5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

2001 Maxima - poor gas mileage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-25-2004, 12:46 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Nocheez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 51
2001 Maxima - poor gas mileage

I am the original owner of a bone stock 2001 Maxima. I first noticed I was getting poor gas mileage around fall of 2003. I took it to the dealer and they found nothing wrong. I took it back again in January and they reset the computer and told me that it should cure my problem. They also warned me that using regular 87 octane gas would cause this, but I'm skeptical. But I have been running 91 octane since then and still no improvement. I'm getting around 12-13 miles per gallon, when I used to get around 18-19 when I first bought the car. The car only has 16,xxx miles on it, and is driven very gently, mostly city driving.

Has anyone had similar problems or know what I should check first? The dealer has already checked the spark plugs, the computer for codes, the air filter, and found nothing. Thanks!
Nocheez is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 01:00 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
5thgen2nr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 266
Beats me. I have always had poor gas milege. I average about 17 city/22 highway, but I think it's due to my driving style more than anything .
5thgen2nr is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 02:02 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
2k1seae's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Beaverton OR
Posts: 835
I used to get about 13 - 15 mpg (80 % city driving; 27-28 mpg highway). I had dealer do fuel induction service which included throttle body cleaning (app. $100) and this helped. I'm feeling better performance and mileage improved to about 15 - 17 mpg (27 - 30 mpg on the highway). Just my experience ...
2k1seae is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 02:08 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
s_hinerman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 491
you should run fuel injector cleaner on a regular interval if you haven't then you might try that. Pluse winter gas gets much worse gas mileage than summer gas(different additives).
s_hinerman is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 02:12 PM
  #5  
tEh Hope
iTrader: (3)
 
Maxxxed's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 543
Try BG-44K
Maxxxed is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 02:14 PM
  #6  
tEh Hope
iTrader: (3)
 
Maxxxed's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 543
Also, take a long trip like 200 miles... see if you notice any difference in mileage. Also, consider switching gasoline brand.
Maxxxed is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 02:19 PM
  #7  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
nailz420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 371
I am getting same bad mileage (10-12) on my stock 2000 GXE with 46000mi. My friend has a 2003 GLE, he gets 17.4, so i dont think its the gas. I've been to a mechanic, he said that my spark plugs need changing. Otherwise he didnt see anything wrong with the car. It idles a little rough, and I feel like it lacks power, but thats subjective, so I dunno if its just my imagination. It doesnt have any problem revving to redline either.

Tim
nailz420 is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 03:25 PM
  #8  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Ka$hThaRipper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,117
try sea foam, fuel injection, don't use the heater, try not to brake as hard, and keep the rpm's low..the combination of those should increase ur mpg
Ka$hThaRipper is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 03:28 PM
  #9  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Maxima-2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 965
I noticed a drop this winter. Lots of people have said it is due to additives in the gasoline. I am planning a full system flush in the spring with an injection cleaning! good luck.
Maxima-2 is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 04:40 PM
  #10  
scopium
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
clean your fuel injectors... get a transmission flush..
that helped me
 
Old 02-25-2004, 05:05 PM
  #11  
PTP
Senior Member
 
PTP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 207
Check you PVC valve
PTP is offline  
Old 02-25-2004, 10:11 PM
  #12  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Nocheez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 51
Thanks for the help. I've already tried switching gasoline brands but that didn't do anything at all. A car this new should not have this problem. I wonder if we just got a lemon. The spoiler cracked for no reason and the gas cap cover also had some cracking issues...
Nocheez is offline  
Old 02-26-2004, 12:19 AM
  #13  
$tillenmax2k
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
poor gas mileage is a sign of something not working right in the engine IMO. Hopefully its not a lemon and you can get things worked out with a fuel injection cleaner, new spark plugs, and tranny flush
 
Old 02-26-2004, 02:59 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Zero Deuce SE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,836
Originally Posted by KashThaRipper
don't use the heater, try not to brake as hard, and keep the rpm's low..the combination of those should increase ur mpg
Are you serious?
Zero Deuce SE is offline  
Old 02-26-2004, 06:23 AM
  #15  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
nailz420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 371
Originally Posted by KashThaRipper
try sea foam, fuel injection, don't use the heater, try not to brake as hard, and keep the rpm's low..the combination of those should increase ur mpg
Sea foam??? Should I change my blinker fluid too?
nailz420 is offline  
Old 02-26-2004, 07:18 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Zero Deuce SE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,836
http://www.seafoamsales.com/
Zero Deuce SE is offline  
Old 02-26-2004, 07:18 AM
  #17  
Maxima Pilot
 
Galo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,467
Definitely something not right.....I have an '01 (albeit stick) and the last two fill-ups have yielded 22.1 and 22.5 mpg on a mix of city, highway and variable-speed two-lane back-road driving -with winter gas, mind u.
Galo is offline  
Old 06-05-2019, 10:49 AM
  #18  
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Kenneth Lawson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1
Bas gas milage ???

Originally Posted by Nocheez
I am the original owner of a bone stock 2001 Maxima. I first noticed I was getting poor gas mileage around fall of 2003. I took it to the dealer and they found nothing wrong. I took it back again in January and they reset the computer and told me that it should cure my problem. They also warned me that using regular 87 octane gas would cause this, but I'm skeptical. But I have been running 91 octane since then and still no improvement. I'm getting around 12-13 miles per gallon, when I used to get around 18-19 when I first bought the car. The car only has 16,xxx miles on it, and is driven very gently, mostly city driving.

Has anyone had similar problems or know what I should check first? The dealer has already checked the spark plugs, the computer for codes, the air filter, and found nothing. Thanks!
I don't have the answer. : When I read your post , you were describing my car, my problem.. exactly what my car is doing. My 2001 Nissan Maxima gle. With 176,xxx on it runs Strong. Very dependable... Changed all 4 O2 sensors, coolant temperature sensor. Please can someone please tell me why my car is only getting 12 13 miles to the gallon. ??? 6)5/19
Kenneth Lawson is offline  
Old 06-05-2019, 11:02 AM
  #19  
Bad *** Newb
iTrader: (7)
 
Child_uv_KoRn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,943
Originally Posted by Kenneth Lawson
I don't have the answer. : When I read your post , you were describing my car, my problem.. exactly what my car is doing. My 2001 Nissan Maxima gle. With 176,xxx on it runs Strong. Very dependable... Changed all 4 O2 sensors, coolant temperature sensor. Please can someone please tell me why my car is only getting 12 13 miles to the gallon. ??? 6)5/19
maf, you dirty little necro
Child_uv_KoRn is offline  
Old 06-09-2019, 07:33 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
cdoublejj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: MO, greater KC Area-ish
Posts: 773
also a slipping tranny, low tires and bade wheel bearings can tank mpg like in my case. also bad sensor data or bad sensors. in my case i get no CEL
cdoublejj is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BaDMaNDUNK
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
16
10-25-2006 03:54 PM
gto400no1
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
17
08-23-2005 10:44 AM
3x10^8
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
19
01-31-2005 05:25 PM
SoOhio2k
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
18
12-29-2003 09:49 AM
nixima
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
16
03-12-2003 12:40 PM



Quick Reply: 2001 Maxima - poor gas mileage



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:57 PM.