So I noticed that my gas mileage has decreased since the month and a half I have owned the car. The car runs beautifully and is very sound but I think its consuming slightly more gas than it should. I dont know if the spark plugs were ever replaced or anything like that. What parts do you suggest I replace, and what an Injen CAI help with gas mileage? If so, where can I get one at a good reasonable price? thanks in advance

Rahul

 

are going by the little computer in the dash or by mileage??
the dash is not alway accurate
i go by mileage and get around 300 miles from a tank give or take 10-15 miles on both city and highway
also i would start by checking filters both air and gas

 

If you're expecting over 20-22mpg in city/highway mix, you're going to be disappointed.

Best I've ever gotten was 26mpg on a road trip (with engine in tip-top shape)....typical tank is 21mpg city/highway 50-50.

 

I still get 25 mpg regularly and I sit in stop and go traffic every time i drive my car now...I used to get 28 consistantly before I moved to the city and i always see over 31 mpg on trips with the cruise set to 78-80...and no I don't go by the trip computer, i calculate my gas mileage every time i fill up.

SLVR check your tires and air filter. There could be several other things but those are the two most common

 

How many total miles are on your car? If you are North of 70K, it could be that your upstream O2 sensors need replacing.

 

maybe its b/c Im coming from an 01 prelude 5 m/t and the gas mileage on that thing was great. The max has 50k miles. The car has a K&N air filter but I will be getting an injen CAI (for the sound and the increase in gas mileage). I dont think the air filter has been replaced in a while. Recent work done on the car was Amsoil synthetic oil change and Amsoil gear fluid gl4.

Do you suggest changing the spark plugs? What else would be needed to increase gas efficiency?

Also, someone told me that our maximas have an option where it tell you the gas mileage on the dash under the tachometer. All it tells me is the temperature. How can I get the gas mileage option there? thanks

 

Increase in gas milegage with a overpriced Injen? Might want to rethink that. Look at Cattmans true CAI, not a WAI like Injens are.

 

you must drive like a gramma

my A/F was almost dead-on at last dyno, so I know I'm not running rich or anything. On highway I would expect a 5.5 to be better because of the 6th gear....my "city" driving is more like 0-50-0-50-0-50 and really pushing it trying to make lights and whatnot, so I know why my mileage sucks

 

Cattman doesn't make the "true CAI" anymore. It was made for Cattman by Place Racing, which is no longer in business. Brian needs to take it down off his site - he told me they have no plans to make it ever again....

the best option other than finding a PR/Cattman intake used someplace is to just go with a GAB or custom OSCAI. Injen would be my LAST choice, personally.

 

Good to know Irish! And I was about to fork out some money too. Just saw it on Cattmans website. Thanks for the info.

 

so many ppl told me they experienced better gas mileage with an injen cai..

anyway, what are your thoughts on new spark plugs and maybe pcv valve?

 

they were mistaken or were seeing what they wanted to see....intakes don't make much (if any) difference in gas mileage. Most people actually make their mileage worse since they gun it more to hear the mean intake sound....

 

there's a trip button on your steering wheel where the radio controls are....

my car sees redline every day

I ALWAYS get over 400 miles to 15-16 gallons and on trips i get well over 500. My last big road trip in July coming home from Arizona, I got 570 miles out of one of my tanks...17 gallons...6-speeds rule!

EDIT: this wasn't the 570 mile one, but it should explain a few things

 

My '03 SE (6-speed, 13K miles) averages about 21 mpg, and I don't hot dog it that much. The best mileage I have ever seen in that car was a trip from SLC to Sacramento, I got 27 mpg.

Funny thing is, my '93 Maxima (5spd) beater with 201K still gets 28 mpg hwy and 25 city. Gotta love the clickity-clack VE's.

 

Either the VE's or smaller displacement..

 

i live in ny also and ive always gotten a lil less than about 20 mpg..
it sucks...
anyone know of any dyno spots here? i want to know if im running rich or lean..and any way to fix that?
i might just change my air filter and get a new one soon

 

i live the bay area, average always (3years) around 20mpg in mixed driving 60% city/ 40% highway, nanny style driving:70%, go-speed racer: 30%. on longer trips to from LA to SF bay area 400 mile cycle, highway's flat for about 90%, 2 semi mountain grades 10%. solid 29-31mpg @ 80mph cruising. about 25-28mpg with a more than a few 100+mph 15 mins spurts.

calculations are always based on gallons refilled relative to miles driven

side note: i did notice a slight improvement after installing K&N drop-in, averages closer to 21mpg in mixed driving.

 

i live the bay area, average always (3years) around 20mpg in mixed 60% city/ 40% highway, nanny style driving:70%, go-speed racer: 30%. on longer trips to from LA to SF bay area 400 mile cycle, highway's flat for about 90%, 2 semi mountain grades 10%. solid 29-31mpg @ 80mph cruising. about 25-28mpg with a more than a few 100+mph spurts.

calculations are always based on gallons refilled relative to miles driven

 

here is my MPG for my 5 fillups since i bought my 2nd 5.5th gen.. it has 90+k milage but it is very similar with my last 5.5 gen.

MPG (Gas Station + Octane)
21.9 (Mobil 93 oct)
19.8 (sunoco 93 oct)
21.75 (Hess 93 oct)
23.2 (Gulf 93 oct)
25.1 (Gulf 93 oct)

the last 2 was strictly highway(95%).. the first 3 were mix of city(30%) + highway(70%).

so far the typical fillup is 280 miles at around 12 gallons.

 

anybody out there use the cosmo cai? is it similar to injen?

 

Irish, you said cattman exhaust's are not available anymore (not this thread but another). But I still see them up on the website. whats up with that?

 

uh...

Anyhow...

...I have a '02 Max SE 6 MT with 76,000, modified intake and rear dual 02 sim and I see 400+ miles every tank. I am an aggressive driver (redline is seen quite often).

 

i have a 2003 Max SE 6 MT with about 59,000. and i have an Injen CAI. and I get about 300+ miles every tanks and Im an aggressive driver too. I also redline it quite often too. When I added the Injen CAI I think I noticed maybe at most 1 or 2 mpg difference.

IMO if all you want is to increase your mpg then I dont think an intake is for you.

 

I know he was talking about the intake but in another thread he also mentioned (or I think he did) that the cattman exhausts were not made anymore, but I still see them online at cattman.com. Anyway...

Can someone please answer my question...will changing spark plugs results in better gas mileage? The car has a k&n air filter right now also

 

I hate gas mileage threads. Absolutely hate em.



I drive like grandma, I get 20-22.
I drive like speed racer, I get 20-22.
I drive in the city, about 20-22.
Highway you ask? about 20-22.

I always just thought it was typical of Maximas to get 20-22 mpg. Then someone starts one of these threads and I end up because I realize I'm getting at the pump.

/rant

If you think your gas mileage has gone down, look at the air filter, change the plugs if you don't know when they were last changed, check the air in the tires, etc. These things are the most common causes and simplest fixes. Other than that, accept your fate.

 

hehe thanks

 

Here are 15 Hot Tips to improve your gas mileage:

1. Drive at a steady pace - Stop and go driving increases your gas consumption by as much as 33%. If you pay $2.50 per gallon, for every 10 gallons you lose $8. 25. Avoid quick stops and quick jumpy accelerations. Instead drive at a steady even pace. Use cruise control when highway driving. This will maintain a constant steady speed and save gas.

2. Don't Speed - Gas efficiency decreases quickly when you drive faster than 40 mph. If you drive at 65 mph instead of 55 mph it is the equivalent to paying $0.20 cents per gallon more. Use overdrive or higher gears. This will reduce the rpm speed of your engine and increase gas mileage by as much as 45 percent.

3. Turn off the Air Conditioner - Avoid using the air conditioner as much as possible. When the air conditioner is on the engine works harder, increasing gas consumption by about 20 percent. Not using your air conditioner this summer might save you $80 (based on 4,000 over 3 months in a 20 MPG car and paying $2 per gallon).

4. Don't Idle for long periods - Idling your engine for one minute uses the amount of gas equal to what is used in starting the engine. So, if you need to wait for someone longer than one minute, turn off your engine.

5. Pay attention to the stoplights - Many stoplights are timed for your driving advantage. Watch them and you may be able to pace your driving at a constant steady speed and make green lights the whole way, improving your gas mileage.

6. Buy gas during the coolest hours - Buy gas during the early morning hours or evening when the air temperature is coolest. Gas is densest during the cooler hours. Gas pumps measure volumes of gas not the concentration of gas density. You will get more for your money during the cooler hours.

7. Do Car Maintenance Regularly - Replacing clogged air filters will improve your gas mileage by as much as 10%. Tune-ups maintain your engine running efficiently which in turn will improve gas mileage.

8. Keep Tires Properly Inflated - Tires that are under inflated as little as 1 PSI can lower your gas mileage. Properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage as much as 3 percent. For ever 1 PSI your tires are under-inflated gas mileage will decrease by about 0.5 percent.

9. Use the Correct Grade of Motor Oil - Check your owner's manual for the recommended grade of motor oil. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the recommended grade of motor oil. Look for the API performance symbol on the motor oil container and make sure it says, "Energy Conserving." This guarantees that the oil contains friction reducing additives to improve your engine's performance and gas mileage.

10. Get Rid of the Roof Rack and Carrier - A loaded roof rack increases aerodynamic drag and can decrease your gas mileage by 5 percent. Instead of using the roof rack, pack lighter and limit cargo to what fits in the trunk.

11. Close Your Car Windows - When highway driving, close your windows to improve aerodynamics and lessen wind drag. This will increase gas mileage by about 10 percent. Instead use the vents to bring in outside air.

12. Lighten your Load - Remove all unnecessary items from your car. Don't leave your bowling ball and other sports equipment in the car. Leaving extra unneeded items in the car will decrease your gas mileage. For every 100 lbs extra you leave in your trunk it will lower your gas mileage 1-2 percent.

13. Combine your Errands Into One Trip - Plan your errands so that you make one trip instead of driving the same route on several occasions. Pick up your dry cleaning on your way home. Your engine will be warm and running more efficiently than a cold engine and you will save time and gas money.

14. Take advantage of Employer flexibility - Telecommute (work from home) if your employer will permit. Go into work early or late to avoid rush hour traffic and consume less fuel. Take advantage of ride-share programs and carpooling. This will lower your shared gas bill and in many places you can drive in the more gas conserving carpool lanes.

15. Purchase a fuel efficient car - When buying your next car compare the fuel economy ratings. The fuel economy of cars in the same size class can vary over 20 mpg. The difference between a car that gets 20 MPG and one that gets 30 MPG is $1000 each year (based on $2 gallon and 15,000 miles).

 

where did you find this information?

 

i did a google search for "increasing gas mileage"
and got this http://losangeles.about.com/od/trans...savingtips.htm

 

thats a good find, i think ill have to give some of those tips a try see if i notice a difference

 

If you're car is in good shape (you've done a tune up recently), then your gas mileage will depend on the distance you drive and how you drive in that distance. I'm assuming that you do a lot of stop and go (since you're from bayside) - so more than likely all that stop and go is wreaking havoc on your gas mileage. Another huge factor is the distance that you drive. If you only use your car for a 2-3 mile trip, then it will drastically affect your gas mileage. Right now I'm not using my car that much, and when I do, I don't go very far. As a result, my gas mileage isn't that great. But when I do go on road trips and leave my car running for long periods of time, my gas mileage is pretty good (~28 mpg on road trips).

 

No way i can do the air conditon one florida is way to hot

 

wow man you really got it on point. I DO use the car for 2-3 mile trips at a time and stop and go driving is what I do mostly. Im still going to change the spark plugs. Oh yea btw, I just ordered a JWT popcharger and cattman rear section

 

i dont think the plugs need to be changes til over 100k? i was reading my maintenance book. when i was looking at maxima's i had a choice between 99 and 03, wish i went 99, i had no idea gas mileage was that low, i'vr seen 19 avg and 25 avg. btw, my car has 46k on it, i've just done the oil and mt oil, should i bring it to nissan and have em tune it up and take a look?

 

i get 22mpg average (city and highway). just tested it with the last tank.

i changed my plugs at 130k ( i think, way over 100k for sure) and they were shot but performed flawlessly.

 

Ok, I was getting really good gas mileage, but can't remember the exact numbers. After recently changing my fuel filter I was going to check the mileage for the next two tanks. I filled up at a Mobile station and got horrible mileage. 18 on one tank (mostly city driving) and then 20.5 on the next tank with 75% being highway. Both tanks were from the same Mobile station. Previous fillups seemed fine...no reason to check it. While out of town this weekend I filled up at a Shell station and immediately saw the mpg readout go up to 30. I'm waiting to finishing running this tank before I fill up again and calculate the mileage, but I already know it's going to be much much better. I already have 230 miles (75% highway at 75-80 mph) on this tank and still have over 1/3 tank left. So did I get some sh!tty gas or perhaps some 87 octane at the Mobile station?

 

zagzig, do you have a lead foot? The way in which you drive will indeed have an adverse affect...

 

I wouldn't say I have a lead foot. I drive normally most of the time pacing traffic around me, but with little stints of spirited driving when the time calls for it. My driving habits certainly didn't fluctuate just during these two tanks of gas. In fact, I finished the second tank of "bad gas" on the first leg of my out of town trip over the weekend with the cruise control set at 75-80 mph. The return trip was also at 75-80 mph with the cruise set and I had much better mileage. The only other variable I can think of is that it was colder at 40-65 degrees when I got bad mileage and warmer in the 60-80 degrees when I got good mileage. The exact opposite effect from what one would expect. Hell, I even ran the AC a little and still got better mileage than when I didn't run the AC. I guess the question is does anyone know how much lower octane fuel will lower efficiency? Or, is it possible to get "bad gas" that lowers efficiency, but your car will still run seemingly normal?

 

I have seen different gas mileage based on different brands of gas. I get the best mileage out of Shell gas, I used Sunoco (93) for a while, and found that the Sunoco gas gives less mpg than the Shell gas. Shell Premium 390 miles and Sunoco Premium 320 miles per tank on a 2003 Max SE.

 

I Use Bp Was Using Plus/silver To Fill Up And Was Getting An Average Of 18 Mpg. Put I Started Using 93 Bp And I Get 20-21mpg. Now Being As Though The Gas Has 10% Of Ethanol Which I Heard Drops Mpg 1-2mpg. Does Shell And Mobile Have 10% Ethanol In It. I Have A 02' Max Gle