So I have a 2008 Nissan Versa with 142,000kms and 6 speed manual. For the past year I've noticed fluctuations in my mileage but for the past couple weeks it has been changing drastically. I drive the same way and practically the same distances and traffic conditions all the time.
I used to get over 450kms to a tank. Over the past couple weeks I've had drastic changes in mileage. A couple weeks ago I got 230km to a tank (light came on) then at the next fill up I got 390kms to a tank (light came on), I don't normally go till the light but I wanted to see at both times if I drove it till the light turns on if I fill up the same amount (which I filled up approximately 43L each time). Since I purchased this car 2 years ago I have lost some mileage. Last week I even got 285kms to a tank but this week I'm at 405kms with no light yet but close to. What could be causing this?
I'm thinking of doing my spark plugs as a start but any other suggestions? Runs smooth as far as I know and no knocking. Air filter is still good. I also bought a bottle of fuel system cleaner to see if that makes a difference as well.
Mileage Fluctuations
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DriftQueen99
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2019 7:50 am
- Car: Nissan Versa
Mileage Fluctuations
Last edited by Rogue One on Sat Apr 27, 2019 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Delete duplicate post
Reason: Delete duplicate post
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2016 Versa
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 5:21 am
- Car: 2016 Nissan Versa SV
- Location: Russellville, KY
Re: Mileage Fluctuations
That's a lot of fluctuation. Do you have a CEL? If so pull the codes and see where that leads you. A bad 02 sensor will often cause fuel mileage to drop dramatically but I've never known one to cause a lot of fluctuation like you're describing. Is it possible you've got a vacuum leak that is allowing the leak to be worse with temperature change? A vacuum leak will usually set a lean code therefore the ECU dumps more fuel trying to overcome the lean condition. Might also want to make sure you haven't got a brake that's sticking and dragging part of the time. Sorry but these are about the only suggestions I have for you at the time.
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DriftQueen99
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2019 7:50 am
- Car: Nissan Versa
Re: Mileage Fluctuations
Hi 2016 Versa. Thank you for your feedback. I'm currently trying to figure out if my brakes a dragging it a bit. I doubt it is though as it does not pull but i do find my car does decelerating faster while coasting than other vehicles I have driven, so I will see. I heard of holding the brakes for 10 seconds and while the car is in neutral try to push it to see if it drags, so I will be trying it tomorrow.2016 Versa wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:09 amThat's a lot of fluctuation. Do you have a CEL? If so pull the codes and see where that leads you. A bad 02 sensor will often cause fuel mileage to drop dramatically but I've never known one to cause a lot of fluctuation like you're describing. Is it possible you've got a vacuum leak that is allowing the leak to be worse with temperature change? A vacuum leak will usually set a lean code therefore the ECU dumps more fuel trying to overcome the lean condition. Might also want to make sure you haven't got a brake that's sticking and dragging part of the time. Sorry but these are about the only suggestions I have for you at the time.
I did purchase a OBD II plug which gives me real time data so I'm going to see what data shows up. Do you know by any chance where I could find what the parameters should be for engine data so that I can compare? My scanner goes off by only volts and percentage, for a 2008 Nissan Versa S what would be considered lean?
I've recently did a tune up hoping it would help but no, still drastic fluctuations. Spark plug were replaced and the intake and throttle body was cleaned. It did help with with my fluctuations in RPM while idling (would consistently drop to 600 and rise to 1100 RPMS). Thanks again!
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2016 Versa
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 5:21 am
- Car: 2016 Nissan Versa SV
- Location: Russellville, KY
Re: Mileage Fluctuations
I don't have or know where to get vehicle specific information on the Versa. I've only owned my Versa a couple months and so far haven't been able to find much information on them. I joined this forum hoping to learn a bit more about them but the forum seems to be pretty dead most of the time. Since all manufacturers started using the OBDII system in '96 if the parameters are off the ECU will usually set a code. I'm not sure how Nissan dealers are about giving out information, but when I was driving a Ford Escort as my daily driver I called the service department of the Ford dealer a couple times when I couldn't find the information I needed anywhere else and spoke with the service manager. He was usually willing to answer a couple questions as long as I didn't take a lot of his time. Your fluctuation in idle speed sounds to me like there could be a problem with IACV. I found this on another forum as to how to reset the the parameters of the IACV and idle speed.
How To: Idle Air Volume Learning (Easy Way)
Anytime the Electric Throttle Control Actuator (Throttle Body) or ECU is disconnected from the wiring harness, the idle speed will need to be re-learned. This procedure can also resolve a high idle at park or in neutral of over 1500 RPM and a pulsating idle that goes high and drops low repeatedly. The idle for the Nissan Versa should be between 650-750 RPM at park or in neutral. The official procedure can be found here; however, I found that this procedure is very time sensitive and it was much easier to perform it the following way.
Tools:
* Stop Watch or Stop Watch App for Smartphone
Preparation:
1. Drive Versa for 10 minutes to warm up the engine and transmission.
2. Turn off Air Conditioning, Headlamps and Rear Window Defogger.
3. Put Versa in park, straighten out steering wheel (neutral position) and turn off vehicle.
Procedure:
* The following procedures are time sensitive and if messed up, must be started from the beginning. It may take a few tries to get it right.
1. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the off position and wait 10 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the on position and start the stop watch at the same time. (The on position is the second click)
3. At 3 seconds on the stop watch, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and fully release it 5 times before the stop watch gets to 8 seconds. (Timing wise, all that matters is it gets done 5 times between 3 and 8 seconds on the stop watch)
4. At 15 seconds on the stop watch, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold it down.
5. At 35 seconds on the stop watch, fully release the accelerator pedal and then immediately start the engine.
6. At 60 seconds on the stop watch, rev up the engine 2-3 times and make sure each time the tachometer falls back down to 650-750 RPM.
7. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the off position - idle is now set.
How To: Idle Air Volume Learning (Easy Way)
Anytime the Electric Throttle Control Actuator (Throttle Body) or ECU is disconnected from the wiring harness, the idle speed will need to be re-learned. This procedure can also resolve a high idle at park or in neutral of over 1500 RPM and a pulsating idle that goes high and drops low repeatedly. The idle for the Nissan Versa should be between 650-750 RPM at park or in neutral. The official procedure can be found here; however, I found that this procedure is very time sensitive and it was much easier to perform it the following way.
Tools:
* Stop Watch or Stop Watch App for Smartphone
Preparation:
1. Drive Versa for 10 minutes to warm up the engine and transmission.
2. Turn off Air Conditioning, Headlamps and Rear Window Defogger.
3. Put Versa in park, straighten out steering wheel (neutral position) and turn off vehicle.
Procedure:
* The following procedures are time sensitive and if messed up, must be started from the beginning. It may take a few tries to get it right.
1. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the off position and wait 10 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the on position and start the stop watch at the same time. (The on position is the second click)
3. At 3 seconds on the stop watch, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and fully release it 5 times before the stop watch gets to 8 seconds. (Timing wise, all that matters is it gets done 5 times between 3 and 8 seconds on the stop watch)
4. At 15 seconds on the stop watch, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold it down.
5. At 35 seconds on the stop watch, fully release the accelerator pedal and then immediately start the engine.
6. At 60 seconds on the stop watch, rev up the engine 2-3 times and make sure each time the tachometer falls back down to 650-750 RPM.
7. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the off position - idle is now set.
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DriftQueen99
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2019 7:50 am
- Car: Nissan Versa
Re: Mileage Fluctuations
Thanks for your help! I will try to contact someone at Nissan to see if they can help. Since getting my tune up I haven't had the RPM fluctuating problem and it was probably the throttle body as they had to clean it as there was some build up which could have made it go wonky.2016 Versa wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 9:27 amI don't have or know where to get vehicle specific information on the Versa. I've only owned my Versa a couple months and so far haven't been able to find much information on them. I joined this forum hoping to learn a bit more about them but the forum seems to be pretty dead most of the time. Since all manufacturers started using the OBDII system in '96 if the parameters are off the ECU will usually set a code. I'm not sure how Nissan dealers are about giving out information, but when I was driving a Ford Escort as my daily driver I called the service department of the Ford dealer a couple times when I couldn't find the information I needed anywhere else and spoke with the service manager. He was usually willing to answer a couple questions as long as I didn't take a lot of his time. Your fluctuation in idle speed sounds to me like there could be a problem with IACV. I found this on another forum as to how to reset the the parameters of the IACV and idle speed.
How To: Idle Air Volume Learning (Easy Way)
Anytime the Electric Throttle Control Actuator (Throttle Body) or ECU is disconnected from the wiring harness, the idle speed will need to be re-learned. This procedure can also resolve a high idle at park or in neutral of over 1500 RPM and a pulsating idle that goes high and drops low repeatedly. The idle for the Nissan Versa should be between 650-750 RPM at park or in neutral. The official procedure can be found here; however, I found that this procedure is very time sensitive and it was much easier to perform it the following way.
Tools:
* Stop Watch or Stop Watch App for Smartphone
Preparation:
1. Drive Versa for 10 minutes to warm up the engine and transmission.
2. Turn off Air Conditioning, Headlamps and Rear Window Defogger.
3. Put Versa in park, straighten out steering wheel (neutral position) and turn off vehicle.
Procedure:
* The following procedures are time sensitive and if messed up, must be started from the beginning. It may take a few tries to get it right.
1. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the off position and wait 10 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the on position and start the stop watch at the same time. (The on position is the second click)
3. At 3 seconds on the stop watch, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and fully release it 5 times before the stop watch gets to 8 seconds. (Timing wise, all that matters is it gets done 5 times between 3 and 8 seconds on the stop watch)
4. At 15 seconds on the stop watch, press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold it down.
5. At 35 seconds on the stop watch, fully release the accelerator pedal and then immediately start the engine.
6. At 60 seconds on the stop watch, rev up the engine 2-3 times and make sure each time the tachometer falls back down to 650-750 RPM.
7. Turn the ignition switch (key) to the off position - idle is now set.
One thing I did notice while using my OBD monitor is that idling and going less then 60kms uses up ALOT more gas than going at high speeds. I've plugged it in on other cars and for some reason my car uses 2x-3x the amount of fuel idling then the other cars do in the same amount of time.
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