auto industry standardized fuel gauges to make a sudden drop at around 1/4 tank. Watch your gauge...it'll do this. This was done to try to eliminate the problem of running out of gas that was happening with the more "real-time" gas gauges.
Like I said, I'll see if I can find something on this. Anybody have more specific info?
For instance, I always keep my windows up - I hate the wind noise - and run the inside fan - usually at position 2 - at all outside temps. My ZX3 is wonderfully quiet to me. But on trips I occasionally need to drive briefly with the window down - toll booths are a good example. The rattling noises I hear when driving past other objects (the noise echoes off stuff) are startling. But then every car I've ever owned seems to be noisy that way so I don't consider it to be an issue.
As for judging fuel economy by the number of miles till the fuel gauge reads empty, or half full...
There are too many other variables here for this to be meaningful. Fuel gauges are often not very reliable or stable. They are good as a judge of when to refill, but don't just assume you have half a tank because the gauge says so. To judge milage, we really need to know how many miles have been driven, AND the number of gallons of fuel were put back into the tank to refill it. The gauge reading is basically meaningless.
An example - My old Escort can go for a week before it hits the 1/2 mark, then it goes to E in another day or two. This gauge is very non-linear. I can rely on it to tell me when to stop for gas, but I had to learn it's quirks first.
last fill up got 28mpg--mostly city drive. 2000 miles so far got 27mpg on the first tank, so it seems to be constant.
reed112, watch out for that g-shock, they'll send you a bill in a couple of days...if you thought they watch was big, wait until you get the bill!
But on average 30-ish....
Anyone have any clue about the "reserve" in the tank? Is that just the gas you use after the light goes on?
I find I get 170-190 miles from a half tank. I believe the best way to calculate is by doing the math. Keeping a record is also recommended.
Zgrrrl and I have the same experience regarding gas mileage. I would re-read the manual regarding the gas indicator light though. There is no reserve tank. There was some discussion regarding this some time ago, but trust me there is no reserve tank.
Still , drebe's 95 miles from a half tank seems not correct. I second the vote and ask drebe to get a database of calculated gas mileage.
Jwkessler's points are valid regarding my sound test. I do the test with the windows closed too.
Oh...and thank you for remembering Silver Bullet that I had some success with ford customer service in the past.
Still love my green machine
Doug
http://www.blueovalnews.com/ubb/ubbhtml/Forum34/HTML/000096.html
ND
Picked it up late at night (after driving for 13 hours) only to learn that they ones again lost my key. Luckily I had my other set with me so I could drive it home. Next morning I noticed the forgot to put the trim panel on the A pillar in place so I took it back to have them fix it. They actually did find my key while I waited for the fix. Amazing how they had the car for 2 weeks and I still had to take it back.
On the mpg. Noticed that that I now have 90 miles on the tank and its only missing a 1/4 tank. Normally I could only get about 50-60 miles out of it. So maybe with the new tranny mpg is up from the 25 I was getting. Will keep you posted when I fill up next time.
Speaking of mpg, any of you using priceline.com to save on their gas? I don't work for them or anything but have been real happy with their service and love saving $0.12 to $0.25 a gallon.
I ordered my wind/rain deflectors today... cost about 45 bucks and will be in tomorrow... but im goin in to get my tonsils removed first thing in the morning... so I probably wont pick them up for a few days.
I dont realy like the way the focus 16" rims look... just personal preference... but I like my 15" 5-spoke rims much better.
NJ
not seem normal with a/c on or off.the better half
drives an auto zx2 with same zetec engine air on
always and averages 25 to 28 mpg. not to shabby.
in my opinion, the zetec in zx2 seems to be more
gutsy.i dont know why either.it may have to do with
the more aerodynamic shape,also seats are lower to
floor than zx2.it may just be that sensation of
being closer to ground level than zx3.even the escort seems more gutsy than the sedan base focus.
there must be differences in the 2 configurations
of the zetec used in the zx2 + zx3.as far as cape may,it certainly is a beautiful one of a kind town.
if i wasnt for work,i could live on the beach till
i checked-out.i got lucky,2 sunny saturdays in a row.i am going for three this saturday.its a good idea to have your friend do an analysis for you.it
is certainly an odd situation with all the different mpg being reported here.i think 25 mpg
avg.would be decent overall.i almost forgot,hows the dryer?
I also drilled two holes in the front bumper and put my "Jimmy" license plate [that I swiped from the GMC display at a Pittsburgh Auto Show] on, looks good, I like it [but then again, I am a bit vain.
My MPG is still in the slightly sucky [not as bad as my 1998 Ranger, but not at good as my bro's GOLF] and I tried to shift at 3000 rpm or so but darn if I couldn't do it. I had to let the Zetec sing up till the 4500 rpm sweet spot and get to where I was going sooner.
Jimmy
Since I started using it just over a month ago I have paid between $1.20 and $1.54 while the gas station price was between $1.46 and $1.65.
I hit the halfway mark on the gauge yesterday. Trip odometer said 100 mi.
Obviously the fuel gauge isn't accurate as I know from figuring my mileage that I'm getting 22 mpg. in the city.
approximate values:
200 mi.
9 gallons
(I have used the same gas station and the same pump for every fueling of my car thus far.)
I do check my mileage every time I put fuel in the car. I'm sure that if I was easier on the car, I'd see a better mpg. However, all the highway miles I've calculated were 35+ mpg.
Gabe
Have a great time in Cape May. I am so jealous!
My MPG has stabilized at about 27-28. I've never done as well as 30, but have not been below the low 20's. Keep in mind that the ZX3 is (relatively) powerful, and has a stubby, tall shape. Not good for high MPG.
Thinking back on the thousands of posts we've read: hey, torinopaddy (in Italy) are you still reading these posts? Long time, no hear.
Dave (not to be confused with the Dave of Chain Letter fame.)
* .. well almost no problems
Ford Focus
Mitsubishi Galant
Buick LeSabre
Acura TL
Lincoln LS
Cadillac DeVille
Lexus GS 300/400
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Dodge Caravan
Nissan Xterra
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
Audi TT
But as I'm doing around 2500 miles a month, I'll have no problem myself.
I installed my HiperWhite 60/55w bulbs last night, and really like them. It took me a while to figure out how to take the 'old' bulbs out; that metal spring clip looks nothing like the drawing in the manual!
Do any of you think that the dipped-beam headlights (also the full-beam) are shining too high on the road ? I don't have any heavy weights in the trunk, so I'm sure the car isn't tilted back at all. I'd appreciate if any of you (silverbullet?) have adjusted the height to let me know what to do. Thanks.
treva
I don't think our headlamps are adjustable, but I'll check the service CD and report back a bit later.
Pat
Pat
you have to march down to the dealership and read
those guys the riot act.you havent forgotten the
squeaky wheel gets the most oil.you have to be one
big pain in the a..sometimes thats all they under-
stand.you have a legitimate concern that should be
addressed.dont forget,old jack,the ceo is on the tv
every night putting a spin on the firestone fiasco.
they need to retain all the customer confidence they can.i believe this one is going to hurt them
hard.by the way, is the dryer the one where the door opens from the front?i think i had noticed in
our laundry room two types of appliances.not sure
how they operate.i do take out the trash twice a week.
Am I correct in understanding that you have a Native American reservation nearby that sell gas for "cheap" ? - as in not having to paying taxes to some level of government ?
Carl
Am I correct in understanding that you have a Native American reservation nearby that sells gas for "cheap" ? - as in not having to paying taxes to some level of government ?
Carl
I have noticed that when I am at 70 mph, the tach is around 2900 rpm. You folks getting the 30-38 mpg, what does your tach register at when you are driving @ 70? Just wondering if my engine is working harder, thus yielding the lower mpg.
Thanks
NJ
2002 Ford Mondeo....ZX-3 on STEROIDS!!! I Like it.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/thisweek/default.asp?idSection=1
Whyford,
Gas mileage sucks but i really like mine.
Check out http://www.geocities.com/zinc_zx3/ for some pictures of my first two trips.
On the subject of tires, I checked my tire pressure for the first time (had my car 5 days), and all tires were 38-40 lbs at 75F. According to the label in my door jamb, they are supposed to be 34 lbs. Is 75F too warm? Is my gauge wrong? Or did dealer prep over-inflate my tires?
Interestingly, I should have mentioned this before, but the first time I checked my tires (about a month after purchasing my z), they were all at 25psi. So I had to pump them all up to 32psi. So, I find it disconcerting to read the carconnection.com report about Ford routinely underinflating the Explorer's Firestone tires due to the apparent instability when inflated to their recommended pressure.
I hope these two aren't connected. I really hope so, for Ford's sake. At least the zx3 is on Goodyears.
treva
treva.
Regarding tire pressures, first you have to obtain a decent gauge - no, the $5 pencil types aren't very accurate. The gauge I use came from Racer's Wholesale, and is actually hand calibrated for accuracy; when it reads 30psi, it means 30 psi. It is a dial-type gauge with an extension hose and integral bleeder, and cost about $35.00. A similar device is a worthwhile investment, as I've found most dealer service departments and tire shops use inaccurate gauges. You should get in the habit of checking tire pressure every week, or at least every two weeks. Keep in mind that a drop in air temp. will result in a drop in tire pressure as well, and that the rated pressure (isn't it 32 psi?) is always measured when the tires are cold (i.e., before you start off for the day).
1. Fill up the tank
2. Reset the tripometer.
3. Drive until you need to fill up again.
4. Divide the number of miles on the tripometer by the number of gallons pumped.
Example...
300 miles driven divided by 10 gallons pumped = 30 MPG.
MPG calculation has nothing to do with the gas gauge.
And I know I am stating the obvious for most hear but some seem confused.