6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008) Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.

6th Gen Gas Mileage

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Old Apr 16, 2004 | 09:09 AM
  #1  
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6th Gen Gas Mileage

I'm just curious what others are getting?

Max 04 SL

Getting around 17.5 MPG on city/HW
Getting around 20 MPG on HW alone
Using unleaded 87 Octane
Los Angeles

Much less then what Nissan advertises on this car
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 09:16 AM
  #2  
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How many miles are on the car?
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 09:23 AM
  #3  
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Those numbers do seem very low....

I'm averaging 22/23 city and 25/26 highway... never running less than 92 octane. 9500 miles.
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Playadave
I'm just curious what others are getting?

Max 04 SL

Getting around 17.5 MPG on city/HW
Getting around 20 MPG on HW alone
Using unleaded 87 Octane
Los Angeles

Much less then what Nissan advertises on this car
04 SE 6spd

22/27
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 09:28 AM
  #5  
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Im getting 20.4 city/hw Havent taken any long roadtrips yet. I have 750 miles on my 04


Originally Posted by Playadave
I'm just curious what others are getting?

Max 04 SL

Getting around 17.5 MPG on city/HW
Getting around 20 MPG on HW alone
Using unleaded 87 Octane
Los Angeles

Much less then what Nissan advertises on this car
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 09:58 AM
  #6  
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Gas Mileage

I only know what im getting on the highway because that is mainly what i drive too work and back 125mile/pr day SE auto Injen CAI 26mpg.
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 10:12 AM
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Dont forget about California Emissions. Us west coast dwellers suffer from major smog related restrictions which can kill gas mileage.



Originally Posted by Playadave
I'm just curious what others are getting?

Max 04 SL

Getting around 17.5 MPG on city/HW
Getting around 20 MPG on HW alone
Using unleaded 87 Octane
Los Angeles

Much less then what Nissan advertises on this car
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 10:56 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by slb
Dont forget about California Emissions. Us west coast dwellers suffer from major smog related restrictions which can kill gas mileage.
I thought they were all Cali spec for 04?
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 11:21 AM
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REALLY?? i had no idea. Well, WELCOME all you 04 Max dwellers to Calif smog regulation BS!!



Originally Posted by bluemaxx
I thought they were all Cali spec for 04?
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 11:35 AM
  #10  
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'04 SE 5spd automatic
22+ city/28+ hwy
13,000 miles, but virtually the same mileage since new

Part of your mileage loss is the 87 octane regular ... congested roads can account for your bad city mileage, but there's no reason you should be getting such low mileage on the highway.

Mike
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 12:10 PM
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mileage

22 city 27-28 highway 1000 miles on the max
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 05:01 PM
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we get about 21 city and around 29-32 highway with 10800 miles. Have taken 2 2000+ mile road trips.
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 05:50 PM
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I get around 16 MPG in the city (short commute/lots of stop lights -> hard on car...) and about 27 on HW.. sometimes more if I use the cruise control. I would guess that I'd get another 1 or 2 MPG with synthetic oil.

On a related note, I've been participating in my dealer's free oil change (just pay for the filter...). I suspect they use the crappiest oil ever, so I'm thinking about asking them if I can use another brand. So, can anyone recommend a good brand of oil? I'd like to go synthetic, I've got nearly 7200 miles on my max and so at the 7,500 mile checkup I think I'd like to change (will be my third time).

Thanks!
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 07:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Playadave
I'm just curious what others are getting?

Max 04 SL

Getting around 17.5 MPG on city/HW
Getting around 20 MPG on HW alone
Using unleaded 87 Octane
Los Angeles

Much less then what Nissan advertises on this car
22/28 usually
6-Speed 04

The highest I've seen on the car so far is 34.5 going like 50 in 6th gear down the highway. If I take it easy I always see 30+ on the hightway. I don't tend to though. 92 octane gas alway too.

-Ed
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 07:09 PM
  #15  
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5 Spd Auto, 8000 miles, 91 Octane always -
22-23 City, 27-29 Highway
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 04:21 PM
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Ok my computer says 22.4 average but I drive mostly city. I have approx 9K on it and use 91 octane always. My 2K2 Altima was getting 26 to 27 at this mileage. I`m not concerned YET.
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 05:26 PM
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I have also been getting poor mileage. I am reseting both the MPG and MPH for the trip #1 on each fillup. I find the mileage I get is directly related to the average MPH.

My commute gets me 32 MPH average and 18 or 19 MPG
Today with alot of errands average is down to 25 MPH and 16 or 17 MPG.

Take a look at your average speed it should correlate.

Jim
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 05:50 AM
  #18  
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Has anyone used other than at least 91 octane?
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 10:08 PM
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ethorn's Avatar
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The computer states 21.9 AVG at 8500 miles. This is doing at least 70 on the highway when there isn't traffic, and 10 stop and go on the highway when there is. I know if I average 55 or 65 on hwy I get close to 30. I am always a heavy foot at start and stop, and highway. So I know mine could improve if I have to. But I don't want it to improve... I enjoy driving too much.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 09:58 AM
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SE 1000 miles - 10 days old, getting 19MPG City/HW. May be it will increase after few oil changes.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 10:06 AM
  #21  
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mileage

Thanks for all the info.

As for the octane, 92 gas cost 2.50 where I'm at so can't afford that. 87 is about 2.20. I have 1500 miles on the car.

David
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 10:40 AM
  #22  
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SE - Auto
12000 miles
Mobil 1 synthetic oil
k&n air filter
22-23 MPG city
28+ interstate
Always 93 octane
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 11:34 AM
  #23  
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I drive mostly highway.
Here in RI, I use nothing but 93 octane, 2700 miles on the car an my mileage has been increading. I get about 450 miles till the fuel light comes on. O about 27 miles per gallon. Hopefully I can reach numbers liek some of you.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 11:46 AM
  #24  
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If you can't afford the right gas, then you should have bought an Accord. You're probably losing that $6 difference per tank in poor mileage anyway.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by RaTgoesMaX
Has anyone used other than at least 91 octane?
I use 91 or 93 only.

MPG is low due to too much traffic. Here on Long Island, Highway means 20 MPH.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 03:21 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by hoish
I use 91 or 93 only.

MPG is low due to too much traffic. Here on Long Island, Highway means 20 MPH.
Wow, that would drive me crazy with a 6 speed.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by RaTgoesMaX
Wow, that would drive me crazy with a 6 speed.
I have a 4 speed SL. It is hard with that as well. It just does not want to go 20-30 MPH. I found it works to shift into 3rd gear which allows a bit of engine breaking and cuts down on the footwork between gas and brake.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 07:00 PM
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Here in GA all 3 grades (reg, super, prem) are all 10cents apart. Unfortunately the precentage price actually decreases the more expensive the gas gets. Therefore it becomes more affordable. The difference, monitarily, always stays the same. Currently our gas is 1.62/gal regular, 172 super, and 182 premium. I have never seen GA get over $2/gal. But every week we are getting closer.
Old Apr 19, 2004 | 07:02 PM
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by more affordable I mean that it becomes more and more affordable to just bump up to the premium over the regular. Counter intuitive I know. This obviously doesn't apply if you are truely straind financially.
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 03:46 AM
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The manual says only use premium gas. What happens to the engine if you use regular?
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 04:48 AM
  #31  
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Nissan claims the computer will adjust but you may get premature igniting(knocking). This is not good for the engine.
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 05:37 AM
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Originally Posted by ramberg
The manual says only use premium gas. What happens to the engine if you use regular?
Works fine. I run 87 all winter long, since the engine takes so long to warm up the gas mileage is terrible so there's no need for premium. I've never noticed a difference in operation between 87 and the 94 I use in the summer.

CM
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 05:45 AM
  #33  
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94? I never heard of octane that high. I haven`t heard of anything above 91 in Canada. The US has 92 .
Old Apr 20, 2004 | 07:12 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by RaTgoesMaX
94? I never heard of octane that high. I haven`t heard of anything above 91 in Canada. The US has 92 .
I routinely buy 93 for $1.84.... (87 is now $1.86).

BTW, there are a few stations around that have 89 octane (with 10% ethanol blend) for just $0.01 or $0.02 more than 87. I've been hesitant to try it, since I've heard of others having problems with such blends (the manual says that the engine can handle it, but I still buy the 93...). Any thoughts?
Old Apr 21, 2004 | 03:20 PM
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With 16K+ miles, my computed mileage is 23.6 and has not been reset since I took delivery. MOSTLY city driving, just completed a 2500 mile trip, but, did not chk mileage seperately.
Old Apr 22, 2004 | 04:55 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Monotaur
I routinely buy 93 for $1.84.... (87 is now $1.86).

BTW, there are a few stations around that have 89 octane (with 10% ethanol blend) for just $0.01 or $0.02 more than 87. I've been hesitant to try it, since I've heard of others having problems with such blends (the manual says that the engine can handle it, but I still buy the 93...). Any thoughts?
If Nissan says it`s OK, I would try half a tank. I would run the car to almost empty and fill it half way and check the results.
Old Apr 22, 2004 | 04:57 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by Memphoman
With 16K+ miles, my computed mileage is 23.6 and has not been reset since I took delivery. MOSTLY city driving, just completed a 2500 mile trip, but, did not chk mileage seperately.
That sounds about right, I think we are all getting about the same mileage from the 04`s. If I wanted 60 miles to a gallon I would have bought a motorcycle.
Old Apr 23, 2004 | 06:59 AM
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You get knocks and pings, not to mention the residue that will reside in your engine and catalytic converter. I use 94 octane @ 1.98 per gallon. I live in ny but commute to nj.I get my gas in new jersey because its cheaper. The distilleries are in jersey.
Old Apr 23, 2004 | 07:34 AM
  #39  
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Distilleries? I like Jack Daniels but I think it is only 91 though. j/k
Old Apr 23, 2004 | 07:58 AM
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At ~6K miles, the computer says we've averaged 22.9 mpg over the life of the car. I've seen ~28 on the highway (driving up and down the hills here in West Vriginia sucks down the gas) but my wife wipes out our mileage around town. We have the 6-spd and it's so quiet that she routinely forgets to up-shift. I try gentle reminders like, "Dear, you're at 4K rpm.....you *are* allowed to shift, you know."



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