Crazy MPG...NAV system

[Alphahawk]

Just purchased Versa SL CVT last week. Only 800 miles and have checked MPG several times. I realize it is not broke in yet but the variance is too great....and in case someone asks I do know how to check MPG. Was driving and still have 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with 270,000 miles on it. Just could not do the gas anymore and was scared of the miles. The first check on the Versa came out at 53 MPG after driving only 114 miles on the interstate just to see how it would handle. The car had been completely topped off at the dealer and I topped it off until I could not get anymore in the tank. I did not believe those numbers. The next trip figured out at 28 MPG mostly 65% city 35% highway. The next trip was at 31 MPG with 80% interstate driving at no more than 65mph. I filled up and put 115 miles on the car and got up this morning and drove to Memphis. Filled up at my Dr's office and recorded 31 MPG. Entered the interstate from the Appling on ramp and did not exit until past the Cuba landing exit on I 40 for a sandwich and was back on the drive until the d!ck, Centerville exit and drove to Columbia TN and went straight to Kroger and filled up with fuel...completely topping off. The interstate driving was at 66mph with cruise and after exiting at d!ck it was 55 for almost 27 miles into Columbia. On all fill ups the fuel gage was above the full mark and took a while to start to drop. The odometer read 192.2 miles at the station. This is the correct mileage for this route as I have made it too many times to count. The amount of gas used...4.168 gallons= 46MPG. This is not possible...at least I don't think so...but I know the figures don't lie. I will keep checking and report back. I bought this car for hauling fishing gear, golf clubs...and comfort for a compact....not to mention some good gas mileage. Also does anyone have any good recommendations for a drop in NAV unit? Have read many posts on here and find the site very beneficial.

Regards

[Di Versa Fy]

I've seen something like this already too. First 2 tanks 30mpg, 3rd tank 28, and now about to fill my 4th tank and it's going to be a good one at around 35mpg. This is all the same exact drive to the same place in the same way. About an average speed of 75mph for 80% and 40mph for the rest in traffic.

[srellim234]

If you keep topping it off every 1 - 4 gallons and at different gas stations you are going to drive yourself nuts.

A. It's an irregular shaped gas tank. Depending on how fast you are filling the tank the gas doesn't settle consistently, meaning you think you're topping it off but there are unfilled pockets in there. Missing 1/2 gallon over a four gallon fillup is at least a 5 mpg variance. My fuel gauge doesn't move for at least the first gallon of gas. Even missing a 1/4 or 1/2 gallon your needle will be above full and not move for a while.

B. The cutoff nozzles at different gas stations are different. They don't all cut off the same.

C. My dealer, too, "topped off" the tank. Based on my records it's obvious that they only ran the pump until it clicked off and declared that it was filled. That first tank yielded inaccurate mpg figures.

D. Based on my trip to Florida and driving the car for almost a year now, I think you should be getting 34+ mpg average at less than 65 mph on the highway. Over 35 if it's relatively flat. Mileage will drop 20 - 30% if you spend time in true stop and go driving with quite a bit of idling. Hence my 26 mpg around town and 28 mpg overall average.

Suggestion: Let the tank run down to around the "1/4 left" mark before filling up. Use the same gas station when possible. Let the pump fill until it clicks off, wait a few seconds for the gas to settle in the tank, then fill slowly until it clicks off the second time and leave it at that. You'll get more consistent readings and a truer picture of the car's performance.

[srellim234]

To answer your other inquiry, I can't help you. I've never owned a GPS unit. I do know that some other people here have them and have chimed in with suggestions before; perhaps they missed the inquiry?

[Alphahawk]

Thanks anyway. My tint guy also does audio and NAV systems that fit the DIN slot. He does all of the Nissan dealer work here and has a good rep so I will take his advice.

[Permastudent]

I highly recommend the Clarion - currently 685BT (or something like that). For the following reasons:

1. iPod interface - it's juts about the best out there (the new Alpine one may be better but the rest of their setup sucks)

2. Expandability - HD radio, XM NavTraffic, Nav, XM/Sirius, etc etc - and comes w/ Bluetooth build in

3. Cost - You can buy just the headunit part right now from CartronixPlus for around $425 or 475(?), and the Nav addon is another $425 or 475 (I forget which is which but it's around $900 for both)

4. Built-in Bluetooth, and essentiall built-in iPod cable (for any recent iPod, you just plug your standard USB iPod cable into the dongle)

5. Interface - while the MAX675VDII that I had (and is now in my wife's Versa) rocked hardcore, the new one is still pretty sexy if a little different. (It doesn't let you choose from around 10 diff colors for the display).

They have an upgraded Nav unit enroute but it got delayed - you can just buy the 970 (980 is the new one) and upgrade the maps. My wife and a friend now have the 970, and I'll probably be getting it for my Spyder soon, so we can split the cost (if anyone else has it) - group buy/cheat ftw!