I just purchased a 2002 Nissan Xterra, 4x4, supercharged. I love it so far EXCEPT for the mileage. Can anyone help with suggestions for improving the 12.64 mpg highway!!!!!?????

That is really tough to take when I drive 80-100 miles each day and the price of fuel is near $2.00/gallon.

What about a K&N filter, etc.

I'll handle this one..

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Very, very common topic around here. Feel free to use the search tool at the top of the page.

Welcome.

The Xterra is a awesome SUV, but that is why I sold mine. 13 mpg just plain sucks. Only advice is drive very slow.

OK, there are lots of posts, I'm new and didn't really know how to do the search thing so I will attempt to learn that.

I read the links you sent and the replies I've received so far. However, I do not see any suggestions for improving the mileage other than driving s.l.o.w.e.r....

Where do I 'search' to find suggested ways of improving mileage such as the filter I asked about or other ideas?

Thanks for your patience with me.

The absolute best I can do is 20mpg. Installed an AirRaid intake and a borla Stainless CatBack system.
Getting 20 requires no faster than 60mph. 04 4X4 5spd.

Car pooling helps too.

Only go downhill...that can help alot.

Drafting big trucks helps.

In bumper to bumper traffic, hook a strap to the car in front of you...they typically don't notice until their exit...

AAA will come and give you 2 gallons of gas for free if you are a member and call them and say you ran out of gas ...its a 30 - 90 minute wait...but those two gallon boosts add up.

Change jobs or move closer.

Don't commute, keep a cot and toiletries at work. (Saves big $ on rent/mortgage payments)

Tow the X behind your bicycle. (Also Saves Big $ on Gym memberships...)

Be creative.

Go Further!



PS - Most of the gadgets you want to add will give you a MPG or two in total...check out the Performance Forum archives for pointers.

Good Luck!

Great ideas TJ! Maybe Nissan should hire you as a consultant and then you could "rate" the X before they put that mpg sticker in the windows .

Looks like I just need to drive downhill to work both ways and be sure I have a good tailwind. The last of which certainly could be possible in ND.

Thanks for the reply.
Pam

No...not another Mileage topic....Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Premium gas is only $2/gallon there? I am paying closer to $2.60 in Reno.

:rolleyes: S U V

Sorry, I was being a little sarcastic for the other members at your expense. There seems to be about 2 or 3 new gas mileage threads a week around here.

Not really a whole lot you can do. It's a two ton SUV with an engine not really designed to carry that kind of load (changing in '05). Then towing, mods, etc., and it's a MPG disaster.

You can try throwing in a K&N rechargable filter (it'll save you money in the long run anyways, if not gas), maybe a full exhaust, but it's not cost effective.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news there, but if you wanted fuel economy the Xterra or any vehicle of that size is not really your best bet.

One thing that I don't understand for myself here is how many people say they get 12 mpg or there was a case one complained to have around 10. How do you manage to go that low? In my opinion you really have to step on it all the time to get that. I did take into account that it's supercharged but none the less...
If I keep it under 2500 when shifting I'm getting around 19mpg in the city. If I keep it under 60 on the highway I'll be in low 20s - something like 21 maybe.
Lately I've been giving it a bit more gas and driving somewhat more agressively and I'm still getting 16 or so.
Here's my advice: get yourself an exhaust, 2.25 piping, drop in a K&N and it will not be so hard to keep it under 2500. You won't feel like a rocket, of course...
Total cost of both mentioned about is around $200. Not a whole lot, relatively speaking.

My gas mileage went up by 14% with one simple modification.

I compensated for the actual miles travelled by my 33's, instead of the 29's that the truck's odometer/speedometer thought were on there.

Viola! Instant improvement!

Better gas mileage AND better resale value!

I just noticed something about you TJ. Well, about your posts, rather. At the heading of every post you have the "cool smiley" icon, the one with the sun glasses. What's that all about

I just pick the ones that look like me.