2013 Focus S - Lags from start off?

Hexen1012 · 07-11-2013, 03:56 AM

Hi all,
Proud owner of a 2013 Sports Hatch in Pearl Black. (Manual).

Love the car, for its beautiful drive and even its little quirks, but one thing that bothers me is the lag from start off?
As anyone else noticed this? Its almost as if I need give it a little more throttle to get it to move off swiftly. Or else, its dordles off.

It certainly means its not quick off the mark, unless I give it that extra throttle - though this cant help fuel consumption.
Interested in your feedback,
Daniel

spm · 09-11-2013, 12:26 AM

Congrats on the buy and for going manual. I have a 2012 candy red sport manual and noticed the same thing. I think it's more of a feeling of sluggishness on takeoff with this car, although I find no trouble keeping up with traffic. I put it down to being a 5 speed and being a bit more geared for economy than speed. It's also more than made up for when you go past 4000 rpm in 2nd!

FERG_51 · 09-11-2013, 01:36 AM

My 2013 manual Trend is the same, bit disappointing after the 20yr old Telstar we had was more lively off the mark, I put it down to weight and gearing, otherwise a good car.

markyostos · 09-11-2013, 11:43 AM

I just bought a manual focus S last week and also finding that it is a little slow from take off but find that if I take off perfectly then it's not as slow ..so I wonder if it's a technique problem because it doesn't always happen?

Just a few other questions;
1. Is the grip point very high on the pedal? I spoke to the dealer about this and he said it's a hydraulic clutch and can't be adjusted.
2. Unrelated to the clutch ...the washer fluid that come with the car was VERY soapy and has left little white marks all over the paint that is hard to wash off. Anyone else have this problem?

Focusfan · 13-11-2013, 09:14 PM

Maybe the slow take off is related to the traction control.
They are designed to reduce wheel spin by providing more power to the
wheel that has best grip so on take off it is providing reduced power to
both wheels to reduce wheel spin, under new QLD laws probably a good
thing to have. As to washer water suds leaving marks this will always
happen on any car with the jets in the hood. New car owners usually
wash their cars every week just to keep it looking new.

marg99 · 13-11-2013, 09:58 PM

does not the traction control light come on if the traction control kicks in so you should know this is the cause.

Focusfan · 15-11-2013, 08:33 PM

As i dont have my new Focus yet until December i cant say about
the warning light. Will have a lot of questions to ask when i pick it up
so maybe then i will know about this. Besides this maybe just the way
it is. If you want super fast take off them some modding may be needed.
I did test drive an automatic and a manual and did not really notice
any real deal on take off but i was being cautious due to not being
completely settled into the car, never driven one before, so cant be
totally sure. Maybe there is a member who has had more than one focus
and can say better if common or odd thing to happen. Anyone out there
that can help here.??

Focusfan · 20-12-2013, 09:41 PM

Finally have my new Focus sport. Got white with window tint, paint protection, weather shields, rear flaps and Illuminated scuff plates.
Wish they had rear version of the scuff plates as they look cool.
Have the 5 speed manual and is good off the mark if you give it a little
extra on the accelerator. Can be jerky if you dont give it enough.
Not terrible sluggish off the mark, they gave me a 6 speed auto for
a loan car while waiting for mine and it was slow off the mark as stated
on this tread but the manual seems ok. Will post an update in a few weeks
when i have clocked a few k's up and will see if any issues appear.
Will also try to post a pic or 2 when i have enough treads as i am a new
member to this site.

ken777 · 21-12-2013, 05:36 PM

Hi All I have a 2013 Candy Red Sport 5 Speed and havent noticesd and slow take off i have all the traction control all set as On I do have ocassional soap stains on th duco from the window washers but I also have poaint prtection and they wash rtraight off leaving no residue
Ken

DarkOne · 13-02-2014, 07:40 PM

I have the same problem with my 1 month old 2 litre 5 speed manual. Can be dangerous when taking off across intersections. If you don't give it a gut full it will stumble its way across the intersection and seems reluctant to want to accelerate.
I also have a steep driveway and have noticed that when I drive down the road and swing into the drive way I change back to first to get up the drive. At times it will half stall and not pick up. I then have to stop and start again. This is very frustrating ! The car seems to have no bottom end from idle. Also chugging around town it seems to be reluctant to pick up from low revs in 2nd and 3rd.
This car seems to have turbo lag but no turbo.............

Focusfan · 14-02-2014, 02:51 PM

Have had it happen a few times now on take off. To me it seems to
be failing to get enough fuel to accelerate off the mark. If you give it
enough revs first, 1500 or more it has never done it. If you let clutch
out with revs too low it will do it and stutter. I think seems like not
enough fuel at low revs to get car to move off the mark.
Anyone agree with this or do you have another idea.?

FERG_51 · 14-02-2014, 11:59 PM

I think it could be a PCM issue,might see if there is an upgrade available.

LeadFoot81 · 15-02-2014, 11:48 AM

When I first got my Fiesta ST the hill start assist would interfere with my take off. I switched it off via the ICC, all good. Worth a try?

Having the ESP on full takes some of the fun out of launches also.

mik · 15-02-2014, 09:49 PM

Is it possible these petrol powered manual focuses need a bit more throttle to get moving ? looking at the specs they are not light by any stretch of the imagination, and the petrol naturally aspirated versions make their maximum torque over 4000 rpm.

RedChris · 18-02-2014, 02:07 PM

I have a 2012 Candy Red Trend manual. It's not quick off the mark, and yes 1,500 RPM is about right for a non-hill start normal take off. Any less and it will tend to bog down. I find on hills or with AC on it probably needs 1-200 more RPM for a smooth take off, especially if it is very hot.

I think this is normal. As others have said the torque comes in higher in the rev range - it's a top end revver not a low speed lugger. TBH all the manual cars I have owned have wanted about 1,500 to launch comfortably unless there is a slight downhill slope.