I just picked up my '03 Xterra, 2wd, AT. I made a trip from San Antonio to Dallas (~270 miles) and averaged 18.5 mpg. This was all highway miles, with no extra weight, averaging 75-80 mph, with the A/C on about 66% of the time. Now I'm not bitching about the mpg at all, just wondering if it's about right, because my 11 second V8 gets about 20 mpg on the freeway

Yup, that sounds about right. you could try driving alittle slower 65-70 this might give you a slight increase.It does for me anyway 65-70 the rpms are sitting 3000 or a little under,If I hit 80 there at about 3500rpm and I can watch the gas guage drop

^ha- i noticed that too.. if I cruise at 75 (2700) i get better gas mileage than at 80 (3100rpms).. but i hate getting stuck in the slow lane behind sunday drivers, so i just deal with the bad mileage

The thing your V8 is pushing might be less cinder block- like in aerodynamic terms, or not weigh 5,000 lb.



Losing 1.5 mpg from the V8 might not be too bad....and 18-19 mpg overall at 80 mph isn't bad either.

I get more like 20-22 mpg on the highway...but I'm running 33x12.5's, so its like I'm in super overdrive.

Yeah, I know the Xterra has the aerodynamics of a refrigerator and weighs ~800lbs more than my Z28, so I wasn't too surprised I guess. Just making sure it was normal

I'm calling BS on you.

Refrigerators are made way more aerodynamic now.

You think that's slick, you should see my kitchen range! If I drop the door just right it works with the handle to provide "zero-lift" ground effects...keeps it glued to the pavement and nets me an extra 5 mpg!!!!


Seriously, that's decent mileage for an unmolested Xterra. I just got a 10mpg tank after pulling my boat 80 miles to the lake and back this past weekend, and it needs PREMIUM to keep from pinging! AHHHHHH!!!!

I drive on I35 around Austin and Central Texas. I get about 19 all around. I keep it no more than 70.

Geez, TJ... I know this is like beating a dead horse but my driving is about 65% highway 35% on road and I have 32 inch BFG ATs and I can NEVER get over 16 mpg. I drive NO MORE than 70 mph and I like to shift (automatic) at no higher than 2500-3000 RPM.