The Nissan Path

I've read the stuff that people have suggested to get better mpg, but I'm a little curious if that would do any good since I just had a fuel system/injector service done this past spring. I have 62k miles on it, and I run premium in it all the time. I was getting just under 18mpg, and each fill up after I got that reading has dropped. I'm now down to just above 13mpg. I did a little more city driving this last tank but not a ton. And the city driving I do is never more that 5 minutes worth...literally. I was going to try sea foam but again, I don't want to waste the money if it won't do any good. Any thoughts or suggestions?
P.s. it's a 2002 LE 4wd and I rarely use the 4wd (since we've gotten hardly any snow this year...I'm in Michigan) or even the auto function. It's always in regular 2wd.

Everyone needs to remember that Ethanol is killing all our mileages. It consumes more energy to use than it returns. It is just the way of our nations energy issues. I keep an eye on my mileage but honestly if It mattered that much I'd drive a Civic or a CBR1000. I fill it when it's empty and drive till I fill it again. I have enough stress/crap to worry about without freaking out over 4 mpg. (not insinuating that you are freaking out) life is too overloaded as it is... enjoy the ride.

I agree with you, if it was that much of an issue, I'd be driving something that got better mileage. I'm really just wondering if something is "wrong" , or "broken" that has caused the mpg to tank. I don't really want to pay the $70 for them to tell me nothing's wrong.

It could be lots of things and the weather is definately a factor.

Off the top of my head take a look at your spark plugs, O2 Sensors, fuel filter plug wires (if you have them, not sure)... Also try a different gas station for a little while to check the fuel. Lots more you can check but I would start there.

Running premium gas can also drop your mileage. The higher the octane rating the harder it is to burn. I use regular old 87 and I get around 19 mpg around town.

yeah cars get less mileage in winter , cause the air is less dense and harder to push through . Also like the above post the ethanol and
less octane in winter gas . I just had the same thing I went from 18 avg to
like 15/16 ... just changed my air filter , had 20k on it a bit too much ,
mileage got better but still lower than summer .
Mine is 04 LE .

bluepathy97 wrote:Running premium gas can also drop your mileage. The higher the octane rating the harder it is to burn. I use regular old 87 and I get around 19 mpg around town.

That only applies if your vehicle requires 87... If it calls for 91 thats where your going to get the best performance/millage... The VQ35's have a 10.5:1 - 11.0:1 CR range that requires 91 for optimal performance/economy. 87 wont hurt it but will decrease performance and economy (engine knock sensor will detect pre-detonation and retard the timing automatially)

newpath wrote:I've read the stuff that people have suggested to get better mpg, but I'm a little curious if that would do any good since I just had a fuel system/injector service done this past spring. I have 62k miles on it, and I run premium in it all the time. I was getting just under 18mpg, and each fill up after I got that reading has dropped. I'm now down to just above 13mpg. I did a little more city driving this last tank but not a ton. And the city driving I do is never more that 5 minutes worth...literally. I was going to try sea foam but again, I don't want to waste the money if it won't do any good. Any thoughts or suggestions?
P.s. it's a 2002 LE 4wd and I rarely use the 4wd (since we've gotten hardly any snow this year...I'm in Michigan) or even the auto function. It's always in regular 2wd.

How may miles to a tank are you getting..? If your losing a total of 30miles or so to a tank, the cold weather is probably to blame... I get about 50KM less to a tank in the winter.