How to fix horrible mpg on 2009 nissan sentra?

[09Sentra]

I get about 17 mpg in the city with my 09 sentra.
Its a 2.0 ,automatic.Any way to fix that?Thanks.

[freebeard]

ecomodder.com/wiki/Main_Page#Tips_and_Modifications

[09Sentra]

The problem i think is ,that according to the door label, this car weighs 3974 pounds-which is nuts.When i go to the epa site it says it should be around 24 city.

[CigaR007]

Is the general maintenance up to date ? 17mpg is really low for city driving. What is the average mpg on the highway ? Is it closer to the EPA numbers ?

[Isaac Zachary]

I get terrible fuel mileage in my Avalon hybrid in the city. It depends on a lot of factors, but mine are really short trips. The engine tries to warm up the cat by retarding the timing, which is terrible for fuel efficiency. One thing I want to do is get a better block heater. I'm not sure if that would help the OP, but a pre-warmed engine, which will warm the cat more quickly, will most likely help.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by 09Sentra

The problem i think is ,that according to the door label, this car weighs 3974 pounds-which is nuts.When i go to the epa site it says it should be around 24 city.

This is probably the weight with maximum payload, not the weight as it sits.


Minimize sitting in traffic, idling. Minimize cold starts. Minimize use of brakes, and stop-and-go. Maximize moving along at a slow and steady speed.

[09Sentra]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

I get terrible fuel mileage in my Avalon hybrid in the city. It depends on a lot of factors, but mine are really short trips. The engine tries to warm up the cat by retarding the timing, which is terrible for fuel efficiency. One thing I want to do is get a better block heater. I'm not sure if that would help the OP, but a pre-warmed engine, which will warm the cat more quickly, will most likely help.

Arent you supposed to get better mpg in the city with hybrids?I was gonna buy a prius.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by 09Sentra

Arent you supposed to get better mpg in the city with hybrids?I was gonna buy a prius.

For the average driver on the average daily trip, yes. For me, no. Because:

1. My city is about 5 miles wide, with zero points of interest, stores, schools, etc. outside of that 5 mile wide circle.
2. It is cold here nearly year round, already dropping down into the 40's °F at night. Try starting up at -40 °F several nights/mornings in a row with a wimpy block heater that won't bring the engine up past 0 °F even when left on all night.
3. My work is not just one place, but several small stops all over town, where the engine has a couple hours to cool back down each time, especially during the cold winters when I work nights.

Most people just get in, drive 7 or 8 miles to work, which in stop and go traffic means they're warmed up by the first mile or two, then the hybrid system can do its thing the next 6 miles. Then they get back into their car on a nice warm/hot afternoon after work, so it takes half a mile to warm up, then the hybrid system does its thing all the way back home.

[Gasoline Fumes]

How long are your drives? What's your tire pressure? Are your brakes dragging?