02 Pathfinder poor mileage

[dirksterg30]

I bought an '02 Pathfinder SE about 6 months ago. My normal mileage city was around 10.5-11mpg, and highway is around 20mpg. From what I have read, my city mileage is way low. Last fill-up my mileage (all city driving) was even worse; under 10mpg.

I had the rear 02 sensor replaced about 6 months ago. I don't know if this is related, but my check engine light came on about a month ago. I had been running 87 octane, but I switched to 89 octane and it went away. Also, when the car is cold, if I don't ease on the gas, it feels like the transmission (auto) is slipping.

Any ideas/advice on how to proceed?

[fleurys]

20 mpg on the highway is not bad at all... but the last symptoms you said about the trans slipping has been related to a bad MAF by many. Look for the maxima MAF replacement post. It will save a lot of money compared to the pathfinder's one.

S.

[dirksterg30]

20 mpg on the highway is not bad at all... but the last symptoms you said about the trans slipping has been related to a bad MAF by many. Look for the maxima MAF replacement post. It will save a lot of money compared to the pathfinder's one.

S.

The city mileage is what I'm concerned about; that's about 90% of my driving. I'll check out the MAF post. Thanks!

[Innovazn]

winter gas kills

its the additives. youll see the difference when spring comes around.

[bobsten]

winter gas kills

its the additives. youll see the difference when spring comes around.

Hey guys...

I'm a newb here but have been creepin' for a month or so... I've got a 2001 PF, LE w/ 186800 miles... I recently moved from Arizona to Seattle (recent being back in October). I did the drive with a buddy in one sitting but kept going all the way to Whistler to catch the last weekend of the MTB Season. Now that I'm back in Seattle, my gas mileage as been steadily decreasing every tank, going from a steady 19.8 MPG in Phx to 15.9MPG in Seattle. I do 70% of my driving on the highway so there's no reason why it should be decreasing like this. So far, I have cleaned the air filter, regularly checked tire PSI and keep them around 30, used fuel injector cleaner, and am now being told to clean my MAF sensor. I've also been told to reset the ECU / replace spark plugs.

So I went and bought the MAF sensor cleaner but I can't seem to figure out how that power plug that connects to the MAF sensor comes off. I would assume by the arrows on the plug that one is supposed to push down on the green clip and lift the plug up and off, but this never seems to work...

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm getting to whits end with this... Thanks!

[wildpig]

I do notice worst mileage with my 2002 PF compared to the 1997 PF i used to hv til recently. on a fill of 20 gal in my 1997 PF, i can get just about 400 mile of mixed (60% highway). now with the 2002, can barely scratch 350 with the same route.

[Towncivilian]

So I went and bought the MAF sensor cleaner but I can't seem to figure out how that power plug that connects to the MAF sensor comes off. I would assume by the arrows on the plug that one is supposed to push down on the green clip and lift the plug up and off, but this never seems to work...

For my 01.5 PF, I depressed the MAF sensor's clip until it clicked, and then removed the connector. Be aware that you most likely require tamper-resistant T20 Torx bits. I found a set at Sears for $7.99 + tax.

[dirksterg30]

Well, I cleaned the MAF, and it seems to run better. Fuel economy still sucks though; love those winter blends!

[KyooX4]

Is that winter gas only used in northern regions, or is it used all over- for an example, in Florida?
Because I've noticed a decrease in gas mileage and not sure why. I haven't had to run my AC so I figured I'd actually gain gas mileage but that's not the case.

[jsessums]

20 mpg on the highway is not bad at all... but the last symptoms you said about the trans slipping has been related to a bad MAF by many. Look for the maxima MAF replacement post. It will save a lot of money compared to the pathfinder's one.

S.

I have a 96 SE 4wd and i uses to get 11&1/2 Miles to the gallon i recently changed my spark plugs and now recieve 16 miles to the gallon and the type of damage on the spark plugs was usuall nothing uncommon. My transmission will take a a second or two to engage when i put it in drive. My main question is will the maxima MAF replacement fit on my car. and is there any thing else to inprove this. and what year maxima am i looking for or am i looking for one with the same size engine.

[wildpig]

Just tested out my 02 PF range by virtually completely emptying the tank (i had a 1 gal gas jug in the back while doing this so not to strand myself of course).

the pathy went for 391 miles before the engine started to sputter. This is from a completely filed tank (21.5 gal). The route is about 60% city and 40% highway style driving. I accelerate granny style, never exceed 2600 rpm and and never exceed 70mph.

So for my safety margin, i would expect myself to fill the tank at 370 miles for this type of route. For complete highway style driving, I would probably still not go crazy driving anymore than 380 miles before refueling.

Same route and driving style on my old 97 PF, i would get at least 410 miles (dont know exactly how much more since I didnt do the drain test on my old PF but when I did fill up it was about 21 gal). When i did a long trip (completely highway of course), i actually went for 440 miles before refueling. So at least for the particular 02 PF that i got, it gets about 50 or so less miles to a full tank compared to the particular 97 PF i used to have.

Does this sounds about right for fuel economy for a 02 PF? I am wondering if my 02 PF fuel economy is typical or should it be better? or did I somehow just have a more efficient than usual 97 PF?

Anyone ever got more than 400 miles to a full tank of gas on their 02 PF please comment.

Also wondering if I've used premium instead of regular would it have made much different? probably not??..

[asnorton44]

I'd say that is good I get 220 miles till E light, 90% city 10% highway and pretty heavy foot.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Premium would probably make a small improvement in MPG, about the same as the increase in cost. Your truck has a knock sensor.
It will adjust the timing based the gas.

I've gotten 380ism miles out of my '01, with a reserve. It was from Kelso, OR to about Arbuckle, CA on I-5, which is about 380 miles.
The gas I put in worked out to 21 MPG. But that was a one-time occurrence.

Want range? Get a Corvette. We got 442 miles from Morgan Hil to Indio this Christmas, and put 17ish gallons in. That was ONLY
26 MPG. I've seen 29. Or the old Porche 914. I've heard tales of SF Bay area to Seattle on one tank.


Chuck

[wildpig]

Premium would probably make a small improvement in MPG, about the same as the increase in cost. ....


I've gotten 380ism miles out of my '01, with a reserve. It was from Kelso, OR to about Arbuckle, CA on I-5, which is about 380 miles.
The gas I put in worked out to 21 MPG. But that was a one-time occurrence.

Want range? Get a Corvette. We got 442 miles from Morgan Hil to Indio this Christmas, and put 17ish gallons in. That was ONLY
26 MPG. I've seen 29. Or the old Porche 914. I've heard tales of SF Bay area to Seattle on one tank.

Chuck

well, i guess i might do the drain test on a long highway trip one of these day just to see if the highway only mileage is significantly better than what i got in my current mixed city highway driving.

Some cars like corvette get terrible mileage on city driving but once on highway they get much better mileage due to the really low rpm at crusing. I am guess your corvette engine barely over 1700 rpm in top gear cruising 70mph?

Perhaps anyone else got experience with both a path with a 3.3 L and also one with 3.5 L (and perhaps also with the new 4.0L) can also comment on the comparative mileage?

[Chuck Tribolet]

Who cruises at just 70? AZ rural freeway limit is 75.

Besides a really tall top gear, the 'vette has very low wind resistance.

The '01 is my third pathfinder. Before that I had a '95 and an '87. The '95 probably got 1 MPG better on the freeway than the '01.
Around town is hard to say, I tend to hot rod the '01 a bit more.

You don't need to do a drain test to get a good handle on MPG. Just measure how much you put in the tank.


Chuck

[tbsbiker2]

I have 2001, I've changed and updates all fluids, have newer coil packs and I'm lucky to see 12 MPG around town and now in winter more like 10-11...semi heavy foot. I teeter with getting something more "economical" but the "trucks" that I'd repace it with seem so inferior to the quailty of the leather and build on the truck I have...Pilot/Highlander...nice but is it worth the big payment vs just more fuel costs? I'm on the edge!

2001 SE 69K

[wildpig]

Who cruises at just 70? AZ rural freeway limit is 75.

Besides a really tall top gear, the 'vette has very low wind resistance.

The '01 is my third pathfinder. Before that I had a '95 and an '87. The '95 probably got 1 MPG better on the freeway than the '01.
Around town is hard to say, I tend to hot rod the '01 a bit more.



Chuck

If the mileage on the 3.5 L engine is about 2 mpg worse, that could acc for the decreased range i am experiencing i guess... still i feel like i am getting just significantly less range compared to my old 97 pf. The rating on the new 4.0 L seems to be equal to that of the 3.3 L engine ironically.....

I might just have to save up and get a Maxima or 350z as a second car the way gas price going.....