Bad gas mileage
02-08-2007, 05:03 PM
#2
make sure your tire pressure is correct; also do the typical maintainence stuff (i.e. oil & oil filter, air filter, PCV, etc.). Gas mileage around the city really does depend upon your driving style. The more stop and go you're in, the worse off your gas mileage.
02-08-2007, 05:41 PM
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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well i have a 2002 6spd and honestly i can get anywere from 12 miles per gallon to 32, really depends on how you drive. with a max you can keep the engin below 2500 rpm and still keep up with everyone, gets me about 28 mpg. or you can keep it around 4000-5000rpm and go as fast as everyone, just get to that speed a hell of a lot faster, at about 12-14 miles per gallon
02-08-2007, 06:10 PM
#5
i heard that before too. couldnt hurt to try it though.
Originally Posted by drinkredstripe
I just changed the oil filter, oil, and air filter. I usually shift at 3k thought any lower would just bog the engine down and get worst mpg. But shifting around 2.5 will make it better?
02-08-2007, 07:14 PM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by milesd77
With such a high powered motor, 18-19 is not bad. We use 87 octane to save dinero.
So it's not my lead foot then? I try to drive "normally" but i have do a nice pull to 60 once a day.
02-08-2007, 07:16 PM
#8
02-08-2007, 07:17 PM
#9
Originally Posted by milesd77
With such a high powered motor, 18-19 is not bad. We use 87 octane to save dinero.
02-10-2007, 07:58 AM
#10
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Wife has a 2K SE with 98K on the odometer, she drives 45 miles to work one way. I showed her how to keep the revs under 3K. She has for over two years remained at 28mpg. I check mileage every week, she writes gallons and miles driven at each fill up.
02-12-2007, 06:35 PM
#12
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http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=509181
Most of that stuff is is for the 3.5 i have the 3.0 engine. Is 17-18 bad for city driving? I would say 90% of my shifts are at 3k. I'm using 93 octane by the way.
Most of that stuff is is for the 3.5 i have the 3.0 engine. Is 17-18 bad for city driving? I would say 90% of my shifts are at 3k. I'm using 93 octane by the way.
02-12-2007, 07:02 PM
#13
Change your plugs and filters. If you still get poor gas mileage it could be the injectors. Try running a can of injector cleaner with your next tank of gas as well. I get about 18-20 mph in the winter shifting around 3-4K rpms about 75% of the time using 87 octane. I just got the car so im still trying to figure out the true mpg.
02-13-2007, 03:11 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by arkainshadow
well i have a 2002 6spd and honestly i can get anywere from 12 miles per gallon to 32, really depends on how you drive. with a max you can keep the engin below 2500 rpm and still keep up with everyone, gets me about 28 mpg. or you can keep it around 4000-5000rpm and go as fast as everyone, just get to that speed a hell of a lot faster, at about 12-14 miles per gallon
I have an 02 6 speed... I could red line it on every take off and not get 12 mpg, maybe 17.5. I also shift between 1500 and 2000 when driving normally (90% of the time, city). and I get 20-22 depending how many stop lights I hit. Actually... I don't think my car has ever seen 28... even on all highway trips. Maybe 25.
02-20-2007, 12:25 PM
#17
Depending on how heavy your foot is, 18-19 for all city driving sounds right. I get around 22 mpg, 80 miles a day, over half is highway, where I drive over 80 when traffic allows.
No one ever seems to listen to me, but check your oil level. Most people (actually most oil-change places) tend to overfill, which causes decreased performance and efficiency.
No one ever seems to listen to me, but check your oil level. Most people (actually most oil-change places) tend to overfill, which causes decreased performance and efficiency.
03-15-2007, 05:17 PM
#20
03-15-2007, 05:58 PM
#23
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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I've been averaging right at 22.7 mpg per tank. My commute is about 50% highway and 50% city. The last couple weeks though I have been taking a different route that has a slower speed limit and my milage was 24.3 mpg the last tank. I noticed very little difference going from 87 oct to premium...actually I probably got worse gas milage on the premium since I subconsiously thought it was improving my performance and thus gave it a bit more gas.
03-15-2007, 06:17 PM
#25
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It seems like I'm getting some of the best avg mpg at 28-29 on my 03 GLE.
I drive 30 miles city + 50 miles highway every day, M-F.
The digital display give about a .2 - .4 mpg *bonus* from what i calculate when i fill up.
I drive 30 miles city + 50 miles highway every day, M-F.
The digital display give about a .2 - .4 mpg *bonus* from what i calculate when i fill up.
03-15-2007, 06:24 PM
#26
Originally Posted by thechefrobert
It seems like I'm getting some of the best avg mpg at 28-29 on my 03 GLE.
I drive 30 miles city + 50 miles highway every day, M-F.
The digital display give about a .2 - .4 mpg *bonus* from what i calculate when i fill up.
I drive 30 miles city + 50 miles highway every day, M-F.
The digital display give about a .2 - .4 mpg *bonus* from what i calculate when i fill up.
03-15-2007, 06:32 PM
#27
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for the 6mt...my tricks: shift at as low of rpm as possible, skip shift...and roll, roll, roll. last year Car and Driver did some testing on a 6-speed 3-series and made these same suggestions.
as long as you keep the rpm above 1000-1500rpm, the VQ isnt going to bog while just cruising. of course, when you need to accel, you have to down shift. now if we were talking about a 4cyl, the typical recommendation is to keep it above 1800-2000rpm while cruising.
when city driving i usually skip 2nd and 4th, esp. if i feel like revving 1st gear up to 3 or 4k. i learned this from driving GM 6-speeds that actually force you do do this under certain conditions (1-4 skip actually).
and finally, a big advantage of manual is to be able to put it in neutral to take advantage of the momentum from your acceleration departing the last stop light.
i average 24.5 with mostly stop and go city freeway driving. 28 on rural highway trips @ 80-85mph.
as long as you keep the rpm above 1000-1500rpm, the VQ isnt going to bog while just cruising. of course, when you need to accel, you have to down shift. now if we were talking about a 4cyl, the typical recommendation is to keep it above 1800-2000rpm while cruising.
when city driving i usually skip 2nd and 4th, esp. if i feel like revving 1st gear up to 3 or 4k. i learned this from driving GM 6-speeds that actually force you do do this under certain conditions (1-4 skip actually).
and finally, a big advantage of manual is to be able to put it in neutral to take advantage of the momentum from your acceleration departing the last stop light.
i average 24.5 with mostly stop and go city freeway driving. 28 on rural highway trips @ 80-85mph.
03-15-2007, 08:12 PM
#29
i'll pay the extra for gas instead of driving my 255hp 6-speed like a grandma (shifting at low RPMs, etc)
if i was worried about bad mileage, i would have bought something else. when i need gas, i get it. i dont b1tch...i dont drive around for miles to find gas thats .05 cheaper. i get gas, get in my car, drive away, and enjoy my car.
if i was worried about bad mileage, i would have bought something else. when i need gas, i get it. i dont b1tch...i dont drive around for miles to find gas thats .05 cheaper. i get gas, get in my car, drive away, and enjoy my car.
03-15-2007, 08:32 PM
#30
Originally Posted by soonerfan
i'll pay the extra for gas instead of driving my 255hp 6-speed like a grandma (shifting at low RPMs, etc)
if i was worried about bad mileage, i would have bought something else. when i need gas, i get it. i dont b1tch...i dont drive around for miles to find gas thats .05 cheaper. i get gas, get in my car, drive away, and enjoy my car.
if i was worried about bad mileage, i would have bought something else. when i need gas, i get it. i dont b1tch...i dont drive around for miles to find gas thats .05 cheaper. i get gas, get in my car, drive away, and enjoy my car.
lol i second that
people that drive 5 more miles to save .03 cents/gallon =
03-15-2007, 11:09 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by 00MaxSE
Yeah those F-bodies and the skip shift... 
03-16-2007, 09:17 AM
#33
I have an '03 GLE with a hellava lot of miles and I consistently get over 26 calculated mpg in mixed driving (70% hwy) in the warmer months and about 24mpg in the colder months. I've had as high as 30mpg on a long trip. I usually keep the rpm's below 3k with the occasional 'drive it like you stole it' run.
03-16-2007, 09:53 AM
#34
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 388
well how have you been counting your mileage because the gauge isnt always right, besides they have this new siite that actually re test all the gas mileage going all the way back to 1985. its called fuelecomomy.gov and you can plug in what you really get for gas mileage
03-16-2007, 12:19 PM
#36
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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For those who done have to get there first:
With a manual transmission, shift gears as soon as the engine can run smoothly in the next gear. Low gear at 20 mph gives only about two-thirds the mileage as high gear at the same speed. In second gear, it is four-fifths the mileage you'd get in high.
With an automatic transmission, lifting your foot slightly off the accelerator will make the transmission shift sooner.
When approaching hills, don't wait until the car begins to "lug" before shifting gears. Don't accelerate once you have started up the hill, because speed increase is slight and fuel consumption is high. You can minimize the speed loss by gradually increasing speed as you approach a hill.
Cruise control can gain 1-2 mpg by maintaining a steady, preset speed over any kind of terrain.
Again if you're not in any hurry to get where you're going, get comfortable, find some good music, get in the rightmost lane and slow down a bit. You'll save 2 mpg or more if you drive 65 mph rather than 75. I find it'd a much more relaxing trip when I'm not constantly trying to pass other cars. Just make sure you're the one in the slow lane.
Also, if you want some better mileage, get rid of some of that junk in the trunk.
and run the lightest wheels and tires that work for you.
With a manual transmission, shift gears as soon as the engine can run smoothly in the next gear. Low gear at 20 mph gives only about two-thirds the mileage as high gear at the same speed. In second gear, it is four-fifths the mileage you'd get in high.
With an automatic transmission, lifting your foot slightly off the accelerator will make the transmission shift sooner.
When approaching hills, don't wait until the car begins to "lug" before shifting gears. Don't accelerate once you have started up the hill, because speed increase is slight and fuel consumption is high. You can minimize the speed loss by gradually increasing speed as you approach a hill.
Cruise control can gain 1-2 mpg by maintaining a steady, preset speed over any kind of terrain.
Again if you're not in any hurry to get where you're going, get comfortable, find some good music, get in the rightmost lane and slow down a bit. You'll save 2 mpg or more if you drive 65 mph rather than 75. I find it'd a much more relaxing trip when I'm not constantly trying to pass other cars. Just make sure you're the one in the slow lane.
Also, if you want some better mileage, get rid of some of that junk in the trunk.
and run the lightest wheels and tires that work for you.
03-16-2007, 03:04 PM
#38
Originally Posted by BMWHIGH1
well how have you been counting your mileage because the gauge isnt always right, besides they have this new siite that actually re test all the gas mileage going all the way back to 1985. its called fuelecomomy.gov and you can plug in what you really get for gas mileage
03-17-2007, 11:08 AM
#39
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 81
yo i also have a 2k max 5spd.
could be alot of things--anywhere from how you drive to the gas youre using to mechanical probs. but sounds like you dont really rip up yo car, so its prolly not the way you drive...
like last year, my mileage started gettin real low too--like in that 17-18 mpg range. then my car started stalling randomly sometimes when the engine was returning to idle from a higher rpm (like above 2k). turned out to be my maf. changed it and got back up to like 21-22ish.
ive also noticed an increase in mileage when i use bp 93 octane vs qt or shell. i think the additives they add to the gas really help mileage. i also read a study where adding like 3 oz of acetone to 10 gallons of gas can help increase mileage too:
http://www.pureenergysystems.com/new...00069_Acetone/
i tried this before, and it seemed like my car got better mileage if i remember right. most ppl say at minimum, they get better response...(that could translate to being lighter on the pedal and saving some gas...)
i also seafoamed my car last week for the first time just to try it, but im not really sure if i notice any difference other than normal fluctuations...prolly wont do that again for a couple years...
right now im gettin about 24-25 mpg driving normally (faster than traffic, though) in half city/half highway. haha but try easin up on that pedal...remember, you barely have to give it any gas to accelerate quicker than most ppl.
the main thing is just to make sure yo engine is running smoothly and maintain it well. that should keep it powerful and efficient...
could be alot of things--anywhere from how you drive to the gas youre using to mechanical probs. but sounds like you dont really rip up yo car, so its prolly not the way you drive...
like last year, my mileage started gettin real low too--like in that 17-18 mpg range. then my car started stalling randomly sometimes when the engine was returning to idle from a higher rpm (like above 2k). turned out to be my maf. changed it and got back up to like 21-22ish.
ive also noticed an increase in mileage when i use bp 93 octane vs qt or shell. i think the additives they add to the gas really help mileage. i also read a study where adding like 3 oz of acetone to 10 gallons of gas can help increase mileage too:
http://www.pureenergysystems.com/new...00069_Acetone/
i tried this before, and it seemed like my car got better mileage if i remember right. most ppl say at minimum, they get better response...(that could translate to being lighter on the pedal and saving some gas...)
i also seafoamed my car last week for the first time just to try it, but im not really sure if i notice any difference other than normal fluctuations...prolly wont do that again for a couple years...
right now im gettin about 24-25 mpg driving normally (faster than traffic, though) in half city/half highway. haha but try easin up on that pedal...remember, you barely have to give it any gas to accelerate quicker than most ppl.
the main thing is just to make sure yo engine is running smoothly and maintain it well. that should keep it powerful and efficient...
03-17-2007, 04:34 PM
#40
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 40
How much does cold weather and winter tires affect MPG?
I have a 2000 SE AUTO with 160 000 km or around 100 000 miles
I've done the following within the past 6 months
Regular Oil Change at 5000 km or 3100 miles
Fuel Injector Service
Flushed Transmission Fluid
New Bosch Platinum Plugs
New Air Filter
I drive roughly 40km/25miles on hwy at 120 km/h avg or 75mph and 10km/6miles city per trip.
Temperature varies from -25C/-4F to about 5C/41F and I have new winter tires on with 32-35 psi always
If I drive normally ie. regular acceleration (shifts at ~2500-2800rpm) i only get 15L/100km or 15.68MPG and if I drive as slow as possible (shifts below 2000rpm) the best I ve got so far is 12.5L/100km or 18.81MPG
When I drove last time from Toronto (where I live) to Detroit with 5 people, I've got 580km per tank at 125km/78mph cruising 100% of time.
Is this normal?
I've done the following within the past 6 months
Regular Oil Change at 5000 km or 3100 miles
Fuel Injector Service
Flushed Transmission Fluid
New Bosch Platinum Plugs
New Air Filter
I drive roughly 40km/25miles on hwy at 120 km/h avg or 75mph and 10km/6miles city per trip.
Temperature varies from -25C/-4F to about 5C/41F and I have new winter tires on with 32-35 psi always
If I drive normally ie. regular acceleration (shifts at ~2500-2800rpm) i only get 15L/100km or 15.68MPG and if I drive as slow as possible (shifts below 2000rpm) the best I ve got so far is 12.5L/100km or 18.81MPG
When I drove last time from Toronto (where I live) to Detroit with 5 people, I've got 580km per tank at 125km/78mph cruising 100% of time.
Is this normal?