'96 Pathfinder - 16.9 mpg - Pathetic!

[meep]

@Albin

I had a 97. It was a very good driver, very comfortable. I somehow got mine up to 21-22 mpg. I kept them aired up probably around 35.

I stayed with stock tire size and ran highway tires, not even all terrains. Mine may have had narrower tires than some. It did well in snow.

The biggest thing I did was to install warn manual locking hubs on the front axles. It was rather easy to do. This allowed the entire front half of the drivetrain to sit still without being a parasitic drag. I drove 400 miles a week, and it paid for itself back then in 6 months.

Synthetic transmission fluid, synthetic fluid in rear diff and transfer case. Back then they used dino fluids. Synthetic ended up improving it a total of 1 mpg after everything but the front diff (which was no longer active much) was done.

Ps. I’ve seen these last a very long time, well over 250k with basic maintenance. Keep an eye on the exhaust headers, they can develop hairline cracks and it will sound like a valve tap.

 

[Elkins45]

I got 15-17mpg with my 1995 and it was a manual.

 

[jsean]

You’re right in the ball park. My ‘02 QX4 with the VQ35DE got about 16mpg on a flat road with a slight tailwind going 75MPH pretty consistently over the 100k miles I had it. The VG33s were worse. If it were me, i wouldn’t worry too much. Do the maintenance others have recommended here, log your fuel mileage over time and enjoy the Pathfinder.

 

[K2K2]

Why?

Many have closed louvers from the factory, so aren't actually doing any filtering.

At least check them prior to install....

 

[fdcg27]

As with the very similar Toyota 4-Runner, fuel economy sucks in tandem with weak acceleration.
Just the nature of the beast.
What more did you expect?

 

[Pablo]

Why did you have it regeared so low? Bigger tires? Towing?

I like low gears.

To allow the engine to live in the correct rpm range 1 and R

 

[fantastic]

I like to check fuses on new purchased vehicles. Make sure all the light bulbs are working etc.

 

[burbguy82]

To allow the engine to live in the correct rpm range 1 and R

That is one thing that lacks with cars these days is gear ratio.

 

[fantastic]

I like to check fuses on new purchased vehicles. Make sure all the light bulbs are working etc.

Thinking some more...Add a Fumoto Valve if you want a bit more convenience changing the oil.

 

[tmorris1]

2 bottles of Redline S-1 injector cleaner to 1 full gas tank.

That alone costs as much as the vehicle is worth!

 

[tmorris1]

I had one of those and did the same things. That is all you are going to get with them. Engine will run forever but they have no power and are heavy. Did the timing belt, water pump and plugs. There is one plug that you do blind with a special wrench that comes with the truck. Did valves covers and you need to remove the intake manifold to get to one side. I don't miss working in that thing. Mine rusted apart and I got sick of fixing it. You had to make sure your **** we're up to date getting into the thing with all the rust.

 

[SC Maintenance]

That is one thing that lacks with cars these days is gear ratio.

I personally think a lot of its in the transmission. My Nissan's want to push into 5/OD way too early. I assume its a Cafe thing. The converter locks in 4th 1:1 if you run with the OD off (there is a button), which I end up doing in the city most of the time. Otherwise its lugging all the time.

The gearing is excellent in OD on the interstate with no load.

 

[wag123]

16.9 MPG is completely normal (actually above normal) for this SUV with this 3L engine. Save your money for the real problems that you are going to have like broken exhaust studs and/or cracked exhaust manifolds, bad motor mounts, a bad A/C compressor, and bad fuel system rubber components (they didn't hold-up to MBTE or ethanol very well). These were common problems in that era.

 

[burbguy82]

I personally think a lot of its in the transmission. My Nissan's want to push into 5/OD way too early. I assume its a Cafe thing. The converter locks in 4th 1:1 if you run with the OD off (there is a button), which I end up doing in the city most of the time. Otherwise its lugging all the time.

The gearing is excellent in OD on the interstate with no load.

Of course, gear ratio is also in the tranny. It is a mix or tranny and final drive. I agree in CAFE thing getting into OD fast to get RPMs down, but this does not work in real life with those who actually need the power. The 6l80/90 has two ODs, one at .85:1 ish and one at .65:1 ish. With a gas truck, towing, unless you are going 75mph, flat, neither gear is useful. 4th is 1:1. I have spent hours in 4th, pulling 15k in a gasser at 3500 rpm.

Like with anything, there is a trade, lower gears mean more leverage on the weight being moved, but the movement would be slower, assuming the mover is the same. It is easier for the engine to transmit the power out the wheels, easier means more efficient, at the cost of speed. And efficiency is not MPG.