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

Winter Fuel Economy

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Old 02-05-2010, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by 2slow
Only 8500 rpm? Oh, look at those pistons.



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so?
my cbr600rr goes to 15000rpm
we are talking about rotary engines
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Old 02-05-2010, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 2slow
Why? Is its viscosity at low temperatures less than other 75/85 or 75/90 fluids?
Because from personal experience I have found that my 6mt shifts smooth as butter even at below zero temperatures. Which is not the case with redline, which is not the case with amsoil, and not the case with whatever Nissan puts in there if you don't ask them to put something specific.
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Old 02-05-2010, 09:44 PM
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i'm not sure if it's only because of winter since i hardly drove in the summer but it seems like i get 13-15 mpg on a bad week and maybe 17 on a good week..is there anything that can even be done to improve this?
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Old 02-05-2010, 11:48 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by 2slow

Where do you live?
Staten Island, NY. I don't drive long distances that often right now. Short trips here and there. The only time I really get to drive is on the weekends.
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Old 02-06-2010, 06:34 AM
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Originally Posted by jasonmax
so?
my cbr600rr goes to 15000rpm
we are talking about rotary engines
In the broader context, you were commenting (bragging?) about a high speed automotive engine; which your rotary is, your honda is not and the F20c is.

I was commenting (bragging?) about a higher speed, higher power automotive engine.

Originally Posted by knight_yyz
Because from personal experience I have found that my 6mt shifts smooth as butter even at below zero temperatures. Which is not the case with redline, which is not the case with amsoil, and not the case with whatever Nissan puts in there if you don't ask them to put something specific.
Sounds good. So far, I prefer Amsoil MTG with the Maxima, but haven't tried much else. If it doesn't hold up, feel good, I'll try an OE fluid I've used successfully in other cars (GM synchromesh friction modified, Honda MTF-2 or Ford XT-M5-QS).

Originally Posted by shmezelk8
Staten Island, NY. I don't drive long distances that often right now. Short trips here and there. The only time I really get to drive is on the weekends.
Is you fuel economy always low? My guess is that your FE is always low, so any winter reductions are barely noticed.
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Old 02-06-2010, 01:58 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by 2slow
Is you fuel economy always low? My guess is that your FE is always low, so any winter reductions are barely noticed.
No, I wouldn't say that my FE is always low. On highway/road trips I get a consistent 28-30mpg if I am just cruising in 6th. When driving spirited, I get 26-28 mpg on the highway. In the city I get 20-23 mpg. Overall about 24-25 mixed driving. I think that's pretty good. I'm sure driving style affects mpg as well. Coming from an e46 M3 I am LOVING the Maxima's FE. Just as a reference, looking back I would average about:

14mpg - 98 Chrysler Concorde 4at (3.2L)
18mpg - 06 Pontiac GTP 6mt (3.9L)
17mpg - 02 BMW M3 6mt (3.2L)
25mpg - 02 Maxima 6mt (3.5L)
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Old 02-07-2010, 08:45 AM
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Something else I recently noticed which is likely impacted fuel economy. When the front widow defog is selected the air conditioning is automatically activated (even though the A/C light doesn't illuminate, normal?).

I typically drive with the defog HVAC option selected (manual controls) which I hadn't previously realized turned on the A/C (can't believe it took a year of ownership to realize). Using the A/C will reduce fuel economy by another few percent; which when combined with the changes in fuel energy density, increased fluid viscosity, idle to warm operation, defroster use and tire pressure reductions could add to significant reductions (>10%).

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Old 02-07-2010, 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 2slow
In the broader context, you were commenting (bragging?) about a high speed automotive engine; which your rotary is, your honda is not and the F20c is.

I was commenting (bragging?) about a higher speed, higher power automotive engine.
ok, does the S2000 get 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway driving normally?
I was being sarcastic about the rotary engine's crappy gasmillage, which can be easily outshadowed by how beatifully balanced the engine is at 9000rpm.

Last edited by jasonmax; 02-07-2010 at 10:14 AM.
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Old 02-07-2010, 10:18 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by boost4age
The thing i hate is that my power steering seems frozen at start up. I let her warm up to operating temp but its just odd...
Mine is slow when its cold. Ive also had my brake pedal go to the floor around zero degrees. I always pump my brakes before I go ahead and back out of the driveway.
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Old 02-07-2010, 11:15 AM
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i
Originally Posted by jasonmax
ok, does the S2000 get 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway driving normally?
I was being sarcastic about the rotary engine's crappy gasmillage, which can be easily outshadowed by how beatifully balanced the engine is at 9000rpm.
I can't quite tell where you are taking this (or where this is going)...

The S2000 gets better fuel economy than the RX-8; you rarely hear S2K owners complain about fuel economy, unlike RX-8 owners. For my experiences, I've not gotten below 20 mpg in the AP1 aside from tanks encompassing autocross events. And the F20c screams like a thoroughbred at 6000rpm and up.

Gubernment data (these ratings are based upon real testing):


Originally Posted by Mynameismcgyver
Mine is slow when its cold. Ive also had my brake pedal go to the floor around zero degrees. I always pump my brakes before I go ahead and back out of the driveway.
Sounds like a problem with cold temperature sealing issues, could be a master cylinder going bad. Marginal seal ineffective at cold temperatures. When was the last time you changed (flushed) the brake fluid?
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Old 02-07-2010, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 2slow
i

I can't quite tell where you are taking this (or where this is going)...

The S2000 gets better fuel economy than the RX-8; you rarely hear S2K owners complain about fuel economy, unlike RX-8 owners. For my experiences, I've not gotten below 20 mpg in the AP1 aside from tanks encompassing autocross events. And the F20c screams like a thoroughbred at 6000rpm and up.
Idk where you taking this either.
one is a 4 door 4 seat sedan, one is a 2 door 2 seat convertible.

I was complaining how bad gasmillage is for the rotary engine comparing to my 5.5 gen, and you started talking about S2000?

Last edited by jasonmax; 02-07-2010 at 03:18 PM.
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Old 02-07-2010, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by jasonmax
Idk where you taking this either.
one is a 4 door 4 seat sedan, one is a 2 door 2 seat convertible.

I was complaining how bad gasmillage is for the rotary engine comparing to my 5.5 gen, and you started talking about S2000?
This will be my last post in this thread.

I was making comparisons of high speed automobile engines, which you had initially commented on. Then you asked about comparative fuel economy for the RX8 and S2K, which I replied.

BTW, the RX8 is more a weird coupe than a sedan.
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Old 02-07-2010, 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 2slow
i

I can't quite tell where you are taking this (or where this is going)...

The S2000 gets better fuel economy than the RX-8; you rarely hear S2K owners complain about fuel economy, unlike RX-8 owners. For my experiences, I've not gotten below 20 mpg in the AP1 aside from tanks encompassing autocross events. And the F20c screams like a thoroughbred at 6000rpm and up.

Gubernment data (these ratings are based upon real testing):




Sounds like a problem with cold temperature sealing issues, could be a master cylinder going bad. Marginal seal ineffective at cold temperatures. When was the last time you changed (flushed) the brake fluid?
The fluid is quite fresh. I race cars for a living so brakes are a number one for me...I like a good feeling peddle. It has to be just a seal in the master just being weird when its been sitting for awhile when its reallly cold. Luckily, I havent seen those cold temps since I lived out in Michigan. It gets cold here in NY but rarely thatttt cold!
I should be ok. Thanks for the input, hopefully she stays in good shape like shes been.
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Old 02-08-2010, 06:12 AM
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I had a ticking valve on my 2002 I35 with 115K miles and my fuel economy went down by about 10% and the engine felt a little sluggish. I put some seafoam in the engine and after 1,000 miles the sound went away. Boy was a relived! I live in Florida and I usually get 350 miles per tank with Shell Premium all year round.
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Old 02-08-2010, 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by stas29
I had a ticking valve on my 2002 I35 with 115K miles and my fuel economy went down by about 10% and the engine felt a little sluggish. I put some seafoam in the engine and after 1,000 miles the sound went away. Boy was a relived! I live in Florida and I usually get 350 miles per tank with Shell Premium all year round.
Did you pour the foam into the tank or did it thru the vacuum line? Ive always been skeptical about inserting it thru the vacuum and then having all that sediment go thru my cats... But I have used Sea Foam awhile back in the tank and all seemed well!
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Old 02-08-2010, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Mynameismcgyver
Did you pour the foam into the tank or did it thru the vacuum line? Ive always been skeptical about inserting it thru the vacuum and then having all that sediment go thru my cats... But I have used Sea Foam awhile back in the tank and all seemed well!
I followed directions on their website and poured 1/3 in the vacuum hose, 1/3 in the oil, and 1/3 in the gas tank. It took a while to get that petroleum smell out of my AC!
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Old 02-09-2010, 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by shmezelk8
No, I wouldn't say that my FE is always low. On highway/road trips I get a consistent 28-30mpg if I am just cruising in 6th. When driving spirited, I get 26-28 mpg on the highway. In the city I get 20-23 mpg. Overall about 24-25 mixed driving. I think that's pretty good. I'm sure driving style affects mpg as well. Coming from an e46 M3 I am LOVING the Maxima's FE. Just as a reference, looking back I would average about:

14mpg - 98 Chrysler Concorde 4at (3.2L)
18mpg - 06 Pontiac GTP 6mt (3.9L)
17mpg - 02 BMW M3 6mt (3.2L)
25mpg - 02 Maxima 6mt (3.5L)

Why in the world would anyone go from an M3 to a Maxima
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Old 02-09-2010, 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Rydicule
Why in the world would anyone go from an M3 to a Maxima
Umm...Sheer Performance...Obviously.

The M was a vert and pretty much had no backseat (I'm 6'2"). It was not very practical. I needed to get rid of the payments and the need came for a reliable and somewhat fun sedan. So I had to get rid of the M3 and picked up a 6sp Max for now. I definitely miss the handling, power, and RWD but the Max has been great so far.
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Old 02-09-2010, 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by stas29
I followed directions on their website and poured 1/3 in the vacuum hose, 1/3 in the oil, and 1/3 in the gas tank. It took a while to get that petroleum smell out of my AC!
HOLY *#(&*(#&(I&#(*&#&^ The amount of smoke that came out of my exhaust. I backed up a few feet out of the driveway right after startup and I could NOT SEE INFRONT of the car for seconds. Smoke is an understatement. But boy does she PURRR!
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Old 02-09-2010, 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by denny_1986
I guess with the heater blasting pretty much throughout my 3 hour combined daily commute, 24MPG isn't actually that bad....

Thanks for reminding me of this question, does running the heat really lower the gas mileage? I thought the heat was powered by the heating of the coolant..

Another question I wanted to ask was if cold weather/ driving hard on start up doesnt matter then why is the idle high until warm up?
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Old 02-09-2010, 07:16 PM
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As far as I know, the AC compressor will cycle even when the heat is on.
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Old 02-09-2010, 08:21 PM
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I lost about 3mpg since winter
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