Preliminary 1.0 Ecoboost MPG findings

"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
03/05/2018 at 11:49 • Filed to: None

Is it more ECO or more BOOST?? Or how SUPER is the super fuel economy package??

I’ve had my new fiesta for two weeks now and have put about 1300 miles on it, lots of driving lately! So the million dollor question is, is that 1 liter engine really that efficient? Or does the little guy need to boost all the time to even keep up with traffic?

The first trip from San Diego to Riverside was about a 2 hour trip with little traffic problems. It resulted in 44 mpg traveling about 75 mph. This should be noted that this was on the worn, almost bald, factory tires.

Next, I got spent a week communting back and forth to work. This route is pretty rough on milage, 50/55 mph zones with a good number of stop signs. Constantly accelerating and then slowing down when you reach the speed limit. In my old a4, it averaged about 25 mpg with its 2 liter turbo and cvt. A car that did 35 mpg cruising at 80 mph. The fiesta? 39 mpg!

That weekend I got new tired for it. I almost went for the same OEM (Hankook optimo) tires to try to maintain economy, but in the end I decided to get some Goodyear assurance no seasons because after rebates, they were actually cheaper, and had much much better reviews.

Afterwards, I had a quick 40 minute trip on the freeway trip and then a trip up to Baker CA to visit the Mad Greek to meet my parents for lunch. The trip going is uphill with 80 mph feeling like you aren’t moving with traffic speeding around you. It was pretty windy and the little 3 banger got 42 mpg.

Lastly, the trip back down was horrendous. 39 mpg. Extremely strong headwind and the little guy boosting for all he was worth with A/C running on and off. My uncle was following in his jeep and got roughly (he doesn’t track his milage as closely, he does drive a wrangler, so yea...) 15 mpg. Needless to say, I love bringing it up with him.

So far I am extremely impressed with this little thing. The economy right now it exactly as advertised. I didn’t necessarily buy this thing for the mileage alone (I think the engine is cool enough with out it) but I am glad that it lives up to the hype.

The best part? It runs on 87 gas. The engine is has 10:1 compression and a turbo and somehow the magicians at ford can run this thing on 87 octane gas without any knock.

I am still flirting with the idea of some lighter wheels to replace the steelies that came from the factory. But money is really tight right now with my fiancee applying (now accepted WOOOOO!!) to med school, our wedding coming up this summer, and 2 cars we recently bought. So that will have to wait for maybe another year. Something to look forward to though!

DISCUSSION (11)

Stapleface > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/05/2018 at 12:51

Damn, that’s some impressive MPG you’re getting out of the little 1.0 liter. Good stuff!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/05/2018 at 13:02

No magic about it—you can’t have knock if there’s no gas to burn. It’s direct injected, not port injected. The fuel doesn’t arrive until it’s needed.

Transit > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/05/2018 at 13:08

How much extra was the fuel economy package? My mom looked into getting that on her Cruze a few years back and the economics worked out that she’d have to own the thing for like 9 years of heavy driving to break even on the $2300 or whatever GM was charging.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
03/05/2018 at 13:14

Ah, duh, that totally makes sense!

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Transit
03/05/2018 at 13:18

On the fiesta it was an extra $1,000. But honestly, the engine alone is worth the extra totally ignoring the fuel savings. Way more torque, nice growl from the 3 cylinder and only came paired with a 5 speed. No ford dual clutch nightmares

Transit > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/05/2018 at 13:25

I’ve got the 1.6L 4cyl with the dual clutch in my 2011 Fiesta SES and it’s great fun. I think I’m averaging about 34mpg, but could get above 38 if I wasn’t enjoying myself so much!

They messed something up on that DPS6 trans around 2013 and were never able to fix it. Finally gave up and this year’s models come with a 6-speed auto.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Transit
03/05/2018 at 13:31

Glad they ditched the DCT, that was what stopped be from picking up a newer focus. It is a shame they got such a bad rep though, a good DCT is a joy to drive. Glad yours is working well!

I too an enjoying myself, I have definitely came around to the slow car fast mentality, and besides, I’ve got the bike for speeding

RacinBob > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/05/2018 at 13:50

My wife’s 2 liter ‘16 civic LX CVT does about the same mpg. I suspect the way the Civic regularly delivers 40+ mpg is the CVT has the engine cruising at about 1500 RPM in most situations which the NA 2 liter is just fine with.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > RacinBob
03/05/2018 at 13:52

Yeah, the only thing I think would help this thing is a 6th gear. Cruising at 75 to 80 is almost 3,000 rpm

RacinBob > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/05/2018 at 13:56

That’s it exactly, her CVT does about 1700 at 70. My Si does 3200. She gets 40+ mpg with basically the same engine while I get 32 mpg. These engines are good for 200,000+ miles at 3000 RPM, At this pace, I suppose her engine will never wear out.

Long-Voyager > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
03/05/2018 at 16:18

This car could pull 38mpg on the highway at 80, averaged low-mid 30s in mixed driving:

Kinja'd!!!

That was from a 200+hp 3.0 V6 and a close ratio 5-speed manual.