2016 Versa SV sedan MPG (42 MPG first tank, with CVT)

[2016 Versa]

I just figured the mileage on the first tank of gas I ran through this car. I'd driven 408.8 miles and it took 9.654 gallons to fill the tank giving me 42.345 MPG. The on board computer was quite optimistic saying I was getting 46.8 mpg more than 10% above actual mileage. Most of the driving on this tank was 45-55 mph on rural 2 lane roads, 4 lane, and maybe 30 miles in a small town with a few traffic lights.

I bought this car a couple weeks ago, it had been involved in a rear end collision with just over 10K miles on it and received a rebuilt title. The rebuilt title saved me lots of money on this one getting it for only $5300. with 10546 miles on the odometer.

I know Nissan has had problems with their CVT's and would be interested in hearing everyone's experience with them and how often they change the fluid and what brand fluid they've used for refills. I've been thinking about adding an extra air cooled transmission cooler to go along with factory engine coolant type cooler but am concerned about whether it would be too much cooling in the winter. We sometimes see temperatures as low as 0* to -10*F. What' everyone's idea's on this. Would you add the air cooler or not?

[MetroMPG]

Which body style did you get - Note (hatchback) or sedan?

Originally Posted by 2016 Versa

42.345 MPG.

Nice going! EPA rating is 34 MPG combined.

The on board computer was quite optimistic saying I was getting 46.8 mpg

That must have been a bit of a letdown - getting your hopes up on your first tank before figuring out how far off the factory gauge is.

Most of the driving on this tank was 45-55 mph on rural 2 lane roads, 4 lane, and maybe 30 miles in a small town with a few traffic lights.

Sounds very similar to my typical driving environment. Very MPG-friendly.

I know Nissan has had problems with their CVT's and would be interested in hearing everyone's experience with them and how often they change the fluid and what brand fluid they've used for refills. I've been thinking about adding an extra air cooled transmission cooler

A few problems have started cropping up with the JATCO CVT7 transmission that your Versa uses, in high-miles cars. It's the same transmission Mitsubishi uses in the Mirage, and even in that low-stress (74/78 hp) application, some failures have happened.

One mechanic who maintains a fleet of CVT7-equipped delivery vehicles thinks the problem is related to wear on a particular thrust washer that contaminates the trans fluid with metal particles/debris. So it would make sense to change fluid regularly. What does Nissan recommend?

I had a chance to spend a week driving a Mirage sedan with that transmission, and I was pretty impressed with how aggressively it tries to save fuel. (50 MPG overall fuel consumption after 2 fills covering 1277 km = 793 miles)

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

[JSH]

I would give it a few tanks to see what the error for the trip meter works out to be. Fuel pumps aren't very consistent. The error rates for my vehicles are:

1.4% - 2005 Prius
3.6% - 2009 Prius
4.8% - 2011 BMW R1200RT
6.5% - 2014 VW Sportwagen TDI

The VW is only an average of 4 tanks and so far they vary from 5.5% to 8.0%.

I would not add an additional transmission cooler. If you are concerned about the CVT I would change the fluid more frequently than the 60K miles recommended by Nissan.

[2016 Versa]

@Metro MPG I wasn't too surprised by the computer being off. Knowing the size tank and where the hand was showing I was pretty sure I wasn't getting as good of mileage as it said. I wasn't able to find a set in stone mileage recommendation for changing the fluid. Some on the Nissan forums say every 60K miles, some say every 30K. I think I'm going to do about every 30K and hopefully that will keep it happy for years to come. The Nissan fluid is about $20-25 a quart but is still much cheaper than a new transmission. I'm also hoping to find out if anyone uses any of the aftermarket brands and if they've had any problems with it's use. I know Valvoline makes a fluid that's supposed to be compatible and is less than $10. a quart at Walmart. If I could find someone that's using that fluid and having good luck with it I'd use it and change it about every 15-20K. I've still got about 19K miles before it will be due at 30K so I've got a little time to do some research since I have other cars and this one will probably only be getting around 10K miles per year.

@JSH If I decide to put another cooler on it I think I'll probably put one on that's thermostatic controlled and doesn't allow the fluid to circulate through the cooler until it reaches about 180* so it doesn't keep the fluid extremely cold during the winter months.

Yesterday I drove it to church then to my mom's house for lunch then back home approximately 50 miles and it was clear that during the first few miles of warmup the computer was giving a lower MPG reading and the engine RPM's were up. It was also raining so the wet roads also played a factor. As of right now the computer is saying I'm getting 43.5 MPG but the high temperature was only in the mid to upper 30's here yesterday with wet roads.

[MetroMPG]

Good suggestion on the computer.

I have had a chance to put a few tanks of gas through a couple of Canadian market Nissan Micras, which are built in the same factory, on the same chassis, and use the same 1.6L hr16de engine as US market Versas.

I saw a discrepancy of 4.5% (optimistic) when I checked the accuracy of the factory MPG gauge.

I'm driving a 2015 Nissan Micra for a week... observations & fuel economy results
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...uel-29461.html

Review: driving a $9998 2015 Nissan Micra (Nissan's most efficient manual in Can/US.)
https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...ost-32097.html

[2016 Versa]

@Metro MPG I forgot to address your question about which version I have. It's the sedan.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by 2016 Versa

I wasn't able to find a set in stone mileage recommendation for changing the fluid. Some on the Nissan forums say every 60K miles, some say every 30K.

No need to search forums. Nissan has the service schedule online.

"For these vehicles with a CVT transmission, cube, Murano (except HEV), Altima, Altima Coupe, Juke, Maxima, Rogue, (except HEV), NV200, Sentra, Pathfinder (except HEV), Quest and Versa, replace the CVT fluid every 60,000 miles or request the dealer to inspect the fluid deterioration data using a CONSULT. If the deterioration data is more than 210000, replace the CVT fluid.

https://owners.nissanusa.com/content...ance-guide.pdf

[2016 Versa]

I had checked the owners manual and it didn't give a number. With all the Nissan CVT's I've read about online with failures at below 60K I think I'll stick with 30K mile intervals. If I can figure out the procedure no dealer will get their hands on it, I'll do it myself. I'm pretty sure I could count on my fingers how many times my cars have gone to a mechanic in the past 25 years and some of those times have been for oil changes when the weather was just too cold and rainy to lay on the ground and do it myself.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by 2016 Versa

I had checked the owners manual and it didn't give a number. With all the Nissan CVT's I've read about online with failures at below 60K I think I'll stick with 30K mile intervals. If I can figure out the procedure no dealer will get their hands on it, I'll do it myself. I'm pretty sure I could count on my fingers how many times my cars have gone to a mechanic in the past 25 years and some of those times have been for oil changes when the weather was just too cold and rainy to lay on the ground and do it myself.

I'm the same way. The first time I tool one of my cars to an oil change place they didn't put enough oil in and the engine seized.

My 2003 VW TDI went to a mechanic twice for timing belt changes. I had a co-worker do the new springs and struts while I was on a 3 week business trip.
My Astro went to a local mechanic to have the A/C fixed.

That is it besides recalls.

I may have the VW dealership do the DSG service on the 2014 TDI when I take it in for some warranty work. I must be getting lazy in my old age.

[2016 Versa]

Originally Posted by JSH

I must be getting lazy in my old age.

That must come with getting older. When I was younger and working 40-70 hours a week if something needed to be done I'd do it as soon as possible, now I'm disabled and I put things off as long as possible. Lots of times I don't feel like doing whatever it is that needs doing because of chronic back pain but sometimes I'm just lazy and put it off. I've got 4 cars that need work as soon as the weather permits. One needs a tie rod end replaced but it's not to the point of not being safe so it can wait till spring, two need the timing belts replaced because of age, and the other is leaking brake fluid and isn't being driven at the time, I suspect it's probably got a a leaking wheel cylinder. I used to do a timing belt/water pump on an Escort in about 4 hours. With the back pain and having to stop and rest I think the last one I did took about 8 hours spread out over a few days. I can only stand to be bent over under the hood a few minutes at a time before my back is killing me.