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24.6 mpg mixed city/road driving-nice!

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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 10:03 AM
  #1  
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24.6 mpg mixed city/road driving-nice!

The numbers were 15.33 gallons and 377 miles when I refilled the tank -at the same pump I always use.

Warmer weather (less dense air, hence less fuel burned per cylinder 'fill') and forcing myself to do just a few things different -like shutting off the engine on looooooooong traffic lights, shifting into top gear at 40-45 mph when on flat roads where traffic keeps u from going past 50mph, and occassionally, shifting from 2nd to 4th if accelerating from a stop while on a downhill, etc.

This is about 2 mpg more than I usually average so.....it does not take much to improve mileage by quite a bit.

Yes, this tankful included a few blasts through the lower gears well into 6k+ rpms.....
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 10:37 AM
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Nice I usually get in the high 19s, but I allow my car to idle/ warm up for at least 5 min each morning.

Maybe I should cut down on the warming up and see if it getts any better. I cant just drive it when its cold though.
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 10:40 AM
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i've tried granny driving and it works as far as increased mpg. but it's not as fun as driving the car as i normally would.
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 10:43 AM
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From: FightinPhilsZone
That's about what I get when trying to be conseravtive. I have an auto though.
I use 94 oct. from sunoco. I don't know if I get better milage because of it but the car seems to idle and run smoother on it. Could be my imagination though
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 10:46 AM
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305 miles on my last tank.
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 01:25 PM
  #6  
SEdge
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if i baby the car i'm lucky to get 300 by the time the gas light comes on....i think i have a shot oxygen sensor, but no codes
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 01:31 PM
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That's not too bad, but I'd expect a bit better from the smaller 3.0 liter and a 5 speed.

We usually get about 23-24 mpg in mixed driving (albeit 80% highway). My last tank got 379 miles and the fill up was 15.1, or basically 25.1 mpg.

We rarely drive just city, but at times have and when I've checked it, I've gotten about 21 mpg.
On a purely highway trip with the two of us, the 25 pound dog and some other stuff driving usually 80 mph, I've gotten 27+ mg on our Max.

And for the guy who warms up his car for at least 5 minutes, all you are doing there is burning unecessary gas. On a warm summer day 30 seconds or so is fine, cool day a bit longer and in winter 1-2 mintues.
Just drive it easy for the first mile or two, that's the best way for an engine to warm up anyway.

For some reason our car runs really good.
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 03:47 PM
  #8  
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When I drive just highway, It's about 28-30. My last tank (70% highway) was 332 miles on 11.85 gallons. Guess that's what driving like a grandma gets you!
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 04:17 PM
  #9  
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I always get at least 330mpg and up to 385 mph on a full tank of gas. Ofcourse the high mpg number is from mostly highway drive...but I consistently get no less than 330mpg on a full tank.

And no, I do not drive like a granny!
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 05:09 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by NewLoveI30
Nice I usually get in the high 19s, but I allow my car to idle/ warm up for at least 5 min each morning.

Maybe I should cut down on the warming up and see if it getts any better. I cant just drive it when its cold though.
How cold can it get in San Diego? You can drive it cold as long as you do hot rod and go WOT before it warms up.
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 05:15 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Galo
The numbers were 15.33 gallons and 377 miles when I refilled the tank -at the same pump I always use.

Warmer weather (less dense air, hence less fuel burned per cylinder 'fill') and forcing myself to do just a few things different -like shutting off the engine on looooooooong traffic lights, shifting into top gear at 40-45 mph when on flat roads where traffic keeps u from going past 50mph, and occassionally, shifting from 2nd to 4th if accelerating from a stop while on a downhill, etc.

This is about 2 mpg more than I usually average so.....it does not take much to improve mileage by quite a bit.

Yes, this tankful included a few blasts through the lower gears well into 6k+ rpms.....
Driving easy is the best way to increase mileage. I wouldn't turn the engine off at traffic lights myself though. That's pretty tough on the starter and the flywheel. Also, it gives time for oil to drain out of the engine in to the pan. I wouldn't think this is good for the engine. Probably hard on the battery as well. Just my $.02. Take it or leave it.
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 05:25 PM
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Just got 26.5 mpg towing my motorcyle on a small flatbed trailer at 82 mph into a 25 mph head wind. Not too shabby
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 05:57 PM
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My last fill up was 14 gallons, drove 300 miles and paid $24.35 w/ full tank of gas. Gas is still kinda high here in Houston so I had to get regular gas ($1.80). Even though I use regular, the car still runs great and have plenty of power. When the gas is low enough, I will be using 91 grade.
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 06:28 PM
  #14  
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Granny Driving...

I may be granny driving mine but I only step into my 03 when I NEED to get up to speed, but my normal highway commute dictates 65 or so otherwise I'm on and off my brakes, not worth it. I have done some city driving but even still, if I'm not stepping into it pretty heavy, I'm still getting 27 a tank. As a general rule, I keep it under 70, and boot into it getting on the highways for "safety purposes" and I haven't seen less than 26 using high test. I don't stop at the gas station till I hit 400 miles per tank, unless I see an offer I can't refuse at the pump....
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by dcnfrost_69
My last fill up was 14 gallons, drove 300 miles and paid $24.35 w/ full tank of gas. Gas is still kinda high here in Houston so I had to get regular gas ($1.80). Even though I use regular, the car still runs great and have plenty of power. When the gas is low enough, I will be using 91 grade.

$24 bucks?!?!

holy crap
time to move to Texas

my last "full tank" fill up was a whopping $37.xx to the top from nearly nothing with the light on...

that's at 2.39/gal.

and i can never get more than 19-21 mpg in NYC on these so-called highways and city driving no matter how easy i drive and i drive very smooth and shift at low RPM range..

i think it's a new york thing. I average 10 mph on my commute. Takes me 1 hr and change to travel 15 miles. So I guess i can just call it "all city" driving.. in which case it's not so bad
Old Jul 1, 2004 | 08:10 PM
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From: Columbia, MD
Originally Posted by dcnfrost_69
My last fill up was 14 gallons, drove 300 miles and paid $24.35 w/ full tank of gas. Gas is still kinda high here in Houston so I had to get regular gas ($1.80). Even though I use regular, the car still runs great and have plenty of power. When the gas is low enough, I will be using 91 grade.
I also use 87 for the last 86K miles and get 22 to 24 MPG 290 to 360 a tank hitting WOT 20+ times a tank (I LOVE MY CAR
Old Jul 2, 2004 | 05:10 AM
  #17  
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On my 02 maxima the trip screen that calculates your MPG, how accurate is that? i mean car driving conditions vary thus mileage per galon changes.
the best combination i've tried is 93 octaine / 33/34 psi tire pressures or more. What i've noticed is the with a full tank the gauge stays on top then once it starts to drop, it drops fast and goes down quick.

but i also have a civic , i use sometimes to for daily commute, i drive 45 miles one way to work to about 90 miles back and forth, i've put 30K+ miles per year, my civic bought @ 15K miles now 46K miles..

what i wanted to know if i installed a CAI / Intake on the maxima, will it improve the gas mileage, how about OIL, will 10w30 improve gas mileage? i have 5w30 right now which is stock .

anyone experiment with higher tire PSI to see how they can improve there gas mileage.
Old Jul 2, 2004 | 05:12 AM
  #18  
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What about durablend or Syntetic Oil , Air Filters , All these have a major effect on how your car performs and gas mileage, I have a BOSCH aftermarket Airfilter in right now.. i am also thinking about systentic oil in the car, this that'll improve the smoothness of the ride and increase performance? give me your input people
Old Jul 2, 2004 | 06:06 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by SKYRockerr
On my 02 maxima the trip screen that calculates your MPG, how accurate is that? i mean car driving conditions vary thus mileage per galon changes.
the best combination i've tried is 93 octaine / 33/34 psi tire pressures or more. What i've noticed is the with a full tank the gauge stays on top then once it starts to drop, it drops fast and goes down quick.

but i also have a civic , i use sometimes to for daily commute, i drive 45 miles one way to work to about 90 miles back and forth, i've put 30K+ miles per year, my civic bought @ 15K miles now 46K miles..

what i wanted to know if i installed a CAI / Intake on the maxima, will it improve the gas mileage, how about OIL, will 10w30 improve gas mileage? i have 5w30 right now which is stock .

anyone experiment with higher tire PSI to see how they can improve there gas mileage.
That trip computer is nowhere close to being accurate. I doubt if 10W30 will improve your fuel economy over 5W30.
Old Jul 2, 2004 | 03:54 PM
  #20  
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Actually the 5W30 oil will get you better gas mileage than the 10w30.

Why?

Thinner oil, less resistance.

Stay with 5w30 for best performance and MPG on your car.
Old Jul 3, 2004 | 12:06 AM
  #21  
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From: San Diego
Originally Posted by dcnfrost_69
My last fill up was 14 gallons, drove 300 miles and paid $24.35 w/ full tank of gas. Gas is still kinda high here in Houston so I had to get regular gas ($1.80). Even though I use regular, the car still runs great and have plenty of power. When the gas is low enough, I will be using 91 grade.
Thats high!?! LOL
Old Jul 10, 2004 | 06:53 PM
  #22  
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On my trip from LA to NY I got to 500 miles per tank twice! The rest of the times I filled up at around 450. However, since I'm been doing city driving now I get really bad milage, i usually fill up at around 300 miles, and that's with granny driving! Blah.
Old Jul 10, 2004 | 08:13 PM
  #23  
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Gas prices starting to go down here in Houston. I remember regular gas was around $1.90 and now I've seen some as low as $1.70 and $1.80 for plus. Finally I get to use the plus grade.
Old Jul 11, 2004 | 02:21 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by NYCe MaXiMa
$24 bucks?!?!

holy crap
time to move to Texas

my last "full tank" fill up was a whopping $37.xx to the top from nearly nothing with the light on...

that's at 2.39/gal.

and i can never get more than 19-21 mpg in NYC on these so-called highways and city driving no matter how easy i drive and i drive very smooth and shift at low RPM range..

i think it's a new york thing. I average 10 mph on my commute. Takes me 1 hr and change to travel 15 miles. So I guess i can just call it "all city" driving.. in which case it's not so bad
i feel your pain... i hate nyc for the gas prices, amt of cars in front of me, etc

always great to take road trips... that's when my gas mileage goes up to near 30s
Old Jul 11, 2004 | 02:26 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by kawidood
On my trip from LA to NY I got to 500 miles per tank twice! The rest of the times I filled up at around 450. However, since I'm been doing city driving now I get really bad milage, i usually fill up at around 300 miles, and that's with granny driving! Blah.
when you got to 500 per tankful, it was 100% highway and how fast were you going... 65? 85? 95?

OT: you planning on going to the meet next saturday at floyd bennett field?
Old Jul 11, 2004 | 09:42 AM
  #26  
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From: South Jersey
Since making some changes in my I30 I have greatly improved MPG. Since adding the Berk Intake, using synthetic engine oil and AFT, installing the updated MAF, and installing new coils, I am getting 21 MPG city and 32 MPG on the highway!
(before the changes it was 19 and 27)
Old Jul 11, 2004 | 09:52 AM
  #27  
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Wow....i miss the good ol' $1.70 days.....here in Jersey it's still above $2.00
Old Jul 11, 2004 | 10:46 AM
  #28  
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Wow, I guess I'll consider myself lucky. I'm routinely at about 350 miles when I fill up, and rarely ever get to the point that the gas light is on.
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