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Nissan Altima Hybrid Real World MPG
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Comments
This seems backwards. Thoughts/ideas?
My conclusion is that fuel economy for this car is more related to using the electric motor to assist the gas engine during accleration. For straight cruising at freeway speeds the gas engine/transmission is set up to be most efficient when cruising at 60-65, the freeway speeds. The electric motor provides power for acceleration when you need it and to support the car's electric needs when the gas engine is off at stoplights.
When you think about it, straight EV mode doesn't have that much of an impact on overall mileage because it doesn't last more than a couple of miles by itself.
Those are my thoughts unsupported by reading any manuals or other techinal information on how the system is supposed to work
Tom
San Diego, California
2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
Radiant Silver - Black Leather
Technology Package
Purchased 5/26/2007
I do live in SF and we have a lot of hills I go down but on the return trips I have to go up the same hills(going and coming back from work or my wife's work)
I have been waiting for summer to improve my 2008 Altima Hybrid's mileage. I bought it brand new in January 2009 in MD where they seem to import them from New Jersey to sell onesey twosey in this non Altima Hybrid State. I traded in a 2008 Camry Hybrid fo get it. The Camry was giving me about 33 mpg city and 40-44 mpg highway. Unfortunately with the Altima Hybrid, I am only getting 27-29 mpg in the city (and this is with the optimistic computer) and low 30's on the highway (so the city mileage is what is the huge disappointment to me .....even in July). I have nearly 5000 miles on my Altima hybrid and drove 11K miles on the Camry Hybrid. I love the Altima but it does not touch my former Camry Hybrid in mileage. It might be the luck of the draw with the Altima Hybrid with some individual vehicles beating the average but also with others falling far short of the average.
Has anyone noticed any differences in mileage with different brands of gasoline? Thanks!
Wayne
The dealership told us not to expect to get good success with the first tank, given that the hybrid system batteries are not charged yet.
What do you guys think?
There are a lot of things going on while a car "breaks in" including you getting used to driving a different vehicle. This applies whether we're talking about a hybrid or not, so give things some time to settle out.
It's most likely the break-in period of the car (as pf flyer suggests) and the break-in period of the driver. Getting over 40mpg out of this car requires adjusting your driving style. I'm getting about 50mpg on the last few tanks, but started in the mid 30s.
Eph
http://cleanmpg.com
and
http://ecomodder.com
These sites have a lot of info on hypermiling...
General question, however, why did you decide to trade and (except for the fuel economy) do you have any regrets?
I'm always amazed by people who buy hybrids without understanding the technology, simply expect the car to magically return better mileage, and then say the car's "defective" after it doesn't do what they want it to do.
'07 NAH
The reason that I traded in my Camry Hybrid for the Altima Hybrid was mainly (as a 6 year owner of a 6 cyl Altima Hybrid 3.5SE) I wanted to get back to the Altima feel on the road. I also assumed that I would get the 35 mpg in the city (I do a lot of city driving) that the Altima Hybrid was hyped to get compared to 33 mpg city for the Camry Hybrid. Well I am very sorry that I gave up the Camry Hybrid in terms of gas mileage. I had no trouble getting 33 city with the Camry and can't even get more than 29 mpg with the NAH. I tend to try to drive it the same way as I did the TCH like coasting whenever possible and not roaring off to a start and using the cruise control in the same manner as with the Camry Hybrid. But what worked for me for 11 months (and 11K miles) in the Camry Hybrid does not work for me with the Altima Hybrid. I have had the NAH for 6 months and 5k miles. I do like the ride and the pep but could have gotten that with the 2.5S Altima for a lot less $$$ and nearly as good mileage!
Wayne
For better fuel efficiency, you're better off driving with constant throttle vs. constant speed, kinda like the truck drivers do. Faster downhill and slower uphill.
This is called "driving with load (DWL)", one of many "hypermiling" techniques.
Check out cleanmpg.com for more ideas, if you are interested.
Eph
44mpg in the summer.
Sorry to hear your NAH is not working out to your expectations. So far, it's working out well for me.
Wayne
Does the mileage get better on the hybrd. I only have about 250km on the car, but it's through almost 1/2 tank of gas and am wondering. It's been mostly city driving with about 50km of the 250 being on highway. Just a sidenote 1.6km = 1 mile.
I don't think that I'm that heavy of a driver...but the gas meter even moved the first day that I started driving the car.
Any suggestions?
- I know from reading the manual that anytime it says "EV" mode on the dash, that it's running as a hybrid (with the electric motor), but that is usually only up to 60 km/hr (40 mph). Does the car not run in hybrid mode past those speeds? How about if I'm driving down the highway on a long trip? Will EV mode come on at highway modes?
I'm wondering because if EV mode only comes at low speeds, then basically what I have is a 4 cyl 158 hp car for highway driving (where I had a 2.5 lire 175hp '06 Altima before) that had way more power for the highway.
Appreciate any feedback.
thanks
to also answer your question from the other forum (more people are here in edmunds), the camry is a little bit better on mileage (about 1-2 mpg better). I personally still like my NAH over a TCH though (styling + more comfy seats)
- I know from reading the manual that anytime it says "EV" mode on the dash, that it's running as a hybrid (with the electric motor), but that is usually only up to 60 km/hr (40 mph). Does the car not run in hybrid mode past those speeds? How about if I'm driving down the highway on a long trip? Will EV mode come on at highway modes?
I'm wondering because if EV mode only comes at low speeds, then basically what I have is a 4 cyl 158 hp car for highway driving (where I had a 2.5 lire 175hp '06 Altima before) that had way more power for the highway.'
Watch the power meter on the left. If it's above 0 then electiric motor is on. It works on the freeway to assist the gas engine. Below 0 means it's charging and that happens when you are coasting or stepping on the brakes.
I will agree about the "EV" mode because I have been watching that closely. I always keep checking my 'range' and am curious to see how far I'll go on my first tank of gas.
Can you tell me if the mileage will get better after my first tank or two of gas? Some people I've spoken to say that the car needs a "break-in" period. What have other NAH owners found? Is that true?
Appreciate any feedback.
The manual only says a couple of things about it. Is there anything a person can do to ensure that the car is broken in "properly" to ensure it's highest performance/fuel economy.
One other question I had was about the eCVT. How does it do in the hills/mountains. I live in a fairly flat area, but if I want to travel, I know that I'll be taking it through some good sized hills and possibly even in the mountains. Has anyone done any major travelling with their NAH and how has it performed for them?
Appreciate any feedback.
thanks.
Is it worth the couple extra $$ to put premium gas into the tank? Will a person get better mileage for those few extra $$. Has anyone tried it and what have their results been?
Also the EV mode seems to go off anytime I touch the gas pedal. Even most of the time just rolling out of my driveway not touching the gas but using the brake the car jumps out of the EV mode. If I just barely touch the gas pedal and it jumps out of the EV mode and goes back in when I let the car coast not touching any pedal. Is this normal or should it stay in the EV mode until at least 30 MPH.
I did notice the power meter showing use while driving on my trip described below so it was always in use but rarely by itself at low speeds of even 0 to 20.
I just went to Florida and back from NJ. A total of 2500 miles in 4 days and the mileage was not what I expected. Here are the tank fill ups ratings 28.7, 32.6, 31.3, 28.6 and the last one of 36.0. Speeds range was 55, 65, 70 and those 45 MPH areas for construction and bridges. Without going over the speed limits but staying at the max speed allowed, with air cond. on is this what I should expect? The car computer never went below 32.4 on any of the fill ups and was only close on the last one which it had as 36.9.
When I took my 2003 Honda Accord on the same trip in August it was 28 to 30 MPG range some faster speeds here and there and not a hybrid, so I was expecting at least the 33 MPG since my speed was lower and having a hybrid. Was this just unreasonable thinking?
On the last fill up the computer also said the car could only go 32 more miles (yes I was taking a chance but wanted to get as much of the gas out as possible) yet the fill up only took 15.81 gallons. If this a 20 gallon tank the computer should have indicated more miles since it was giving me a 36.9 rating per gallon. I just want to know if these numbers are close to what others are getting or if my car is just off by more then the usual amount?
I guess the answer would be it sounds like normal driving especially since the engine is still a little tight. Our computer is about 3 mpg off.
EV mode only works when the engine temp is above about 161F. When you are stopped, the engine temp needs to be about 130F. Once you are at or above these temps, you still need to baby it to stay in EV mode. You also need to stay at or below about 40mph. Your success will be based on battery SOC (state of charge), ambient temp, and your acceleration conditions. It requires you to have a very light foot.
I am a true hypermiler, averaging about 44mpg in the summer. But, last winter my fuel efficiency dropped to about 35mpg. I do mostly backroad (40mph) driving and have a perfect commute for hypermiling. Very little highway driving. In the winter, I use a full radiator block and an engine block heater.
Yes, the fuel warning light comes on way too early. I wish there was a way to change it, but so far, nothing.
If you really want to increase your fuel efficiency, I suggest you check out ecomodder.com and/or cleanmpg.com.
Eph
I did notice the power meter showing use while driving on my trip described below so it was always in use but rarely by itself at low speeds of even 0 to 20.
- Your comment about the EV mode was happening to me a bit when I first got my car and started driving it. I'm now learning how to work it and have seen my mileage improve, even after I fill the gas tank. I'm always checking the "range" button and notice that if I do a fair amount of city driving after I fill the tank, that the range actually actually "increases", because it has more gas to use later on!
Don't be to heavy on the gast pedal and EV mode will come on. Also note that if your antifreeze is cold, the gas engine will come on until it warms up (this info is in the manual).
It's starting to work for me and I'm enjoying my ride!
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.
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!
Wayne
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
Bests,
Wayne
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.
Funny, the gas engine almost always turns itself going downhill. Is that what you mean by putting it in neutral to save gas? I guess ours does it automatically for us.
Too bad you got a lemon. Why not sell it and feel better about yourself?
To respond to silverado1, Im disappointed you've had issues but in the 18 months we've driven this car we've had zero issues at all. In fact Ive been surprised how reliable its been relative to our toyota and honda. Additonally I get about 34-35 pretty consistently going to/from work. We love it and frankly we looked at a prius and camry hybrid when we bought and I personally didnt want a prius(camry looked to much like my parents car) because everyone had one, we wanted a sedan not hatchback and i didnt want to look like a granola eater. (Plus the altima is much zippier than all the other hybrid models we tested.)
When we bought the car we did a lot research and I clearly understood that this car was only sold in 9 states and it would be a risk if we moved out of state-which i did not believe would happen to us. Well 8 months later i took a job in MN and now we have the car here. I realize that we could have delays in getting it fixed if something goes wrong but i knew that going into the deal.
Overall sorry for you're experience but we really enjoy the car and its great to have a set of wheels that no one else around here!
And to meanboy2005's comment, just sell the car and maybe you'll feel better.
As an additional comment, we just bought a Tahoe hybrid so my wife+kids have a safer 4X4 for winter driving in MN.. We like it too. 20-21 mpg for driving essentially a big tank!
And I agree with your statement about highway mileage. I would add that the NAH will likely outpower the 2.5 quite easily on the highway and use the same amount of gas. The NAH is quieter than the 2.5 on the highway because the electric motor assists it on the highway.
Actual mileage records (300 - 450 miles per fill-up):
About 50% urban/surburban and 50% highway, trip computer ave. speed 25-35 mph
12/15/09 Car computer: 29.1 MPG // Actual: 26.8 MPG // Conditions: 15 - 40 degrees F and some snow
12/23/09 Car computer: 27.9 MPG // Actual: 25.7 MPG // Conditions: 5 - 35F and some snow
1/10/10 Car computer: 29.4 MPG // Actual: 26.8 MPG // Conditions: 10 - 45F and some snow
1/21/10 Car computer: 31.7 MPG // Actual: 30.0 MPG // Conditions: 10 - 40F and mostly dry, more highway miles
1/31/10 Car computer: 29.4 MPG // Actual: 27.4 MPG // Conditions: 5 - 30F and mostly dry.
Hybrid system works fine -- up to 40 mph *if* the car is warmed up. I'll post more records as the weather warms up. My guess is that the Altima 2.5 would be a bit worse than this because of the winter penalty, but not a whole lot worse.
Read my post #134 for some more details on how to improve your mpg.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f178c7b/133#MSG133
My worst tanks in Rochester, NY (where we are at 12degs today) are in the 32-34mpg range, but I get up in the 44-47mpg range in the summer.
Granted, I'm a major hypermiler. But, it can be done.