Is it possible to get 600 miles on a tank of gas?
06-25-2008, 11:07 AM
#1
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Is it possible to get 600 miles on a tank of gas?
I drove to San Francisco Bay Area last week and came back last night. Even though I hit some stop and go, my gas mileage was hovering around 30 mpg. So it got e wondering - How far could the car go on a tank of gas if the gas mileage was good? Theoretically, if you add your miles traveled plus your Distance to Empty (DTE)[this is on the fuel economy screen], that should give you the theoretical maximum possible distance, right?
At one point in my trip, I had traveled 397 miles and had 190 miles left to go which means theoretically I could go 587 miles on a tank. This is with AC on most of the way, ambient temp in mid 90's, averaging 71 mph. I finished the trip with 414 miles traveled and 168 miles to go, with an amazing 30.0 mpg averaging 70 mph. This all includes about 5 miles of city driving and sitting at numerous stop lights.
During the trip, the highest DTE was 451 although I dont recall the total miles travelled at that point.
Anyone else getting these kinds of numbers?
At one point in my trip, I had traveled 397 miles and had 190 miles left to go which means theoretically I could go 587 miles on a tank. This is with AC on most of the way, ambient temp in mid 90's, averaging 71 mph. I finished the trip with 414 miles traveled and 168 miles to go, with an amazing 30.0 mpg averaging 70 mph. This all includes about 5 miles of city driving and sitting at numerous stop lights.
During the trip, the highest DTE was 451 although I dont recall the total miles travelled at that point.
Anyone else getting these kinds of numbers?
06-25-2008, 11:41 AM
#4
If you changed your 6th gear ratio, you probably could I know A33B's that have done this, and have gotten fairly close. And you guys have a little bit bigger tank than us, so anything is possible.
06-25-2008, 11:44 AM
#5
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I did LA to Vegas and back (same day) with 4000 feet of elevation changes, 510 miles and pumped about 17.5 gallons on the refill. That's 29+ MPG and I was doing 80++, no traffic and Bel RX65.
I don't know if you'd want to really run the tank dry, you would get 600 miles if you do.
Deus, Nmex, and I are AFR tuned, so we MIGHT get a little better cruising MPG than stock.
I don't know if you'd want to really run the tank dry, you would get 600 miles if you do.
Deus, Nmex, and I are AFR tuned, so we MIGHT get a little better cruising MPG than stock.
Last edited by RHMax; 06-25-2008 at 11:55 AM.
06-25-2008, 02:18 PM
#6
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AFR Tuned?
I did LA to Vegas and back (same day) with 4000 feet of elevation changes, 510 miles and pumped about 17.5 gallons on the refill. That's 29+ MPG and I was doing 80++, no traffic and Bel RX65.
I don't know if you'd want to really run the tank dry, you would get 600 miles if you do.
Deus, Nmex, and I are AFR tuned, so we MIGHT get a little better cruising MPG than stock.
I don't know if you'd want to really run the tank dry, you would get 600 miles if you do.
Deus, Nmex, and I are AFR tuned, so we MIGHT get a little better cruising MPG than stock.
Thanks,
06-26-2008, 07:21 AM
#14
Mark don't look at the comp. the estimated miles left will drop quickly at the end. The only way to do it is to top it completely off and the drive the distance and refill at the end of the trip to see exactly what you've burned.
Our system is about 21.5 gallons in total for those who didn't know.
Our system is about 21.5 gallons in total for those who didn't know.
06-26-2008, 09:43 AM
#16
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Visiting family in the East Bay. I half grew up there. The first half of my childhood was east coast.
My DTE plus total mileage stayed fairly consistently around 560 miles from about midway through my trip to the end. I think it demonstrates the excellent range of benefits of the 6th Gen Maxima - really good gas mileage potential coupled with really good performance.
My DTE plus total mileage stayed fairly consistently around 560 miles from about midway through my trip to the end. I think it demonstrates the excellent range of benefits of the 6th Gen Maxima - really good gas mileage potential coupled with really good performance.
06-26-2008, 11:01 AM
#18
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City driving varies hugely, depending on habits and driving conditions. So, I dont keep track of that.
By the way, I believe that my rear mesh grill helps me get better gas mileage. It felt like I could coast downhill at higher speeds.
By the way, I believe that my rear mesh grill helps me get better gas mileage. It felt like I could coast downhill at higher speeds.
06-27-2008, 12:44 AM
#19
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The 20 gallon rating for the tank is not a precise number, and I have heard the tank is actually very slightly bigger than the listed 20 gallons. Also, the 20 gallons does not include the amount in the filler tube, etc. Under ideal conditions such as open level road, no head wind, and moderate speed, it might be possible to go 600 miles on a tank of gas in our 6th gen.
BUT:
Don't forget that our fuel pump is actually inside the bottom of the gas tank, and uses the last few gallons of gas sloshing around in the tank to help keep from overheating. That is one reason the fuel light comes on with four or five gallons left in the tank. Also, using the last few gallons increases the liklehood of picking up any sediment/junk that might have settled to the bottom of the tank.
It is generally a good idea to never let the tank get low, as one never knows what's just around the corner. Having driven for 59 years, I could tell some tales about being desperate for gas. For instance, there was the time I was running low on fuel, hoping I could make the next town. I reached the town, and found the power was off in the area, so the gas pumps would not work. It was thirty miles to the next town (Arizona can be that way), so I was stuck until the power came back on (fortunately only three hours).
Also, small rural towns sometimes have no stations open overnight, so arriving there at midnight needing gas is not a good thing.
I have heard of folks stuck in blizzards that were low on gas, ran out, thus losing the car heater, and ended up freeezing to death.
Even in a place like Atlanta, there are often wrecks that close a freeway, and with the usual very inefficient handling of these wrecks, it is not that rare to be stuck for hours in one place. We have had a freeway blocked for as long as eight hours within the past six months, and one (or more) gets blocked for a few hours almost every day. Sitting in full sun on a blistering freeway is no time to run out of gas and lose your air conditioner. For an old person such as me, that is life-threatning. At night, running out of gas in Atlanta can be even more dire. We can no longer count the nightly shootings and robberies on one hand.
I have learned the hard way to not take chances with running low on gas.
BUT:
Don't forget that our fuel pump is actually inside the bottom of the gas tank, and uses the last few gallons of gas sloshing around in the tank to help keep from overheating. That is one reason the fuel light comes on with four or five gallons left in the tank. Also, using the last few gallons increases the liklehood of picking up any sediment/junk that might have settled to the bottom of the tank.
It is generally a good idea to never let the tank get low, as one never knows what's just around the corner. Having driven for 59 years, I could tell some tales about being desperate for gas. For instance, there was the time I was running low on fuel, hoping I could make the next town. I reached the town, and found the power was off in the area, so the gas pumps would not work. It was thirty miles to the next town (Arizona can be that way), so I was stuck until the power came back on (fortunately only three hours).
Also, small rural towns sometimes have no stations open overnight, so arriving there at midnight needing gas is not a good thing.
I have heard of folks stuck in blizzards that were low on gas, ran out, thus losing the car heater, and ended up freeezing to death.
Even in a place like Atlanta, there are often wrecks that close a freeway, and with the usual very inefficient handling of these wrecks, it is not that rare to be stuck for hours in one place. We have had a freeway blocked for as long as eight hours within the past six months, and one (or more) gets blocked for a few hours almost every day. Sitting in full sun on a blistering freeway is no time to run out of gas and lose your air conditioner. For an old person such as me, that is life-threatning. At night, running out of gas in Atlanta can be even more dire. We can no longer count the nightly shootings and robberies on one hand.
I have learned the hard way to not take chances with running low on gas.
06-27-2008, 08:46 AM
#23
I would say 85% of my driving is highway miles. I get 28 mpg in heavy traffic. 24 mpg if I have a heavy foot (hard acceleration and breaking). One time I drove from Houston to San Antonio and got 34 mpg. I know it's been said about the ECU always wants to recal to stock settings but it's weird. I feel the difference without an AFR tuning (technosquare type thing). I don't know if the tech that fixed my car after my spacer fiasco might have did something to my car to make it run better but it was like night and day. He did mention he liked modding nissan's and when he called me back to pick up my car he said "Kevin, your car hauls *ss now, you can pick it up". Whatever he did changed everything. I only got 19 to 21 prior to spacers/CAI/alignment/magnaflows and now I get 24/28. Maybe he did something, I don't know.
06-27-2008, 09:07 AM
#26
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I know an alignment can make a significant difference depending on how far it was out of alignment. I think when you improve the efficiency of an engine, like intake and exhaust, it can have a positive effect on gas mileage, as long as ur driving conservatively and not with a lead foot.
06-27-2008, 06:39 PM
#29
But then I get cobb webs in my engine! 
I gotta get the lead out every once in awhile or I should of never invested on my mods. We got this one highway called US 90. It's known as the autobahn of Texas. The saying is "90 on 90 or you get your *** ran over"
I gotta get the lead out every once in awhile or I should of never invested on my mods. We got this one highway called US 90. It's known as the autobahn of Texas. The saying is "90 on 90 or you get your *** ran over"
06-27-2008, 07:26 PM
#30
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Of course the tank should not be run dry or even particularly low due to the fuel pump being located in the tank. It was a theoretical question as to whether or not 600 miles on a tank is possible. I still think its remarkable that a big car like the Maxima can have really good fuel economy potential. By the way, I still have a 1/4 tank left from my trip even though I have done some city driving since my return on Wednesday.
06-27-2008, 07:46 PM
#31
I've made the drive from Miami to Tallahassee...think it's over 500 miles, just had to fuel up bout 20 mins into the city...
Now my fuel eco is GARBAGE. I'm sure I'd have to fill up three times on that trip these days...
Now my fuel eco is GARBAGE. I'm sure I'd have to fill up three times on that trip these days...
06-28-2008, 07:40 AM
#35
I usually don't let my tank get below a 1/2 tank cause of the fuel cost. I can afford 45 bucks for 10 gallons. 80+ will put a dent in the budget. And of course it seems I get more miles from the top half of the tank than the bottom. So, is it true? Is the first half on the gauge based on a larger amount of gas, >10 gallons, compared to the bottom half <10 gallons? I'm going to run the tank to empty because I think it'll be nice to get a whole fresh tank of gas.
06-30-2008, 03:45 AM
#37
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At 70 mph, with cruise control I was able to register 34.8 mpg(4,200ft elevation). I did travel about 30 miles on that trip... don't know how trustworthy the internal comp in the car is.. as that is what I'm referencing from.. By that standard, you should be able to break 600, and still have fuel in the tank.. estimated 2 gallons left.. I don't usually drive with cruise control BTW, I usually get like 23 mpg average.. I have a lead foot 
07-01-2008, 09:44 AM
#39
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My tire pressure for street is about 40 psi. For track only, I pump them in the 45-50 psi range, depending on temperature and the track Im on. Usually I go higher (50 psi) for tighter, slower tracks and lower (47 psi) for faster open tracks.
Higher pressure on the street will improve gas mileage. Just be careful not to go too high as handling, braking and ride quality can get worse.
Higher pressure on the street will improve gas mileage. Just be careful not to go too high as handling, braking and ride quality can get worse.
