Fuel economy question... I drive an Xterra and get about 16 MPG, BUT...?

Question

I drive an Xterra and get about 16 MPG, but while I was on a road trip through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, I noticed my MPG was (were?) up to about 20. This could be because I was doing more long distance driving, but I spent a portion of my time driving in town or just short distances once I got to South Dakota. Also, on the long distance part, I was actually driving a lot faster than I normally do, like 85-90 mph, and I had more weight in the vehice due to bringing clothes/food/supplies for the trip.

My ex seems to think the better MPG was because I was at a higher elevation (I live in CA) while on vacation and that affects fuel economy. My dad thinks it's because they don't mix ethanol into their fuel in those states like they do here in CA.

Ideas as to why my MPG went up so much?!

Answer 1

3.3 liter or the new 4.0 liter engines like more time in overdrive and higher altitudes means leaner fuel mixtures needed and less power output. The ethanol only made about 5% difference in mileage. So now you know those EPA estimates for 21 highway miles a gallon are not far off. Short distances in town really kill gas mileage.

Answer 2

When I first got my Dodge Dakota I was only driving it to work and to church which wasn't far from where I live. And I was only getting 17 mpg. The first 4 months I had it I only put 800 miles on it. A whole 22 gallon tank of gas would last me a whole month. Years later I got jobs further away and my mpg jumped up to 23mpg. That wasn't just the long trips though. I found out I could take off from a dead stop in 2nd gear instead of 1st and that saved a little. And when I was at a dead stop and the speed limit was 35 to 45 mph I would take off in 2nd and accelerate to that speed limit as quickly as I could and switch to 5th. I skipped 3 gears! Also when I was going down hill I would take my truck out of gear and let it cost but you do wear your brakes out faster and warp your rotors because of the heat but for me it is cheaper to have my rotors turned and buy new brake pads than to get gas. I also learned to up shift without useing the clutch. When you use the clutch to upshift your engine speed raises for just a split second, the higher the engine speed the more fuel it consumes. I would only use the clutch to take off or downshift. And your dad is right about ethanol but I don't know about if those places has ethanol in their gas or not. I also keep my tire pressures up and my tires are bald so it's almost like slick tires. I live in West Virginia where there are mountains, hills alot of curves. And I got 23 mpg. I'm good. One time I did get 25 mpg but I was shutting my truck off going down hill and I don't recommend that. You'll lose your power steering and power brakes and your steering wheel could lock if you take the key back too far. I only did it on one fuel tank but I'm not going to be stupid like that anymore.

Answer 3

The higher elevation might have helped, but I would say that it was the consistent speed. Braking and accelerating is what really kills your gas mileage. Even if you're driving at a higher speed, as long as it was consistent then it would explain the higher mpg.

Answer 4

20 for xtera is pretty goods cause when they teste d for highway it was tested at 55 mph but if u go for a higher speed the wind would start to pull u back so u'll nee more power plus did u have the ac or windows down that count , it's better to turn the ac on instead of opening the windows so u can avoid drag and aslo i see lots of stupid peoples putting stuff on the top that is a big gas waster it's better to get the hitch carrier .....