Taurus/Sable MPG-Real World Numbers
With the price of fuel being what it is, the mileage you're getting is becoming more important. This is the place to discuss the mileage performance you're getting out int he real world.
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Highway mpg,of course.
My best fuel mileage is during the Spring & Fall. Summer a/c drags down the mpg, but what are the reaons for poorer mileage during the Winter months? Is it the change in viscosities of all the different fluids and grease which in turn create more resistance on moving parts?
There is an after market Ipod part which goes from the charging port of the ipod to the inputs of the cd-player, I haven't purchased it as I am a poor college student.
-Alex :P
Getting 18-20 means something is very wrong: ARCO gas? (run a bottle of Techron through it - then Chevron regular), air filter, tire pressure, cheap oil?
It's a nice car -- comfortable, good mileage and reliable and not expensive to buy or own (if I want to go fast I'll fire up the Ducati and suck the paint off just about anything on 4 wheels) - it's just a good basic car - no complaints
My 2001 SES Sedan gets 20/23, which, is not very good in my opionion.
By comparison, I rented a 2008 Milan two weeks ago and drove it pretty hard for three days. The Milan only had 20 miles on it when I picked it up.. When I checked the milage on that car it beat the sticker giving me 27 mpg.
On a brighter note; I love the car. I handles well, rides well and I love the "Sync." Don't count on 28 mpg hwy as it probably isn't going to happen unless you happen to like driving @ 45 mph.. :mad:
What was your mix of city & highway?
Do you cruise at 80 mph on highway?
Are you an aggressive drier?
Are you in a state where gas has higher concentration of ethanol?
Nothing like buried the car on mpg issue before 1000 miles logged onto it. :confuse:
95% of this driving was done on the highway @ 70 mph. All of the highway driving occurred with the cruise control engaged.... No ethanol in this part of Texas.
The fist tank where I got about 24 mpg occurred in the flat lands and the second tank was in the Hill country going up and down some reasonably steep hills.
Power is quite good for a V-6, 260 HP and it shifts very smooth with the 6 speed Automatic. The oil filter is located in a pretty good spot and I use my drive up ramps using 5W-20 oil every 7500 miles. I changed at 2500 the first time to get factory grit out of the engine as I tend to keep cars quite a long time. This car starts every time and never misses no matter what temperature__4-8 degree mornings for us.
The only problem, I had was an out of adjustment cruise control switch on the brake pedal that would kick out the cruise occasionally. I took it to a nearby Ford dealer for a quick fix and that was it. I did buy the extended 6 year/100K mile warranty since I still remember the $1800.00 Sun visors that went bad with Home-Link/Visor lights wiring shorts that wiped out the Digital Dash (which I miss). I had the mechanic wire around for $80 each time on each visor instead, to bypass the visors. I will know more about this car in about 100K miles.
The room in this car is phenomenal, especially in the rear seats and the trunk is large, though space is awkward, but still handles large suit cases for international travel quite well. The courtesy lights on this car are great and the interior controls grow on you after awhile. The plug-ins are plentiful for our Radar Detector, phone charger Fr/Rr, ipod, etc.
This is the car Ford/Mercury is pushing as they neglect the Grand Marquis design. The price was quite good with $3000 rebates and trade. We ordered and waited 2 months to get the Sage color we wanted w/ Camel interior and light plastic wood.
I feel this car is the precursor for the upcoming Lincoln MKS, which has a better looking C pillar, dished out chrome wheels, and a few more gadgets. My wife did not like the front end of that car on the websites we viewed. Our car had every option except the rear DVD player and it has plenty of toys to play with. We get quite a few compliments on the color and look of the car as they tried to make it look closer to the smaller Milan (mileage is not much better on the Milan than with the larger Sable).
Overall, I would recommend this car to anyone who drives a lot of miles and hauls 3-4 people often, as well as drives it to work daily. I regret buying the extended warranty, but for the overall price I feel good about the purchase as this car goes to Chicago quite often (600 mile trips)
Our mileage: We normally drive on Interstates about 65-75+ MPH regularly and do some town driving. I select regular gas w/o ethanol to avoid the 2-3 mpg loss, which I have tested. The weather is now cold in Southern Illinois which also cost about 1-2 MPG. If I keep my foot out of it, mileage does go up about 1-2 MPG.
We get about 23-26 MPG on trips and 18-20 MPG going to work__5 miles away. (not much better than what we got on the 2000 Grand Marquis)
Good Luck to all.
Zero problems with my car so far. The only thing I wish it had was a telescoping steering wheel like my Honda van has. I really like Auto Climate control on these cars.
For a Ford, the heat does come on pretty quick, especially w/heated seats; and the Dual side/Auto temp is great...my wife can run the temp just as hot as she wants on her side. The fans are quiet.
For perfection on the 08 Sable for me, it needs good telescoping/tilt steering wheel, get 2-3 more MPG, heated/AC front/rear seats, a little more work on interior sound noise--noisy Pirelli tires and wind, better looking c-pillar and dished wheels__ I am not crazy about the chrome truck wheels Ford likes to use on its cars. We have the 18 inch chrome. I guess Ford wants me to buy an 09 Lincoln MKS.
Otherwise, the car is enjoyable to drive and has plenty of power when I need it. To me interior room is a luxury most cars do not have. I feel Quality Control is right at excellent. This car is about 3 years too late. This car is a well kept secret. Ford must be still unloading Montegos/500s to not be advertising this car.
The one thing I hate about the car is that the coat hanger hooks are just too small to work well. When I go to pick up my cleaning, I usually wind up hooking the hangers around the head rest to keep them off the floor.
:shades:
We left during very cold, clear, windy weather (it was 20 below Fahrenheit), and for a while the mileage (according to the trip computer) was around 23 MPG. As it warmed up, the mileage improved, so that by the time we reached our destination, the average MPG was around 25-26 MPG for the first 450 mile leg.
The mileage on the way back was better. The weather was warmer, and there wasn't much of a headwind. For one stretch (150+ miles) in fairly flat country we got over 30 MPG (I verified this with the odometer reading and gas used between fill ups). As the weather turned colder and the country became more hilly, the car got between 27-28 MPG.
Mileage in town is nothing great (16-20 MPG), but we live where it's quite hilly. Also, the weather has been cold so that doesn't help.
The car has under 2500 miles on it now (after the trip). Perhaps the mileage will improve as the car breaks in and as the weather warms up. But so far it's been what I expected.
Anyway, it looks to me as if the new EPA estimates (18/28) are pretty accurate if you don't drive with a heavy foot.
The Taurus has a big enough trunk that we could fit a snowboard and a pair of skiis and 3 large suitcases, a large duffel, another duffel, and other stuff in it. The car is a great highway cruiser and it doesn't get blown around much if there's crosswinds. My wife reports that it handles well in the snow.
Incidentally, I have noticed that really cold weather causes mileage to dive no matter what the car. I recently rented a Nissan Versa for a week and it got less than 18 MPG (mainly in town) during a deep cold snap (EPA estimate is around 26 MPG city). You have to warm up the car, and the heater always is going, and the car has to work so hard during cold conditions.
Point is, it should get at least 15 percent better mileage than the antique Crown Vic. Not too much to ask.
I think it does do that much better, and then some. The EPA estimates for the 2008 Grand Marquis are 15/23. 18/28 for the Taurus/Sable certainly is 15 percent better that that, isn't it? And depending on your mix of city/highway driving, 20 MPG overall easily is attainable.
My wife and I have Colorado Springs on our B list for possible relocation sites from San Diego, if we ever decide to leave here. CO has plenty of good driving country. Last time there were discovered Pagosa Springs where we stopped for a soak.
Is AWD that much of a plus when driving on snow? How does it handle different on dry pavement? I've never had AWD. Feel free to contact me via private email if you like... Al
I have an '05 Freestyle with FWD and love it. Remember AWD drops your MPG and also lowers your acceleration. This forum will answer the question if the newer TaurusX and Taurus owners are getting as good MPG as I have now. In comparison, with virtually the same vehicle (Freestyle vs. new TaurusX), it looks like the old V6 with CVT tranny gets a couple more MPG than the TaurusX, although these new whipper-snapper hotshots get 23% more power (205hp vs. 260 hp). In this time of high gas prices, I'm happy to get better MPG and live with 205hp, 0-60 times of 8.5 seconds, vs. 260hp and 7.5 seconds for the newcomers.
It looks to me like the warm spring weather is definitely helping. City driving sucks the mpg down fast. If you drove nonstop on the hwy, I think you'd see 28 pretty easy.
This gave 30.8 miles per gallon, needless to say I was impressed. 90% of those 170 miles were interstate driving at 70mph with no heavy acceleration at any time.
Our 2000 Taurus with Duratec, for the whole trip averaged 27.6 miles per gallon. Best leg was just under 31 mpg across Wyoming. Worst was 24.5 which was mostly Denver city driving and a jaunt up to Central City. There was a substantial mix of stop and go siteseeing and semi-mountain driving, of course in and around Yellowstone and the Black hills. On the freeway legs of the trip, we generally kept speed at 70, though occasionally ran at 75.
The Taurus drove well, with no problems, and I am still pleased with it, now at almost 74,000 one owner miles.
Couple k miles in here on a 2008 Taurus FWD Ltd, and I'm seeing ~22mpg in mixed city driving, (stretches of highway, some stop'n'go, some short trips around the 'burbs), 27.5mpg at 76mph on flat freeway, ~24mpg at 83mph on flat freeway. All with the a/c on - this is Texas and it's hot already.
I'd have to drive like I just robbed a bank to get 12mpg
We bought the AWD because of the 2006-2007 winter here in the Springs. Of course we bought the after the winter was over and this past winter was not nearly as severe. So I don't have many words about AWD in the Taurus. Our other vehicle is a 2005 Lexus RX330 with AWD and I can say that during that bad winter I was very happy to have it.
I have two issues with the Taurus - one is the fuel economy even tho the car performs as advertised. The other is the driving position. I cannot find a position that is long term comfortable. If I get the seat and peddles adjusted for arm comfort my right leg is mashed agains the console. If I move the seat further aft to get my right leg comfortable then my arms become uncomfortable. A telescoping wheel would fix the problem.
Other than that the car is great - roomie, quiet, tight, responsive - and trouble free so far. So I have not had to test Phil Long's maintenance facilities for other than LOF etc.
Colorado Springs is a beautiful place - the air is relatively clean, the people are friendly, and the scenery is outstanding. But the wind does blow and it does get cold in the winter. And the other thing that most people don't realize - it is fairly far above sea level - we live at about 6700 feet. If you or yours has any issue with the heart or lungs - try it before you buy it!
We just got back from a 1200 mile road trip in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. It was mainly highway driving at around 65 mph, but we also drove maybe 100 miles in cities, including some rush hour stop and go, and for a few hours we were driving over 70 mph in order to make a deadline. Had headwinds coming and going!
Even with all of that, we got 28.2 MPG for the trip. The car was very comfortable -- it's a fine highway cruiser with lots of room.
If you drive conservatively, 20-22 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the road is doable.
The MKS has electric tilt/telescoping steering. I hope a manual telescoping will make it into the new Taurus.
Mark
05 Sable Duratec 30 28/18.
Vulcan is a 9.3/1 compression ratio. Means it won't efficiently use 93 octane.
Duratec 05 is 10.5/1 and it will efficiently use 93 octane. Not worth the premium price.
Duratec computer (PCM) will map timing for octanes 93, 89 or 87.
MPG freeway depends on speed. Drag increases as the square of speed.
Ex. 6 squared = 36, 7 squared = 49. Drive at or below limits will improve mpg vs warp. Inflate cold tires to cold tire AUTO manufactuer recommendations. MPG will vary seasonally due to use of ethanol in gasoline. E10 max unless FFV.
Upstream oxygen sensors determine how much fuel is injected. They are consumables and should be changed at 100k miles or when mpg decays. 95 and newer OBDII may have two upstream of the cats and two downstream. Upstream are critical to mpg. I recently replaced upstream bank 2 (front) 05 Sable for $42. Bank 1 is difficult but I will do if necessary. Based on Car Chip voltage and fuel trim readings.
I achieved 32 mpg on a Interstate with a downhill grade.
I get 28mpg going up grades and on winding roads
Allof these mpg's where with 1 passenger and 2 suitcases.
I have not checked the mpg in the city as of yet.
'87: Bought with 34K, sold with 165K. Used this one a lot as a family car (4 kids) to here, there, everywhere, and back again. Averaged 23-24 mpg and when I took the car on business trips, 28-29.98 (never could break 30!) Had the same stalling problem as on other post here - never got it fixed.
'96: Bought with 93K, at 107K started a Pilot Car business with this car (what I had at the time). Started out (with a 12" x 60" sign on top of my roof to add wind resistance) getting about 24 mpg running about 3 car lengths behind an oversize load. The shock came when I started leading the load - down to 18-22 mpg! Returning home with the sign down got me around 25-26. I added a 'Condensator' to my PCV line, which takes the heavy oils out of the PCV stream to the intake manifold and keeps the engine from having to burn them (bad for mileage). Hard to tell how much it improved things. Then I started using 3 oz. of acetone per 10 gals of fuel, which I feel increased mileage about 7-8% (in an actual non-scientific test). Switched to synthetic oil, 20W50 Castrol. New results: about the same with the load, but better 'deadheading' (driving without the sign up) get around 25.5-27.5 with the lowered sign on my roof and between 29-32.5mpg with the sign stowed inside the car. I keep my tires inflated to 34-36 psi, use cruise when I can, and carry lots of stuff with me (4200# gross weight with me inside). I now have over 284K and still running strong. . . . brag, brag, I know
For example, my 05 Sable LSP Duratec 30 V6 weighs 3,360 lbs and has a CD of .32.
A Ford Fusion 4 cyl weighs 3,320 lbs and has a CD of .33.
A Toyota Camry LE 4 cyl, weighs 3,280 lbs and has a CD of .28.
It is very expensive to reduce drag. Drag ranks no 2 behind engine friction as a gasoline consumer.
If you want to increase mpg significantly current car, slow 5 mph or at least not more than speed limit.
I am a retired mechanic and have been very happy with using acetone in my car. It runs great using 2-3 ounces of acetone with every 10 gallons of regular,87 octane.
No 10% ethanol gas. Using gas with ethanol will cost you 2-3 mpg.
Ethanol is not good on any car or truck unless it is a flex fuel. All parts of a flex fuel car or truck are made to handle ethanol.
Ray
Ray