Horrible Fuel Economy

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frankoV
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longo wrote:
For those owners who are indeed getting the EPA numbers or better, good for you, post those results on a thread that is about Great MPG's, for anyone who has found a solution to Horrible mpgs on THEIR Versa, please share that here, or here.
one of the "nicer" posts about the topic -- well cone and thank you for not tearing into those with good mileage and posting it . . . but you are right: solutions to the problem have been asked for, not "but my V . . . "


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audtatious
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Can I get a member to create a thread concerning MPG so all these questions and answers can be accumulated? If we have one and I sticky the thread it should cut down on these repetitive topics and inane discussions.

Call the thread "So, you have bad MPG?" or something.

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fjwagner
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audtatious wrote:Can I get a member to create a thread concerning MPG so all these questions and answers can be accumulated? If we have one and I sticky the thread it should cut down on these repetitive topics and inane discussions.

Call the thread "So, you have bad MPG?" or something.
good idea, but it will not work since there is no apparent solution that stands out. Otherwise, we would have seen it by now.

longo
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FJ, you are right about the fact that there are lots of questions but very few answers to this issue... on this we are not alone...

Here's a mpg post found on Popular Mechanics.

Nissan Versa 1.8 SL: Long-Term Test

"In 2007 I bought my Nissan versa hatchback for it's supposed 33 hwy mpg. I spent the extra $$ for the CVT transmission and convience package.

I have had the fuel cap, fuel regulator, and the transmission gear indicator replaced. When I bought the car I noticed that it was only getting between 14 and 24mpg. I notified the dealer during many of my visits. they told me the fuel economy would get better at 5000 miles. at 6000 miles it still got 24mpg at best. I got the same story but for 10,000 miles.

I have constantly spent hours on the phone with "regional specialists" and even more sitting at the dealership. I have gotten run around after run around. There is no such thing as a mechanic at dealerships. There are just people that read what a computer says is wrong with a car, and do what the computer tells them. If the computer doesn't know if there is anything wrong, then the car is fine. The computer knew I had a bad gas cap, but has no clue that my car is getting 10mpg less than what it's suppose to. I now have 17,000 miles on my car and it still get between 16 and 24mpg.

Does anyone know of a fix for this?"


Modified by longo at 9:57 PM 4/18/2009

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robj80
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I apologize for posting about my gas mileage in your gas mileage thread. Sorry other forums I'm on are a little more lenient and friendlier then this apparently. I totaly understand your hostility. I bought my versa just for the FE. If I was getting yours I would be super pissed and probably would have torched the car for the insurance money.

Did you buy a scangauge by any chance? Maybe pick one up and calibrate it then drive for a bit and see exactly when your car is sucking down the gas. They are good tools to have regardless. I hope for you you have a faulty coolant temp sensor or intake air temp sensor. Both of which can make your computer dump fuel. MAF's on sr20's are a huge problem and cause piss poor gas mileage as well.

Sorry again and goodluck!

Bubs daddy
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Quote »If I was getting yours I would be super pissed and probably would have torched the car for the insurance money.[/quote]Didn't see any smileys. I hope you're kidding.

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frankoV
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Sometimes, Bubs, ya gotta read a smilie into it whether it's meant or not

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audtatious
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fjwagner wrote:
good idea, but it will not work since there is no apparent solution that stands out. Otherwise, we would have seen it by now.
Gotcha....

Has to be something. Hell, I'm averaging 22 in my G37.

pbrady12
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Today my Versa spent all day at the dealership being test driven with all of their test equipment hooked up. The car never stalled, so again I am stuck with nothing. The equpiment conveniently doesn't measure fuel consumption or MPG. They did their 27 point inspection. Everything in the car was tested and everything was working as it should. I asked if the computer could be "reflashed" or reprogramed, and I was told that there is no way to do this. Because the computer isn't giving a code saying that it is bad, it cannot be changed. They can't even swap it out just to check and see. Reality is finally setting in that I will never see the fuel economy Most Versa drivers get. Untill I get a check engine light, everything is working like it should. As soon as I get it paid down enough I will be trading it in for something else. If your looking for an '07 black nissan versa SL in a year or two I hope you don't get this one.

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fjwagner
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Not to talk you out of trading your car in down the road, but you can buy alot of gas for the value you will lose by trading. Fred

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rtillaree
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I've had my Versa SL for about 3 1/2 weeks now, I'm on my 4th tank of gas and I'm averaging a lowly 18.4mpg with 87 octane and 19.7mpg with super...I am so disappointed in these results...very saddening...

my understanding is that when you bring it up to the service department they will basically say there isn't much they can do about it as long as the system is not throwing any codes. And of course they will tell you that "the engine needs to be broken in, give it XYZ miles before you start clocking the MPG"....this happened when my girlfriend bought her new Kia Spectra last year, it also boasts 33/34mpg but only gets about 24/25 at best...

sigh...
Modified by rtillaree at 7:23 AM 4/21/2009

longo
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Wellcome to the Nissan Forum, it sounds like you have an early case of Buyers Remorse. That can certainly ruin what should be a warm fuzzy feeling that you made the right choice on one of the largest purchases most of us ever make. I am leaving room here for the exceptions, like exotic speed boats, villas on the sea, Ming Vases, or a 100% coverage Family Health Care plan.

When it comes to a new car purchase based on high expectations of great fuel economy, anyone buying a new vehicle right now is setting themselves up for disapointment.

The Auto Makers are all frantically looking for that magic mpg modification that will get them back in the game and people back in the showrooms.

If you check the Find a Car site devoted to mpg numbers you will find a few vehicles out there that in fact do post better than EPA estimates.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

Not by much mind you, but mpg numbers that, when the average is taken stand out from the rest. A few examples are the Honda Civic & Fit, Toyotas' Corolla, and Yaris.

Your Versa 18.4 mpg numbers are indeed hideous and right near the bottom of the Versa posted results on this site, but you didn't mention if those numbers where 95% stop and start city driving, or what percentage of a mix of city and highway.

Even the amazing new VW 2 ltr TDI's that are consitently posting in the 40's on the highway, get knocked back into the mid 20's in stop and start Urban conditions.

If you have waded through all the postings on this "Horrible MPG's" thread,you will find a few reasonable things you can take to the dealership for a check up, but from our experiences with the Gass Guzzer Versas, unless there is something so wrong with your car that shows up on the scan, your Service Writer is as clueless as we are about a Fix.


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rtillaree
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thanks for the reply...I have read a little through this thread, decided I would just share my experiences thus far...I love the vehicle, I am slightly let down with the MPG to date, it took me about 9 months to commit to the Versa, I shopped around very hard before making the decision...the remorse factor is very little to be honest, the way I see it, most vehicles offering the great MPG outside of a select few and the hybrids really arent getting their estimated numbers...so for the price and the features, I still love the V...

my driving is mainly in city stop and start, I drive about 25-35 miles per day tops Gym, Work, School, Home, same routine daily, and I rarely hit the highways...so I anticipated a lesser number from the jump...I will say though on my 3rd tank, I took measures to ensure I could maximize my MPG by keeping the air off, making sure I didnt fly off the line (which I dont anyway) and I left for work earlier to conserve the wait time...didn't really seem to help...

I will continue to read up and such...
Modified by rtillaree at 8:15 AM 4/21/2009

dangene
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I took my '09 Versa SL CVT HB to the dealer for its first oil change and asked them to check for reasons why I am getting poor mileage that seems to be getting worse: 19 mpg on the last tank. No driveability problems now, the fuel pressure regulator seems to have ceased acting up, just poor and poorer mileage. I am awaiting the dealer's call as I'm sitting here at my computer. I agree with pbrady, I don't need driving lessons or to be reminded of all the variables that affect mileage, or my measuring and calculating techniques. I've been a gearhead for the last 50 years, have rebuilt engines and restored cars and motorcycles and like to think I know cars better than most, both in theory and in practice. When I get almost the same mileage in my Dodge Grand Caravan as I get in my Versa, under the same driving conditions in flatland Florida,something isn't right. Some of you sound like apologists for Nissan, looking for any excuse to justify poor mileage and blame the driver.

dangene
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Well, I just drove my Versa back from the dealer and (un)fortunately they found nothing wrong after checking the computer for codes and the MAF, AF sensors and the Alpha valve. No fuel or air leaks found. "Vehicle operates as design intent" Engine does sound quieter with fresh oil, but that's to be expected. I will keep monitoring mpg and hope for improvement with more miles on the clock.

Bubs daddy
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Quote »Some of you sound like apologists for Nissan, looking for any excuse to justify poor mileage and blame the driver.[/quote]And some of YOU sound like Fit owners pretending to be Versa owners making up stories of ridiculous low mileage numbers to cause disrepute to the Versa.

I mean, listen to yourselves. The dealers continually find nothing wrong with your cars. We all have the same cars but yours gets 15 mpg less than others.

It all comes down to this: Your mileage may vary.

It's driving habits. It's seasonal fuel blends. It's tire pressure. Constant or intermittant speed. Road grade and surface texture. Altitude. City and highway driving. Excessive idling. Acceleration. State of tune (air filter condition, oil condition, tire condition). Wind conditions. Barometric pressure. Temperature.

There is nothing wrong with your car.

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frankoV
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Hey, Bubs, my mileage is within the acceptable range, but you can't make a blanket statement that "there's nothing wrong" . . . there seems to be.

Now, if you [or I] were to take the car out and find that the mileage is better with one of us behind teh wheel, that's one thing . . . but until then there just might be something hidden that needs to be found.

Is there a Dr. House for Versas?

Bubs daddy
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That's my point. They are making a blanket statement that there in fact IS something wrong besides their driving.

The facts, according to their alleged story, are the cars throw no codes, the techs find nothing wrong.

"Seems to be" are all things I mentioned.

You're also assuming all these stories are fact and are to be taken as fact. I have a healthy bit of skepticism.

All I'm saying is this is the internet. Anyone can say anything. I can register as a Fit owner right now and say I only get 20 mpg with my Fit and the dealer can find nothing wrong. How can anyone disprove that?

People get on opposing forums all the time and make disparaging remarks to discredit a product.

I'm not saying everyone, or most but I question some of these.


Modified by Bubs daddy at 2:15 PM 4/21/2009

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rtillaree
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takes a special kind of person to take time out of their day to register on a competing vehicles fan site and complain about gas mileage...

out of curiosity, at what number of economy complaints do you think the "issue" should be taken seriously?

Bubs daddy
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Indeed. But it is done frequently. Disinformation is all over the internet. Misguided people will go to any length to deceive and lie for their own reasons. Just the perception of a product not being satisfactory could cost a company tens of millions of dollars.

Bearing false witness is big bucks these days. Especially with the speed of the internet to spread false rumors.

Anyway, you have to determine there is actually an issue to begin with. Maybe the owner's math is wrong figuring out fuel economy. Maybe the multitude of factors previously stated come under "Your mileage may vary" and again, there is no issue.

The EPA (in the States) tested the vehicle and found it to get the mileage stated on the sticker.
Modified by Bubs daddy at 4:44 PM 4/21/2009

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frankoV
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Bubs daddy wrote:You're also assuming all these stories are fact and are to be taken as fact. I have a healthy bit of skepticism.
I hear you . . . I just try to look to the good . . .

Quote »People get on opposing forums all the time and make disparaging remarks to discredit a product.[/quote]Then they need to get a life

pbrady12
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Bubs daddy wrote:
And some of YOU sound like Fit owners pretending to be Versa owners making up stories of ridiculous low mileage numbers to cause disrepute to the Versa.

I mean, listen to yourselves. The dealers continually find nothing wrong with your cars. We all have the same cars but yours gets 15 mpg less than others.

It all comes down to this: Your mileage may vary.

It's driving habits. It's seasonal fuel blends. It's tire pressure. Constant or intermittant speed. Road grade and surface texture. Altitude. City and highway driving. Excessive idling. Acceleration. State of tune (air filter condition, oil condition, tire condition). Wind conditions. Barometric pressure. Temperature.

There is nothing wrong with your car.
Well my neighbor got a Fit at the same time I got my versa. He gets 35mph and I get 24. As for the driving habbits. I have 18,000 miles of everything but high altitude driving. If you want to come test drive my car with your perfect driving habbits.......please do. The only way for my car to get better than 24mpg would be to coast down a mountian or have it towed. My last tank of gas was driven by Nissan Technicians with their test equipment hooked up to it, so I wasn't driving. I put 9.54gal in the tank and the car had driven 223 miles. 23.375mpg. Go ahead and check. I know you will. Every tank varies slightly due to the auto shut off on the gas pump. This post was for solutions to the issue. I didn't drive for this tank of gas, so it isn't my driving habbits. I posted the miles driven and fuel pumped. Can we rule out driving habbits and math??
Modified by pbrady12 at 9:48 PM 4/21/2009

Bubs daddy
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My driving habits are far from perfect. But that is why that disclaimer is there. So you've had this car two years, had lower than average mileage for two years and just jumped on here only in the last month or so to mention it? Sorry, occupational hazard.

I listen to bulls*** stories everyday, many complete with the most convincing tone and emotion but of course you trust but verify. After verifying, most don't pan out. I can't verify nor can I drive your Versa.

I'm not saying your story is BS. I'm saying that I have the exact same, identical car. Mine gets 30-35 combined mpg mpg consistently. Yours doesn't. If you say you're getting 24 mpg, than that's what you're getting. I don't know what else Nissan can do for you at this point.
Modified by Bubs daddy at 10:07 AM 4/22/2009

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frankoV
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Bubs daddy wrote:If you say you're getting 24 mpg, than that's what you're getting. I don't know what else Nissan can do for you at this point.
And that, my friend, seems to be the whole problem. and the reason for the utter frustration.

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rtillaree
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I just wish I could hit 300 miles on a tank, that would get me to the 22mpg mark roughly and I would almost be happy at that...this <20 is killing me...I can't even brag about how great my economy is to all of my friends that bought BMW's and Cadillac's after school...

:sigh:

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iluvmyVersa08
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IMHungry wrote:I have consistently gotten 675 km per approx 45L fill up in warm weather and 590 km in the winter.

I couldn't be happier.
675 km on one tank! WOW!I just filled up yesterday and I got 520 km out of my last tank (mostly highway during rush hour and some city driving). You get alot of kms per tank! That's awesome

dangene
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[QUOTE=Bubs daddy]

And some of YOU sound like Fit owners pretending to be Versa owners making up stories of ridiculous low mileage numbers to cause disrepute to the Versa.

Are you delusional or simply paranoid? Oh, I get it,maybe you work for Nissan and are afraid of losing your bread and butter! Start thinking with the head above your neck!

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frankoV
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iluvmyVersa08 wrote:
675 km on one tank! WOW!I just filled up yesterday and I got 520 km out of my last tank (mostly highway during rush hour and some city driving). You get alot of kms per tank! That's awesome
That is amazing . . . that's like my best tank, which was because I was forced to travel 80 kmh on the highway [stupid #7] . . .

I'm into the "suggested city mileage on the highway" range [600 km/45L] -- mind you, I'm on the 401 and going the "slow lane" speed [120 kmh so I don't get run over by the semis].

In town . . . not so good -- 500 kms/45L

Bubs daddy
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Quote »Are you delusional or simply paranoid? Oh, I get it,maybe you work for Nissan and are afraid of losing your bread and butter! Start thinking with the head above your neck!

[/quote]Neither. Just informing some of what goes on the internet all the time. It's common knowledge.

slowmotionzx
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Wow you guys got me paranoid. Im going to check the mpg for my 2009 versa tommarow. wow.


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