Topic: MPG and power loss

[joser26]

I searched mpg and 4 topics came up none related to mpg. I have a 2002 XE and when I first got it in august of 2016 I was getting about 320 miles a tank and it would go up the 14 freeway fine. I have put on 275 65 16 tires, have a DNA air intake and PML. I changed the spark plugs, cables, distributor cap and rotor. Since all of the I get about 220 miles a tank and it struggles up the hill and pretty much any hill. is this normal? Thinking of selling it and getting a 2nd generation instead. I was going to add more performance parts but that will just make my MPG worst.

[EJsarus]

1st gen X/Frontiers with either the 2.4L or the 3.3L engines are known for having horrible MPGs and power. the supercharged 3.3L have a wee bit more power but not to much to brag about. Even 2nd gen owners complain about the fuel efficiency on their trucks. With mods and weight added to the truck, MPGs will just get worse. Sorry but its the ugly truth on these trucks.

[joser26]

1st gen X/Frontiers with either the 2.4L or the 3.3L engines are known for having horrible MPGs and power. the supercharged 3.3L have a wee bit more power but not to much to brag about. Even 2nd gen owners complain about the fuel efficiency on their trucks. With mods and weight added to the truck, MPGs will just get worse. Sorry but its the ugly truth on these trucks.

Forgot to mention it is a 3.3 but I kind of figured I had to deal with it or get rid of it. Thanks for the reply Edwin

[knightrider]

The bigger tires do not help, extra weight and rolling resistance, not to mention the extra diameter puts extra strain on the engine due to the lower effective ratio.  My 2nd gen X averages about 12-14 mpg with 33" tires, titan swap, all the fun parts like skids and RTT.  SoCal terrain is not friendly to MPG either, I averaged 16-18 mpg on my trip back to the east coast once the land flattened out.

[0317]

I get 170 miles to a tank on my 04 XE SAS w/ 35'' tires. its the cost of doing business

[EJsarus]

I get 170 miles to a tank on my 04 XE SAS w/ 35'' tires. its the cost of doing business

cringing     

[RikRong]

cringing     

That's not much worse than me.  I get about 210 miles to the tank, if I'm lucky.

[EJsarus]

But at least the range of aftermarket parts for the 2nd gen compensates for it.  Well at least.

[Ghost65]

Not much better with the 3.4 litre Taco...with skids, sliders, 265's, loaded for camping and two black labs, I'm squeezing 240 miles per tank with 18 gallons on board.  Why I always carry and extra 4 in a Rotopax...even during DD duties.

James hit the nail on the head...wanna play, gotta pay!

[RikRong]

But at least the range of aftermarket parts for the 2nd gen compensates for it.  Well at least.

Not much better with the 3.4 litre Taco...with skids, sliders, 265's, loaded for camping and two black labs, I'm squeezing 240 miles per tank with 18 gallons on board.  Why I always carry and extra 4 in a Rotopax...even during DD duties.

James hit the nail on the head...wanna play, gotta pay!

To be fair, I know the modern computers in vehicles will adapt the tune to the style of driving you do.  I rarely do long distance, highway driving in the Xterra.  The only time I do this is for off-road trips. Then, I can see about 240-250 on the first couple of fill ups.  The longer the trips, the slightly better the MPG does get.