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72 MPH is 2250-2300 RPM. almost exactly what the VX was at the same speed.
55 MPH is 1850 or so.
Nissan has really worked on this CVT operational tactic.
The lock up torque converter works like a clutch, locking up at low speeds, while unlocking to allow coasting with very little engine drag. It takes some getting used to the coasting factor, but with the ranges of transmission ratios acceleration is great when you need it.
The cruise control also benefits from the transmission technology, climbing most grades around here, the RPM does not change. In most cases you can accelerate briskly without engine RPM exceeding 2000 RPM.
Even when the engine is cold the RPM through my neighborhood is barely above idle speed at 25 MPH. Warm up time is exceptionally short with operational temp obtained within 1 mile of a cold start in 50 degree weather.
The first Nissan CVT vehicle we owned was an 04 Murano and when you let off the gas the engine drag was significant. Not so in this Altima. In the wife's 06 Murano, I have seen 35 MPG at 60 MPH speeds in heavy traffic here.
The best mileage I saw on the Altima so far was a short stretch of 55 MPH road that has only one traffic light in 7 miles. The road runs parallel to the Interstate so traffic is very light. I set the cruise at 46 MPH and got just over 50 MPG on that 7 mile stretch.
Stop and go traffic really hits the mileage average, so I have changed my route to avoid the 3.5 mile stretch with 12 traffic lights. Instead I just hop on the Interstate and avoid them altogether.
I just checked the mileage on the last leg of our trip yesterday, 60 miles at close to a 70MPH average, was 36.4 MPG. The VX on the same leg at the same speed would have done about 47 MPG.
regards
Mech
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