Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance interesting mpg observation

Hi,

I've bought my '97 Contour GE (mtx) 3 months ago, (at 57k on it - now it has 69k )

After the purchase, installed new plugs, wires, K&N filter and new fuel filter - just to be sure.

I reglarly make long (5-600mi) trips with the car, and noticed something interesting about MPG: mostly driving on interstate, I get mpg about 33-34, no matter how hard I drive: once I emptied the thank with strictly 65-70, no hard accelerations, no passes, no A/C - got 33 mpg.

Last time I went to NYC from Tennessee, I was hurrying, driving at 80-90 all the way, passing, hard accelerations, A/C all the way on - I got the same 33 mpg.

Just curious about the explanation (and happy with the number and the car)...

Tivadar

I notice mine goes down as speed increases. Keep it under 80 and I get 33-34 MPG. Cruise around 85 and it drops down below 30.

Remember "weight" "tranny" and "altitude" have quite a bit to do with it too. Say for instance you're going through areas that are 1K ft higher on the average and don't have AC or anything on you may get the same mileage as you do at 1K ft lower and hammering it. Then the weight. Even 100lbs will make a difference. Doesn't seem like much but it adds up on a whole tank. Can you say, uh 260 miles per tank?!! I can. LOL!

John

I got my best mileage to date this weekend. Just under 400 miles with 3 people and a whole LOT of luggage. 85+ the first hour, around 65mph the other three, lots of hill climbing. And still about a 1/4 tank left. Im not sure what mpg it is, but I was very happy.

Wait a minute... wait a minute... I am reading these posts....

I have a ZETEC MTX and I drive very nicely... never put more than 3500 RPm on my motor... and the most I can get out of my tank is 290 miles ?? !!!!!! You guys drive 400 miles on a tank ???????!!!!!! I can't believe that !!!!! I MUST have something wrong with my engine......

Please, let me know again how many miles you guys get PER TANK. I can't believe it is over 350 miles........


Any idea of waht could be wrong ??

And NO !! I don't race... I travel everyday to work on highway nicely at no more than 65mph.

I got that milage (almost 400)on the highway, with steady cruising. In town, normaly I can squeeze around 300 if Im easy on the gas. BTW, I seem to get better milage at 80-85mph than 65. Doesnt seem right, but I do.

I get almost exactly what CRZYDRVR gets, both on the highway and in town. I used to get bad mileage, so I reset the ccomputer. It did help, so why not try it?

i get 260 on a full tank and i have a ATX i thought i was supposed to get less miles per gallon

I'm pretty lazy about filling the tank, I wait until the low fuel light goes on before I fill up. If I'm doing alot of city driving it'll come on between 290-300, if I'm doing highway driving I've seen it get as high as 360 before the fuel light came on, this was just last week with 53k on the clock original plug / wires. Are the aftermarket plugs / wires going to give me any economy bene's?

Thanks,

Brian Deloria
'99 ATX 4cyl, 53k
'96 Impala SS, 4k

Recently got 429 on one tank with no fuel light. I finally lost my nerve and pulled over to fill up. I'd say half was stop-n-go. I used to get crappy mileage, also, but lately it's improved dramatically. Wish I knew what causes it...