Gas mileage on a 2000 I30

[bballfanatic365]

Hey guys,
I just traded in my 1996 Maxima (which I loved) for a fantastic 2000 I30. I used to get around 400-450 miles to the tank for the Maxima, and now i can barely get over 300 on the I30. Does anybody have any tips that might help me? I heard that the air filter might get dirty so that would cause the car to use more gas, but are there any little things that I can do to increase mileage? FYI I have never gotten the I30 above 3000 RPM, so I am not a very aggressive driver.

[RED_DET]

Complete tune up in order on a 11 yr old car. Plugs, filters, o2 sensors, fluid change, etc...

[MTZI30]

Well 02 sensors arent really maintainance items, a check engine light will let you know if theres any problem with the catalyst. How many miles per gallon are you getting? I go about 300 miles and my car will take 16 gallons, so a hair under 19mpg. Not bad for a 10 year old, 3400 pound car with 227 hp (and i like to use all 227 sometimes) But if you're really taking it easy, that does sound a little low. As stated above, a tune up would probably help. How many miles? Any service history? Spark plugs, air filter, oil change would start ya off....if your car is due for those.

[RED_DET]

As an oxygen sensor ages, contaminants from normal combustion and oil ash accumulate on the sensing element. This reduces the sensor's ability to respond quickly to changes in the air/fuel mixture. The sensor slows down and becomes "sluggish".

At the same time, the sensor's output voltage may not be as high as it once was, giving the false impression that the air/fuel mixture is leaner than it actually is. The result can be a richer-than-normal air/fuel mixture under various operating conditions that causes fuel consumption and emissions to rise.

The problem may not be noticed right away because the change in performance occurs gradually. But, over time, the situation will get worse, ultimately requiring the sensor to be replaced to restore peak engine performance.

Keeping the oxygen sensor fresh may improve fuel economy as much as 10%-15% (which can save $100 each year in fuel costs on average). Keeping the oxygen sensor in good operating condition will also minimize exhaust emissions, reduce the risk of costly damage to the catalytic converter and ensure peak engine performance (no surging or hesitating).

For these reasons, the oxygen sensor should be considered a "tune-up" replacement item just like spark plugs, especially on older vehicles (those built before the mid-1990s).

Cars built in the mid 90's until now should have the sensors replaced every 100k miles. Just because the sensor is not working like it did when it was new doesn't mean it is going to throw a code immediately.

[MTZI30]

Whats funny is one of my 02 sensors at first was reading out of range with cel then it was completly dead. I replaced it and noticed no difference in performance or gas mileage. Then again if you have a car that old, they probably wont last much longer anyway.

[bballfanatic365]

Honestly I probably get about 18-20 mpg but I do drive a lot of city. Do you know how big the tank is (in gallons)? Also, my car has around 98000 miles on it. There is a lot of whining when I accelerate and when I try to turn the wheel the car whines as well, but its a different type and the 2 are definatley not related. Does this help at all? The check engine light is not on by the way

[Zoltan11]

Over the past 60k I have averaged 24-27 mpg in all kinds of traffic conditions. In my 2000 I 30. It now has 150k. I have had a couple of bad O2 sensors for a while Which didn't make much of a difference on mpg's I currently have a egr problem code 400. And I still easily achieve 24 mpg's. I drive quite spirited most of the time. My gas light always comes on after 15.5 gals has been used, and I can always get 350-420 miles on 15.5 gals. I have 18x8 wheels and 235/45 rubber.

[Kompresshun]

I usually get around 19-21mpg out of my car, with all city driving. That's usually about 310mi out of a tank of gas.

Now on the interstate I can get 29-31mpg fairly easily, so I wouldn't worry too much about the mileage, it sounds like you're on track. I would still considering a basic tune-up and maybe run some Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner in it.

[pahanorlando]

The best thing to do is calculate your mpg and then check your car on fueleconomy.gov to know what you need to get.
I used to think that I had huge gas problems until I checked the web site. I deliver pizzas on i35 and get 15-16mpg.
On the web site it says i35 gets 17 city and 24 highway.