Wanting better mpg out of versa
 

Hope everyone is doing well. I am Chad from Alabama.Been looking arround for ways of getting better mpg and this site seems to come up in every search. Had a 2009 versa (ac and radio delete) that I totaled month ago. It had a home made ram air, k&n filter and 1" taller tires. Not real sure what mpg it was getting but taller tire helped get over terraces in pasture and ram air seemed to help pick up power to pull the higher final ratio. Got a truck now just wanting more mpg out of my identical 2009 versa I bought to replace the first one.
I know how to make things go faster, been studying that for 30 years but this economy stuff is new to me. From what I have saw so far I can't think of anything that hasn't been tried.
My present versa is getting 36.04 mpg average (mostly highway) for 1760 miles with only a k&n filter. I will start a thread on my achievements and failures in the near future.

Welcome. Mobile, so very limited, but checkout the driving techniques and vehicle modifications list for ideas. They are listed above.

Thanks ultarc. I have read through them. Lot of info there. Just did a quickie wai on versa. Curious how much difference a 9 dollar dryer duct will make. Fixing to try to start my thread.

Welcome, Hardattack -

What transmission in your Versa? Sedan or hatch?

One of the first bits of advice is always to get MPG instrumentation (ScanGauge, Ultragauge, etc) in the car if you don't have it already - it'll make a big difference to have instant & resettable trip feedback.

Thanks metro. Sedan with a 5spd manual. Looking at a bullydog but is kinda pricey. From what I understand it is programmable but don't know. Not on top of the computer systems in cars still learning. Any suggestions appreciated.

Haven't heard of this one before.

Bully Dog - $299.99

Bully Dog - WatchDog Multi-function Gauge

http://www.bullydog.com/documents/40...eet%20v5.0.pdf



Scangauge II - $169.95

ScanGaugeII : Linear Logic : Home of the ScanGauge


Scangauge E - $99.95

ScanGaugeE : Linear Logic : Home of the ScanGauge



Ultragauge - $70

UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center



There are also several phone apps available.



Welcome aboard...

:)

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Thanks redneck. I have looked at the bullydog platinum. It is a tuner, monitor, gauge and diagnostic. Check the price at parts store $499. But may look at that cheapest scan gauge you listed for the time being. If I don't decide to go ahead and spurge on the bullydog.

36 really isn't bad for anyone who is just starting out on the path to fuel economy. The Versa seems to be a bit under appreciated in that regard. Nice choice with the stick shift! I think you'll go far :)

Agreed. I've had the chance to drive the new Canadian market Micra with the same 1.6L engine that the current Versa sedan & Note have in the U.S.

Initially, I was put off by the car's fuel economy rating -- it's actually worst in class on paper.

But in reality, it's pretty easy to beat the the rating, possibly even more than other cars I've driven.

I saw actual (calculated) fuel economy from 2 fill-ups over 940.5 km (584 mi.) of 5.4 L/100 km= 43.6 mpg (US) from the 4-speed automatic in a mix of sub/urban and mostly rural highway driving (summer conditions). And that was with no fancy hypermiling: just basic eco-driving techniques. And of course, the 5-speed manual will do even better than the automatic, despite having almost identical MPG ratings.