What do you consider to be the most efficient speed? It certainly isn't 75 - 80 mph and is a lot closer to 55 mph than 75 mph. I strongy suspect the most efficient speed on the highway is 55/60 mph.

How many times have you gotten 30 mpg on the highway? If it was only once, it could be partially attributable to fillup error and only a partial fillup considering the 120 mph sprints which would have sucked the gas like crazy.

For an finely tuned auto, you should see 470 on average. I saw 483 on average when I ran out to Maxus in Dallas this past summer. One time thoughout that drive I saw 514 and the light still didn't come on. My average speed was 75 for the trip.

I feel the engine is the most efficient at higher speeds closer to 75 mph. It takes less throttle at 75 to pass or make it up hills than it does at 55.

At 55 mph on the highway, you won't be passing anyone.

I suspect the optimum speed depends to some extent on the terrain as you suggest. I would wager that 55/60 on the prairies, in the middle of nowhere, is more efficient than 75 mph.

I agree, I think the VQ runs most efficiently at about 2500 RPM's which is around 72-73 MPH.

i would have to agree with said statements above...i cruised out to the grand canyon from vegas a few weeks back...and i think i got some where around 400 miles to the tank...but i was doen 100+ the hole way pracitcally.. and it aint exactly flat...

my 97 i dont think i got half that on a tank...

wow...

i wonder if any CA people get this type of mileage. I dont kno any local Maxima people even breaking 320 miles per tank..

is that even with highway miles? I know my old 4th gen could have broken 375 all highway....but my 5.5 gen seems to suck gas whether city or highway...my current best is 315 miles 75% highway...

maybe cali gas just sux

My 95SE is a manual, not an autotragic. At 72-73 mph, I am pushing 3000 rpms, not 2500. I contend that fuel economy is better at 2500 rpms than it is at 3000 rpms, consequently 72-73 mph is not optimum speed for fuel economy for a 4th Gen 5-speed.

I do get very pissed at my horrible mileage, probably due to the fact that my trans fluid needs a change, my oil is 500 miles past recommended change, sway bar ends are shot, tie rod is shot, blown cv boot, bald tires that were somewhat underinflated, and i tested my max speed twice while on that trip, its not exactly the efficient-mobile. I am working on changing all of those though, and will do a more controlled measurement over the next week or two.

473 equates to 23.6 mpg. Wow, we have some gas burners on the forum. If I got 11.8 mpg I'd wanna be behind the wheel of a drop-top Bentley Azure, holla at me y'all!

Better check your calculator.

473 / 16.5 gallons (which is what it took at refill time) = 28.6 MPG

Get that 1995 DJ2 Maxima back up to speed, RockfordMax. It looks quite nice, so don't let the maintenance go downhill on you as its hard to get caught back up unless money is no object. :attention

405 miles doing 90.

It's called dead knock sensor and two out of three bad O2 sensors

I did 480 once right after having my EGR worked on. Unfortunately it was short lived. That was on regular non-reformulated gas in the midwest. Unfortunately I live in the city and we have reformulated gas and it sucks.

city drive..........most would be 250 MPT

I was just about to ask how many mpg "473 to a tank" meant. It's kind of funny actually...I've seen the best, and the worst gas mileage in my 96 5MT. On a trip to VT from CT, I believe I got my best mpg ever - 26 and change mpg with a couple 100 mph sprints to pass people, and have fun, etc. (those farmland roads are beckoning).
Then, on my way back to school carrying A LOT of extra weight (tools, jack, stands, sub/amp, clothingx2, foodx2, and an extra passenger) and having to travel up a mountain and on anything but gas-efficient terrain, I managed 25 and change mpg setting cruise at 75mph at least.
Then I went to the casino the day before leaving for home for thanksgiving break, set cruise to about 70-75mph, and got 28.6 mpg for the trip, all highway. I was excited then.
Then, on the way home from school, I managed 26 and change mpg again, setting cruise at 75-80 mph, 95% highway. I was pretty happy with this: 4 people with luggage - my car was PACKED.
Then on the return trip to school a few days ago, doing between 80-90 (almost 3700 rpms for those who don't know the fifth gear ratio), with the same weight setup (minus all my tools as winter is coming) as the trip home, I got 28.6 mpg!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. Then I realized, I was driving behind people ALL DAY, and they so conveniently pushed all the air out from the front of my car, allowing my engine to have minimal load even at 90 mph. I was very impressed....and it was sweet to say the least. With four people paying for gas, it's easy to drive for time efficiency rather than gas efficiency, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Look at his hood . In all seriousness, and sympathy rockfordmax, I'm sorry to see what your sister did to your hood. That's a crying shame, I just remember how it felt to have my dog jump on my car leaving a few 3 inch scratches, I cannot imagine what you went through.

edit: I forgot to report my worst gas mileage: 14.45mpg, driving ALL city, and only 80 miles in one month, with many WOT runs. I was pretty shocked, even though I shouldnt have been. The VQ retaliated for not being run consistently for a while.

Did u really just say that?

A COLLECTORS CAR? ARE U NUTS?

Yea, just wait, it's the next 70 Hemi Cuda.

I used to own a 93 altima with the 2.4L. It would get around 28-29mpg on pure highway driving at about 75mph. I got a flat one time in upstate NY and was forced to drive home on the donut (on Thanksgiving, couldn't find a shop to fix the old tire). Had to keep the speed below 50mph. At the next fill-up, I realized that I had acheived over 35mpg at that slow speed.

I'm sure it wouldn't be exactly the same in the max at low speeds, but I thought it was interesting.

3000RPM sucks the gas right up. 3000 in no way has better mileage than 2500RPM. Seeing as by default the 5 speeds get one or so less miles on the highway with its gearing, the proof is right there. The autos get an extra mile or so on the highway due to its gearing.

i average exactly 400 mpt on my daily driving.

hello friend

I am trying to get my hands on a 1998 SE right now, and seeing this makes me want it soooo much more. I have a 1993 240sx right now and I do good to get 23MPG and about 250 to a tank. The most I have seen in my 240 was about 320! This site has made me want a Maxima so much more than I did, I have been browsing on here for a couple years but never posted, I just recently joined. But anyway, back on topic, I hope the Maxima that I am getting gets this good MPG! Oh, BTW, I am in TN too.. Knoxville.

Tim

SR or stock KA?

KA...Buying the Max for something to drive also while I work on KA-t.

I'm hoping to find a good 240 shell sometime soon...I can't wait for a well powered, rwd car.

dam i get 280mpg city driving.... 320 was my best, but this was using regular Mobil pump gas