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gas saver

8K views 17 replies 16 participants last post by  michaelnel 
#1 ·
SO I've noticed this big beautiful beast I have sitting out in my parking lot isn't the most aerodynamic nor is it the most gas friendly. I was curious if anybody had any suggestions on helping out with the old mpg. I'd like to stay away from the after market intakes or ehaust systems seeing as how I only have 900 miles on it. I know little things help though. I've only ever dealt with gas sipping rice burners before this other than my jeep.
 
#3 ·
first you only have 900 miles on it

you need to let the engine break in, around 6000 miles or so you will start to get better mileage, it took mine about 10000km to start getting good mileage.

once you reach that mileage then you can look at putting in a drop in K&N filter and doing the airbox mod, besides that drive reasonable and you should get good mileage, but remember this is an X not a civic so dont expect high numbers, 18-20 on average

i get 14.6l / 100 km in the city which is what the sticker claimed
 
#4 ·
Yeah its pretty documented on theNewX that its takes the 4.0 a few thousand miles to break in before the MPGs increases.

Best thing you could do though is add a K&N filter. Will help it breath a little better.

I have done well by adding a ultragauge too.. I watch the instant MPGs and use the gas pedal appropriately. Its a game to me no :) To see how much more fuel I can save vs last week
 
#5 ·
You surely need to let it break in before even trying to gauge economy. after that.

Synthetic oil
Tire pressure
driving habits, driving habits, driving habits.

Remember driving around town to be easy on the gas pedal and watch your highway speed. My 11' gets noticeably worse economy above 55-60 mph. I have always had the habit of putting the trans in neutral at lights too. I can manage 18.5 to 19 mpg mixed driving mostly around town. My X has almost 15K on it now and it has improved since new.
 
#6 ·
There are two ways to save gas in an X:

1. Park it and don't drive it
2. Get rid of it

Your mileage will be slightly better after break-in period, but not a lot. I average right around 17 and I do mainly highway driving. I have stock intake and stock exhaust. If you can keep your foot out of it, an air intake and exhaust may get you better mileage. I would recommend a Volant over a K&N though, as the Volant is a dry filter where as a K&N is oiled. If done improperly, the K&N can cause issues. Also, I would recommend the ScanGauge over the UltraGauge. It is well documented that the Ultragauge causes some weird issues to pop up in 2nd Gens. Good luck!
 
#9 ·
Best thing you could do though is add a K&N filter. Will help it breath a little better.
I forget where I found it now, but I saw a *small* study done by a university (in partnership with the EPA) studying MPG and how routine maintenance items impact it.

They actually found that a older, dirtier air filter, while causing a decrease in HP, actually caused an increase in MPG vs a new clean or after market air filter.

I recall one of the cars was a GM V6 (like a LeSabre motor or something) and one IIRC was a Toyota but I can't recall if it was the V8 or a 4 banger.

There was only 2 or 3 cars, so it was a really really small sample size and there wasn't say two of each car, just the one so who knows how it would have turned out if you expanded the study, but it was interesting none the less
 
#11 ·
i average 15-16.5 ish in my 00 x with 155,000 miles on it i can get over 20 on highway if i can relax and deal with everyone flying by me cause im doing 55-60mph usually i cruise at 65 but i only get about 17-18 hwy doing that but i had many speeding tickets with the little cars i had but the x has put an end to that meandering up to speed and feeling comfortable at 55 instead of 70 has helped with road rage too i have a drop in k and n and do all my maintenance that is the biggest helper on the mpg side doing the up keep and using quality fluids and lubricants. i also noticed a bit better mpg after removing the black plastic wind deflector that said nissan from the roof rack (do to it making a ton of wind noise on freeway)
 
#12 ·
I got about 8mpg with my X. I have a small lift and tires/rims but cant figure out the reason. Ive tried the air intake mod and other small tips from the fellow members. Ill most likely get the engined checked out when I get home. Its not worth having it anymore and I haven't driven it in 2 years since Ive been stationed overseas. Definitely buying a small gas saver when I get back.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I am actually quite pleased with my xterra's MPG. It is an 2000 model with a manual transmission, completely stock except with 31" all terrain tires and k&n air filter. Using a scanguage and some light hypermiling techniques, I have been able to average 22 mpg to and from work consistently. My commute is hilly and a mix of city / hwy traffic. On a level road going 50-55mph, I have been able to squeeze out 25 mpg. The best I could do in my old F-150 was about 16mpg. I have found that my biggest enemy is speed. This thing winds up to almost 3k rpms at 75mph. Not to mention the poor aerodynamic drag, which increases exponentially with speed.

I think the main advantage is the manual transmission. It provides alot more control of your revs and throttle position. It's really too bad they don't make manuals anymore... if they did I may have to buy a new one. Are you listening, nissan?
 
#16 ·
With my Scanguage fully calibrated, and with a very light foot, I got 25mpg on the way home from work today! 3 miles city, 6 miles interstate, 3 miles hilly backroads. I am very happy with this!
thats a pretty small sample size.
 
#17 ·
I've said this before but I think it's worth repeating:

Installing fancy top brand oils, plugs, intake kits, and other whiz bang gagetry will not significantly effect your mileage. It may not hurt your X, but depending on how crazy you get, it will hurt your wallet.

Economy and performance are typically opposite ends of the spectrum. Your X was already designed by engineers trying to maximize efficiency while still maintaining enough real world performance to make the X useful as a small SUV. Installing an aftermarket intake system or filter will have no appreciable effect at anything below full throttle, and the on board computer will adjust everything accordingly to maintain the proper fuel air ratio. More air in = more fuel in. Intake restrictions are really only an issue when it comes to maximizing horsepower, not economy.

There is only one thing in the intake system that you can change that will have any noticeable effect, and that is the position of the throttle plate. Control your foot, and your mileage will be better. It's easy and free. I can easily get low to mid 20 mpg on the highway by keeping it around 60 - 65 mph.
 
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