2003 GLE 1st month impressions
09-30-2010 | 11:12 AM
#41
Yeah, mods must really affect fuel economy! I got 24.5 mpg, all highway, 70 MPH as my record, and that was with tires that were seriously under-inflated, a clogged/disgusting air filter, and spark plugs with 118K miles on them. 6MT.
Now, with tires aired up to 38 all 'round, cleaned MAF, new air filter, new Mobil1 0W-40, and new NGKs, I average just under 21 mpg. That's conservative driving and about 70% highway mileage.
The government says I'm getting normal fuel economy for the car, so I'm satisfied. I have terrible, terrible generic Goodyears at 245/45/R17, so that surely doesn't help. If you want to feel the road more, try swapping on a 245/35 or 245/45. Wheelspin is waaaaay reduced from the 215s you have on there now.
Yours is, too.
19 city, 26 highway for a 21 combined is much more realistic than the 24 mpg combined sticker that came on the car.
Now, with tires aired up to 38 all 'round, cleaned MAF, new air filter, new Mobil1 0W-40, and new NGKs, I average just under 21 mpg. That's conservative driving and about 70% highway mileage.
The government says I'm getting normal fuel economy for the car, so I'm satisfied. I have terrible, terrible generic Goodyears at 245/45/R17, so that surely doesn't help. If you want to feel the road more, try swapping on a 245/35 or 245/45. Wheelspin is waaaaay reduced from the 215s you have on there now.
Yours is, too.
19 city, 26 highway for a 21 combined is much more realistic than the 24 mpg combined sticker that came on the car.
Last edited by Eirik; 09-30-2010 at 11:14 AM.
09-30-2010 | 11:28 AM
#42
Thread Starter
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 282
Eirik,
I'm curious to find out what condition your fuel filter is in when you change it.
I looked at the procedure in the FSM, and I would think it is a tough thing to do without getting some fuel splashed in the passenger compartment....
I'm thinking about cleaning my MAF, but haven't figured out if I need to do idle re-learning or whatever after cleaning it.
I'm curious to find out what condition your fuel filter is in when you change it.
I looked at the procedure in the FSM, and I would think it is a tough thing to do without getting some fuel splashed in the passenger compartment....
I'm thinking about cleaning my MAF, but haven't figured out if I need to do idle re-learning or whatever after cleaning it.
09-30-2010 | 11:34 AM
#43
http://www.shiftice.com/fuel_filter.html
09-30-2010 | 11:36 AM
#44
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 183
From: Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
Right?
Craig,
I've obviously done some work to my car and drive swift while avoiding downshift unless breaking. Rolling down a hill in neutral helps alot more than you could ever imagine, so does cruise control at anything consistent over 35MPH.
Craig,
I've obviously done some work to my car and drive swift while avoiding downshift unless breaking. Rolling down a hill in neutral helps alot more than you could ever imagine, so does cruise control at anything consistent over 35MPH.
09-30-2010 | 11:38 AM
#45
Originally Posted by Rochester
It's actually a pretty simple task, and requires no special skills or tools. Just take your time. This here is pretty much the best write-up on it for our car:
http://www.shiftice.com/fuel_filter.html
http://www.shiftice.com/fuel_filter.html
Last edited by NmexMAX; 09-30-2010 at 11:51 AM.
09-30-2010 | 09:28 PM
#46
I've gotten a lot of mixed answers to that question, NMexxxxxx. Do our cars turn off the injectors when coasting in gear? I think that answer is yes? I would always coast in neutral and have switched to coasting in the tallest gear possible. We'll see if it makes a difference of any significance.
10-01-2010 | 02:43 AM
#47
Yes, the IPW is near 0 when coasting in 'gear'. And when the vehicle is in "N", it 'tries' or ' attempts' to maintain 14.7:1, as the ECU adds fuel in order to maintain 14.7:1. As is verified by my WB. This has been discussed prior, and has been proven.
10-01-2010 | 06:03 PM
#49
You mean the O-Ring? I spent $23 at the dealership in May 2009 on both the filter and o-ring together. Just ask them for the fuel strainer, not the fuel filter. Once they find it, the o-ring will be right there too.
Remember, the word is "strainer". Otherwise, the parts guy might not find it.
Remember, the word is "strainer". Otherwise, the parts guy might not find it.
10-02-2010 | 05:34 AM
#51
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 282
Hey I just put a coat of Poli-Seal, two Opti-Seal Coats and one OCW so the car has less drag and better mileage.
Honestly, I drive like a little old lady around town, because you can't go fast in Boston if you wanted to. So the mileage s*cks, and I'd be hoping for at least 20mpg around town.
Honestly, I drive like a little old lady around town, because you can't go fast in Boston if you wanted to. So the mileage s*cks, and I'd be hoping for at least 20mpg around town.
10-02-2010 | 09:13 AM
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 339
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
To the OP: I think there may be something wrong with your car... I have an '02 auto, and on the highway I average 35 MPG at 65 MPH. I've heard that the trip computer is about 3 MPG optimistic, so I probably average around 32 MPG. I don't do much city driving, so I'm not quite sure what my city average is. I have a short ram intake though, so that may skew my averages upwards slightly compared to yours.
@ 35 MPG.
10-03-2010 | 05:19 AM
#55
Banned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 164
I bought a black 2003 GLE automatic about a month ago with 43,600 miles on the odo.
I put new tires (Continental DWS) and new rear calipers on the car (felt the rear wheel getting hot on my first highway trip). I also changed the oil to Mobil One, and changed the tranny fluid and the radiator coolant. I put a set of Hawk HPS pads on front and rear.
My previous car was a black '96 GLE automatic that I sold this week, so that is my reference point for comparison.
In the 2003 Max, compared to the '96, it feels like I'm driving a boat or Land Cruiser. Gone is the nimbleness and road feel of the '96. The road is pretty well insulated from the driver, except for a fair amount of wind noise at highway speeds. The steering wheel diameter feels like it belongs more in a yellow Thomas bus, than a car. I thought the turning radius on the '96 was bad, but it seems worse on the '03.
The car is indeed fast, but again insulated-feeling fast.
Right now I'm one tick mark away from a half tank and I've only got around 130 miles on the trip odo from city driving. Jeez, and I thought the '96 had low fuel economy, this is heartbreaking.
So while my initial impressions seem somewhat negative, as I get more adjusted to the car, I hope I feel better about it. Maybe I will put some stiffer shocks (but not too stiff like the AGX's I put in the '96) in it to firm up the handling.
The fuel mileage, however, I don't think I will get over. I had the car on a highway trip and it didn't do that much better.
I put new tires (Continental DWS) and new rear calipers on the car (felt the rear wheel getting hot on my first highway trip). I also changed the oil to Mobil One, and changed the tranny fluid and the radiator coolant. I put a set of Hawk HPS pads on front and rear.
My previous car was a black '96 GLE automatic that I sold this week, so that is my reference point for comparison.
In the 2003 Max, compared to the '96, it feels like I'm driving a boat or Land Cruiser. Gone is the nimbleness and road feel of the '96. The road is pretty well insulated from the driver, except for a fair amount of wind noise at highway speeds. The steering wheel diameter feels like it belongs more in a yellow Thomas bus, than a car. I thought the turning radius on the '96 was bad, but it seems worse on the '03.
The car is indeed fast, but again insulated-feeling fast.
Right now I'm one tick mark away from a half tank and I've only got around 130 miles on the trip odo from city driving. Jeez, and I thought the '96 had low fuel economy, this is heartbreaking.
So while my initial impressions seem somewhat negative, as I get more adjusted to the car, I hope I feel better about it. Maybe I will put some stiffer shocks (but not too stiff like the AGX's I put in the '96) in it to firm up the handling.
The fuel mileage, however, I don't think I will get over. I had the car on a highway trip and it didn't do that much better.
everything you said is EXACTLY how I felt when i went from my 4th to 5th gen.
10-03-2010 | 07:44 AM
#56
- Accept the car the way it is.
- Modify the car to address your complaints.
- Sell the car and get something more to your liking.
- Attempt to commiserate with a community that doesn't share your POV.
Try to pick the less lazy choice.
10-03-2010 | 11:14 AM
#57
Thread Starter
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 282
Yeah, mods take time and money, and I've already spent money aquiring the car and changing some needed basics. I think a CAI is my next step, and I emailed Cattman about the installation, but haven't heard back yet. Other than that, I guess I will get a Racingline FSTB.
As far as another car, I did look at an Acura TL when I was also looking at the Max. It has better seat knee/leg accomodations for my 6'4" frame, and except for the 2003 year when there was a bad tranny problem, it should be more reliable. The only issue is that it is a lot more expensive. The fuel economy of the 2004 Acura is 18/26, whereas the Max is 17/24 per www.fueleconomy.gov, which is a little better.
As far as another car, I did look at an Acura TL when I was also looking at the Max. It has better seat knee/leg accomodations for my 6'4" frame, and except for the 2003 year when there was a bad tranny problem, it should be more reliable. The only issue is that it is a lot more expensive. The fuel economy of the 2004 Acura is 18/26, whereas the Max is 17/24 per www.fueleconomy.gov, which is a little better.
10-03-2010 | 11:56 AM
#58
Banned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 164
2) there is nothing you can do for a 5.5 to make it feel like a 4th gen. ask another who has gone from one to the other and modded both(me).
3) the 5.5 will be a DD when I get a fun project car.
4) everyone who has gone from a 4th gen to 5.5 basically have the same complaints the op made. where have you been? i'v driven 3rd 4th and 5th all of them back to back, yes i had all 3 generations at one time, and it's night and day between all of them. With them getting progressively worse as they go up in generations in terms of handling, feeling the road, weight(i think 3rd 4th might be close but 5.5 & 6th gen feel so damn heavy), turning radius, etc. of course this is just from MY experience.
10-03-2010 | 12:39 PM
#59
10-03-2010 | 02:44 PM
#60
I still think that the 4th Gen SE was the best handling Max. My 3rd gen IMO did not handle that well (lots of body roll etc), but it felt like a cadillac on the highway. It would hit a bump/dip and that front end would float up and down like the Caddy's of that era.
10-03-2010 | 03:01 PM
#61
I still think that the 4th Gen SE was the best handling Max. My 3rd gen IMO did not handle that well (lots of body roll etc), but it felt like a cadillac on the highway. It would hit a bump/dip and that front end would float up and down like the Caddy's of that era.
10-03-2010 | 11:22 PM
#62
Hey I just put a coat of Poli-Seal, two Opti-Seal Coats and one OCW so the car has less drag and better mileage.
Honestly, I drive like a little old lady around town, because you can't go fast in Boston if you wanted to. So the mileage s*cks, and I'd be hoping for at least 20mpg around town.
Honestly, I drive like a little old lady around town, because you can't go fast in Boston if you wanted to. So the mileage s*cks, and I'd be hoping for at least 20mpg around town.
10-03-2010 | 11:27 PM
#63
Lots of times here I am in the 17-18 mpg range because my average speed is 24-25 mph due to horrible traffic and light synchronization. Really nothing I can do here to improve my mileage without being one of those obnoxious hyper mileage Prius drivers.
10-04-2010 | 07:30 AM
#64
Thread Starter
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 282
Scottwax,
Yeah, there is a stop sign or light at about every block, and frequently lights that make you wait many minutes. The lower mileage is particularly noticeable coming from a 4th generation car, where the mpg was reasonably better. I'll have to get used to it, and hope gas prices don't skyrocket as the economy gets better; I mean IF the economy gets better....
BTW, what do you recommend for dashboard vinyl use? I have some Meguairs dash trim foam, but after using Lexol cleaner and conditioner for the leather, I was wondering if their Vinylex was better.
Yeah, there is a stop sign or light at about every block, and frequently lights that make you wait many minutes. The lower mileage is particularly noticeable coming from a 4th generation car, where the mpg was reasonably better. I'll have to get used to it, and hope gas prices don't skyrocket as the economy gets better; I mean IF the economy gets better....
BTW, what do you recommend for dashboard vinyl use? I have some Meguairs dash trim foam, but after using Lexol cleaner and conditioner for the leather, I was wondering if their Vinylex was better.
Last edited by charlestek; 10-04-2010 at 07:33 AM.
10-05-2010 | 06:44 AM
#65
I bought a black 2003 GLE automatic about a month ago with 43,600 miles on the odo.
I put new tires (Continental DWS) and new rear calipers on the car (felt the rear wheel getting hot on my first highway trip). I also changed the oil to Mobil One, and changed the tranny fluid and the radiator coolant. I put a set of Hawk HPS pads on front and rear.
My previous car was a black '96 GLE automatic that I sold this week, so that is my reference point for comparison.
In the 2003 Max, compared to the '96, it feels like I'm driving a boat or Land Cruiser. Gone is the nimbleness and road feel of the '96. The road is pretty well insulated from the driver, except for a fair amount of wind noise at highway speeds. The steering wheel diameter feels like it belongs more in a yellow Thomas bus, than a car. I thought the turning radius on the '96 was bad, but it seems worse on the '03.
The car is indeed fast, but again insulated-feeling fast.
Right now I'm one tick mark away from a half tank and I've only got around 130 miles on the trip odo from city driving. Jeez, and I thought the '96 had low fuel economy, this is heartbreaking.
So while my initial impressions seem somewhat negative, as I get more adjusted to the car, I hope I feel better about it. Maybe I will put some stiffer shocks (but not too stiff like the AGX's I put in the '96) in it to firm up the handling.
The fuel mileage, however, I don't think I will get over. I had the car on a highway trip and it didn't do that much better.
I put new tires (Continental DWS) and new rear calipers on the car (felt the rear wheel getting hot on my first highway trip). I also changed the oil to Mobil One, and changed the tranny fluid and the radiator coolant. I put a set of Hawk HPS pads on front and rear.
My previous car was a black '96 GLE automatic that I sold this week, so that is my reference point for comparison.
In the 2003 Max, compared to the '96, it feels like I'm driving a boat or Land Cruiser. Gone is the nimbleness and road feel of the '96. The road is pretty well insulated from the driver, except for a fair amount of wind noise at highway speeds. The steering wheel diameter feels like it belongs more in a yellow Thomas bus, than a car. I thought the turning radius on the '96 was bad, but it seems worse on the '03.
The car is indeed fast, but again insulated-feeling fast.
Right now I'm one tick mark away from a half tank and I've only got around 130 miles on the trip odo from city driving. Jeez, and I thought the '96 had low fuel economy, this is heartbreaking.
So while my initial impressions seem somewhat negative, as I get more adjusted to the car, I hope I feel better about it. Maybe I will put some stiffer shocks (but not too stiff like the AGX's I put in the '96) in it to firm up the handling.
The fuel mileage, however, I don't think I will get over. I had the car on a highway trip and it didn't do that much better.
Previous cars for reference
96 maxima se auto 04 explorer 99 explorer 87 mustang gt 5 speed.
Current cars 02 maxima se 6 speed 02 rsx type s 6 speed
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