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Nissan XTerra Real World MPG

45 messages,  Last post on Mar 13, 2013 at 8:15 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Xterra, SUV

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#37 of 45 xterra mpg tip for everyone.. by xtierra

Jan 25, 2009 (6:49 pm)

even though my 2005 xterra auto 2X4 just rolled 100,000 miles, i was shocked when out of no where my mpg was around 11 mpg city.... i began by cleaning injectors,new spark plugs, cleaned throtle body, new tranny fluid, new rear diff fluid....and moved up to 13 mpg..... with no service engine light on, i was very confused and began to think my engine had some serious problems- even checked oxigen sensors.......maybe a ring on the cylinder was going .... no oil leaks and always changed oil every 3,000 miles...... i was very pissed off..... no one could tell me what the problem was..... then out of no where, i did a 0 to 60 mph test to see how the engine would perform.... 9+seconds..!!!! so there was a problem somewhere... finally was recomended to a mechanic that checked for any leaks aorund air intake, and all around intake area.. everything was normal.. after he plugged in the computer and took some time going through the menu... he showed me that my engine was performing at 86%..... wow.... that was the reason for the 9 seconds 0 to 60...
he re-set computer and told me about the re-learing procedure.... then after telling him everything i had done to the truck before the horrible mpg.... it all came back to me cleaning my battery posts and the ECU getting re-set... once i started the truck i drove as usual and the air/fuel mixture was set wrong.. causing my horrible MPG... so if any of you xterra owners have disconected your battery for any reason and your MPG is abnormal... that is the reason....

#38 of 45 Re: xterra mpg tip for everyone.. [xtierra] by dat2

Jan 25, 2009 (7:48 pm)

Replying to: xtierra (Jan 25, 2009 6:49 pm)
So how do you reset your air/fuel mixture??

#39 of 45 how to re-set air/fuel mixture by xtierra

Feb 19, 2009 (7:57 pm)

disconect your battery for 30 minutes.... then re-conect...... turn engine on.... the ECU is officially under re-learning air/fuel mixture mode..... allow engine to warm up... then plan your route to open highway.. keep RMP'S below 2,000 once on highway get up to 60 mph with low rpm's and stay at 60 mph for 15 to 20 minutes.... normally you should drive 50 miles for accurate ecu re-learning....
 
if you have any doubts about your mpg and if your engine is consuming more gas than usual, you will not get a service engine light coming on... everything will look and sound normal... the best way to find out is the 0 to 60 mph.... if you have a problem, you will get 9.9 seconds..... as i did...
 
when i got 9,9 seconds i though my engine had some serious issues...... i was wrong... just a simply re-setting ECU and driving with low rpm's while computer adjusted the air/fuel mixture.

#40 of 45 Re: mpg 1/4 tank gave me 25 miles!!!!!! there is a problem [xtierra] by rliss

Oct 24, 2009 (10:57 am)

Replying to: xtierra (Oct 05, 2008 7:52 pm)
fuel gauge dropping quick like that and staying on empty is the sending unit/fuel pump sold as one assembly piece for $425 -just replaced it on my '05 the flapper that floats on top of the fuel in the gas tank is conected to a circuit board and that is the problem on that assembly the board fried.
Now service engine soon light came back on again. The nissan dealer plug it in and its the fuel vapor canister valve $138 piece.
I do the labor myself these are nissan prices always have nissan plug it in to read out the problem my charges $110
my 2005 4.0l automatic xterra gets mixed driving in the midwest at 18.5MPG and now has 89K miles
just installed EBC Green stuff brake pads w/ slotted rotors and s.s. brake lines
runs nice, Yeah I did 89,000 miles and there was still meat on the original pads
so my MPG comes from steady driving

#41 of 45 Re: mpg 2008 OR AT [gobo] by tmblweed

Nov 20, 2009 (4:06 pm)

Replying to: gobo (Nov 10, 2008 11:01 pm)
I just bought my 2007 2WD Xterra on Nov 11 09, I put 200 miles on her this past week, all around town..I have a light foot and after filling up today I saw I was getting 20.1 MPG...I am very happy with that . This is my 2nd Xterra and I am very glad to be back!

#42 of 45 How To Improve Your Nissan Xterra's Gas Mileage by birdman8

Jan 20, 2010 (8:38 am)

The biggest bang for the buck is to reduce wind drag.
 
A couple of months ago I decided to test out some of the tangible techniques suggested in a gearhead TV show on improving your gas mileage. I targeted 3 low cost / low risk area: Air Filter, Synthetic Motor Oil, and Roof Rack. I drive a 2007 Nissan Xterra SE (2WD with option of 4WD, V6, 4.0L, 265HP). When the vehicle was brand new, I would get 18-19 mpg city and 24-25 mpg highway 55-60 MPH with outdoor temperatures in the 60-80 F degree range. Slightly better gas mileage in the warmer weather than colder winter conditions.
 
My vehicle was purchase new (I am original owner). The recommended oil is 5W-30. I drive my Xterra in the Mid-Atlantic region. Mostly in VA, MD, WV. Oil change and scheduled maintenance performed by dealer. Castrol 5W-30 used.
 
BEFORE MODs: Before any modifications, my 2007 Nissan Xterra did 18-19 mpg city & 24-25 mpg highway 55-60 MPH
 
Air Filter: My initial step was to see if the K&N High-Flow air filter would increase my gas mileage (K&N part number for Xterra # 33-2286). Unfortunately my gas mileage did not improve for either city or highway driving. I do need to note that at the time I change my generic Nissan air filter to the K&N high-flow air filter, I kept my Yakima 60" round crossbars and RailGrab mounts on my factory roof rack. By my calculations the Yakima roof rack reduced my gas mileage by about 2 mpg city and 2 mpg highway driving. Since, I was familiar with my gas mileage before, I did want to remove my Yakima rack concurrent with the K&N air filter. So, in short, I did see a any improvement in my mileage with the K&N air filter. I was hoping dramatic improvement in gas mileage per the K&N website "marketing" literature.
 
CHANGING OVER TO SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL: The second step was to test out a high quality fully synthetic oil and oil filter vs. the regular Castrol oil. After researching the grade and brands, I decided to test out Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-30 fully synthetic oil. The oil is designed to 15,000 between oil changes. Mobil 1 now has a number of different synthetic oils. The big difference seems to be the interval change. The products come in a 3,500, 5,000, 7,500, and 15,000 miles between oil changes. I went ahead with the Mobil 1 Extended Performance because I found it on sale for about the same price as the regular Mobil 1. I don't think the different products will make much difference. I also installed a Mobil 1 oil filter specifically designed for synthetic oils (part # M1-110). I did not realize how small the 2007 Nissan Xterra oil filter is. Looks like a lawn mower tractor oil filter. Very small. Once again I did not remove my Yakima roof rack when I changed over to the Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I did see any significant change in my mileage. In fact after driving 1,000 miles (mostly highway), my mileage was no better than 17.9 - 18 mpg city and 22 - 22.5 highway at 60-70 MPH. Temperatures ranged in 30 - 50 degrees. So again, I was expecting a big jump, but not much improvement in my gas mileage.
 
REMOVING YAKIMA ROOF RACK: After seeing no significant improvement in my gas mileage after installing a K&N high-flow air filter and changing over to synthetic oil, I decided to remove my Yakima roof rack. I could not imagine the Yakima crossbars without any kayak or ski attachments would cause so much drage. But, what the heck. So, this morning I drove the car around without the roof rack, and to my astonishment the mileage improved about 2 mpg city and 2-3 mpg highway driving at 55 MPH. So with the two modifications and removal of my Yakima roof rack, my 2007 Nissan Xterra is getting 19.8 mpg city and 25-26 mpg highway.
 
In summary, I conclude the synthetic oil and high-flow air filter improved my gas mileage about 1 to 1.5 miles for both city and highway. I think Nissan incorporated the factory rook rack (and bars) into the cargo box to reduce wind drag. In other words the roof seems pretty streamlined to optimize gas mileage. I did realize how much drag the Yakima crossbars added. I guess when my kayaking season is over, I will remove my other roof accessories from now on. The biggest band for the buck is to reduce your wind drag. In my experience when the cars clean and waxed it gets better gas mileage.

#43 of 45 Re: How To Improve Your Nissan Xterra's Gas Mileage [birdman8] by steve_ HOST

Jan 20, 2010 (10:53 am)

Replying to: birdman8 (Jan 20, 2010 8:38 am)
Nice work. I never put much stock in K&N's air filter claims. I don't want to mess with oiling them or worry about them letting too much junk pass through the filter media either.
 
I don't boat much anymore so my Yak Racks live in the garage most of the time.
 
When our Quest only had ~4,000 miles we did a long road trip and put ~30,000 miles on it, hauling a canoe on top the whole way (78" bars).
 
When we got back home, the mpg went down for the next 4,000 miles.
 
It only went down a tenth, but for best mpg, don't drive in town.

#44 of 45 Re: Real Xterra Gas Mileage Just FYI [akmvolvobetter] by mr_robinson

Oct 25, 2011 (9:04 pm)

Replying to: akmvolvobetter (Jun 05, 2006 9:26 am)
I've had my Xterra for a few months now. 2007 S model, automatic, no mods, and the roof rack is on. I run 87 octane. My driving is mixed. I seem to average 19-20 at 60 mph. My work drive is on single lane highway with a few stops and occasional passing. I did a couple hour road trip on interstate and got 20.7 at 70 mph. My worst was 17.5, which was mostly in town.

#45 of 45 Re: how to re-set air/fuel mixture [xtierra] by chefjeff

Mar 13, 2013 (8:15 am)

Replying to: xtierra (Feb 19, 2009 7:57 pm)
Can you or anyone reply with a suggestion on filling up before this test?
ie. should i fill completely up or begin with half a tank?
midgrade or premium or bottom dollar fuel is advised?
I have a 2005 xterra and just recently replaced the cat converter. the vehicle is in great condition with no lights or issues other than its sure thirsty!
thanks for the consideration.

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