Gas Mileage?

[nissantech06]

I couldn't agree more, and that's why I've said, "We've had a few customers complain about the same problem" and "A teacher at Nissan school has mentioned the problem."

I don't know, yet, what the answer is. Tomorrow morning I will check Assist for TSB's related to the issue, if any exist.

As of yet, Nissan has no TSBs out for the Versa as far as gas mileage is concerned. I'll keep everyone posted.

[srellim234]

justmerging- I'm interested in your driving pattern since you're getting good mileage on the California formulated gas. I only have 4,000 miles on my CVT but feel I should get better than the 27.1 mpg I'm getting by nursing the car off the starts and keeping a very light foot.

What RPMs do you generally accelerate at to get the best mileage?What's the most efficient speed on the freeway?You indicate the MPG gets better with age but what else can I do now?

[clone]

srellim234, you're right; the table shows my last update as July 1. My individual page shows the correct date, October 1.

Probably an incorrect entry on my part somewhere.

[boxcarbill]

I'm getting 37.5 mpg city/road combined with my 6 speed hatch. It'll probably go down on the freeway at 80 mph though. I drive like an old woman, and am often coasting in neutral.

[srellim234]

At this point I'm wishing I had purchased the manual instead of the CVT.

[boxcarbill]

you should do better than the 6 speed at speeds over 60 mph though. I'm planning to drive cross country next month.

[srellim234]

We're doing the cross country drive for Christmas and New Year's, but we're going to take the Buick instead of the Nissan. Much bigger, V-6 and still pulls 28 mpg on the highway. The small difference in gas mileage we're getting out of the Versa really doesn't justify taking it instead.

We're going from here in SoCal to NC to FL and back. What's your trip look like?

[oleblue]

Have over 25k and have never gotten over 30mpg. best was 29.9 flat highway, well as flat as you can get from Coloraro to Nebraska. FYI, we always have the little car loaded too. People alone weight in at about 800 pounds.

Edit to add for those that will ask, We have the CVT.

[justmerging]

srellim - The only thing I really do is try to keep my rpms as close to 2000 as possible around town (stop light to stop light). While on the freeway i only drive 70-75 mph (trying to keep rpms low and stay out of peoples way) and if I accelerate to pass someone I try to keep it under 3000 rpms (sometimes i might hit 3500 maybe).

[srellim234]

Thanks. I've tried keeping the rpms really low (sub-1800) and also tried keeping them consistent at 2100 or 2200 while accelerating. Freeway speeds are usually 68 mph. I guess I could try keeping acceleration at a firm 2000 and bump the freeway speed to 70 but I don't go more than 5 mph over the limit. I'll give it a try on the next tankful and let you know.

[Rockhound]

Thanks. I've tried keeping the rpms really low (sub-1800) and also tried keeping them consistent at 2100 or 2200 while accelerating. Freeway speeds are usually 68 mph. I guess I could try keeping acceleration at a firm 2000 and bump the freeway speed to 70 but I don't go more than 5 mph over the limit. I'll give it a try on the next tankful and let you know.

There's gotta be a happy-medium RPM range on acceleration that will result in the best mileage - I'm not sure if the CVT complicates the issue or not, however. I spent a couple weeks testing different driving methods over the same commute with my G last year to see which style provided the best mileage.

Interestingly, my slowest driving resulted in the second-worst mileage on multiple trials - probably because I spent so much time getting up to speed every time I accelerated. Of course all-out fast driving was the least efficient. I found that the best RPM range on that car was ~3500 RPMs - decently quick acceleration up to speed, but nothing drastic.

I don't drive the V often enough to do any "tests" like this, but now that it appears that we've sort of 'plateaued' on MPG, I'm going to keep a log of MPG to track any changes. It would be nice if an onboard MPG calculator was included on the V so instantaneous responses could be noted.

[srellim234]

.... It would be nice if an onboard MPG calculator was included on the V so instantaneous responses could be noted.

That's why I plan on getting a Scangauge II for Christmas.

[boxcarbill]

We're going from here in SoCal to NC to FL and back. What's your trip look like?

N. Idaho to Philadelphia. I hope I don't have to deice my wings too much.

[vpnavy]

Have over 25k and have never gotten over 30mpg. best was 29.9 flat highway, well as flat as you can get from Coloraro to Nebraska. FYI, we always have the little car loaded too. People alone weight in at about 800 pounds.

Edit to add for those that will ask, We have the CVT.

Ok, you said the best you got was 29.9 on a flat highway. Now - the BIG question...how fast were you going? The faster you go the more gas you use.

[oleblue]

Ok, you said the best you got was 29.9 on a flat highway. Now - the BIG question...how fast were you going? The faster you go the more gas you use.

Yea, forgot that part too to let you folks know.

75.

So if you run 75 mph with a overloaded car, don't expect to get great mileage.

[Ever Victorious]

Yeah, 70 seems to be the best cruising speed long-distance for a Versa. I did a trip to eastern washington and back. On the cruise over, with 4 people and 3 nights' luggage for everyone, cruising 80, I got 30 MPG. On the way back, same weight, but dropping the speed to 70, I got 34.5 MPG. (this was on my first Versa)

[vpnavy]

Yea, forgot that part too to let you folks know.

75.

So if you run 75 mph with a overloaded car, don't expect to get great mileage.

Got ya. I read about all the poor mileage and a few getting great mileage. I average 33MPG+ with CITY/HWY combined. However, I very seldom go over 60MPH (speed limit). I even pulled 42MPG+ on a 100 miles trip but I didn't go over 55MPH. So, anyone else mentioning MPGs please include your average speed - it sure does make a difference.

[kc5f]

Of my 107 mile round-trip commute 30 miles is 75-77 mph, 30 miles is 70-72 mph, 32 miles is 60-62 mph and 15 miles is 35-50 mph. 25 miles is mountainous and the rest is low rolling hills to nearly flat. I let the CVT and cruise work together for much of it. Still happy after all these miles...
Modified by kc5f at 2:32 PM 10/13/2007

[srellim234]

Just got my best mileage; car turned 5,000 miles old during this tank. 70% at 72mph, 20% at 68mph, 10% stop and go. Air conditioning only on for half of the 72mph.

Final tally? 30.94 mpg for 299 miles.

[achr]

I filled up for the first time today, and got just under 35 mpg (330 miles on 9.5 gallons). I think the trick is - get a 6-speed! My commute is 90% highway, too.

Question - what do you all think of the break-in ideas on this site?http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htmI got my Versa with 40 miles on it already, so a bit late for me. Maybe the next one? What does the factory do in the first few miles, do they do any break-in at all, or just roll it onto a car carrier?

I break all my cars in HARD. Have for 40 years. My father was the same. Every vehicle I've bought has hit RedLine on the way home from the showroom (except the Versa because it's impossible to hit RedLine with the CVT no matter what you do). Highest rpms I've ever seen on this Versa are 5,600 no matter what I do. I've NEVER had an engine failure and my cars all run strong and get excellent fuel economy. Same with my motorcycles. My previous ride was a 5 speed manual Chrysler PT Cruiser Turbo. Took it to the track several times. Chrysler's posted quarter mile time/speed for that vehicle is 15.8 seconds @ 88 mph. Mine ran 15.03 seconds @ 94.27 mph. For any of you familiar with drag racing, that is a HUGE difference requiring probably more than 35 horsepower. In fact, the speed I ran against the weight of the car with me in it, indicated 217 horsepower AT THE WHEELS. Not bad for a vehicle rated 215 horsepower at the engine. NOW that is ONE EFFICIENT transmission system. I could also exceed the mileage ratings with that PT. In short, I heartily support the HARD break-in procedure.

At any rate, my CVT equipped Versa now has just over 5,000 miles on it. Two weeks ago I was on a 400+ mile highway trip and I set the Cruise Control at 65 mph. There were a few stoplights between fillups but mostly it was straight relaxed highway cruising. The fillup at the beginning and end of the trip were at the same gas pump and believe me, it was filled to brim both times. I've found a pump that allows me to just dribble gas after the automatic shutoff. Versas will take at least a gallon more fuel after that automatic click-off. My Versa delivered a wonderful 50.28 mpg Canadian which equates to 41.9 mpg U.S. That is way beyond the highway mileage rating (even the OLD one which was 36 mpg) and I KNOW they don't rate them at 65 mph. I should note that that is using REAL gasoline as a fuel, no crapola Ethanol mixes for me.

I'm a little bit anal about gas mileage and I keep ALL my gas receipts in an Excel spreadsheet. My Versa has delivered a total average of 30.27 mpg U.S. over 5,127 miles. Best was this recent 41.9 mpg and my worst tank yielded 23.54 it pretty spirited total city driving when the vehicle was nearly new. Under most circumstances, I can achieve the NEW EPA City Rating but the OLD one was unachievable.

Much has been written in these forums about the superior fuel economy of the 6 speed manual versus the CVT. While I would agree that this is probably true IN THE CITY, I think my highway numbers would argue otherwise. A 6 speed Versa revs about 3,100 @ 65 mph versus 2,200 rpms for a CVT equipped model. Those higher highway revs take additional energy (not to mention the increased noise levels). Also, the pistons in a CVT equipped Versa are travelling 1/3 less per mile which should equate to longer engine life.

[Jerky_san]

I just filled up for the third time of owning my versa.. got 20mpg 191 to 9.5 gallons.. Getting closer to the 1k miles mark so i'm hoping that i get better gas millage soon..

[KimberKenobi]

Every vehicle I've bought has hit RedLine on the way home from the showroom (except the Versa because it's impossible to hit RedLine with the CVT no matter what you do).

Not true... I am ashamed to admit, I take my Camel to >6,000 rpms probably two-four times each month... It is possibly to redline the CVT. You may need a hill, heavy foot, and to turn off the O/D... but it is possible...

We can't mention other forums on here... but weren't you previously on a different forum that I was on as well? ... maybe not... Anywho, it is possible... it just takes some meditation and set-up... ;oD

... trying to outrun a semi so you don't die also helps...

[Rockhound]

Just got the best mileage in the Versa as well...went to Stillwater for the OSU homecoming festivities.

- 162.9 miles for complete trip - cruise set at 75 mph (75 mph speed limit)- 30 miles with A/C on - 90% highway - used 5.366 gallons of 88 octane gas...for 30.4 MPG. - 75 mph = just under 2600 rpm's for CVT- Just topped 5,000 miles on the Versa

On HWY 412 I normally set the cruise at 80+ mph, but I wanted to see how good the mileage would be right at the speed limit. It was very windy and 412 is a deceptively hilly highway...revs commonly exceeded 3000 rpm's to climb hills.

I'm also unsure of the effect of the 88 octane gas. We normally just use 87, but since it was so cheap I went ahead and filled up with 88. Our city average on 87 octane is about 27-28 mpg, and with other Nissan 4-cylinder cars that I've owned, I've noticed a slight drop in gas mileage with higher octane gas, as if it leads to the engine running slightly rich. Next time we take the same trip I'll use 87 and see if the results are markedly different.

I hope to see these numbers continue to climb with increasing mileage on the clock.

[vpnavy]

SNIP...41.9 mpg...SNIP

Happy to see I'm not the only one to crack the 40MPG window. I didn't get much more then you and I didn't take it over 55MPH.

My ride is a 4 speed automatic (no CVT).

[Erocks]

My dealership told me that it takes about 50,000km b4 the car is fully broken in, and at that range u should have optimal fuel economy. for me it seems like the more kms i put on the better the fuel economy

[Great White Versa]

The last car I had before my Versa was a high miles 1991 318is and I got MUCH better mileage than BMW claimed it should get. That may have something to do with changes in the quality of gasoline, but I always figured it was cause all the kinks had had time to get worked out of the engine.

[boxcarbill]

my previously posted mileage of 37.5 mpg is bogus. Seems if the car is perfectly level or slightly lower on the right side I can't get as much gas in as opposed to it being slightly higher on the right side where the fuel fill port is. 34 mpg is more like my real milage so far.

[letondu]

I got mine about 3 weeks ago. I have put c. 800 miles on it, I driver 60 miles a day, approximately to work. I am used to having a manual transmission and was getting 31 on my 2000 Hyundai, but my wife indicated a manual would be better for all conserned.

With the first fillup I was a 25mpg and not to happy, but the next was 28.89 and it appears to be rising.

[whippinboy]

I have had my 07 Versa for almost 6 months and have about 10,700 kms (6649 mi) on it and I am getting about 33 mp(imperial)g (39 mp(US)g). It is a six speed manual transmition and I do almost 100% highway driving. I thought my milage was bad because when I bought the car I was told I would be getting 45 mpg so I looked it up and it is 45 miles to the US gallon and that is at 55 mph highway. So even thought there is no truth in advertising I am stilll doing better than most of you. I switched to synthetic oil with no difference and I have to keep the airconditioner on almost all the time or the windows fog up. The normal milage for a "broken in" engine is about 10,000 miles.

[motoguy128]

It's a 2700lb car with mediocre aerodynamics. To compund the problem, the motor just isn't all that effecient during normal use, compared to the 1.8L engines from Toyota and Honda.

However, it still generally gets better mileage than any other vehicle with as much rear legroom and cargo space. I fit a 47" flat screen LCD in the back, in since the box this weekend. They thought it would never fit.

I also tow a 900lb trailer. It actually doesn't affect mileage all that much. SO I have a theory...

The combustion chamber design is not optimized for best effeciency when crusing at smaller throttle positions under 3000RPM. I think it's better optimized for 3500-4000RPM at more moderate throttle positions. Why? Well on a more Euopean driving cycle on narrow twisty roads and in hte city, there's not much crusing, your constantly changing speed. I think this drivetrain is better optimized for this. The mileage on my Corolla for example would quickly fall off if I drove over 75mph, or was towing a trailer. I was out of it's "sweet spot".