vq35 maxima 400KM a Tank :S

[CurtisR]

I just got a 2003 Maxima Titanium Se about 2 week ago. The car Drinks gas, like I'm talking 400KM to a tank!
what can I go to get some more MPG?
I put in a new Air filter but it was still the same. 90% of my mileage is Hwy and its a serious killer, $58 (ultra 94) a fill up and I work in sauga, so its like 100KM a day.

Anyway I have an extra Injen CAI laying around my house from my 350z. i was wondering if I can fit this on my maxima....

[Will]

Yeah, it's a thirsty bugger for the fine stuff, but if you are driving during rush hour in traffic congestion, and then revving it high to have fun whenever you can (I would not blame you given the smooth powerful engine), 400 km is not unusual.

Also, make sure the air pressure in the tires are good too, and while the spark plugs are good for 160K, it's better to change them out at 100K just for better spark and igniting.

[Ghost]

Note sure if you have any of the previous history of maintenance performed before your purchase as well you haven't stated the current mileage, auto or manual ... putting that aside sound like things internally are pretty dirty - tired - and old ... I would start up your own maintenance record to start improving the performance.
1. change all fluids - oil - tranny - coolant - these alone will result in an improvement to mileage
2. pick up a can of seafoam from your local Napa dealer and put up to 1/2 of the can into your next full tank fill up, to start cleaning up the injectors
3. check your tire pressure make sure it is correct at all tires, check tires for irregular wear perhaps the car is fighting with you all the time as the alignment may be off.
4. change the spark plugs they may be well past their prime
These should help you out tremendously on improving your mileage

[joeltender]

If u have 120+km do the plugs, and most likely 04 valve cover. Get an intake, or do the Ghetto air box mod found on the orgy.
If you can meet up with knight yyz, or find a shop to advance your timing to 17*. Run some seafoam or lucas in the tank.
Most of all try to use the cruise control as much as possible, assuming u have no codes, or malf. cats u should be getting bare minimum 500k+ per tank. Unless u really enjoy your vq35

[CurtisR]

WOW!
that was fast. 20 minutes and i got a reply. You people must really know your stuff. The first tank of gas I got 250 KM, then I checked the tire pressure and It was 5PSI so I filled it to 30. The Tires are Bridgestone Potenza's 245/45/17 brand new if it matters. After that I changed the filter, Changed the Oil & filter, then I filled ultra 94 and added an Octane booster and now I get 400 to a tank. kind of crazy. I used to get 620 KM to a tank with my 1999 323I 5-speed. But I will change the Tranny, coolant, and try the seafoam and i'll keep you posted on how it goes

Thanks alot guys.

do you know anywhere I can get a decent intake for my car?

[hossmaxima]

And no the 350z CAI will not fit on your maxima

[skidz88]

WOW!
that was fast. 20 minutes and i got a reply. You people must really know your stuff. The first tank of gas I got 250 KM, then I checked the tire pressure and It was 5PSI so I filled it to 30. The Tires are Bridgestone Potenza's 245/45/17 brand new if it matters. After that I changed the filter, Changed the Oil & filter, then I filled ultra 94 and added an Octane booster and now I get 400 to a tank. kind of crazy. I used to get 620 KM to a tank with my 1999 323I 5-speed. But I will change the Tranny, coolant, and try the seafoam and i'll keep you posted on how it goes

Thanks alot guys.

do you know anywhere I can get a decent intake for my car?

I would stay away from those stupid octane boosters if I were you. Set your tires to at least 32psi, change out your spark plugs, if your air filter is really bad then change that too. If your car is AT and you're a leadfoot, 400km isn't really anything to be alarmed about.

If you want a good intake shoot knight_yyz a PM, he's the go-to guy for intakes and many of us are happy with them.

[Ghost]

WOW!
that was fast. 20 minutes and i got a reply. You people must really know your stuff. The first tank of gas I got 250 KM, then I checked the tire pressure and It was 5PSI so I filled it to 30. The Tires are Bridgestone Potenza's 245/45/17 brand new if it matters. After that I changed the filter, Changed the Oil & filter, then I filled ultra 94 and added an Octane booster and now I get 400 to a tank. kind of crazy. I used to get 620 KM to a tank with my 1999 323I 5-speed. But I will change the Tranny, coolant, and try the seafoam and i'll keep you posted on how it goes

Thanks alot guys.

do you know anywhere I can get a decent intake for my car?

From your reply I see two things right of the top that are most likely costing you 75-100 km per tank, like skidz said 32 psi will return a nice chuck of your mileage and your probably loosing another 5-8% because of your oversized tire width ( 245 sure look nice and purdy but there is a cost for that)

[CurtisR]

This car is amazing! the only thing bring me down about it is the mileage. the tank is almost empty so I'll take everyone's advice and keep you posted on how everything goes, thanks again everyone

[knight_yyz]

I have a short ram intake I can sell you. And I can advance your timing to add some mileage. And I think it is possible your timing has been retarded for some reason or another. I'm thinking it's possible your knock sensor. Previous owner may have not used the proper octane rating. Any pics of the car? It isn't white with a dashed silver stripe on the doors is it?

I can reset your ECU to factory stock, which may help it relearn your driving habits.

I'm sure a lot of guys will chime in here on how they like the intake I make. It's a copy of a well known brand on the market for about 60 bucks cheaper.

[Ghost]

Some testimonials: On knights short ram intake

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1281

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77

One of the very first mods I did.

[CurtisR]

I have a short ram intake I can sell you. And I can advance your timing to add some mileage. And I think it is possible your timing has been retarded for some reason or another. I'm thinking it's possible your knock sensor. Previous owner may have not used the proper octane rating. Any pics of the car? It isn't white with a dashed silver stripe on the doors is it?

I can reset your ECU to factory stock, which may help it relearn your driving habits.

I'm sure a lot of guys will chime in here on how they like the intake I make. It's a copy of a well known brand on the market for about 60 bucks cheaper.

No the car is a silver colour, no stripes on the door or anything like that. Had the car since beginning of September but just sold my bimmer and got this on the road about 2 weeks ago. here are the pictures at the emissions place.



I'll take the intake tho. when can we meet up? I would also like you to do the timing.

I also need a right fog light, glass got cracked last week.

[wise-1]

What are your driving habits like? What do you shift at? Avg speed on highway? How heavy are you on the gas, even if you're in high gear? Stop and go (aka rush hour/city driving)


I can pick and choose what mileage I get to a tank with my car. I can either get 250-300 with a heavy foot, or I can get 350-400 with an easy foot, sometimes booking it. 450km to a tank is the most I've gotten out of my car, and that is just by changing driving habits.

[knight_yyz]

best place to buy a foglight is up in the air. An auto wrecker will charge you up to 250 a pair. Not sure how much they go for in Canada (I'm afraid to ask because they are stupid expensive) but i had a conversation with Dave B in Texas who is the Nissan parts guru, and I'm sure he said a pair was 170 US. Some auto wreckers will charge less (cash under the table if you know a guy). But these freakin fog lights literally cost an arm and a leg. I think there are at least 4 of us on here who want one side or the other to have a full working set.


LOL about the white maxima, one of the guys on here traded in a white maxima a few weeks ago for a Mustang. Just making sure it wasn't you who got it.

[tothemax]

400km is really low. As everyone said, previous owner probably neglected a few tune ups hence the mileage. Even city driving you whould be close to 600, possibly into 700's if highway. Go for Knight's intake, his stuff is great quality. Injen are designed horrible for the Maxima.