[spacoli]

I just bought a nice used 2001 SE Crew Cab with 124000 miles. Filled up the tank and watched the fuel gauge drop. I don't know what MPG I'm getting yet, but I'm at 105 miles and down to 5/8 of a tank. This is pretty much in town driving along with a steady 20 mile round trip ride to work and back a day (no extended highway). At this rate I figure I will be around maybe 225 to maybe 250 by fill up time. That would be 12-13 mpg.

So I figured I'm in need of a tune up. What do you guys recommend as for a tune up other than plugs, wires, cap, filters? I'm also getting new tires, an alignment and thinking on a professional fuel induction cleaning. Thoughts?

Any other suggestions on improving mpg? Thanks

 

[frontyfan]

Welcome to the wonderful world of 3.3 liter nissans. My wife has an 02 SC 3.3 and it gets about 220 miles per tank, and she drives it very gently.

 

[Mathster]

I run 300 miles per tank pretty regularly. I keep it 60 plus on my 25 mile each way round trip to work each day.
I think it works best to not baby it. keep it above 2700 rpms until your cruising.

 

[frontyfan]

^aren't you a 4 cylinder?

 

[chrisexv6]

My 01 V6 king cab (only 55K miles) gets about 14 or 15 mpg, so I wouldnt be expecting miracles.

Even worse is that it replaced a 1998 4 cylinder that got the same mpg. So at least Im getting the same mpg with more torque

 

[belac515]

I have an 01 V6 and get around 240ish per tank. I'm pretty easy on it most of the time too.

You could get a CAI and exhaust and that should help some.
Or you could do the airbox mod if you didnt want to spend much money.

 

[PBfrEAk]

Oh wow see mine's a '00 V6 and I'm getting around 300 a tank. Its coming out to about 19-20 per gallon. I get on her a little but not too often.

 

[spacoli]

Wow, Why is the MPG so bad on these trucks?

Anyone have any tune up tips?

 

[belac515]

The biggest would be to make sure the 100k mile tuneup has been done, or if you are just getting around that milage make sure to do it.

 

[shakedownstreet]

also keep in mind when you hit empty you have 3-4 gallons left so the needle appears to drop faster than what is actually in the tank

nissan made them this way to keep in the in-take fuel pump submersed in fuel in order to promote long life

 

[TheOregonFront]

try running seafoam thru it like 3 or 4 fill ups. in the vac lines oil and gas. well maybe not sooo much in the oil cuz its a solvent and will break down the oil. its recomended to change the oil 100 miles after. but if you dont need a change. just do the gas and vac lines

 

[supr]

It would seem that good fuel mileage is not a feature of these trucks, at least not the 3.3. I think the 2.4 will get 20+.
Mine is 3.3 4x4 5 speed. On the Hwy 20 mpg at 55-60. At 70 it drops to 15-17. Around town with AC on, 15, maybe worse.
These trucks were made to work & be rugged. Unfortunately, good mpg is not a feature. I think Toyota Tacomas and other are about the same.
These aint no Civic or Corolla.

 

[TwoBills]

My '01 SC averages 14.5 mpg. 17+ if I baby it. That doesn't really happen.
OP: you should be approaching 20 mpg w/a light foot. Do a compression test and throw some plugs in it. Cap and rotor. Change the oil. Replace the air filter. Wires could wait.

 

[Frijolero]

I would also clean the throttle body, MAF sensor and check for any vac leaks as a precaution. Also, change your air filter if need be. I average 13 mpgs on 32s and driving it like its stolen.

 

[spacoli]

What I have planed

I have tune up parts (plugs,wires,rotor,cap,pvc filter,air filter,fuel filter) on the way. Getting new tires and an alignment (it's needed according to tire wear) Friday. A local garage offers a pressurized injector cleaning for $50., that I'm going to schedule. This all should help. I doubt a 100,000 mile tune up was ever done. The air filter was real bad, I have a K&N drop in on the way. I will post my mpg before and after.

Thanks to all for the replies

 

[Frijolero]

Don't be generous with the oil on the K & N, too much oil can gunk up the MAF sensor too. And with a full tune like that I would not be surprised if you see a power gain as well. You will need a timing belt job soon too, I don't remember what Nissan says but I did mine at 105k.

 

[spacoli]

Don't be generous with the oil on the K & N, too much oil can gunk up the MAF sensor too. And with a full tune like that I would not be surprised if you see a power gain as well. You will need a timing belt job soon too, I don't remember what Nissan says but I did mine at 105k.

Yes the timing belt was one thing on my list, I will let that up to my mechanic. It probably would be smart to do a water pump while he's at it.

Thanks for the oil tip.

 

[Frijolero]

Yes the timing belt was one thing on my list, I will let that up to my mechanic. It probably would be smart to do a water pump while he's at it.

Thanks for the oil tip.

Sure thing man, and most people do the water pump, some do cam seals while they are in there but definitely belt with tensioners.

 

[Nick319]

Does anyone see a difference in MPG with taking the tailgate off or leaving it down? I have heard from people who don't own trucks that it helps. Just curious if anyone on here has proven it/ dis-proven it...

 

[Frijolero]

Does anyone see a difference in MPG with taking the tailgate off or leaving it down? I have heard from people who don't own trucks that it helps. Just curious if anyone on here has proven it/ dis-proven it...

Mythbusters did an episode on this. You should google it and begin an new thread.