2 weeks ago ebmogran and I did our own tune-ups on our cars for the 60k service. We did this by going through the maintenance items sticy and the write-up on www.maximadriver.com

We did the following:

Replaced Fuel Filter with a 300zx Filter
Replaced ATF Fluid with Redline (drain & fill method, 6 qts)
Put in the magnetic ATF Drain Plug
Replaced the Plugs with OEM NGK Platinums, tightened with 20lbs of torque
Cleaned our throttle bodies
Washed and Re-Oiled our K&N Filters
Oil Change with Synthetic

Now, My power seems to be about the same, but I seem to have lost 4-5mpg!

I used to get 19-22mpg, now I'm getting 14-18, depending on what type of driving I'm doing that week.

ebmorgan seems to have a little less lost mpg, but still a loss (2-3mpg)

Is it the tuneup, or could it be the winter gas?

My Performance Mods are:
K&N Pop-Charger
WSP Y-Pipe

ebmorgan's are:
K&N Pop Charger

Any ideas?

Thanks,
IanS

 

try taking the mpg on about 5-10 tanks. then see if you lost mpg. it may be you driving on the tankfill right after the maintenance. also it could the be station or pump. different pumps stop at different times, meaning some fill more or less than others.

 

Which oil did you put in also. If you went to a heavier weight you could lose fuel mileage. 3-4 mpg sounds a little excessive for just oil though. Maybe you feel the car performing a little better so you are unconsciously pushing just a little bit harder than normal. Like max808 said, a more accurate sample should be taken over several tanks.

 

I'm already on my 5th tank sicne the tuneup, and always go to the same gas station.

Can't figure it out.....

Oh well, maybe it's the winter gas causing it.

I was also thinking maybe the plugs weren't gapped right!?

What is the usual gap with a 1997 Maxima? I didn't gap these because I was told you don't need to gap the Platinums.

IanS

 

the stock ngk's are pregapped. if you had the plastic round protector on, they are already gapped. fyi, the gap is 0.043 inch.