Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance interesting mpg observation

My car was getting bad gas mileage for a while, then I finally found time to work on it a little at work. I found that the MAF sensor was not reading correctly. It was over-estimating the amount of air coming into the motor, so the computer was dumping more fuel in than the motor needed. Ever since I put the new MAF on it, my mileage around town is around 22-23, up from about 19-20. Highway mileage is much higher. I used to get the same mileage no matter if I was around town, or on the highway. I was probably getting about 28-30 a few weeks ago when I drove about 120 miles in one day on a weekend, all highway.

I am much happier with this car now that my gas mileage and trans shifting problem is gone. The bad MAF sensor was also causing very harsh shifting, but now it shifts great.

I can get 600 km's per tank (roughly 360 miles) or more in city mixed with highway driving. This number drops alot come winter. Seems the hotter the engine ir running the better the mileage. On an interesting note.My old 86 626 used to get better mileage the faster it went. On one trip at an average of 140 kmph (or 85 mph) I got just over 800 kms on the tank. (500 miles) loved that car!!

Is the mass air sensor expensive, or is it able to be cleaned with liquid, and why do I have only one star, I shouldnt be rated at all. But, who cares.

I am able to almost drive round-trip from WV to Louisville, KY on one tank - that's almost 400 miles. I do usually stop for gas at about 350 miles because ford "fixed" my fuel gauge & I don't really trust it yet.

I recently noticed a small jump in my mileage as well. I kept getting a CEL so according to two of the CEG members, I double checked my O2 sensors, both are in spec, and cleaned my MAF. A reman is $133! I also recently replaced my fuel filter and ran Chevron Professional Grade fuel injector cleaner through it.

I went from 270 if I was lucky to 320. I am working on my second tank since I did that. I am at 100 miles of city driving and I am to 3/4 of a tank.

Hopefully it will go up more when I replace the plug wires and the plugs. The car -only- has 94,000 on it, and I think it still has the stock wires and plugs.

I have a '98 Zetec mtx, drove it from Indianapolis to St. Louis and still had a little more than 1/4 tank when I got there.