Hello Xterra experts. I'm a new Xterra owner and like all of you I am seriously impressed with my beast so far! However, the thing I'm not impressed with is GAS MILEAGE!! OK, I know these things are heavy tanks that can rock crawl and are not built to sip fuel but I have some questions you guys might be able to answer.... but first things first.

What I got: 2001 V6 3.3L Manual 5 Speed (163K miles!!)
What I'm asking: What do YOU guys suggest I do to start getting the best gas mileage possible? As in what tune up features I should look into? Do I make sure I go synthetic in the engine and transfer cases etc? Do I start w/ plugs, air filter and fuel filter? Do I look into getting a "superchip" for this vehicle - btw will a chip even work or is MADE for this year and vehicle and did anyone do that?

As you all can tell I'm clueless. I was thinking of starting with the cheap obvious stuff like: 1.) Change the fluids 2.) change the plugs and wires 3.) change the fuel filter 4.) change air filter and the like before I started looking at weird or exotic mods or expensive gadgets.

So Xterra owners... what say all of you? Where does a noob like me start??

Thank you in advance - Spoonman

Your best bet is to do 1 through 3. Expect 14-17 as advertised and 15 combined. If you want you can spend money on a Scan Gauge 2 and use it to adjust your driving habits but all in all they do not get great gas mileage.

An air cleaner, such as K&N, will not improve gas economy by much.

A cold air kit will help SLIGHTLY... but expect a decrease initially. You're gonna' play with it lots to hear that new "growlly" sound.
Looser (larger) exhaust will help SLIGHTLY also, but as with the above...
If you want good fuel mileage from your X, the easiest thing to do in buy another car.

These things are "Billy Goats the can't get past the hay bale".

Jeff!

LOL

Thanks "Def".... I appreciate the heads upand will definitely do items 1 through 3. I take it that getting a computer chip would be a waste of time based on what you're telling me then! Bummer. I foung the "can't get the billy goat past the hay bail" comment hilarious by one of the other posters! Yeah, like I said, I was under no illusions that this is an "economy" vehicle - that isn't why I bought it - I bought it to get in and out of pretty nasty terrain and I think it will do exactly that - but like I said I want to try to squeeze as much out of it as possible. Getting an exhaust system sounds expensive - BUT if the one on there just so happens to be shot OR rusting to pieces (it isn't but if it gets there...) I will definitely have them open up the exit diameter of the pipes in general to allow better exhaust. What DID immediately help (believe it or not!) was the removal and storage of the front luggage rack wind fairing that give the Xterra its "trademark" look. I know - that was probably sacreligious - but it helped and I am going to do the other things suggested as well. Removing the fairing definitely reduces the aerodynamic drag profile of the vehicle when doing speeds above 45 mph and you can almost 'feel' the vehicle fights forward acceleration and wind less and it also seems to take longer to slow down. Every little bit helps! So if anyone is interested - just remove the fairing and store in the back!

Now on to install Bosch Platinum plugs and get new wires. BTW - how the HELL do you get to that cylinder plug farthest back near the firewall under the intake manifold??? WTH!!!

Thanks for all your help so far guys!!! I'll let you know how the 'fight' goes!

Spoonman

NEW OWNER OF 02 X I want headers , catback , and mufflers and I want the best!!! I have been searching hopelessly with no solid results. Please help cuz I have an annoying exhaust leak at the manifold so If that's coming off I am doing ALL, PLEASE SOMEONE HELP !!??

Try:

www.4x4parts.com