What RPM should a Focus do at 70mph?
I've recently bought a petrol second hand 59 reg Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec, replacing a 52 reg 1.6 Focus LX.
When cruising at 70mph in 5th gear the engine sits at just over 3000 revs and feels like its straining, as though (in my very non-mechanical view) the gear ratios are wrong or it needs a 6th gear.
The old Focus sat quite happily on around 2500 revs without any straining, and I haven't experienced this with other cars I've driven over the past 10 years or so. Is this usual for the 2008 model Focus, or should I return it to the dealer to get fixed under warranty?
When cruising at 70mph in 5th gear the engine sits at just over 3000 revs and feels like its straining, as though (in my very non-mechanical view) the gear ratios are wrong or it needs a 6th gear.
The old Focus sat quite happily on around 2500 revs without any straining, and I haven't experienced this with other cars I've driven over the past 10 years or so. Is this usual for the 2008 model Focus, or should I return it to the dealer to get fixed under warranty?
Asked on 20 May 2012 by RL
Answered by
Honest John
That's 23.3mph per 1,000rpm which is normal for a Focus 1.6 and always was.
The old 1.6 was definitely not geared at 28mph/1,000rpm.
The old 1.6 was definitely not geared at 28mph/1,000rpm.
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