Real World Gas Mileage

[jacksan1]

I have read a few Mazda3 posts on another forum and they are making the same complaint there. So this is not isolated to the Versa.

I think there are complaints about gas mileage in virtually every car thread, including the Hummer forum (what were they expecting anyway?). Take a look at any forum that covers the Prius, for example. People are sometimes screaming bloody murder about the "poor mileage" of 35 mpg that their Prius is getting.

I have noticed, though, by reading many of these car threads that with some of these cars a good number of people do achieve mileage close to EPA's, while in some cars very few if any do so, and only if they make efforts. The Prius is in the latter category. Without trying you can easily get 40 mpg in a Prius, but since it's rated 60/51 EPA, very few people get the combined 55 mpg in a Prius unless they work very hard at it. The Prius' EPA ratings are lofty, if not impossible.

I am wondering whether the Versa's mileage is something like it, if not to the extreme of a car like the Prius.

My wife and I got blown away when we found out what kind of mileage we were getting in our Fit without trying. With the first four tanks since delivery, we have been averaging 35 mpg, and that includes a very spirited hilly backroad driving. As far as our experience thus far is concerned, the Fit's EPA ratings are not lofty, but rather realistic. The Fit so far appears to be in the first category above (many get the rated mileage).

Like they say, your mileage may vary. It's a matter of how much in which car.

Ironically, because we have a Fit performing in this way, now it becomes easier for us to buy a Versa to replace another car (we did not this time because ABS was not available). We already have a fuel sipper in the Fit, so we can now go ahead and choose a car that is spacious and comfortable like the Versa, without having to worry about getting the best mileage.

[Ever Victorious]

I am wondering whether the Versa's mileage is something like it, if not to the extreme of a car like the Prius.

I've been waiting for someone to say this, because it had seemed so obvious to me.

The EPA almost ALWAYS overestimates fuel mileage.

Every time someone complains about getting "ONLY" 34 MPG in a Versa, it makes me laugh my *** off.

Yeah, if you're getting 23-26 mpg, there's something wrong. Be it your driving habits or something with the car.

But in the 30-34 mpg range? c'mon...

[OKVersa]

Not me. I'm thrilled with my 27-34 range.

It's sitting on 1/4 tank right now, and I'm not in a panic, like I would have been in my Jimmy or F-150.

[datgrl]

--> Every time someone complains about getting "ONLY" 34 MPG in a--> Versa, it makes me laugh my *** off.

When I saw the 40 mpg highway, that sold me on the car. I guessI should've waited for more reviews. In all the new cars I've purchasedin the last 15 years, the estimated mileage by the EPA was veryconservative. They said 32 mpg on my Acura Integra stick when I bought it and I could get 38. They said 31 mpg on the Scion XA-automatic. Igot 43 on a trip. I expected the Versa to at least equal the EPAestimates, based upon my driving habits. Maybe 34 mpg isn't'bad' to some but it's too far off the EPA estimate in my opinionand the t.v. ads equate to false advertising

Datgrl in Baltimore

[Ever Victorious]

The Versa has never been advertised with an EPA rating of 40 mpg. Its ratings are (at best) 30-36 on the CVT. There were higher ratings earlier on before the release, but they were all "pre-EPA estimates".

Also, the TV commercials, if you read the print on the screen, say "36 MPG EPA estimate". I don't recall them ever saying 40 mpg, ever. Unless you've got an independent Nissan dealer writing their own ads in your area. We have a commercials section here on NICO, you can double check if you'd like.

My salesperson also tried to tell me it was a 40 MPG car. I didn't believe it for one second. I have only had a car ever once attain that number in my life.. it was my 97 Saturn SC1 coupe, driving on 85 pump octane gas in Idaho, cruising at 90mph with the A/C on (and a pretty hefty tailwind). That was an absolutely amazing feat it was never able to replicate, but the car DID get 31-32 mpg regularly.

I commend you on having had a couple cars that managed to exceed their EPA ratings. But they are flukes. I have only had that one incident of exceeding the fuel economy ratings. Noone else I know have had cars that got exceedingly good mileage. Not even my father, a professional driver... or any of the other professional drivers he worked with and was friends with.

Here is EXACTLY what I thought when I saw the car in person:

"Hmm... 30 mpg city, 34 highway? This should get about 30 mpg running around for my job." And I was exactly correct, the car averages almost exactly 30 mpg.

[datgrl]

-> The Versa has never been advertised with an EPA rating of 40 mpg. --> Its ratings are (at best) 30-36 on the CVT. There were higher ratings --> earlier on before the release, but they were all "pre-EPA estimates".

The EPA sticker on my car said 32 city, 40 highway. I can scan it for you if you like :-)

datgrl in Baltimore

[Link3]

I'd like to concur that I believe that the EPA Estimates are "over estimates". I have yet to get any closer than within 10% of the EPA estimates with any of the 14 vehicles that I've owned (including the Versa). However, I still use the EPA estimates as a RELATIVE GUIDE for what to expect compared to other vehicles.

On mostly highway driving (no A/C), I've gotten about 30 mpg averaging 75 mph, 31 to 31.5 mpg averaging 70 mph, and between 32 to 33 mpg averaging 65 mph. Given that trend, it I was able to restrain myself and only go 55 to 60 mph, then I think I could get pretty close to the EPA highway estimate. Anyway, even the 30 mpg highway is still 50% better than what I was getting on the highway with a Honda Element (EPA rated at 24 mpg).

That said, it does seem that some cars are able to more easily achieve the published EPA mileage ratings in the real world.

[jacksan1]

I commend you on having had a couple cars that managed to exceed their EPA ratings. But they are flukes. I have only had that one incident of exceeding the fuel economy ratings. Noone else I know have had cars that got exceedingly good mileage. Not even my father, a professional driver... or any of the other professional drivers he worked with and was friends with.

Here is EXACTLY what I thought when I saw the car in person:

"Hmm... 30 mpg city, 34 highway? This should get about 30 mpg running around for my job." And I was exactly correct, the car averages almost exactly 30 mpg.

The thing is that the three previous cars (Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, and Subaru Legacy) that I owned were all able to meet the EPA ratings assigned to the respective cars, at least in my applications. I have an office next to the guy who drives a Toyota Echo, and he says he routinely exceeds its EPA ratings. He also owned a Honda Civic, and the same thing happened to him, again in his application.

I think that an important qualification is "one's application." Everyone's condition is different, be it the driving style, traffic pattern, weather, vehicle characteristics or what have you. I used to live just outside of Tokyo, and I know with 100% certainty that, if I drove in Tokyo any of the cars I owned that met the EPA numbers, I'd be lucky to get half the mileage in the same vehicles.

EPA numbers are not easy to get. But in some circumstances, they can be reached. But that requires an ideal function of various factors that I mentioned above. Or for that matter, pure luck. One thing I would not go so far as to say is "Everyone can achieve the EPA numbers." By the same token, I would not make a sweeping statement like "No one can achieve them." Truth is somewhere in between.

[Ever Victorious]

EPA numbers are not easy to get. But in some circumstances, they can be reached. But that requires an ideal function of various factors that I mentioned above. Or for that matter, pure luck. One thing I would not go so far as to say is "Everyone can achieve the EPA numbers." By the same token, I would not make a sweeping statement like "No one can achieve them." Truth is somewhere in between.

I never said noone could achieve them. Look at XterraVersa, who exceeds them. What I DID say is that they are generally overestimates, and that I PERSONALLY feel that, in the case of the Versa, complaining about getting ONLY 30+ mpg is rather silly.

I'm ecstatic that I get 30MPG. I live in a city with horrible traffic, lots of hills, poor mass transit and lots of sprawling with insufficient highway access.

The EPA sticker on my car said 32 city, 40 highway. I can scan it for you if you like :-)

Sure... that would be a fun read. And also a potentially fun future tidbit for an article.

[Caddy65]

I was surfing the internet at work and I read that you can increase your gas mileage (drastically) by adding 1 to 3 oz. of acetone to 10 gallons of gas. Here's the link to one site. http://www.pureenergysystems.c...etone/You can google acetone gas mileage and find even more sources.

[Caddy65]

After some more googling I found a page with some statistics for different vehicles. I am going to pick up some acetone and give it a shot. I need to fill up tonight anyways. http://peswiki.com/index.php/D...ports

[BenDupre]

Let us know how that works. the article sounds believable.

Ben

[motoguy128]

careful, acetone dissovles plastic. You'll need to premix it with a 10 gallon can of gas to avoid creating possible pin hole leaks in you filling spout. I wonder if over time some of the seals could be damaged. I'm not a chemical emgineer so I'm not sure if gasoline will buffer acetone adequately to prevent damage.

I didn't read the information, but I wonder if Acetone would create any undesirable emissions or even damage the catalytic converter.

[Link3]

The EPA almost ALWAYS overestimates fuel mileage.

But in the 30-34 mpg range? c'mon...

I've always regarded the "EPA Estimated mileage" as somewhat of a code, sort of a set of Guidelines - so to speak, more than Rules.
Modified by Link3 at 9:10 AM 11/17/2006

[Caddy65]

I put 1 oz. of acetone in a one gallon gas can and filled it with gas. Then I poured it into my tank and filled up. This way the acetone is fairly diluted on the way to the tank. I don't think 1 oz. of acetone in a 12.5 gallon tank is enough to do any damage. I also don't think it will help with gas mileage, but we'll see. For the last 3 tanks I have consistently averaged 30.75 mpg on normal gas.

[XterraVersa]

Acetone is total BS & may even harm your fuel delivery system even when diluted.

I don't know why this always comes up on every forum I have belonged to. It acts as an octane booster preventing predetonation. If your car suffers from that, then yes it may improve mpg. May is the key word.

In a normally operating vehicle...don't count on it. By pouring this stuff in your tank, you have pretty much voided your engine's warranty. If you goto a Nissan dealer with rotten seals & fuel lines, they will test your fuel. Acetone can still be found after more than 5 fill-ups.

Think about it logically. Is it sold as a fuel savings additive at your local parts shop??? Is the guy who marketed it be richer than Billy Gates??? Are all the enviro-wacko groups lobbying to mandate its use??? Are the anti-oil democrats pushing for it to reduce our dependance on foreign oil and to cripple G. W.'s bank account???

NO!!!! Why???Because it does not save fuel.

And I will not accept any of y'alls unscientific mpg tests. I can do the same & easily show you a decrease in mpg. Mpg is largely based on driving techniques & vehicle repair. Try upping your tire psi to 37-40 and see if your mpg improves. It is cheap & won't void your warranty.

[proxim2020]

Acetone? That der is what they call premium snake oil. I agree with Xterra, it's a myth that's been around for a very long time. With the studies I've seen, some suggest that it does have an affect on mpg, but most time these tests are run on older cars that were well past their prime. The acetone probably just corrected a preexisting engine/fuel system problem. The majority of the test just show that it's not effective at all. It would be more wise to use a better quality of gas. Some gas companies, like Chevron, include detergents in their gas designed to keep the fuel system clean way longer than using gas without detergents. This would help get rid of the slow decline people see in MPG as cars get older and keep the fuel system in top shape. Even if you could show that the acetone increased MPG, the test would be incredibly unscientific. Unless you're performing your tests in a controlled environment, the results would not be reliable.

Don't let a $10 experiment cost you thousands in repair. People, don't put things in your gas tank unless it's specifically for the tank. Things like the Tornado, fuel magnets, and throttle body spacers have all failed to show gains in real life and have been proven by tons of companies that are on your side (i.e. Consumer Reports). There's tons of things that you can do to change MPG that have already been proven by thousands of people. Most are completely free and involve changing your own habits.

[RetiredTexans]

We started a MPG log when we picked up our Versa, Lucky (my wife names all her cars) on labor day. At 2800+ miles it is giving a respectable 30.2 cum MPG with a range of 26.7 (low) to 39.8 (high). This reflects mostly my wife's "somewhat aggressive" driving habits; quick accleration on green and last minute brakes on red lights. Oh, this MPG reflects driving conditions in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Texas. People are always in a hurry here. The 40- MPH was at 60-70 MPH on rural expressways. We had one tank at 57 MPG, but I think it was a refueling quirck even though the gas gauge needle position seemed legitimate.

Lucky replaced Goldie, a 2001 Honda Accord. Her gas mileage ion it was in the 24 to 27 MPG range in the above mentioned cities. We just returned from a road trip to Illinois in the Honda in which the mileage range was 30.4 to 36.6 and an overall average of 31.8 MPG.

I think mileage will improve as the car accumulates miles; at least it has on almost every one we have owned over the years. Differences in driving habits also play a huge part in mileage reported. I can drive the same streets as my spouse and average 1-3 PMG better staying off the gas and breaks.

[Ever Victorious]

Don't let a $10 experiment cost you thousands in repair. People, don't put things in your gas tank unless it's specifically for the tank. Things like the Tornado, fuel magnets, and throttle body spacers have all failed to show gains in real life and have been proven by tons of companies that are on your side (i.e. Consumer Reports). There's tons of things that you can do to change MPG that have already been proven by thousands of people. Most are completely free and involve changing your own habits.

I don't agree that CR is on your side. However, the Mythbusters are, and they have shown that all those things are bunk.

Acetone will improve fuel economy on an old, well used engine because it cleans the deposits out of the fuel system. If you maintain your car properly, acetone will do nothing (except possibly eat seals or lines in your fuel system).

If you want to have the EFFECT of acetone in your system, without running the risk of DAMAGING your system, run a bottle of extra-strength or concentrate STP or Gumout through your car's fuel system every 20,000 miles or so. My Kia and Hyundai (both 2.7L V6's) saw a 2 mpg increase right after I did this.. I had no idea either engine had so much crap in them. Then again, I use Arco gas exclusively, so it shouldn't be that big of a surprise.

(And Arco plus a bottle of Gumout over 20,000 miles is still much cheaper than using Chevron or 76 over the same time period)

[Althalus]

Here's my window sticker, the files are large so I'll link them:

http://tyr.simplecodes.com/pics/newcar/sticker

I've been getting around 27-30 mpg. Where I drive is very hilly and there is alot of passing needed to get anywhere on time.

[proxim2020]

Down here there's so much competition with gas stations, that Chevron is either barely cheaper or barely more than the cheapest gas stations. Currently the prices of the 3 gas stations near my home are:

Raceway (cheap company) = $1.99Chevron = $2.00Shell = $2.03

Most Chevron's are only .01 or so more than the competition. So for us, the difference isn't much. Well assume that the V get 32 always and fuel injector cleaner is always $4. If we take 20,000 miles and divide that by 32MPG, we'll get a total of 625 gallons of gas. Multiply that by the price of gas and you get:

Cheap (1.99 x 625 +4) = 1247.75Chevron (2 x 625) = 1250

If we did 5 cents, it would look like this:Cheap (1.99 x 625 +4) = 1247.75Chevron (2.05 x 625) = 1281.25

I have no proof or any scientific legs to stand on, but I would think that a lifetime of cleaning would be better than sporadic use of a fuel injector cleaner.

[Ever Victorious]

Raceway (cheap company) = $1.99Chevron = $2.00Shell = $2.03

I hate you.

Here, in the North Seattle area:

Arco (Cheap) = $2.43Chevron = $2.59Shell = $2.59

Quote »Cheap (1.99 x 625 +4) = 1247.75Chevron (2 x 625) = 1250[/quote]Cheap (2.43 x 625 + 4) = 1522.75Chevron/Shell/76 (2.59 x 625) = 1618.75

Quote »I have no proof or any scientific legs to stand on, but I would think that a lifetime of cleaning would be better than sporadic use of a fuel injector cleaner. [/quote]You still need to use fuel cleaner with chevron or 76. Just not as often. Say 40-60k miles.

I also don't trust Shell specifically because they have in the past used additives that eat injector seals. I don't know if they still do, but I don't want to find out. Oddly enough, the only fuel I have ever PERSONALLY had a problem with was Texaco, which blew a set of injectors on my Legacy. Arco has never let me down, so Arco I shall use.

Edit: to make fuel matters more aggravating, the cost of Arco here was $2.29/gal just two weeks ago, and I still have to drive the damn gas-hog SUV.

[proxim2020]

Our prices are so low because we have tons of refineries here. All of the big oil companies have refineries here. I'm about 40 miles from them.

I'll never use Shell because what happened to my buddy last week. He broke down after filling up at a Shell. He had a feeling it was the gas that was the problem and went to check on his hunch. He asked if they were having problems with their gas and they said they had to get rid of their supplier since they were putting water in the tanks. He got his car started eventually, but it was definitely a pain in the butt. The bad part was this isn't a franchise station, it's corporate owned. I'm surprised they aren't using their own trucks and people to fill their tanks. They have more than one refinery here. I used to work for the tax division in the corporate office here and from looking at the amount of money being spent for the fleet division, they would be able to fill all Shell and even Exxon locations.

I hate you.

Here, in the North Seattle area:

Arco (Cheap) = $2.43Chevron = $2.59Shell = $2.59

Cheap (2.43 x 625 + 4) = 1522.75Chevron/Shell/76 (2.59 x 625) = 1618.75

You still need to use fuel cleaner with chevron or 76. Just not as often. Say 40-60k miles.

I also don't trust Shell specifically because they have in the past used additives that eat injector seals. I don't know if they still do, but I don't want to find out. Oddly enough, the only fuel I have ever PERSONALLY had a problem with was Texaco, which blew a set of injectors on my Legacy. Arco has never let me down, so Arco I shall use.

Edit: to make fuel matters more aggravating, the cost of Arco here was $2.29/gal just two weeks ago, and I still have to drive the damn gas-hog SUV.

[Ever Victorious]

There's a large Arco/BP refinery up in Bellingham, about 70 miles away from me (right along the Olympic pipeline, too...)

Oddly enough, Bellingham actually has the most costly gas in the state.

[Link3]

Well, I just completed a trip of a little over 250 miles in my Versa SL CVT (no A/C) with about 90% highway driving at 65 mph tops (using Cruise Control when I could). Filled up just after the trip so that I could get an accurate assessment of what mileage I could get for mainly Highway @ 65 mph. My mileage was 34.4 MPG.

[Wyld Bill]

That's not too bad I guess.I can vouch for the statement of some cars getting BETTER than they're EPA ratings. I was surprised when I first looked up our 2002 Sentra to see it is rated at 27/35. My wife is always figuring out her gas milage. She claims she gets 38 to even 40 MPG on the highway & around 32 to 34 in town. This is a 5 speed, maybe the ratings are with the auto or something. The only other thing I could think of is maybe the speedo is off or the tire size is wrong.I was in hopes that the Versa would be the same & my wife could squeeze out 40MPG on the highway. I guess not it sounds like we'd be lucky to get 34 MPG. ,...if we even get a Versa.

[Ever Victorious]

XterraVersa squeezes almost 40 out of his Versa.

[XterraVersa]

After 5600 miles, average of 37 mpg. Mostly rush hour traffic in Denver. I also try to fill up at the same station & pump next to my condo complex. I fill till it takes no more, past the initial click-off.

[chano129]

I think you guys should read the Latio and Tiida forums, then you will know much more about versa.One thing i know for sure is that it was choosen over the fit and yaris the civic and the corolla by the Hong Kong police dept because it is more fuel efficient than the others.18.2 km/l to 19km/l to be exact. HR1.5DE and 17something km/l MR1.8DE. Here are some pointers i want to share. The new engines are consist of 90% new parts, they are more durable and tougher but smooth,and these engines do need to break in before the good figures appear.some engines i read took even more than 5000 miles to break in while some 1000, because the driver battered the car and push it to the maxium speed.They also recommend that you use synthetic oil.Also use the highest ron or octane gas avialable. donot follows nissan dealers , yes it can use 87 nbut it gives bad milage.the higher the ron the more milage the versa. Taken from drivers who drove TIIDA AND lATIO.

[chano129]

THE VERSA WITH CVT IS A BIT TRICKY TO DRIVE,because the Nissan new engines can achive almost there full torque at 2400 RPM, it recommended by the Jap and Singaporeans to drive it with the Rpm within 2500-2600. Because the CVT is shiftless you donot know which virtual gear it is in,that is where some fuel goes, unlike the AT/transmission you will know because of the shift.The point is the CVT might be in a low gear instead of a high one during acceleration so keep it about there. please post and let us know if it works for you CVTs drivers.