poor mpg

[Rockhound]

I hit 2500 on the odometer yesterday, so it shouldn't be a matter of newness at this point.

Hmmm...I'd tend to disagree with that. The factory break-in estimate of 1200 miles (or whatever it is) isn't an indication that the car will be achieving maximum fuel efficiency by the end of that period. Our Versa has just over 6k miles and the fuel economy has still been improving, not drastically of course, but I expect it to continue to improve for quite some time.

Of course, now it's winter and warming up the car + winter gas means lesser economy, but I wouldn't count your Versa out for any efficiency improvement just because you're at 2500 miles.

[bigdog]

iv e always been pretty consistat w/mpg ave of 30-32 w/the 4 speed auto,but i also drive abut 65 miles round trip to work during the wk. i get about 320-350 per tank

[kc5f]

My low fuel light doesn't even come on until I have at least 375-380 miles on a tank. I generally get gas at around 400 miles, unless I know I'm not going to be close to reasonably-priced gas at that point, and I'll gas up earlier. But my round-trip is about 107 miles, most of it highway. Once we get some snow, I know the mileage will drop, too...

[Andrews Chalmers]

The terrain plays a large part on mpg... is Bremerton WA very hilly?

Driving in flatter areas of PA & DE - I was getting 36 mpg on the highway at around 65mph and approx. 32 in mixed urban/country driving.

Then I get back into the city in Pittsburgh - and down it goes to 21-25mpg.

[Ever Victorious]

Bremerton is hilly. Bremerton is also probably worse from an economy driving standpoint than some parts of WA in that not only is it hilly, but the roads aren't straight either, and there are no Interstate highways running through it. You're constantly modulating your speed.

Also, for those of you back east-ish... some things that you call "mountains" would be called hills here. It is not uncommon in the middle of an urban area to have a 12-18% grade road that maintains that grade for over a mile. Our roads aren't even that steep in our mountain passes. I think our steepest pass approach is Stevens, at 6%.

The eastern half of our state is, for the most part, completely flat with a few rolling hills and a section of desert.

[XterraVersa]

I think the EPA is really screwing Denver over this time. I ussually average 36-38 mpg, but the last 2 tanks were 31.6 & 32.1. Same commute, same traffic. But we have the winter blend now. Everything is E10 now. I have a garage so I don't need to warm up, & in the afternoon I only let it run about 30-40 seconds while I plug in the XM.

Almost a 20% hit mileage to save 10% gas? Sounds like a great plan to me

[NewToVersa]

The idea behind the switch to E10 is to pollute less in winter. Since E10 burn cleaner. It's not made to save on fuel.

[KimberKenobi]

[what's] an A/F alpha or w/e ?

A/F = air/fuel mixture ratio

w/e = internet shorthand for whatever

[XterraVersa]

The idea behind the switch to E10 is to pollute less in winter. Since E10 burn cleaner. It's not made to save on fuel.

E10 is only 10% cleaner, but if you burn 20% more fuel, you negate the cleaner fuel argument. The EPA does not look at pollution per mile, but pollution per gallon of fuel. There are EPA "dirty diesel" cars in europe that create less pollution per mile than the "ultra clean" Prius. Enough of the thread jack.

Winter blend gas will kill your mileage.

[kc5f]

Winter blend will drop your mileage, but not by 20%. I've graphed my mileage over the last 300,000 miles, and my winter mileage is consistently about 10% lower than in the summer. And of course, not even all of this can be attributed to the fuel blend, with longer warmups and changes in driving style for messy streets.

[XterraVersa]

I agree it has been about 10% for the past few years. So far this year it is close to 20%. I have not changed my driving & was getting 37-39 mpg on the last pure gas tank of the fall.

We have had a colder, but dryer winter so far. Denver is on the EPA hitlist this winter because of all the ozone violations last year.

[vududoc]

Another report......i am going to modify my first post..... seems edmonds. com has a 70 page thread on this that may be useful.

aside from that i was thumbing through the nissan fsm on the versa and there are a couple of things that might interest some. (btw last tank of gas still sucked! 23.54mpg most recent, previous was 14.5mpg).

if you disconnect the battery the car has to cycle through a TP sensor initialization!!!!!!(i will edit with this process). Trouble shooting for poor fuel economy is a PIA per the fsm... alot of steps involved in it just to get base idle and timing. reference values for the MAF are .8-.99v idle` and 1.4-1.7v @2500.most all of the trouble shoot requires you have consult handy...ill try to help as much as possible with the techie info.

we are experimenting with a timing advance which may or may not be beneficial also testing modified and non modified versas to rule out some scenarios and statements.1 versa cvt reported-42mpg avg cvt aem intake and stillen exhaust1 versa cvt aem intake and stillen exhaust 24 mpg avg and climbing1 versa stick stock 17"wheels 37mpg avg1 versa stick stock 38mpg

other than that waaay cool cars......may have to drop a 2.5 in one hint

[bdu]

My last tank was 22.5 mpg, fscking sucks! I want the 34mpg some of you are reporting!

[wippy]

if you disconnect the battery the car has to cycle through a TP sensor initialization!!!!!!(i will edit with this process). Trouble shooting for poor fuel economy is a PIA per the fsm... alot of steps involved in it just to get base idle and timing. reference values for the MAF are .8-.99v idle` and 1.4-1.7v @2500.most all of the trouble shoot requires you have consult handy...ill try to help as much as possible with the techie info.

we are experimenting with a timing advance which may or may not be beneficial also testing modified and non modified versas to rule out some scenarios and statements.1 versa cvt reported-42mpg avg cvt aem intake and stillen exhaust1 versa cvt aem intake and stillen exhaust 24 mpg avg and climbing1 versa stick stock 17"wheels 37mpg avg1 versa stick stock 38mpg

other than that waaay cool cars......may have to drop a 2.5 in one hint

Thanks for the input, but it would be ever so much more helpful if you'd avoid the jargon, abbreviations and acronyms for the benefit of us laypersons.

[vududoc]

Thanks for the input, but it would be ever so much more helpful if you'd avoid the jargon, abbreviations and acronyms for the benefit of us laypersons.

no problem(NP) which ones dont you understand so they can be revised.

[Eikon]

Thanks for the input, but it would be ever so much more helpful if you'd avoid the jargon, abbreviations and acronyms for the benefit of us laypersons.

No need to scold him for his use of acronyms. He didn't use anything that is not very common on these forums. If you do have questions, just ask and we'll help you out.

The only acronyms I can imagine needing explanation are:TP sensor - Throttle Position sensorPIA - Pain in the a**FSM - Full Service Manual2.5 - referring to another engine based on the size in liters of this proposed different engine.

We're happy to help if you have further questions, but there was nothing out of the ordinary in his post.

Thanks

[NMI]

Is this mileage problem exist with the 09 versa hatchbacl 1.8 sl?

[mea]

I have an 08 Versa with CVT, purchased new about 6 months ago. When I sold off my previous car, a 1997 Ford Escort, I was getting about 400km's per 40L tank. In my new Versa, I'm getting about 420/50L tank, driving the same roads, the same way. Mostly in city, but not much stop and go, keep it below 1800 revs most of the time, and use the cruise whenever I can.

When I took it in to the dealership for it's 5000 oil change, I asked about this mileage, as it was a big part of why I choose the Versa. I got the old "the engine isn't broken in yet. It needs about 12,000km". This may have been true some years ago, but it sounds fishy. Something must be wrong, but I don't know enough about this to ask the right pointed questions at the dealership.

Had I known my mileage would actually get worse, I would have stuck with my Escort!

Used to be able to wear my Ford jacket into a dealership, and they would avoid the "smoke" they blow at most women. Alas, this won't work at Nissan. (Yes, I used to build cars for Ford, including the Escort. I can install windscreens, wiring looms, seatbelts, radios etc. and paint anything. Even did pinstriping by hand. It's saved me a lot of money over the years...like the time the mechanic at CT tried to tell me I needed all new wiring..about 3 months after I replaced it all!)

Since my Dad and my hubby are still arguing the North American vs foreign car debate, I don't want to ask either of them. Hoping you can help me out, since I love everything else about my Versa!

[frankoV]

. I got the old "the engine isn't broken in yet. It needs about 12,000km". This may have been true some years ago, but it sounds fishy. Something must be wrong, but I don't know enough about this to ask the right pointed questions at the dealership.

Hey, mea . . . welcome.

nope, no smoke blown . . . took a coupla oil changes before my mileage improved . . . but don't count on great mileage for the winter . . . I'm losing about 100km per tank with the colder weather . . . normally 550 +/- in summer, combined city/highway; Ottawa - Mississauga last week was 38 ltr/450 km @119 km/h on the 401, so not bad considering [

[ridderstalpers]

Had my Versa for 3 weeks now and averaging about 32.6 to 32.8 per gallon. I have a 38 mile commute(one way) 6 days a week to work with 75% highway miles in So Cal. It's much better than my last car but I was hoping for 37-38 miles per gallon. My old Civic didn't start getting that kind of mileage until the last year of it's life.

[nmaiorin]

Hi guys
New member here and thought I would comment on this "warmup" idea. In moderate weather you actually need 2-5 seconds for the oil pump to build pressure for driving. 2-3 mins is a huge waste of gas unless the temp is below -40c.
Also something worth mentioning - the film of oil coating everything inside your engines does not wash off after 24hours - or 7 days - it stays on for up to 6 months - I can personally attest to this
A few months ago I rebuilt my motorcycle engine - It sat for just over 6 months over the winter without ever being started - when I cracked into it the cams and pistons still had a nice film of oil all over them - I was actually quite surprised I thought they would have been bone dry? The oil that was previously used was 10w-30 gasoline oil - not motorcycle oil or anything special.

Unless it is freezing out -20 just crank the engine put your seat belt on and actually use that expensive gasoline for what it was meant to do - provide transportation.

Cheers - and great forum

[iluvmyVersa08]

In my new Versa, I'm getting about 420/50L tank, driving the same roads, the same way.

50 L Versa?

I usually put 40L in my Versa to fill it up when it's nearly empty.

Today my tank is almost empty, the light is not on yet, and I've gotten 440kms so far out of it.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

This thread's still going? I'm gonna respond because I see a few posts I don't agree with...

First, even in nothing but stop and go, there's no way a Versa should be getting 15 MPG. There is something really wrong or you're calculating it wrong.

Second, the 10% ethanol mix is not gonna put a big dent in gas mileage. I know this because none of the gas stations around here are straight 100% gasoline but my Versa still averages 29-30 mpg.

Third, it CAN take a long time before the engine breaks into it's maximum fuel economy. I know this because I didn't start averaging that 29-30 mpg until right around 10,000 miles on the engine. It CAN take that long or even longer.

I bought a 94 Sonoma with a 4.3 liter TBI V6 with 197,000 miles on it a little over a month ago and I can manage 21-22 mpg in it. Still got that mileage in my old Neon while it had a completely stuck EGR valve. If a 4 banger half the size of that V6 can't even get that, there IS something wrong and it needs to be checked out. It's also an unfortunate fact that there will be a few Versas that may never get more than 25 mpg (which is not really bad). That's just how it is with cars. Even the sticker says mileage will vary and gives you the range you should be getting in the small print which can be anywhere below or above the big printed numbers.

[nmaiorin]

Perhaps the OP's brakes need to be serviced - maybe they are grabbing ? 15mpg's is terrible - unless you have a heavy right foot ?.

[frankoV]

In my new Versa, I'm getting about 420/50L tank, driving the same roads, the same way.

50 L Versa?

I usually put 40L in my Versa to fill it up when it's nearly empty.

Well, when it reads nearly empty.

It's a 50 l tank.

fwiw, I think your mileage is low [I've noticed that]. I get 500+ km between fills . . . and think it should be higher [I know, waa waa waa]

[iluvmyVersa08]

Frank:

But I usually am putting about 40km in the tank and get about 450kms per tank.

[08versailles]

Personal best in V so far, but only 4th fillup. See sig.
Low fuel light came on at 622km.
Used cruise control a lot, but kept AC on.
Likely won't see 753km tankful I got in ol sentra cuz that was no AC, lots of coasting, only 95km/h on QEW etc etc, but will be happy 700km+

If more AC=poor mpg, then fine by me. Any one else?

[iluvmyVersa08]

Personal best in V so far, but only 4th fillup. See sig.
Low fuel light came on at 622km.
Used cruise control a lot, but kept AC on.
Likely won't see 753km tankful I got in ol sentra cuz that was no AC, lots of coasting, only 95km/h on QEW etc etc, but will be happy 700km+

If more AC=poor mpg, then fine by me. Any one else?

Wow, that is good gas mileage! But you do have a manual transmission right? Usually they tend to get better mileage.

So far I'm at the halfway point in my tank and I have 300kms on it. Not too bad so far.

[08versailles]

Wow, that is good gas mileage! But you do have a manual transmission right? Usually they tend to get better mileage.

So far I'm at the halfway point in my tank and I have 300kms on it. Not too bad so far.[/quote]

Yes, have manual transmission, which I am 90% happy with. I was expecting it to rev a wee bit lower at hwy speeds. But has very positive shift gate feel.

I feel a little inappropriate with good fuel economy in the "poor mpg" post!
But this tankful has lots of weekend short trips, and driving home from work too fast...
360km at half tank...so probably under 40mpg again...

[versanewb]

Guys, it's a 1.8 liter engine. It should get around 26mpg in the city with normal driving. If your getting 14mpg there is something wrong with your engine. 14mpg is what a Toyota 4-runner with 4 wheel drive weighing in at 5000+ pounds would get.