Nissan Altima: Poor fuel milleage in '99 Altima

borrowed my brothers 93 altima for a couple weeks now, I noticed that the
tank is not full at the first click at the gas tank. The highest it would
get on the gas gauge was 3/4.

The other day I decided to fill it up myself. The gas nozzle clicked off at
22 liters (6 gall). I coaxed another 15 liters (4gall) into it! Afterwards,
the gas gauge was at full.

Maybe your problem is similar?
t

com wrote: 

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1st make sure that the gauge is reading correctly. Refuel the tank and
compare the volume put in it with the specs for your car. If there is
only 1/4 left, then you should be able to put 3/4 x fuel tank capacity.

Once you have confirmed that the gauge is ok, we will think of possible
causes for the exagerated fuel usage.

Good luck

com wrote:
 

"com" <com> wrote in
news:googlegroups.com:
 

A leak??

Yes, I will do that shortly. Just waiting for the tank to empty. It is
wierd...it seems the last eighth is lasting almost 200 kms..so far we
have gotten 350kms out of a full tank. The light hasn't come on yet,
but I have been expecting this to come on for almost a week. It's as
though the tank is severly lop-sided or something.

So far it sounds as a defective fuel level sending unit.

com wrote:
 

I had a big dent in my tank on my civic a few years ago. that threw all
sorts of things outta wack.

AS wrote: 

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Ok, so update. My wife filled up the tank today...52 litres. She filled
it up when the needle was past the E...but the light hadn't come on
yet. The trip odometer said 427km. We had a full tank before too...so
that works out to 8.21l/km. Not that good at all.

The whole car works great...any ideas anyone?

Actually it comes out to be 0.122 l/km or 8.21km/l or 19.45 miles/gal
which is not desperately bad in my opinion, even should be improved. I
would expect around 22 miles/gallon city driving.

Is it auto or manual transmission? Is it mostly city or highway
driving? A/C on mostly? Are the tires on the vehicle of the right size
(is the odometer reading distance correctly).

1. Tire inflation pressure and tire type have influence in gas mileage.
What brand and model tires are they? Adjust inflation pressure when
tires are cold.
2. Any chances of the brakes dragging the vehicle? Does it roll easily?
3. Wheel alignment.
4. Roof rack or any other gadgets that could affect wind resistance?
5. If auto tranny, is there a chance of slippage?
6. Air filter.
7. Spark Plugs and wires.
8. Is this car equipped with a timing belt or chain. If belt, has it
been replaced?
9. Thermostat stuck in the open position.
10. Insufficient engine compression.
11. Improper ignition timing.
12. Oils change.
13. Too much junk in the trunk.
14. Codes on the ODB-II even if the CEL is not on

I hope this list helps.

Good luck


com wrote: