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Nissan Altima Hybrid Real World MPG

149 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 7:06 AM

You are in the Nissan Altima Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima Hybrid, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan


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#136 of 149
EV Mode by cephraim
Sep 30, 2009 (4:31 am)
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Also, if your AC is on, the EV Mode hardly ever works...
#137 of 149
Re: EV Mode , & MPG by trekbowl300
Oct 03, 2009 (10:30 am)
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Replying to: cephraim (Sep 30, 2009 4:31 am)

Thanks for the information. I see my car is about average, looking at the many experiences others have had so now I feel better. I am hoping for the MPG to get better as I put a few more miles on it and learn the technique of driving this type of car.
 
I had only expected the electric mode to last longer in the low speeds, I will check to see if it does work better after the car is warmed up. I did not know it had to warm up like the regular gas engine before working at it's best.
#138 of 149
Re: EV Mode , & MPG [trekbowl300] - I'm happy with my mileage by scratchboat
Oct 03, 2009 (3:46 pm)
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Replying to: trekbowl300 (Oct 03, 2009 10:30 am)

I just picked-up a new 2009 Altima Hybrid in early September, too. I've had much better luck with my mileage - I've averaged over 37 MPG on my first two tanks. The computer is a little optimistic, but it's only about 1 MPG higher than I calculate by dividing miles driven by gas pumped. Essentially the computer reported 38.1 & 38.8 MPG where I calculated 37.3 & 37.8 MPG respectively on my first two tanks.
 
An acquaintance who drives Toyota Prius told me that I'll probably record my "best" mileage with a hybrid in New England in early Fall & late Spring. Other times of year the use of the heater or A/C, requisite engine warm-up & snow covered roads conspire to reduce mileage somewhat.
 
My last car, a Honda Accord V6, recorded 22 - 25 MPG on the same routes, so I'm quite pleased with my 50% improvement in mileage!
#139 of 149
Re: EV Mode , & MPG [trekbowl300] - I'm happy with my mileage [scratchboat] by wayne8888
Oct 04, 2009 (2:59 pm)
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Replying to: scratchboat (Oct 03, 2009 3:46 pm)

Great to hear about your great gas mileage! I am still trying to figure out if my 2008 Altima Hybrid is a dud or it is just me. My best tank (in mainly city driving) is 30.1 mpg with countless tanks of 28 or 29 mpg (all computer estimates). I bought the car new in January 2009 and it now has 7,600 miles on it. It seems to get about 40mpg highway. I have been experimenting on when to use cruise control and when not to. What do you folks think? I can imagine not using it going up or downhill. I tend to use it on level ground and try to turn if off if I see a red light ahead? Some might use it only on highways. Anyway what do you high gas mileage achievers do? My strategy seemed more successful on my 2008 Camry Hybrid than on my 2008 Altima Hybrid. Thanks!
Wayne
#140 of 149
Cruise Control by cephraim
Oct 04, 2009 (3:47 pm)
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Replying to: wayne8888 (Oct 04, 2009 2:59 pm)

Believe it or not, cruise control is exactly what you DON'T want to do on the highway to optimize fuel efficiency. Rather than maintaining constant speed, you should try to maintain constant throttle pressure. In this way, you will slow down going uphill and speed up going downhill, not unlike what truck drivers do.
 
It's not easy to do, as it requires a very light foot. It can also be dangerous if your speed becomes dramatically higher or lower than the posted limit.
 
This method of highway driving, called "driving with load (DWL)", is one of many hypermiling techniques.
 
For more info, peruse the FAQ pages at:
 
http://cleanmpg.com
and
http://ecomodder.com
 
I also highly recommend increasing the tire pressure to sidewall pressure (42psi). You'll see quite a boost just from doing that, with no apparent loss of traction or increased tire wear.
 
Eph
#141 of 149
Re: EV Mode , & MPG [trekbowl300] - I'm happy with my mileage [scratchboat] [wayne8888] by meanboy2005
Oct 04, 2009 (5:24 pm)
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Replying to: wayne8888 (Oct 04, 2009 2:59 pm)

I wouldn't be too disappointed. I believe the EPA guide stated it's 35/30 and if you average close to 30 you are close to the EPA guide, and the EPA is always optimistic. Our NAH gets better gas mileage on the highway than the city because San Francisco absolutely sucks for driving. I am luck if my average speed in SF is the mid 20's range and I get about 30 here.
#142 of 149
Re: Cruise Control [cephraim] by wayne8888
Oct 07, 2009 (8:27 pm)
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Replying to: cephraim (Oct 04, 2009 3:47 pm)

Oh ok that is interesting. I think that I have been inadvertently doing that (the feather light touch to keep the real time mpg in the high range when going up a slight incline). Sometimes I end up slowing down to like 20 mph LOL. Thanks for the links and the advice! I will try to hone my gas pedal skills!
Bests,
Wayne
#143 of 149
Hertz Rental by ursamajor1
Oct 11, 2009 (7:20 pm)
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I reserved a full size car at Hertz at LAX on Tuesday morning. They tried to "upgrade" me to a Hummer. I had a lot of driving planned, so I politely declined, and managed to get an Altima Hybrid instead. I did a quick fill to accurately measure mileage. Between last Tuesday and this afternoon when I filled up before turning it in, I put on 508 miles. I filled it with 14.23 gallons, for mileage of 35.7 mpg. This included a lot of city driving (including in West LA and West Hollywood congestion) and freeway trips to Orange County and across LA County. I'm pretty impressed - it may not be Prius level mileage, but the NAH was a perfectly pleasant, full size car with plenty of power that doesn't scream "look at me, I'm green!". I wouldn't mind owning one - except that I can't. I live in Utah, and Nissan doesn't see fit to offer it to us. I suppose I could get a Camry Hybrid, but I just can't see myself driving a Camry. Ah well, some day.
 
As an aside, Hertz essentially ran the car with no oil. The oil light came on while I was driving. I checked the level (per the manual, 10 minutes after shutdown) and there was nothing on the dipstick. I added a quart (again per the manual), and the light went out, but the "Service Engine Soon" light was on the whole time I had the car. I notified the woman who checked me in, hopefully they service it. It's too nice a car to be abused.
#144 of 149
09 altima hybrid is an overpriced lame imitation of a prius by silverado1
Nov 24, 2009 (1:57 am)
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i just bought an 09 nissan altima hybrid. the dealer was stuck with this vehicle for over 90 days. he bought it from a dealer in NJ. i live in PA. this vehicle was stripped. the only 2 options were floormats & the "aluminum kick panels". the dealer kept throwing money at me until i couldn't resist buying it. now, i wish i didn't. i am basically an options/gadgets freak. there are none on this vehicle. the options would have been its only saving grace. the biggest joke is the mileage claim which is actually true, but c'mon, 35 city & 33 hghy! I talked to a dealer recently who said he doesnt bother carrying them because their claim to fame is the city mpg. his dealership is located in the mountains. he said the car would probably get worse overall gas mileage than the standard gas version. he pointed out the fact that there is only 1 mpg difference (33) between the hybrid and the gas engine (32). it might be fun when you are really bored one day to try to eke out a few extra mpg's from your hybrid, but if you have to diligently concentrate on critical driving habits just to hit normal hybrid numbers, that is definitely not worth my time or effort or the money for this grossly overpriced vehicle. they claim the hybrid technology is based on the toyota prius. i appears to be, the only problem, is it doesn't produce. i admit the engine combo runs great. it is very fast and smooth, no complaints. but , as far as gas mileage is concerned, it stinks. like i said before, the only reason i bought it is because the dealer discounted it by 1500, nissan usa rebated 3500, the dealer bought out the last 3 mos. of my lease, and i am told i am entitled to a 2350 tax rebate. sooooo. when you add all those perks up, it makes the car worth it. however, my advice, stay away from it. , buy a toyota prius if you are interested in REAL GAS SAVINGS and you don't have to put it in neutral going downhill to achieve it, either!!!!!!
#145 of 149
09 altima hybrid is an overpriced lame imitation of a prius by silverado1
Nov 24, 2009 (2:27 am)
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oh, BTW, just a followup. the second day my wife was driving the altima hybrid, the check tire pressure light came on. she stopped in at the dealer, who fixed that problem, but then told her that the "service engine soon" light was on. she said it wasn't on before you took it into the garage. anyway, she asked him to put the computer on the machine, check it, and if nothing is wrong, reset it. he said he couldn't do it because he isn't "authorized" to fix it. he said there are only 2 techs authorized to fix the altima hybrid and neither was available. he said she would have to bring it back the following morning at 7:30 a.m. she asked me to take it there. i got there at 11:30. they told me , sorry, too late, we only have 1 tech authorized to work on your hybrid and he is doing a big job. "bring it back at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning and we will fix it (notice a pattern here). i told him, i don't want to bring it back at that time, he said sorry. so , i asked for the # of a dealership about 15 miles away. they didn't know the #, but they offered me the phone book. i called that dealership, they told me to bring it right down and they would fix it. i did and they did. this whole scenario piqued my curiosity, especially the part about the "authorized techs". i went on the nissanusa website and there is a big ole "disclaimer" about the hybrids. turns out, that nissanusa only authorizes sale of this vehicle in 9 states, mostly northeast, and pennsylvania isn't one of them. furthermore, if you should happen to need service in one of the 41 states that are not authorized, you may experience "days" delay while you wait for parts/and/or service. I , of course, was not not told about this at the dealership where i purchased the car, in pennsylvania, and i am flipping mad. obviously, i would never have bought the car had i known about this little detail. i email nissanusa several times about these issues. nissanusa totally ignored my questions. they acknowledged my email and stated that they were sorry about my experience with the dealership (remember my dealership not having the techs available to reset the computer). however, on the very very important questions like , why is nissan usa allowing ANY DEALERSHIP TO SELL ITS HYBRIDS WHEN IT CLEARLY STATES ON ITS WEBSITE THAT ONLY 9 STATES ARE SANCTIONED TO SELL THEM? they absolutely, totally, categorically ignored my repeated emails. i mentioned the word lawyer and i finally got some talking head to call me . i ask him repeatedly, phrasing the questions in as many ways as possible about the 9 state regulation. all he would say is, "are you currently experiencing any service issues with your vehicle?" i said no. he said, "then, i can't answer your question." so, then i said, "so, you are refusing to clarify the obviously blatant discrepancy on your website". he said, "you are putting words in my mouth". i finally gave up. i talked to the dealership today and the salesman said he had no idea that the website sanctioned sales in only 9 states and he couldn't possibly explain why he is allowed to sell them, acknowledging that his dealership has been selling them since they were introduced, however, he did point out that all the hybrids that they received for sale were "traded" from dealerships in states like new jersey, which is one of the sanctioned states. so, this is another fraud being perpetrated by nissan on the unsuspecting public. my advice to you is if you are thinking of buying a hybrid, until nissan improves their gas mileage, until nissan approves sales of the vehicle in all 50 states, until nissan guarantees that you will not experience delays in getting parts or service in all 50 states, DO NOT BUY A NISSAN HYBRID. do yourself a big favor, buy a prius. if you can't afford a new one, buy a used one. they are extremely reliable and average 49 mpg. when nissan gets serious about getting in the game and playing hardball, then maybe buy a nissan hybrid. until then, buy a 2.5 gas engine, load the car up with options, and take adantage of the 1750 rebate and the end of year markdowns. you will be very happy you did.

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