Whats your MPG say?
- Thread starter Liquid_6
- Start date
How rapidly? If you've just recently reset the counter then obviously you're going to see bigger fluctuations, as there's less data to take an average from (the computer, in theory, takes an average from the last 300 miles you've covered or when you last reset the counter, whichever is less). If you're at a standstill with the engine running, then you're using fuel but covering no distance, so your average MPG will drop.
If it's plummeting like a lead balloon though, it suggests the engine might be running rich. Does it smell especially 'fuely'? Try taking one of the spark plugs out of the front bank to see if it's particularly blackened. From what I've read on here in the past, Cougars running rich usually tend to be a result of a faulty MAF or lambda sensor.
If it's plummeting like a lead balloon though, it suggests the engine might be running rich. Does it smell especially 'fuely'? Try taking one of the spark plugs out of the front bank to see if it's particularly blackened. From what I've read on here in the past, Cougars running rich usually tend to be a result of a faulty MAF or lambda sensor.
Answering the question in the thread title: 27.0 exactly. I've really been beating her up this weekend.
Don't know if anyone is interested, but I did a very non-scientific test in the week;
1) I did a reset as I was pulling away from the lights at M1 J14, going up to M1 J15, (about 12 miles at 75MPH). Result: 38.6MPG
2) I did the same that evening as I was getting off the M1 at J14, about to cross Milton Keynes on the grid roads. (about 4 miles, mostly at 65MPH, but with an assload of roundabouts). Result: 24.3MPG.
Lastly, on a drive from Runcorn to MK at about 8pm, I averaged 39.5MPG. That's not a huge figure, but it's absolutely amazing for the type of engine/car. I wasn't hanging about, either.
Don't know if anyone is interested, but I did a very non-scientific test in the week;
1) I did a reset as I was pulling away from the lights at M1 J14, going up to M1 J15, (about 12 miles at 75MPH). Result: 38.6MPG
2) I did the same that evening as I was getting off the M1 at J14, about to cross Milton Keynes on the grid roads. (about 4 miles, mostly at 65MPH, but with an assload of roundabouts). Result: 24.3MPG.
Lastly, on a drive from Runcorn to MK at about 8pm, I averaged 39.5MPG. That's not a huge figure, but it's absolutely amazing for the type of engine/car. I wasn't hanging about, either.
22.3 heavy foot down the A2 in Kent,
Think im going to have to take it easy.
to many points on licence already.
Think im going to have to take it easy.
to many points on licence already.
Well I was showing just over 28mpg on the way back from Badminton last night (about 70mph all the way) but god knows what it was on the track at Castle Combe I never looked
I did a 300 mile run from Stoke to Cornwall last week and I always reset the clock on such journeys. 70mph all the way down, clear roads and lovely weather:
33mpg with the aircon on all the way down. If I turn the A/C off I'll get about 36-37mpg.
33mpg with the aircon on all the way down. If I turn the A/C off I'll get about 36-37mpg.
Driving up to Derby the other week (a 185 mile run), I got a barely believable 40.0 MPG! Admittedly, I was sat at 60 MPH for the vast majority of the way and I didn't have the aircon on, but I still think that's fantastic from a 2.5 litre, 6 cylinder petrol engine.
If you can stomach it, do a full battery-off reset and try wombling up the motorway at 55MPH.
You can't do that every day unless you want lorries to overtake you and cause traffic jams, but I did it once in a 1.6 K-Series and got 46MPG to Kirkby and back from Northampton.
My old 1.6L zetec Escort never was much for economy either, with the likes of BMW and AUDI quoting them sort of figures for their 2.0L petrol engine cars these days (or higher) I know mine isn't that good although just over 25mpg around town isn't that bad for the old girl.
Hell yes.
I wouldn't trade my Cougar for the world now, but since Ms Mako refuses to have one, ("I am not having matching cars, FFS") I wish I had bought a V6.
Trade up to the proper engine then, and swap across any niceties you have. Sell the Zetec on and you'll effectively have the same car, just with more shove.
Don't you find it odd that cars are getting heavier, yet the fuel efficiency is actually improving?
BMW E36 325i Saloon - 3100lbs, 17/27mpg (urban/motorway)
BMW E90 325i Saloon - 3351lbs, 20/30mpg (urban/motorway)
(Source)
Ford Cougar (2.0l Zetec) - 2910lbs, 34mpg (combined)
Mk IV Mondeo (2.0l Duratec) - 3200lbs, 35.8mpg (combined)
OK, it's not safe to base a conclusion on two samples, but that implies that developments in engine economy are outstripping the addition of all the safety and electronics bits.
I still want a V6 though.
Yeah its the new injection systems they are a lot more efficient these days, instead of dumping fuel in when its called for, they deliver the exact measured ammount for the given engine work-load. There was a feature in the Fast Ford magazine the other month about injector's, some now run at something like 10,000lb/"2 pressure
Yeah I found this too. I have both a Mk2 Mondeo (1.8 Zetec) and Mk3 Mondeo (2.0 Duratec) and the Mk3 was much better on fuel despite more weight and bigger displacement. Also more pokey too. The later Duratec was a much more refined engine than the Zetec. Very reliable too. Now if there was a way of fitting the 2.0 Duratec into the Cougar you'd have best of both worlds (better economy and more power - 145bhp if I remember correctly)
