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From what I've read, they do no use radical engine technology.
The Aptera hybrid gets it's fuel advantage primarily from it's hyper streamlined body design.
www.aptera.com
The new Volkswagon coming out in 2010 also has a bullet-shape and a regular gas engine with a slightly more efficient fuel injector. It gets its 230 MPG from the shape of the body too.
Less air to push around.
So are there any kits out there to modify the Altima? I think tossing out the back seat and a lot of junk in the trunk and a streamlined hood can get that kind of mileage on an Altima.
And you really believe this? Do you really think anyone can improve the efficiency factor of an internal combustion engine by a factor of 8-10?
PT Barnum was right...
No wonder Al Gore is making millions on his giant scam.
Get ready to be restricted by stupidity and 'carbon credits' as the brainwashed masses allow our country to be governed by international bodies.
Control carbon output, you control their economy. Control an economy, you control their country. Very simple - yet the lies and scams continue.......and here we are - paying $4 per gallon for fuel.
I bought the Altima to replace the Sentra (235,000 miles and still going strong when I gave it to my son tof use as a commuter car). I have not routinely checked non-highway milage but on the highway I can usually get low to mid-30's; on a recent trip from north GA to Frederick, MD I averaged 35 mpg (based on 1,051 miles) in mostly highway drivingl and yes I checked it the proper way, i.e. # miles divided by # of gallons. As one posting observed, air pressure can make a significant difference, the tires on my 07 Altima are rated as 44 psi maximum, yet Nissan recommends 32 psi if I'm not mistaken. In my opinion that is far too low and is designed mostly to give a softer smoother ride. I usually run tire pressure at about 90% of maximum on all my vehicles. Not only does it improve gas milage but the tires seem to wear longer (but you do have to rotate regularly). On my old Sentra (which came with much better Michelein tires), the original tires lasted well over 100,000 miles before needing replacing, again I kept them inflated to 90% of max.
I think one reason for lower gas milage on the Altima is the CVT transmission. I have noted when going down some hills -- usually at nonhighway speeds -- the transmission will go to a lower setting (downshift), and the engine speed will increase from around 1,200 rpm to almost 3,000 rpms. This does not happen with a normal AT with gears and certainly is not fuel efficient. But most car manufacturers are going the CVT transmission route these days. I'm sure they are cheaper than 5 and 6 speed AT's still found on many cars but I'm not convinced they are more fuel efficient. I would be interested in learning if anyone else has observed this when driving their Altima.
No, they really aren't (not to sound snippy ). Nissan is very unique in this regard.
The only place you'll see a large number of CVTs is in Hybrid vehicles (Civic Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, etc) because a CVT is in fact more fuel-efficient than a geared transmission, since they can find the perfect RPM for what the driver wants, while a geared transmission is always trying to put you where your right foot tells the car you want to be. I do believe the Dodge Caliber offers a CVT, but it is an anomaly.
Otherwise, Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, Mazda are all using 4, 5, and 6-speed automatics, depending on model.
Isn't that about 10% better than the EPA estimate? I thought the 2.5 Altima was rated at 32 HWY. Also, remember the EPA recently revised its method for determining mileage estimates, too.
Also, I think you will see more and more CVT's in the future...less moving parts from a manufacturing point of view, and the infinitely variable number of gear ratios will give the best mileage overall. The big question to be answered is long-term reliability.
I can't say why you aren't doing better MPG wise, but for the average driver, if they drive a CVT in a conservative manner (staying at or under 2000 rpm), they will get better mileage.
So, if you are getting 35 MPG, you are within your expected parameters, aren't you?
Altima
Rated 31 MPG, you get 35 MPG-12.9% over.
Sentra
Rated 38 MPG, you get 42 MPG-10.5%...44 MPG-15.7%
Mercury
Rated 25 MPG, you get 28 MPG-12%...29 MPG-16%
Or, am I missing something here?
Last fill-up was 33.3mpg, the one prior was 32.9mpg (calculated by miles driven divided by gallons used, NOT trip computer which is proving about 1 mpg optimistic). These numbers are eroded due to my wife's driving habits--she drives this car a couple times a week on her 17-mile commute and the computer always reads a couple mpg's lower after those trips. Probably at 34-35mpg just on MY commute.
Prior to using those gas-saving tips, car was getting 29-30 mpg.
Recently tried a science experiment and drove my entire commute no faster than 55mph. Trip computer loved it--37.3mpg. Car also seems to love warm weather (which we have gotten precious little of in Wisconsin this spring)--mpg's seem noticeably higher at temps above 70 degrees.
High RPM's don't necessarily mean more fuel used. PRM's are just how fast your engine is turning. in the case of the cvt braking, your RPM's aren't shooting up because the engine is getting more gas, its actually getting much less. The PRM's are going up because the cvt has switched to a higher gear, and the wheels are now turning the transmission. This provides resistance on the wheels, and slows the car.
its the same was as if you take a MT and put it in 5th while going 30mph. the rpm's will nose dive below 1000, but you'll have to stand on the gas to get it to move thereby using much more fuel than if it were at 2500 rpm in 3rd gear.
Only in the US. both toyota and honda use them quite extensively outside the US. where nissan is unique is in designing one that will work well with a larger, more powerful engine.
A couple of observations. The MPG computer showed 28.6 which was off by over 2 miles. Another thing was my low gas warning came on and showed I had about 60 miles left to drive. When I filled it up it took 16.6 gallons. Assuming I have the 20 gallon tank as advertised when it gives the warning you still have about 4 gallons left.
Over the holiday weekend, I did a LOT of in town driving and noticed a significant decrease in fuel efficiency. I also notice a significant decrease if I don't drive efficiently (slow take offs, coasting to a stop, etc).
My biggest problem with the efficient driving is that I'm coming off driving a Jeep all the time, and this baby takes off with the slightest touch of the gas, as compared to really having to force the Jeep to move. If I'm not careful, I've hit 80 before I know it
Also, my trip computer seems to be just about right on with what I'm calculating ~shrug~.
We are taking it on it's first long road trip in a few weeks (about 500 miles), so I'm looking forward to checking the mileage on a long, all highway trip.
I love the car, though, and while it may not be as good as some 4 cylinder cars around, I love the power behind it, and it's WAY better than my Jeep. :P
I love the car, though, and while it may not be as good as some 4 cylinder cars around, I love the power behind it, and it's WAY better than my Jeep
I'm pretty sure it has the highest rated MPG of all midsize non hybrid cars. If you wanted a more fuel efficient I4, you'd have to go with a smaller car.
If I could buy 100% gasoline that was also the cheaper 87 octane stuff, I would. Can't get away from the ethanol in the lower octanes at least locally.
For the immediate future the purchase of 100% gasoline will be pretty scarce or until the government subsidy for corn crops is dropped. Not only do the oil companies have our politicians wrapped up but outfits like Cargil, Peavey and ADM have a pretty tight, controlling hold on the purse strings of congress.
Enjoy the car and smile when the guy in the F-350 pulls into the next stall and drops $150.00 on diesel.
Sorry!
I was satisfied but not particularly thrilled. Then I said the hell with it and started driving the way I've always had with a medium heavy foot to accelerate and then letting off when I hit my speed. The results were 522.2 miles with only 12 miles highway and my mpg went up to 28.3. Now I'm very happy!
If you watch your mpg gauge you'll see that after you let off or maintain your throttle the mpgs go up to the 60 mpg mark. The only time you really burn gas is to accelerate and the sooner you hit your speed the better.
BTW, 522 miles on a tank is great and I still had 1-1/2 gallons left though the computer said I was empty. By my calculations I could have gone about 570 miles on the tank for virtually all city/suburban driving.
A year ago I was averaging 32 mpg ( my car is rated at 29 hwy)
I started reading about hypermilers, and did a few thing differently, inflated my tires to max sidewall rating (44 PSI), coasting more often especially when red light were approaching, etc. My mileage went to 35. I was pretty happy.
I kept reading. I finally decided to drive a little slower, I was driving 75-80 mph in my commute. I lowered that to 55-65. My mileage for my last 2 tanks are 42.1, and 43.0 MPG.
Its possible to get great mileage out of these cars if you change your driving behaviour a little.
These past six months my mileage has improved slightly, after a front wheel alignment and breaking in the motor.
On the open highway in Texas I drive 400 miles between towns often. I donot fillup till I arrive at my destination. At first I got 33 mpg more or less depending if I use the AC. Now I get an avg of 38 per the car's trip computer if I donot use the AC. This driving 65-75 with very little traffic or towns in between. I am very happy w/mileage, but I do not track use intown as of yet.
I have also noticed that sometimes i need to reset the mpg meter to get something near reality e.g after a highway trip reading of say 29mpg by the time you enter a city you expect it to go down but sometimes it either stays there or takes time to come down and Nissan says it updates every 30 secs.
When I am in such situations, I reset it and it comes down to b/w 21-23.
Has anyone observed similar things?
Chuma, Nigeria.
The 2007/08 reved at about 2400rpm at 70mph (110 km/h), had enough horsepower to get up these grades without downshifting and got around 32mpg for the trip. The 2009 reved at just over 2000rpm at 70mph and got 35mpg and produced noticeably less engine noise and still did not downshift on the grades. I assumed if they increased their OD or final drive gear ratio on the 2007/08 it could improve mileage without harming highway performance, and sure enough it did.
They also improved the speedometer light colour and contrast so that it can be more easily read with either sunglasses or sun glare, which was certainly needed. Especially for the inside set of numbers (mph on Canadian vehicles).
mpg on the highway . I am only getting 21 to26. The dealerships keep say there getting no codes. The engine
sound good but the mpg keep droping.I heard adding
pure acetone will increase mpg , but I am not sure what it
will due to the engine or sensors.
2009 Altima Sedan 2.5S
MPG - 32.6
MPH - 37.4
What are your numbers?
Jim
Avg MPG - 29.6
Avg MPH - 29.5
About 40% of that is hwy, 60% city. My work is just 5 miles from my home. I commute between home and work 4 times each weekday. I think, such frequent short commutes kill my mpg.
I accelerate slowly and coast whenever I can. I use 87 octane gas.
Unless you are driving 55 to 60 with your windows shut and your air off you
will not get the mpg on the highway.I did get the 31 mpg at first but as soon as the
senscers worn in I was lucky to get 26 .I think it is easier to find a Needle in a hay stack then to to get good mpg to of an altima.
I have some doubts with those people who claim that they can get better MPG than the EPA. :confuse:
2010, 2.5S, had 600 miles on it when I rented it. After completely filling it up, I spent a few hours yesterday driving it around - 221 miles total. Approx 80 miles of that was highway, the rest was a mix of city/suburban.
When I filled it up this morning, the trip computer said 31.2 MPG, which worked out to be about 10% optimistic, as I put in 7.9 gallons, which equals 27.97 MPG. I filled it up "to the brim" both times, but this morning's fill was on a slight incline away from the filler neck, so I probably put more gas because of that fact.
Today's 100 miles worth of driving was a combination of backroads and some stop-n-go boulevard type stuff. The trip computer read 32.8 when we reached our destination, but after the boulevard stuff, some "let's see what she'll do!", and the trip home, it reads 31.8. If the optimistic nature of the trip computer is consistent, then its still getting approx 28 mpg.
Granted, these are short trips, but I thought I would share my experience anyway. Oh, I really like the car...may buy one!
I also reset the computer just as I started my highway commute to work today. Drove about 32 miles at about 65mph, and the computer read 36.4 MPG at the end of my journey here in NC.
YMMV :P
Mileage - 39000
Gas - Regular gas.
By reading the above posts i feel that there is some problem in my car engine. Please help me/give me some tips on increasing my mileage.
However, I don't drive like a grandma. I just go w/ the fastest traffic.
It mights help by replacing the air filter if you haven't done that for the last 5 years..
I must make mention of the fact that before the purchase the "check engine" light was on but I was told this had been addressed and the car did pass emissions. The day after purchase, 6 weeks ago, the light was back on and has stayed on. Could an emissions issue be causing this problem?
I am not lead footed and the tires are properly inflated - what could the problem be?
Thanks in advance for any advice...
Regards,
Adrian
I am reading some of the mileage results that people have on this forum and I am stunned at how well their vehicles perform. Would I be better off using the sport transmission on the CVT or just the regular CVT? I had hoped to get at least 25 MPG out of this new car.
very sensitive sensors and they effect the mpg. I started the lemon law process to
find out that the epa / gov. is in on the scam .They told me that if I was not going 55mph with my window up and my air off I had no chance in getting what it's was rated at.
Go to this site and watch the video on driving . It will help you curve your driving and
you will get better mpg. Mine does great in the city . but below the rating on the highway. Some of the problem is the hills and mountains . But most of it is the corrupt
manufactures and to many government payoffs