Fuel Consumption Question

[Pattington22]

Hey,

I was just wondering if people were having any fuel consumption issues with their Versa. I have only had a 2009 SL for about three weeks now, and have averaged about 9.6L/ 100kms, predominately city and not at all hard driving. I know the Versa is supposed to get around 7.0L/100kms city driving, and was wondering if the 9.6 is something I should be worried about.

Thanks,Patrick

[benzaza]

consumption is high with city driving...i noticed that if you keep the rpm lowish (not over 3-4000 rpm all the time) gas is ok...but the car is weak in power (obviosly) so i feel the need to pump the gas..especially here in montreal with ice and snow and hills....

I will be making a trip to ottawa (2 hours dive or so and will make not of the comsumption)...

if anyone else has a theory or explanation feel free to give in your input

[VA3JFF]

I've had my '09 SL with CVT for just over 2 months now. During that time I've run predominantly city as well and have observed consumption between 8.1 and 9.5 L/100km on each tank. Averaging around 8.5 L/100km.

My first real test won't be until a road trip in the spring, then we'll see what it's capable of.

[morgan]

I found from my versa that the break in lasted until about 11K or 12,000km.If there is frequent wheel slip it will drop. During break in ( if my conversion is right) I was getting 12.8km/L (30mpg).One will see the best mileage arround 2000 rpm accelerating and crusing after that it goes in the stink. Cold air will have an effect on your mileage (A/F ratio, cold fluids, etc...) so you will get a more realistic idea of fuel consumption in the summer months, after break in and with warmer air.Based on my experience with my 2008 Versa and a dash of common-sense. Results may vary... so on and so forth. Morgan

[frankoV]

mileage/consumption is going to be por [1] for your break-in period, [2] in the city [especially with the bus strike], and [3] with this cold weather.

grin and bear it -- it'll get better but probably won't be what you were expecting.

[Pattington22]

Thanks all. I appreciate the responses and advice. All things considered, I am extremely happy with the car...it is so much smoother compared to the old Pontiac I was driving.

[dr.zed]

Check out the post I just posted about this.

[Rockhound]

This is interesting. Nissan Canada reports that the CVT-equipped Versa is rated at 7.5l/100km in urban driving. This equates to 31.4 MPG. Seems as if Canada's mileage estimates (I'm assuming this is a government rating, is it not?) are pretty generous, as in the US, the EPA rates the same car at 27 MPG city.

Are there emissions control differences between the US & Canada models that could change expected mileage that drastically?

Using the US EPA ratings, the Versa would be rated at 8.7l/100km city, 7.1l/100km highway instead of the 7.5/6 rating reported on nissan.ca - am I missing something here? 6l/100km = 39.2 MPG. That's nuts.

No wonder many of the mileage complaints are coming from Canadian owners - your ratings seem to be quite high. Going off of EPA ratings most of these reported fuel consumption numbers seem to be well within range...

[frankoV]

You've hit the proverbial nail on the head, Rockhound . . . we are ticked right off about the projected mileage vrs actual.

Worse, the US estimates were downgraded, but the Canadian ones still haven't been, despite the numerous complaints.

[Bubs daddy]

Indeed. Throw in various winter and summer formulas, driver habits, and other variables and getting consistent mileage as advertised can be a bugger.

[Rockhound]

You've hit the proverbial nail on the head, Rockhound . . . we are ticked right off about the projected mileage vrs actual.

Worse, the US estimates were downgraded, but the Canadian ones still haven't been, despite the numerous complaints.

So where did these pie-in-the-sky numbers come from? Out of curiosity, I checked out the Mazda3 (2.3L, auto)...

US EPA rating: 22/29 MPG (10.7/8.1 l/100km)

Canada: 24.8/34 MPG (9.5/6.9 l/100km)

...And the Fit:

EPA: 28/35 MPG (8.4/6.7 l/100km)

Canada: 33/43 MPG (7.1/5.5 l/100km)

Ironically, I average around 25 in town with my Mazda3, and on its first major highway trip I achieved 33 MPG...but, I'd say the EPA numbers are far more in line with more spirited driving.

It would appear that it's not just the Versa that's under performing. Like the Versa, the Fit's Canadian city rating is just below the EPA highway rating...

[frankoV]

If a US$ costs $1.25 CDN, a Mexican Versa will get 25% better gas mileage in Canada?

[IMHungry]

This is interesting. Nissan Canada reports that the CVT-equipped Versa is rated at 7.5l/100km in urban driving. This equates to 31.4 MPG. Seems as if Canada's mileage estimates (I'm assuming this is a government rating, is it not?) are pretty generous, as in the US, the EPA rates the same car at 27 MPG city.

Are there emissions control differences between the US & Canada models that could change expected mileage that drastically?

Using the US EPA ratings, the Versa would be rated at 8.7l/100km city, 7.1l/100km highway instead of the 7.5/6 rating reported on nissan.ca - am I missing something here? 6l/100km = 39.2 MPG. That's nuts.

No wonder many of the mileage complaints are coming from Canadian owners - your ratings seem to be quite high. Going off of EPA ratings most of these reported fuel consumption numbers seem to be well within range...

Does this take into account the difference between U.S. gallons and imperial gallons?

[Pattington22]

Hey,

I am now onto a fourth tank, and I am still averaging over 10L/100kms. And one of those tanks was used completely on highway driving. Interesting, but as noted, it is pretty cold here now and it is still the break-in period (1338kms). Hopefully I will see some improvement as we go along.

Has anyone with the CVT ever noticed a small rev in the RPMs (say, 900 to about 1300) when slowing down?

[frankoV]

surge in RPMs at about 20km/hr for me . . . you get used to it.

forget about the gas mileage improving until after an oil change or two.

[frankoV]

Does this take into account the difference between U.S. gallons and imperial gallons?

7.5l/100 km = 38 MPG IMP = 31 MPG US -- city6.0/l/100 km = 47 MPG IMP = 39 MPG US -- highway

[Knightro2]

Has anyone with the CVT ever noticed a small rev in the RPMs (say, 900 to about 1300) when slowing down?

Yea, mine does that if I slow down somewhat fast. I think it is just the CVT downshifting.

[longo]

Just got back home from a 2000 mile round trip to the U.S. with my Versa CVT.

I was driving at the posted speed limits, 90% highway and averaged 24.9 mpg U.S. ...or 30 mpg in the old 'Imperial' measurement (a system no one has used since 1973)

The posted Nissan mpg from the 2008 "Fuel Consumtion Guide" page A 16, in this outdated measurment is for an astonishing 47 mpg!

(that B.S. sells a lot of cars for them)

Nissan Canada is still getting away with this fraudulent rating and I wish we could bring a class actiuon lawsuit against them, but always in the fine print is ...your milage may vary

By the time this car is paid off, I am sure that there will be many more options for better mpgs in the car market.

I for one will not be shopping for another Versa.