Types Of Gas A Ford Focus Takes (Explained)

On this blog, we will answer all the fuel-related questions. The main one would be what gas you should be adding to your Ford Focus. Furthermore, we will cover all the trim levels, so you know exactly what gas a particular variant of Ford Focus needs. Before we dive deep into the specifics, here’s a quick overview

There is an array of engine options available in Ford Focus – all of them are compatible with a minimum of 87 octane except for the 2.5L turbo variant and those paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, which requires a premium 93 octane rated gas.

We’ve talked in depth about the types of gas other Ford models take like the Ford Transit, and the Ford Explorer among others. Today we will be looking at all the Ford Focus variants and their respective engine options and answering what type of fuel each engine takes.

From then onward, we will go through all kinds of fuel options readily available in the market and whether or not you should use them for the specific model.

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Also read: Where Is The Ford Focus Made? (Answered)

What's Inside show

Fuel Requirements Based On Engine Type

1998-2001 Ford Focus 5 Door Fuel Requirement

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum

Ford Focus Station Wagon 1999-2001

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum

2001-2005 Ford Focus 5 Door Fuel Requirement

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.3L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.3L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	6-speed manual (2004 and 2002 model)	Premium Gasoline with 93 octane-rated gasoline recommended. Minimum of 91 octane

Ford Focus Station Wagon 2001-2005

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.3L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.3L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum

2005-2007 Ford Focus ST 5 Door Fuel Requirement

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.5 inline-5 20V Turbo	6-speed manual	Mid-grade or premium recommended, 91 or higher octane.

2004-2008 Ford Focus Fuel Requirement

This generation had a hybrid variant that could take regular gasoline and the E85 (Flex-fuel). Other variants are the same as the previous generation.

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.3L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.3L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum

2004-2007 Ford Focus Station Wagon Fuel Requirement

The station wagon trim of the Ford Focus was discontinued after the year 2007 in the US.

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum

2008-2011 Ford Focus Fuel Requirement

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum

2011-2018 Ford Focus Fuel Requirement

Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) variants were available in model years 2012-2017. All variants had the 2.0L inline-4 engine in common coupled with several different types of transmissions.

Engine	Transmission	Fuel Requirement
2.0L inline-4	5-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	4-speed automatic	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
1.0L inline-3 Turbo	6-speed manual	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
1.0L inline-3 Turbo	Automatic S6	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	Automatic AM6	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	Automatic AM-S6	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.0L inline-4	manual 5 speed	Regular pump gas, 87 octane minimum
2.3L inline-4	6-speed manual	Premium with a minimum of 91, but 93 recommended
2.0L inline-4 FFV variant	6-speed manual, 5-speed manual, Automatic S6, Automatic AM6, Automatic AM-S6	E85 or Regular pump gas with an octane rating of 87 minimum

2018-2021 Ford Focus Fuel Requirement

The US 2018-2021 variant came with only one engine option paired with a shiftable automatic that required regular unleaded pump gas with a minimum of 87 octane. After the 2021 model year, the Ford Focus was discontinued.

What Types Of Gasoline Can And Can’t Be Used?

Fuel stations situated at high altitudes often sell fuel rated at less than 87 – which is completely prohibited. Ford advises against using less than 87 octane-rated fuel. If you are traveling in those kinds of areas, it is recommended to have extra fuel just in case. Using low-quality fuel will damage your engine permanently. So have extra fuel at all costs.

If the circumstances leave you no choice, you can have that 85 rated octane only for the time being, preferably with added octane booster. After you get to a place where good quality fuel is available, replace the fuel with the better quality one.

Using any kind of additive not recommended by the manufacture will not only void the warranty but will also damage the emissions system and will also damage the engine itself. We will go into detail on how these additives may damage the engine in the later section of this article.

Here is a list of additives that you must not use in your Ford Focus:

Diesel fuel.
Those fuels contain kerosene or paraffin.
More than 15% ethanol or E85 fuel.
Methanol.
Metallic-based additives, including manganese-based compounds.
Octane booster additive, methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is prohibited by law.
Metallic compounds such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, which is a manganese-based fuel additive, will impair engine performance and affect the emission control system.

Reformulated Gasoline

Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is the gasoline that burns more cleanly than conventional gasoline and reduces smog-formation and toxic pollutants in the air that we breathe. Congress mandated the RFG program in 1990 (Clean Air Act amendments). The first phase of the RFG program began in 1995, and the second (current) phase began in 2000.

RFG is required in cities with high smog levels and is optional elsewhere. RFG is currently used in 16 states and the District of Columbia. 25% of gas sold in the US is reformulated. All the manufacturers, including Ford, recommend using it as it has no harmful effect on the engine and its performance. On top of that, it is much more environmentally friendly compared to conventional gasoline. (Source)

Gasoline/Oxygenated Blends Or E-85

Here are many oxygenated blends available in the market. Vehicles produced before 2011 would run fine on ethanol percentages up to 10% by volume. In 2011, the EPA allowed up to 15% ethanol by volume mixed with 85% regular gasoline.

More than 15% ethanol would harm the engine if the manufacturer did not make it withstand higher percentages by volume. Some BMW vehicles can run on 25% ethanol as well. In the case of Ford Focus, damages that are done to the engine by adding improper additives, more than 15% ethanol, for instance, will not be covered by the warranty.

The E85, also known as the flex-fuel, should only be added to those vehicles specifically designed to run on flex-fuel. To know for sure whether or not the vehicle in question is flex-fuel appropriate, follow the steps below:

Take a look at the gas cap. You will find E85 written on it if it’s made to run flex fuel.

If the cap gas does not have it imprinted, it might be on the back of the gas door.
As a standard, flex-fuel vehicles have a yellow gas cap.

When you have made sure that your vehicle is flex-fuel-appropriate, you need to follow the necessary protocols.

Do not add less than 3 gallons when you are interchanging fuels.
Do not park your vehicle right after refilling, and at least drive it for about 8 miles.
Do not add any kind of additive when you are running on flex fuel. Flex-fuel does not require any additive, if you do add so regardless, your engine will be damaged.

Gasoline With Added Materials

The market is filled with all kinds of additives, and most of them are harmful to your engine. Ford advises using only TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline to help clean your engine’s internals and help keep your Ford Focus right on emission standards. For areas that have strict emissions tests, it is advised not to use any additive.

For better emissions, it is advised to use reformulated gasoline. You should not be using any other additive. Most of the octane boosters in the market have metals that are going to damage your engine. You cannot mix methanol, MMT, ethanol content greater than 15% by volume, etc.

Suppose you are looking for a good additive. In that case, the manufacturer recommends using the TOP TIER Detergent gasoline additive, which will help keep your internals clean and will not affect the emissions.

Gasoline With MMT

This additive, MMT, stands for Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl that helps increase the octane rating of a poor-quality fuel. This additive is strongly advised against, and you should not be adding this to your gas tank. This additive is known to destroy the emissions system as well as the spark plugs. You will find your spark plugs rendered useless after using this additive. MMT can only be used at a level equivalent to 1/32 grams per gallon of manganese.

This additive is only used in race fuels as those engines are not required to run a couple hundred thousand miles. If your engine is damaged because of this additive, the warranty coverage will not be applied.

Biodiesel

This additive can be added not more than 20% by volume to the diesel engine. It reduces carbon emissions and helps give better mileage.

What If I Hear A Knocking Noise From The Engine After Refilling?

A very faint knocking sound from the engine is standard. However, if you have started to hear knocking noises from the engine after refilling, then most probably, the fuel quality is the culprit here. If the engine’s octane requirements are not met, and the fuel has less than the minimum required octane, that results in knocking.

It is normal to hear slight knocking noise from the engine. It is not a concern. If you started hearing this knocking sound after refilling, chances are, the fuel was not of good quality. Ford recommends a minimum of 87 octane-rated fuel. Any octane rating below 87 is not acceptable.

To get rid of the knocking followed by adding poor quality fuel, fill the tank with premium fuel or mid-grade if the premium is not available. Give it some time on premium fuel, and the knocking will surely go away. But, if you hear loud knocking despite using the premium fuel, immediately get your Ford Focus inspected at a certified dealership.

Loud knocking should never be taken lightly as it could lead to permanent engine damage, while slight knocking has no consequence whatsoever.

Also read: Ford Focus Transmission: Overview, Problems, Fluids

Does the Ford Focus Have Good Gas Mileage?

1998-2001 Ford Focus

The earlier models of this generation had relatively lower mpg compared to the later models. The 2001 models were the most fuel-efficient models of all.

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.0L inline-4 (sedan)	22	29
2.0L inline-4 (Station wagon)	22	29

2001-2005 Ford Focus

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.0L inline-4 (sedan)	22	29
2.0L inline-4 (Station wagon)	22	29
2.0L inline-4, 6-speed manual (2004 and 2002 model) sedan with the premium gas variant	18	26
2.3L inline-4 Station wagon	22	30
2.0L inline-4, 6 speed, regular gas variant	18	23
2.3L inline-4 sedan, 4 speed automatic	21	27
2.3L inline-4 sedan 5-speed manual	22	30

2005-2007 Ford Focus

The manual variants are giving less mpg compared to the automatic mentioned below:

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.0L inline-4 (sedan)	24	33
2.0L inline-4 (Station wagon)	24	33

2005-2007 Ford Focus ST 5 Fuel Economy

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.5 inline-5 20V Turbo	16	20

2008-2011 Ford Focus ST 5 Fuel Economy

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.5 inline-5 20V Turbo	17	34.5

2016-2018 Ford ST Fuel Economy

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.0L inline-4 manual, 6 speed	22	30

2012-2018 Ford Focus Fuel Economy

E85 compatible Ford Focus is available in some 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 variants. To know if your Ford Focus is Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV), review the E85 section of this article.

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.0L inline-4	28	39
1.0L inline-3 6-speed manual	30	41
1.0L inline-3 Automatic (S6)	28	39
2.0L inline-4 Automatic AM6	27	39
2.0L inline-4 Automatic AM-S6	26	37
2.0L inline-4 manual 5 speed	26	36

2018-2021 Ford Focus Fuel Economy

Engine	Lowest Combined MPG	Highest Combined MPG
2.0L inline-4 Automatic	24	34
1.0L 3 cylinder Automatic	27	38
1.0L 3 cylinder Manual	30	40
2.0L inline-4 Manual	25	34
2.3L inline-4 Manual	19	26

What’s The Gas Tank Size Of Ford Focus?

Now let’s take a turn towards the tank sizes section of this article. We have gone through all the owner’s manual specifications to give you the numbers regarding the fuel tank capacity.

Type	Quantity
Ford Focus 1998-2001	13.2 gallons
2001-2010	13.2 gallons for the 2.0L variant and 14 gallons for the 2.3L variant
2012-2018	12.4 gallons

How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up Ford Focus?

The gas tank size of the Ford Focus is comparatively smaller than many other vehicles out there. If you have the smallest gas tank, the 12.4L, and you happen to be the least expensive state in terms of gas prices, Oklahoma – then you will be paying about $36 for a full tank.

On the other hand, if you have the biggest one of the lineup, the 14-gallon tank, and you are roaming in California, you would have to pay about $66 for a full tank. Overall, you will be paying between $35-$66 for a full tank, no matter where you are.

Sources

Stefan K.

Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.

I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.

Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!

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