LAMBRUSKI

Just an update to my previous post. I recently took the Focus on vacation to Virginia. Averaged just over 40 mpg for the trip which included some driving in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The last tank was good for 508 miles (11.8 gallons), most of which was at 70 mph. Vinnie

I have a one-year-old SE Sport Hatch with the manual trans and grille shutters. I run 40 psi in the tires and 0w-20 synthetic oil. Since new it has averaged 35.5 mpg. The bulk of the miles are accumulated in my 20 mile each way commute (14 mi highway, 6 mi city). As others have noted, I loose about 3 mpg in winter driving. I have also noticed that the wind is a big factor. I can easily loose 3 to 5 mpg with a strong headwind or crosswind. On longer trips that I have taken, the mileage is nothing short of phenomenal. The Focus easily gets 42 mpg. This is a two way average with the cruise set at 70, the AC on and running 87 octane fuel with ethanol. Vinnie

For the record, my 'low fuel warning' comes on at about 40 miles to empty. It is signaled by a chime and warning light. At this point I can put about 11 gallons in the tank. Seems to be pretty consistent. Vinnie

All Focuses that I have seen with the 'Winter Package' had shutters. This includes SE 5dr models. None of the S or SE models without the 'Winter Package' had them. I have not seen any Focuses with the SFE package, but am sure they will include the shutters also. I have a 5dr SE with manual trans and Sport Package on order, build date of April 5. I was initially undecided about the Winter Package (thought seat warmers are for sissy's) until I noticed that all Focuses that had it also included the Grille Shutters, so I changed my order a couple of weeks ago.