New guy from Louisville
 

Hey everyone, Alex here. My wife and I just bought a 2007 Nissan Versa Hatchback and I am very interested in maxing my MPG. Seems like a lot of other car communities online are all about taking economy cars and making them into wannabe sports cars, and that just is not for me! SO this place seems just right. I care about using money wisely and the environment but we can't afford a hybrid, and can't bike everywhere, so I need to pick up all the tips and tricks I can get.

I am a recovering from idle-itis ( I like to sit in the car and listen to the radio, etc) so I know that's a big no-no when my first tank in the Versa got me 21MPG :(

I have a lot to learn!
Thanks everyone for creating this place!
alexbezuska.com/extras/versa/Versa2-sm.jpg

http://alexbezuska.com/extras/versa/Versa2-sm.jpg

First bit of advice: get a ScanGauge or equivalent. If you're serious about MPG, it will pay for itself many times over. It would have showed you the horrible direction of that first tank well before fill-up time!

I trust you've seen our tips:

65+ Efficiency Mods

100+ Hypermiling Tips

Aside from basic mods like tire pressure & possibly partial grille blocking, I would start with the driving techniques. Make it a game: every commute is a challenge to beat your previous high score (need the MPG gauge to play this game, obviously).

Should have got the manual though! Much more fuel economy potential than with an automatic.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks I have read over these and I pumped up my tires and have been changing my driving habits quite a bit, we will see how the next tank works out.

I think my first mods will be some grill blocking and getting the ScanGauge.
I also changed my mind about getting a roof rack and I found my mountain bike fits in the hatch pretty easily.

Thanks!

21MPG with a Versa really sounds bad...

I was just oblivious to how much I was idling, sitting in parking lots and such.

On this 2nd tank we are at 3/4 tank right now and have traveled 100miles, so if I fill up again and fill the tank with 11.9 gallons and I am at 400miles traveled (estimated) that means we are getting 33.6 MPG now using techniques form this site. Cant wait to get the Scan Gauge!

Welcome aboard.
21 MPG is a good starting point for "most improved". :)
Even before I found ecomodder.com, I was never able to get 21 MPG with my 4-liter Mustang, but I never tried that hard to get it that low:eek:....
A good commuting route can make a big difference in fuel economy.

try some mods from our wiki:

Car MPG Efficiency Modifications Main - EcoModder

Welcome to the forums!
Driving style and tire pressure are all I used to get me 30%+ above EPA.
Now I've got an Ultragauge and I must echo MetroMPG's sentiments. Get one. I spent 5+ months trying to convince myself it was worth the money. It only took a day of driving to realize that it definitely is.