What is your gas Mileage?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,187
I have a 95SE, 5-speed with a K&N panel filter and Budget y-pipe. Just coming up to 71,500 miles. Straight highway driving I can get 28 - 30.5 mpg (US gallon) and straight city driving I get about 19/20 mpg. I have driven over 500 miles to a tank on road trips several times and 550 plus about 3 times, granted on fumes.
Come on up to Canada and buy some real gas!
Come on up to Canada and buy some real gas!
99 GLE 24mpg with some rapid starts and some full matted blasts, but mostly just a steady cruise 72mph under 2500 rpms, thats where I find my best MPG, next time I fill up I'll keep my foot out of it,
i'd like to know what some of your maintenance regimens are.
i have 95k and am wondering what i should do @ 100k. i've already changed the knock sensor and fuel filter. i believe the 02 sensors have never beenchanged, spark plugs changed at 60k. regular oil changes w/ mobil1. and i still can't break 25mpg even cruising highway.
i have 95k and am wondering what i should do @ 100k. i've already changed the knock sensor and fuel filter. i believe the 02 sensors have never beenchanged, spark plugs changed at 60k. regular oil changes w/ mobil1. and i still can't break 25mpg even cruising highway.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20
From: N. Virginia
I drive from the Manassas area to the Tysons/Mclean area in Virginia on Godforsaken 66 in rush hour, sometimes stop and go on a daily basis.
The worse I’d get is 23, but I have achieved as high as ~26.5.
I did get 27 but this was after an oil change, air filter change, alignment, wheel balance/rotate, fuel filter change, throttle body clean-up, engine tune-up, other fluid flushes, and etc. Not a typical measurement.
This isn’t pure stop and go driving, maybe a majority, there is some highway w/o traffic conditions, nighttime cruising, city/town stop and go, aggressive driving and/or reckless driving, and very few if any incidents of drag racing.
I did notice that while my clutch was wearing down to the end, mpg also decreased.
On the Highway (Trips) the best I’ve ever got was 30.2 from VA to NJ in the fall (No A/C or Heat on), during the day (no headlights).
I made the same trip with another passenger and some cargo and got 28.3.
I don’t keep track of the road I drive on going uphill and/or rickety potholed in dire need of paving. I can’t control that.
I had a 1997 SE 5MT no major mods. (I really miss the car <sigh>) The car had 136K before I had to dispose of it.
The tires were BFGoodrich Traction T/A’s
I used Mobil 1 EP 5W30 with a Mobil 1 EP filter. I’d usually take that to 12K between changes.
I used Redline MT-90 in the transmission.
I only put premium. Mostly Exxon, sometimes BP, uncommonly Costco. I do believe not all fuels are equal.
I got an alignment once a year. Wheels balanced and rotated at least 6,000K
I follow the owner’s manual shift point recommendations: 2@13, 3@22, 4@33, 5@39. Occasionally I shift into OD sooner.
I try to drive in smooth line, rev match, and try to shift so clean passengers wouldn’t realize I’m driving a stick.
In stop and go I try to coast as far as possible, or maintain a steady speed. I don’t brake unless I have to.
I DONOT Engine brake or use the transmission/downshift to slow down.
I rarely have anything plugged into the cig lighter.
I don’t drive around with the fogs on. Sometimes I don’t listen to the radio/cd.
In the winter usually, I just let the engine heat keep me warm.
I try to drive with the windows/sunroof closed as much as possible.
I use cruise control unless its raining or I’m sleepy.
I’d say I get the best mpg in the morning. I use an EZ pass on trips. I don’t shoot out of the toll gates anymore.
I’ll admit at a red light to green, I end up driving like an old geezer. Cars behind me get annoyed of course and overtake me, etc
But that’s a great opportunity where you can show the prowess of a maxima if you want to.
It’s a great car: on hand you have good acceleration/handling on the other hand it makes a good daily beater.
I can’t blame anyone for getting lower mpg because they jackrabbit, rev the engine in N, or whatever. The car is a lot of fun. Wish I modded it to have even more.
Sorry for the long post, I’m bored at work, I have a loathsome commute ahead and I miss my max, and I’m driving an auto accord (temp).
The worse I’d get is 23, but I have achieved as high as ~26.5.
I did get 27 but this was after an oil change, air filter change, alignment, wheel balance/rotate, fuel filter change, throttle body clean-up, engine tune-up, other fluid flushes, and etc. Not a typical measurement.
This isn’t pure stop and go driving, maybe a majority, there is some highway w/o traffic conditions, nighttime cruising, city/town stop and go, aggressive driving and/or reckless driving, and very few if any incidents of drag racing.
I did notice that while my clutch was wearing down to the end, mpg also decreased.
On the Highway (Trips) the best I’ve ever got was 30.2 from VA to NJ in the fall (No A/C or Heat on), during the day (no headlights).
I made the same trip with another passenger and some cargo and got 28.3.
I don’t keep track of the road I drive on going uphill and/or rickety potholed in dire need of paving. I can’t control that.
I had a 1997 SE 5MT no major mods. (I really miss the car <sigh>) The car had 136K before I had to dispose of it.
The tires were BFGoodrich Traction T/A’s
I used Mobil 1 EP 5W30 with a Mobil 1 EP filter. I’d usually take that to 12K between changes.
I used Redline MT-90 in the transmission.
I only put premium. Mostly Exxon, sometimes BP, uncommonly Costco. I do believe not all fuels are equal.
I got an alignment once a year. Wheels balanced and rotated at least 6,000K
I follow the owner’s manual shift point recommendations: 2@13, 3@22, 4@33, 5@39. Occasionally I shift into OD sooner.
I try to drive in smooth line, rev match, and try to shift so clean passengers wouldn’t realize I’m driving a stick.
In stop and go I try to coast as far as possible, or maintain a steady speed. I don’t brake unless I have to.
I DONOT Engine brake or use the transmission/downshift to slow down.
I rarely have anything plugged into the cig lighter.
I don’t drive around with the fogs on. Sometimes I don’t listen to the radio/cd.
In the winter usually, I just let the engine heat keep me warm.
I try to drive with the windows/sunroof closed as much as possible.
I use cruise control unless its raining or I’m sleepy.
I’d say I get the best mpg in the morning. I use an EZ pass on trips. I don’t shoot out of the toll gates anymore.
I’ll admit at a red light to green, I end up driving like an old geezer. Cars behind me get annoyed of course and overtake me, etc
But that’s a great opportunity where you can show the prowess of a maxima if you want to.
It’s a great car: on hand you have good acceleration/handling on the other hand it makes a good daily beater.
I can’t blame anyone for getting lower mpg because they jackrabbit, rev the engine in N, or whatever. The car is a lot of fun. Wish I modded it to have even more.
Sorry for the long post, I’m bored at work, I have a loathsome commute ahead and I miss my max, and I’m driving an auto accord (temp).
97 GXE auto with 220K. 80+ miles daily commute in SF Bay Area (traffic). Almost always over 25mpg, still routinely get 370-400 miles per tank.
Car is all stock. KS went bad over two years ago, but I didn't notice a drop in mileage. Changed spark plugs only once @ 135K for another set of stock plugs. Regular oil changes every 4K, regular air filter changes every 10K.
Maybe I just got very lucky with my car, I am surprised to read some get pretty abysmal mileage.
Car is all stock. KS went bad over two years ago, but I didn't notice a drop in mileage. Changed spark plugs only once @ 135K for another set of stock plugs. Regular oil changes every 4K, regular air filter changes every 10K.
Maybe I just got very lucky with my car, I am surprised to read some get pretty abysmal mileage.
1998 GXE 5spd
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4
From: Wisconsin
I just drove my 98 GXE 5 speed from Wisconsin to Arizona for vacation (about 3500 miles). I kept track of mileage between every fill up. Cruise was used for 4-5 hours at a time, 100% highway driving, only stops were when gas was needed, and the roads were almost empty the entire way. As best as reasonable possible, variables such as city vs. highway, slowing down for traffic/rush hour, and other changes in speed were eliminated. Octane for the highest grade fuel varied from 93 in Wisconsin to 90 in some parts of Texas and New Mexico, but that didn't seem to affect mileage much. Each stop for gas was almost a full tank (350-425 miles apart). All in all I found that unquestionably, Shell V-Power gives better mileage than any other gas, and a noticeable amount (3-5MPG)
This is what I found.
On the first two tanks of gas (KwikTrip gas, fairly large Wisconsin, Minnesota chain) I got 24.5 and 25.3 MPG respectively. I started to get worried, we were running on a tight budget and when I bought the car this summer I was getting about 29 w/ the AC on and was figuring on at least that. I figured there would be a slight drop due to more air resistance at higher speeds (WI is all 65MPH, so I was doing about 70 when I was getting 29. All the way to AZ the speed limit was either 70 or 75 and I was doing 79 or 84.)
The next was some no name gas station, I had no choice, we were really low and in the middle of no where. I think it was "Casey's" gas station. I had never seen one before, seems like a midwest MN, IA thing. I got 21.3 MPG
Next station was a national chain, I forget which but something along the lines of BP or Mobile. 25 MPG on that tank.
I was getting more worried, did going faster really bring my mileage down that much? was something else wrong with my car?
Then came a huge realization, I was remembering reading on here that some people said they only used Shell V-Power, that it was better gas. I decided to use that for the next fill up. Driving the same speed as the previous tanks, using the cruise the entire time just like the previous tanks of other gas, I got 27.7 MPG on Shell gas.
Maybe it was just a fluke, I used V-Power again on the next tank, 27.9.
Next tank (a little traffic, less cruise) 26.8MPG.
Next tank 28.2 MPG.
Next tank I couldn't find a Shell when we needed gas, used Philips 66. 24.8 MPG.
Next tank was V-Power again, 27.4 MPG.
This is how the rest of the trip went. Atleast 27MPG with V-Power and barely breaking 25, sometimes 21 with other gas.
I know what I'm using for gas from now on, only V-Power. I'd be interested if anyone has an explanation for this, some of the V-Power i was using was only 90 octane even.
I always thought that the discussion of V-Power being better was just successful marketing hype and people who thought they knew what they were talking about. But I just saw it for myself. Everyone I tell about this just kind of skeptically says "Oh yeah" like I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it's the truth.
This is what I found.
On the first two tanks of gas (KwikTrip gas, fairly large Wisconsin, Minnesota chain) I got 24.5 and 25.3 MPG respectively. I started to get worried, we were running on a tight budget and when I bought the car this summer I was getting about 29 w/ the AC on and was figuring on at least that. I figured there would be a slight drop due to more air resistance at higher speeds (WI is all 65MPH, so I was doing about 70 when I was getting 29. All the way to AZ the speed limit was either 70 or 75 and I was doing 79 or 84.)
The next was some no name gas station, I had no choice, we were really low and in the middle of no where. I think it was "Casey's" gas station. I had never seen one before, seems like a midwest MN, IA thing. I got 21.3 MPG
Next station was a national chain, I forget which but something along the lines of BP or Mobile. 25 MPG on that tank.
I was getting more worried, did going faster really bring my mileage down that much? was something else wrong with my car?
Then came a huge realization, I was remembering reading on here that some people said they only used Shell V-Power, that it was better gas. I decided to use that for the next fill up. Driving the same speed as the previous tanks, using the cruise the entire time just like the previous tanks of other gas, I got 27.7 MPG on Shell gas.
Maybe it was just a fluke, I used V-Power again on the next tank, 27.9.
Next tank (a little traffic, less cruise) 26.8MPG.
Next tank 28.2 MPG.
Next tank I couldn't find a Shell when we needed gas, used Philips 66. 24.8 MPG.
Next tank was V-Power again, 27.4 MPG.
This is how the rest of the trip went. Atleast 27MPG with V-Power and barely breaking 25, sometimes 21 with other gas.
I know what I'm using for gas from now on, only V-Power. I'd be interested if anyone has an explanation for this, some of the V-Power i was using was only 90 octane even.
I always thought that the discussion of V-Power being better was just successful marketing hype and people who thought they knew what they were talking about. But I just saw it for myself. Everyone I tell about this just kind of skeptically says "Oh yeah" like I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it's the truth.
~60 - 62 liters to a fill with anywhere from 580 to 620 km/tank.
9.66l/100km.
or apx. 24mpg.
Yeah, I drive it like a granny. Lots of down shifting to slow the car. not much coasting
mods: Stillen intake, 300zx fuel filter, ngk platnium plugs, unorthodox underdrive pulley, stock y-pipe and b-pipe. Some fartcan muffler.
5 speed.
9.66l/100km.
or apx. 24mpg.
Yeah, I drive it like a granny. Lots of down shifting to slow the car. not much coasting
mods: Stillen intake, 300zx fuel filter, ngk platnium plugs, unorthodox underdrive pulley, stock y-pipe and b-pipe. Some fartcan muffler.
5 speed.
Last edited by JSMax; Jan 13, 2008 at 07:32 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 26
From: Omaha
I know this is a few months old, but I figured I'd add to it instead of starting a new thread.
97 Maxima S3
-120k miles
-stock (except for exhaust, don't know what exactly though)
- 70% highway, 10 miles each trip
- 30% city, 1-3 mile trips with lots of lights, stop signs, hills
I got 25mpg, or 350 miles out of 14 gallons. I'm very surprised, and I would have been happy with 20mpg.
97 Maxima S3
-120k miles
-stock (except for exhaust, don't know what exactly though)
- 70% highway, 10 miles each trip
- 30% city, 1-3 mile trips with lots of lights, stop signs, hills
I got 25mpg, or 350 miles out of 14 gallons. I'm very surprised, and I would have been happy with 20mpg.
80% city driving and 20% highway driving yeilded about 22 mpg
driving spiritedly and using the AC as infrequently as possible
got fresh plugs, knock sensor, fuel filter, budget y, fresh oil, etc. etc.
recently ran a bg44k flush through the system and it didnt seem to do much.
driving spiritedly and using the AC as infrequently as possible
got fresh plugs, knock sensor, fuel filter, budget y, fresh oil, etc. etc.
recently ran a bg44k flush through the system and it didnt seem to do much.
i have a 98 GLE, about 117k and i average 25-26.
I drive about 60-70 miles a day for school, with the majority being highway.
I only use premium. I used regular for a while and I was averaging around 20 mpg...
I drive about 60-70 miles a day for school, with the majority being highway.
I only use premium. I used regular for a while and I was averaging around 20 mpg...
I just drove my 98 GXE 5 speed from Wisconsin to Arizona for vacation (about 3500 miles). I kept track of mileage between every fill up. Cruise was used for 4-5 hours at a time, 100% highway driving, only stops were when gas was needed, and the roads were almost empty the entire way. As best as reasonable possible, variables such as city vs. highway, slowing down for traffic/rush hour, and other changes in speed were eliminated. Octane for the highest grade fuel varied from 93 in Wisconsin to 90 in some parts of Texas and New Mexico, but that didn't seem to affect mileage much. Each stop for gas was almost a full tank (350-425 miles apart). All in all I found that unquestionably, Shell V-Power gives better mileage than any other gas, and a noticeable amount (3-5MPG)
This is what I found.
On the first two tanks of gas (KwikTrip gas, fairly large Wisconsin, Minnesota chain) I got 24.5 and 25.3 MPG respectively. I started to get worried, we were running on a tight budget and when I bought the car this summer I was getting about 29 w/ the AC on and was figuring on at least that. I figured there would be a slight drop due to more air resistance at higher speeds (WI is all 65MPH, so I was doing about 70 when I was getting 29. All the way to AZ the speed limit was either 70 or 75 and I was doing 79 or 84.)
The next was some no name gas station, I had no choice, we were really low and in the middle of no where. I think it was "Casey's" gas station. I had never seen one before, seems like a midwest MN, IA thing. I got 21.3 MPG
Next station was a national chain, I forget which but something along the lines of BP or Mobile. 25 MPG on that tank.
I was getting more worried, did going faster really bring my mileage down that much? was something else wrong with my car?
Then came a huge realization, I was remembering reading on here that some people said they only used Shell V-Power, that it was better gas. I decided to use that for the next fill up. Driving the same speed as the previous tanks, using the cruise the entire time just like the previous tanks of other gas, I got 27.7 MPG on Shell gas.
Maybe it was just a fluke, I used V-Power again on the next tank, 27.9.
Next tank (a little traffic, less cruise) 26.8MPG.
Next tank 28.2 MPG.
Next tank I couldn't find a Shell when we needed gas, used Philips 66. 24.8 MPG.
Next tank was V-Power again, 27.4 MPG.
This is how the rest of the trip went. Atleast 27MPG with V-Power and barely breaking 25, sometimes 21 with other gas.
I know what I'm using for gas from now on, only V-Power. I'd be interested if anyone has an explanation for this, some of the V-Power i was using was only 90 octane even.
I always thought that the discussion of V-Power being better was just successful marketing hype and people who thought they knew what they were talking about. But I just saw it for myself. Everyone I tell about this just kind of skeptically says "Oh yeah" like I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it's the truth.
This is what I found.
On the first two tanks of gas (KwikTrip gas, fairly large Wisconsin, Minnesota chain) I got 24.5 and 25.3 MPG respectively. I started to get worried, we were running on a tight budget and when I bought the car this summer I was getting about 29 w/ the AC on and was figuring on at least that. I figured there would be a slight drop due to more air resistance at higher speeds (WI is all 65MPH, so I was doing about 70 when I was getting 29. All the way to AZ the speed limit was either 70 or 75 and I was doing 79 or 84.)
The next was some no name gas station, I had no choice, we were really low and in the middle of no where. I think it was "Casey's" gas station. I had never seen one before, seems like a midwest MN, IA thing. I got 21.3 MPG
Next station was a national chain, I forget which but something along the lines of BP or Mobile. 25 MPG on that tank.
I was getting more worried, did going faster really bring my mileage down that much? was something else wrong with my car?
Then came a huge realization, I was remembering reading on here that some people said they only used Shell V-Power, that it was better gas. I decided to use that for the next fill up. Driving the same speed as the previous tanks, using the cruise the entire time just like the previous tanks of other gas, I got 27.7 MPG on Shell gas.
Maybe it was just a fluke, I used V-Power again on the next tank, 27.9.
Next tank (a little traffic, less cruise) 26.8MPG.
Next tank 28.2 MPG.
Next tank I couldn't find a Shell when we needed gas, used Philips 66. 24.8 MPG.
Next tank was V-Power again, 27.4 MPG.
This is how the rest of the trip went. Atleast 27MPG with V-Power and barely breaking 25, sometimes 21 with other gas.
I know what I'm using for gas from now on, only V-Power. I'd be interested if anyone has an explanation for this, some of the V-Power i was using was only 90 octane even.
I always thought that the discussion of V-Power being better was just successful marketing hype and people who thought they knew what they were talking about. But I just saw it for myself. Everyone I tell about this just kind of skeptically says "Oh yeah" like I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it's the truth.
Automatic...hot air intake....21-25 with very poor maintainence. I have 180,xxx miles and only on the second fuel filter, third set of plugs, and in need of a full exhaust replacement. the car is a beater....it's gonna get a makeover this summer. i wan't to get it to 26-28....hopefully
i get about 320miles per tank
i get about 320miles per tank
thats assuming per tank means you burn all 18 gallons. I doubt that is what he meant unless he really drives until his car completely runs out of gas. I usually fill up when my needle is on E and that puts in like 15 gallons. I get about 380-400/15 gallons so thats about 26mpg.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9
From: Plano, TX
I just baught a 1998 Nissan Max GXE w/ a 5 speed. Got like 18 on first tank, changed the Air filter, fluids, and what had to be the original fuel filter( its hard to change)
now i got 21 and i drive like a maniac ( average 60mph in a 40mph city)
no mods yet but looking for intake on the cheap any ideaS?
now i got 21 and i drive like a maniac ( average 60mph in a 40mph city)
no mods yet but looking for intake on the cheap any ideaS?
I just baught a 1998 Nissan Max GXE w/ a 5 speed. Got like 18 on first tank, changed the Air filter, fluids, and what had to be the original fuel filter( its hard to change)
now i got 21 and i drive like a maniac ( average 60mph in a 40mph city)
no mods yet but looking for intake on the cheap any ideaS?
now i got 21 and i drive like a maniac ( average 60mph in a 40mph city)
no mods yet but looking for intake on the cheap any ideaS?
intake, i'll tell you right away, dont cheap out, buy the real thing. like stillen or injen.
Maximus_95 is selling a stillen intake for $80. thats dirt cheap.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=562697
are you talking about? 
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9
From: Plano, TX
I can buy a good filter... all an air intake kit is 1. a filter 2.some tubing 3.some of those metal zip tye things.
Im pretty good with my hands i could easily build a box to hold the filter, buy the filter from a local shop as well as some piping and cut and install it myself.
Im pretty good with my hands i could easily build a box to hold the filter, buy the filter from a local shop as well as some piping and cut and install it myself.