I’m having some issues with my mpg. When I first bought the car, 5 months ago, I got 225 miles in city driving out of my tank. Now I’m lucky if I get out 190. That’s 11 miles per gallon. My friend with Jeep Cherokee gets 14!!. I always fill up with ultimate (so did the previous owner), my car has 113K on it. Got new spark plugs, transmission fluid and filter were changed when I got it. What are you guys getting?

 

It's funny you should make fun of G.W., when mph really means miles per hour, and not miles per gallon...

 

I think you mean MPG

What's your EXACT MPG? 11?

How many miles ago?

Could be a nu,ber of things...

 

How are you calculating MPG? Diving 190 miles by 18 gallons (tank capacity) is : not the right way to do it.

 

yes that's what i meant and that's how i do it. eather way, 190 miles per tank is crap

 

190/16.5 = 11.5

Capacity is 18.5g

 

lol, i'm sure i can find a way out of my room.......uh nuts, wrong door.....again!

um, yeah, that's what i do...

I thought it was 17, still 190/18.5=10.2, even worse then what i had......

 

so can anyone help out?

 

You take MPGs the most innacurate way. almost as bad as the trip computer in A33B's. Typically when the "light" turns on, theres 2.5g left, but this can be split into many hairs..But your MPG still suck ... check for problems as we all said ... try getting codes from AZ. How many miles have been put on the car since it's last FF change?

Sometimes when the FF is real dirty, it needs to be changed say a week apart in order to rid the old crap from all the old buildup.

Where did you hear it's 17g? A32/33's are all 18.5g... A34's IIRC are 20g.



Best thing to do for accurate MPG data is ....fill up, reset your mileage (trip set) use as much fuel as you can, fill up, and divide the miles on your trip set over the amount the fuel pump reads, TIP: It's right next to the "sale" amount on the fuel pump

 

well so what could be wrong. (if you are really getting that bad of a MPG)
Knock sensor, O2 sensor... can't remember anything else for sure.

 

Read the actual gallons off the pump, then divide the miles driven by that number. Where did the 16.5 come from, he never told us how many gallons he refuels with. Your still not calculating your actual MPG correctly.

 

ok, who cares how it's being calculated. forget what i said about any calculations. 190 per tank is all that there is to it. if all you can contribute is tell me how to calculate exact mpg then don't contribute. I fill up, i drive 190, my tank is empty. i needed help with improving my mileage not math.

 

Did you not read my post? I suggested an FF, help us help you....

 

thanks, is there a sure way to find out if eather one or both of them that need to be replaced?(like takining it out and inspecting it) ?

yes, i did read it, thank you for the suggestion. just want to see what others have to say

 

So you basically want to be spoon fed?

Or you just don't like the suggestions, and once you read one that sounds cool, then you'll try it?

 

I don’t need to be spoon fed. It looks like you need to be milked for info. If something pisses you off about my questions don’t answer them, better yet, ignore the thread all together. Maybe you didn’t like the fact that I wanted to see other people’s opinions? Do you take any advise one person gives you or do you consult with others first? Or maybe you are the most knowing here so I should run straight to my mechanic and do whatever Mr. Nmexmax told me to…..Get over yourself.

 

Look, how freakin simple does it need to be broken down for you?
Check your fuel filter, if it is dirty at all, replace it.
When is the last time you changed your spark plugs?
When is the last time you had an oil change?
A knock sensor will not throw a check engine light. Go to autozone or schucks or pay $80 at nissan to have them pull any pending codes from your ECU to find out if you have a bad knock sensor.
Get an FSM or Haynes/Chiltons manual. You can check the resistance of your knock sensor and tell if its working correctly.
Pull your Cat's, are they clogged up?
Check your tire pressure
Get your brakes checked out, maybe one is dragging
Get your alignment checked
Keep your foot off of the accelerator, try to keep the rpm under 2k and don't race from stoplight to stoplight
After, and ONLY after you have done all of that, come back here and post your results, dividing the number of miles actually driven, by how many gallons you actually put in the tank for an accurate MPG reading.

There is no easy fix, so quit looking for the magic answer that is going to solve all your problems, and start troubleshooting this yourself.

 

Nope, I'm bored, and annoying posters/threads cure my boredom.

I do the cheapest and easiest way first, but don't sit around and wait for 'replies'.

Never go to your mechanic DIY.

 

werd, if i had a lift. Actually my mech is pretty good(honest).

 

I will check my fuel filter
Spark plughs changed 3 months ago
oil was changed last month
tire pressure is 37psi
brakes will check..
done alignment last month

I’m not looking for any magic answers. See you actually gave suggestions that no one else did. thus you see my point now. Is it the weather or my sig that gets people pissed.

 

Last but not least, when is the last time you changed your air filter?

 

3 months ago, with my plugs

 

Maybe I expect too much from certain members, but this is all common sense maintenace items, and should be second nature if you're a member here.

 

I Love This Web Site!!!!

 

Thanks For The Info!!!!

 

So after you drive till you're empty with 190 miles, how much fuel ACTUALLY get's put back in? You've never actually answered that. You're probably getting far better than 11 mpg, but since you're not accurately measuring, you can't really tell.

As far as what can be causing it there lots of reasons. Weight can be one that I don't think was mentioned yet. If you have larger rims that would affect things too.

 

geez 11mpg. That is horrible. I remember when my altima was getting 24mpg and I was complaining like a *****. I get mid 28's( 60% hwy/40% city) and still complain but at least I spend less money now.

Here is what I did to my altima(2nd gen)

I took out the spare and the jack since I can't use them anyway due to some physical problems. All I got to do is call my dad or cousin and they will bring it and change it for me.

I changed the air filter, fuel filter, tranny flush, NGK V power spark plugs. Did an alignment, made sure all sensors work. And just drive the speed limit on the freeway on cruise control. That's it.

I'm figuring I get low 30'smpg on the freeway and low 20's on the street. But so far in the mix I get solid 28's.

 

How much better do you think it can get if I was to measure more correctly. 13, 14 mpg? I’ll find the receipts and tell you exactly. But I’ honestly can’t say that these numbers are any better, mileage still would suck!

About the weight, my rims are stock, trunk is empty. I went form 215 tires to 225, but I got the same mileage before I changed them…...



Can’t really take out the spare and the jack, can’t afford to be stock. I live in New York with tons of garbage on streets. Maybe it’s me, but I got 2 punctures in 5 months. I’ve done all the work you are talking about except for the fuel filter, which I’m gong to do as soon as possible. By the way when I said that I do mostly city driving I mean 98% is city.



Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it.

 

If you do city driving might as well pick up a hybrid. The new hybrid cars work on the electric motor up to 35mph. So if you're driving in the city 35mph or slower you will waste very little gas.

The jack and spare is a small fraction of weight, I use other stuff to get that 28mpg. Just everything adds up to it.

 

Negative.

You have ~4 gallons left. I fill up when my light is on with ~14 gallons.

Same goes for my FX. I fill up ~18 gallons in it -- it has a 22.5 tank.

 

It will be a whole hell of a lot better. Prob alot better than you think.

 

Ok, I dug up 2 of my my previous receipt. I filled up with 15.23 gallons. Mileage was 190. 190/15.23= 12.47 MPG. One before that is 16.06 gallons. Mileage was 198. 195/16.6=11.92.

 

So......have you checked any of the itmes mentioned?

 

I work and study during weekdays, so no, i did not go to check my sensors or fuel filter yet. Will try tomorrow, but my mech. may be busy.

 

o2 sensors or a possible maf. also depending on what you are running excessive power drain will kill your mileage. with all my stuff on i get no more than 15mpg.

 

not running anything extra really. all stock, inside and out.

 

Here's what curtesyparts.com http://www.courtesyparts.com/A33_tuneup.html says about my fuel filter, i quote, "Recommended replacement: probably never, due to its location not considered a replacement part"

 

NO comments all of the sudden????????

 

Hey i have get 18-20mpg but i have a 5-speed with some mods.. beleve it or not my millage got better with my flywheel instal.. the best i got was 24mpg on the express way.. but i run my car hard.. and i live in fla so A/C 24/7 always on..


Y-pipe
High Flow Cat
Mevi
Fidenza Flywheel
clutch masters stage 4
Pop charger
2003 17in rims
225/55/17 potenzas re40