poor mpg

[dremartinez]

2012 focus hatchback, 2,300 miles,
poor mpg(average 24mpg, mostly hw.
any thoughts as to why?

[pb]

Just for reference, here's the Fuelly page for 2012 focus hatchbacks. You're at the lower end of the average MPG chart at the top of the page, but you're definitely not alone at around 24 MPG.

[phlygirl86]

Some engines aren't fully broken in until 5000 miles. You might start to see a steady gain in MPG until then.

[MatrixDom]

Both previous posts are very true. Also, accelerating under 3000rpm for a full tank helps. Reducing your cruising speed on the highway helps too. Using the cruise control is very useful on flat roads.

[sunisfun]

Strange. Something has to be wrong. Is that figure from a trip computer or manual calc?

My parents' 2007 focus got around 35 hwy. they got a 2009 or 2010 and it gets 42 mpg hwy. and yes, my dad calculates it manually, and it's usu pretty close to the computer.

Either:

Mechanical problem?

Really, really bad gas?

Bad computer?

[DTMAce]

Might be issues with how they are driving. Could be more City than Highway. Maybe they have a lead foot. lol

[MMUK]

As said earlier in the thread, the engine is not yet broken in, and additionally it is winter.

Once the engine is broken in, the biggest highway factor is peak cruising speed.

[DTMAce]

Not buying that really either. I bought a new car once. I still get about the same mileage I got when it was new off the lot. So I doubt it has that much impact, maybe a few MPG, but not as much as shown here.

[WhiplashWilly]

Going faster the 55mph on the highway will reduce your MPG, as well as traffic (Huge). It is probley just a mix of bad gas, driving habit, and where you drive. Also winter gas, and the cold weather decreases MPG as well.

If it makes you feel better, I am averaging 33.9 MPG per tank in my TDI Jetta, which is rated at 30/42. I can average 48 MPG during a trip that is 90% highway. I can also average 26 MPG in heavy traffic...

[DTMAce]

I like the fact that my nearly 18 year old beretta can get over 30 on trips. And that's with a 6 cylinder on gas. I have seen more modern cars get well less than that, kinda scary.

But its all about how you drive it, and I have learned how to make the most of the tank. When I want to....