SentraSE-R

Your old Ford van may have had old technology. Look at the zoomed-in xB fuel pump in the link I posted. It isn't going to warm up when it's under a couple of gallons of gasoline. Even when the engine starts running on fumes on the hottest day of the Summer, the gasoline in the tank is probably well under 90 degrees, which means the gasoline in the fuel pump is under 90 degrees. That's cool to the touch, and isn't going to harm the pump unless you run it dry.

SentraSE-R

I'm currently on another 500+ mile tank. I've traveled about 440 miles and still have more than 1/8 tank left. If the fuel light goes on after 500 miles, I'll see if I can beat my previous 552 mile best tank.

Zman

You should get some Tien S techs and see if the lowering helps your mileage any (it should, theoretically). They will match your green car and look much better in any instance!

Zman

It's also possible with an auto, I've done it.
There are quite a few guys who have hit 500 miles. 600 is another story.

SentraSE-R

The low fuel light went on at 470 miles, so I knew it wasn't a record tank. I filled up at 511 miles with 10.6 gal, for 48 mpg.

pearlwhite_z

the most i get out of my 05 auto is 250...is there something wrong? I use Costco gas

SentraSE-R

You're at the low end of the mpg bell curve for first generation xBs. If you put your foot into every stoplight acceleration like it's a drag race, that would explain it. If your shift point rpms are 2500 rpm or higher, you're probably the cause. If not, then maybe something mechanical is the problem.

Our xBs aren't going to win many drag races, so you might as well enjoy 30 mpg fuel economy, instead of eye-popping acceleration.

pearlwhite_z

no i drive the speed limit...i use my xb for a family vehicle as I have a 350Z that my 2 yr old daughter cannot ride in. I thought i was in the lower end there. Not sure what to check other then for exhaust leaks. Maybe change the plugs or something huh.

SentraSE-R

Lots of possible causes. A dirty MAF would be my first suspect. Then I'd check/replace the easy stuff - plugs, wires, coil packs, air filter, fuel filter. 27-28 mpg seems to be the top of the bell curve at fuelly.com, so you're not that far below normal.r

Still, out of 72 fuel logs, only 5 get worse than 25 mpg, and just 11 get 25 mpg or worse. Also,those fuel logs include the second generation xBs. I suspect the 1G xBs peak at 31 mpg.

ajcadoo

Sentra-

What is your opinion about octane fuel for the box?

Also, I average 24MPG on 80% city driving. Is this normal?

ajcadoo

Wow, just registered with fuelly.com and my MPG is the worst outta all the 1stgen boxes. I guess nobody is as much of a lead foot as myself...

ajcadoo

My best MPG is 27.7 going from San Diego to Anaheim and back again. Averaged about 75MPH round trip. Seems pretty low to me.... http://www.fuelly.com/driver/ajcadoo/xb

Zman

This is odd. Even if I womp on it after every light, through my favorite corners, I still get 32-36mpg, every time. I guess I have good habits or something.

I always calculate it at the pump, just haven't been recording it.

SentraSE-R

Ajcadoo,

See the graph on page 1 of this thread. My xB only gets 32 mpg at 70 mph, so 27.7 mpg at 75 mph is pretty normal. The best thing anyone can do to improve mpg is slow down. Going 65 mph instead of 75 should bump your mpg up to at least 35 mpg, if you keep your foot out of the gas pedal and don't shoot up to 80 mph when you pass people.

The other thing you can do is anticipate slowdowns and stops, and get your foot off the gas. Most drivers still have their foot on the gas half a block from a red light or stop sign. I start coasting to the same stop 2 or 3 blocks before getting there. They tailgate 1 second behind the guy in front of them at 75 mph. That's not anticipating. That's letting other drivers force your behavior and reaction, plus it's a guaranteed high speed accident when someone in the conga line slows suddenly.

Toyota recommends 87 octane regular in our xBs. That's what I use. The only reason to go to higher octane fuel is for knock protection, and we don't need that with our low-compression engines.

ajcadoo

hmm...dont you have a manual though zman?

ajcadoo

sweet thanks...lots of info. yeah, i was hitting 80-90 mph through camp pendleton so i guess the 27mpg makes a lot more sense. and yeah, i actually love coasting as soon as i see a red light, other drivers dont like it, but they can suck it. also, i notice my car drastically slows down without me even touching the brakes. When in drive (auto) going 50MPH, i can let go of the accelerator and I am down to 40MPH in a matter of 2-3 seconds all on a flat road. Sometimes I can feel my own engine braking itself when I release the accelerator. Otherwise, when I shift into neutral, I can coast as normal. Quite annoying, and it makes me regret buying an automatic...

SentraSE-R

That's strange. I've never driven an automatic xB, but most ATs don't show much drag at all when coasting. That's because you're basically just spinning clutch pack parts in ATF when coasting. Might be worth changing your ATF, since it's part of regular maintenance anyway.

Zman

Heck no, I wish I did.

Auto is better mileage from 45mph or over.

ajcadoo

ATF? Is that Auto transmission fluid? How often should it be changed?

ajcadoo

Yeah, I completely agree. I regret getting an automatic...not as fun...