I drive Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back frequently. 292 miles each way.
The last few times it's been 100+ degrees all the way there and back.
at 65mph pretty much all the way there and back with A/C on low, 14.2 mpg
at 85-90mph all the way there and back with A/C on low and the same load, 15.3mpg

as an engineer, I can't explain why going faster gets better mpg. all trips were using cruise control, no traffic, right at 100 degrees.

anyone else try this?

by the way, the armada easily cruises at 100mph with plenty of reserve. I chickened out with the contis to go faster than that.

Wind? A slight tailwind and then headwind could make a big difference. You are going east to west and reverse. The wind blows from the west into the east.

Our trip to Las Vegas from Livermore used up pretty much one tank. When I got to Las Vegas proper, i filled it up with just a little under 27 gallons. My low fuel light was on before I got to Prim Nevada. That was driving about 74 MPH with the A/C on and 4 people total . When I checked the computer, average was 19.4 MPG. I think a waxing and Redline fuel injector cleaner may have helped. The way back was a different story. I was stuck in traffic between Vegas and Prim for a few hours and then turned back to Vagas and took the Death Valley route. I have an LE 4x4.

Our trip to Las Vegas from Livermore used up pretty much one tank. When I got to Las Vegas proper, i filled it up with just a little under 27 gallons. My low fuel light was on before I got to Prim Nevada. That was driving about 74 MPH with the A/C on and 4 people total . When I checked the computer, average was 19.4 MPG. I think a waxing and Redline fuel injector cleaner may have helped. The way back was a different story. I was stuck in traffic between Vegas and Prim for a few hours and then turned back to Vagas and took the Death Valley route. I have an LE 4x4.
That's interesting. I don't have NAV in my Armada so I basically calculate by how many miles I go divided by gallons I fill up. I've never gotten close to 19mpg.
Have you manually calculated your mpg and compared to the computer. I'm wondering if it's close. I get between 10 and 16 mpg everyfillup since brand new. I have 2004 LE. I also live on a hill so I'm sure my mpg suffers from the climb back home every day. Not to mention racing every SUV, pickup, civic, accord, 325i, 300c, etc. and anyone else who has no idea how fast the Armada is.

I still don't know what my MPG is. I generally hit reset on the computer, which is pretty inaccurate. Even so, it usually says 10.2 or something as I just have a heavy foot using full acceleration whenever possible and cruising at 85 mph on highways. Whatever. The only thing that ticks me off is Walmart has a max of $50 per gas purchase so I need to use 2 cards to fill up. ;)

Just went from Bakersfield to Lake Powell through Flagstaff both ways. Virtually no detours or excess traffic. 1243 miles with 16.2 MPG at 70 to 80 MPH and A/C pretty much the whole way. Full load, including a Cabela soft bag on top. No complaints!

P.S. gas price was $3.89 in Needles (bad decision to stop there) and $2.79 at the Lake Havasu turnoff (lowest price I saw).

I still don't know what my MPG is. I generally hit reset on the computer, which is pretty inaccurate. Even so, it usually says 10.2 or something as I just have a heavy foot using full acceleration whenever possible and cruising at 85 mph on highways. Whatever. The only thing that ticks me off is Walmart has a max of $50 per gas purchase so I need to use 2 cards to fill up. ;)
I can't believe how irritating it is to fill up these days. All the gas stations around me max at $75. I'm usually about $10 short of a full tank. and then when I swipe my credit card again to pump more in, it won't let me make 2 consecutive transactions. So now I have to use 2 different credit cards each time I fill up.

If you're getting 10.2mpg, sounds like you're trying to keep up to all the vettes out there. I tried racing a Z06 for the heck of it last week. Wasn't much of a race though. I got a great look at the rear of the Z06 and the exhaust sounds great on that car.

I took a look at my gas receipt, the figures are :

fill up 26.8 gallons at Las Vegas
Distance 527 miles

Did the math manually and came up with 19.6MPG. So the computer is a little off. It was saying 19.2 MPG .It's quite a bit better than my Dodge Ram 4x4. I also use mid grade fuel.

I still cannot figure out how you guys are getting this outstanding mileage!

Here on the East Coast, from fill-up, I get anywhere from 310 - 350 miles before my light comes on. That's between 12.9 and 14.6 mpg. I drive both city and highway regularly. I guess I should ease up on the pedal to get the better mileage, but it rides so good between 75 and 85. :thumbup:

Ours is used in the city a lot and I rarely get 300 miles before the light comes on. I get anywhere from 10.2-12.8 in the city. On the highway pulling my double jet ski trailer and loaded to the hilt I get about 16mpg.

I bought my truck from a dealer in New York City and flew out to drive it home, to West Fargo, ND (I forget how many miles that is). I got 17.4 mpg. Primarily highway, obviously, between 75-80 for most of the way, until I got caught in toll booth hell in northern Chicago.

If its different than a manual calcuation, how does the Armada calculate average mpg?

From Nissan directly

4x2 (city/hwy) 13/19
4x4 (city/hwy) 13/18

So, I guess when you are doing mostly highway driving it is much better. Mine is mixed with lots of accelerating along the way and the occasional 90+ MPH. So the mileage I get is par for the course!

Ours is used in the city a lot and I rarely get 300 miles before the light comes on. I get anywhere from 10.2-12.8 in the city. On the highway pulling my double jet ski trailer and loaded to the hilt I get about 16mpg.
That is about what I get but a little better. I'm 10.2-11mpg city.

I bought my truck from a dealer in New York City and flew out to drive it home, to West Fargo, ND (I forget how many miles that is). I got 17.4 mpg. Primarily highway, obviously, between 75-80 for most of the way, until I got caught in toll booth hell in northern Chicago.

If its different than a manual calcuation, how does the Armada calculate average mpg?

Are you talking about how the navigation reported mpg is calculated? If so it takes a reading about every 30 seconds and then averages it and the other previous readings. If you watch the second hand on your watch right after you reset it you will see it update every 30 seconds. This does a good job if you are on the highway but in the city it will miss a lot of your starts. Mine is consitently reporting about 1mpg more in town than what I measure. On the road it is within a few 10th of a mpg.

Thats exactly what I was asking. Thanks!

Im averaging about 10.9 in the city. My foot isnt to heavy but i guess it could be lighter....

Im on my way from Las vegas to Oklahoma. We re going the long way though. From Vegas to utah to colorado to missouri and then to Ok. Ill let you guys know how the beast takes the trip with gas and all. Wish me luck:bonvoyage

Im on my way from Las vegas to Oklahoma. We re going the long way though. From Vegas to utah to colorado to missouri and then to Ok. Ill let you guys know how the beast takes the trip with gas and all. Wish me luck:bonvoyage
Have a safe trip! Holla when you get back!

I drove my Armada LE 2006 from Chicago, IL to Orlando, FL and that is 1270 miles one way, got 18 mpg/ highway

I moved back and forth from the east coast to the Rockies over the past few years. I always get 2-3 mpg better in the Rockies than at sea level. I think it might have to do with altitude. I get about 16-17 mpg in Denver, but got almost 19 mpg when I filled up in Aspen ($3.95/gal!!).

I looked back at my old post of my trip from MD to MN where I averaged 15/16 mpg on a round trip of 2430 miles. Still the best mileage I have had so far!

I checked mine this weekend on just around town stuff with a little highway and it averaged 12.98 MPG.

16 - 16.5 city (rural)

18.5 - 19.5 hiway

Consistently, all calculated, no nav.:) I think I got lucky!

16 - 16.5 city (rural)

18.5 - 19.5 hiway

Consistently, all calculated, no nav.:) I think I got lucky!
Yeah you did. Is yours a 4X2 or 4X4?

Yeah you did. Is yours a 4X2 or 4X4?


Good Point! 4x2!!! Apples to Apples!

I dont have any use for 4wd.

13 in the City, as long as I don't give in to the urge. 18-19 on the highway.

My first tank of gas was 13.1mpg - second fill up (due to Ernesto) was 13.9 however it was not a full tank, more like a quarter tank. I have heard that after the first oil change, the car gets better mileage :confused: . Not sure why that would work like that. In any case I can only hope for better.

As for the cliams of driving faster and getting better mileage, I will sure try that out. Coming from a 350Z, I am in dire need of a little more speed. :cool:

Am considering trying this ECOPOWER, hopefully it works some.

My first tank of gas was 13.1mpg - second fill up (due to Ernesto) was 13.9 however it was not a full tank, more like a quarter tank. I have heard that after the first oil change, the car gets better mileage :confused: . Not sure why that would work like that. In any case I can only hope for better.

As for the cliams of driving faster and getting better mileage, I will sure try that out. Coming from a 350Z, I am in dire need of a little more speed. :cool:

Am considering trying this ECOPOWER, hopefully it works some.

I have both, and the Armada is plenty quick enough for a Large SUV.:)

Yeah you did. Is yours a 4X2 or 4X4?


that is a good point do 4x2 get better mpg then 4x4?

man, you guys get some good mileage! my first tank (drive home from sacto when i bought the car) averaged 14.7 (160 miles highway, the rest in town). my second tank was ALL city driving, averaged 11.2. now i was still enjoying the newfound power of the new rig (my old vehicle was a lexus rx300, what a dog!). on a side note, what tricks/tips do you guys have for improving the mileage?? other than the obvious "drive slower" answer, what else works? exhaust, CAI system, chip? thanks guys!

I drive pretty hard most of the time, on they hiway set the cruise on 75. Feel pretty lucky to get the milage I do.:D

man, you guys get some good mileage! my first tank (drive home from sacto when i bought the car) averaged 14.7 (160 miles highway, the rest in town). my second tank was ALL city driving, averaged 11.2. now i was still enjoying the newfound power of the new rig (my old vehicle was a lexus rx300, what a dog!). on a side note, what tricks/tips do you guys have for improving the mileage?? other than the obvious "drive slower" answer, what else works? exhaust, CAI system, chip? thanks guys!

From reading many threads, I don't see anything that help gas mileage, even drive slower is not gonna help, why? b/c if you are driving in the city am sure you are not gunning it, you are driving slower, and having said that. you will notice that everyone mpg city is much lower than the highway. you might use the cruise control on the highway ( flat land ), but I doubt very much if that is gonna help if there is a lot of hills and climbs and towing. Exhaust, CAI can improve performance, but chips are a joke and nothing has proven yet.

If you do a search here you will find many subjects about what I have just mentioned. This is coming from a guy ( me ) who does not check his MPG or done any DAINO. I knew exactly what am buying when I went to the dealer ship ( a gas guzzzzzzzler ). :cool: :hi:

Yep, I knew I was buying a gas guzzler when I bought it. The only way I seem to save gas is by driving without going over 2000 RPMs. I don't have much city driving. live 2 miles from the interstate, which means there are a half dozend traffic lightes, before I get on the highway. I feel the Mada has so much power (torque) that I do not have to put my foot into it to get going, as I had to do in my Ford Explorer. Granted I am not the fastest of the line but neither am I the slowest. I just press the gas pedal and glance at the tach to keep without going over 2000 revs before it shifts into next gear, it's become almost second nature now I no longer look at the tach. Once on the interstate (speed limit is 55 mph) I cruise at 73-74 mph, again not the fastet but by far not the slowest, tach would be just at 2000 or a tick over. That seems to work for me and I feel I am getting better gas milage that way. However, it certainlt is good to know that there is more power on tap if and when needed. ;) The only way I know to improve gas milage.

Took a trip to San Diego over the Labor Day weekend. Kept it around 80mph the whole way. Best mpg I got was 14. A week before that, I got 10.5 mpg around town.

I don't know what they did the last time I had my maintenance done, but my mileage has been fluctuating for the better. I have been getting between 13 - 16 MPG lately!

I knew I was buying a gas guzzler. I guess what gets me a little grouchy is that 18mpg highway that was on the window sticker! I know, I know, it's just a figure that the manufacturer put out as an estimate. I haven't read from anyone here who has obtained even 17mpg! I drive like a granny most of the time and the best I've gotten is 14mpg highway! I realy don't care if I get 8mpg, but it's a far cry from the 18mpg I thought I was buying.

having said all this...I LOVE MY MADA! I wouldn't trade it for anything! not a QX, hummer, cadi or FJ. Everything I've asked this rig to do, It's done far exceding my expectations!:coolsun:

From post #23.....Sorry guys:rolleyes: I guess Im the exception to the rule.

Edit : BTW, 4x2
================================================


16 - 16.5 city (rural)

18.5 - 19.5 hiway

Consistently, all calculated, no nav.:) I think I got lucky!

From post #23.....Sorry guys:rolleyes: I guess Im the exception to the rule.

Edit : BTW, 4x2
================================================
I think everyone that has been getting the high miles has a 4X2.

I knew I was buying a gas guzzler. I guess what gets me a little grouchy is that 18mpg highway that was on the window sticker! I know, I know, it's just a figure that the manufacturer put out as an estimate. I haven't read from anyone here who has obtained even 17mpg! I drive like a granny most of the time and the best I've gotten is 14mpg highway! I realy don't care if I get 8mpg, but it's a far cry from the 18mpg I thought I was buying.

having said all this...I LOVE MY MADA! I wouldn't trade it for anything! not a QX, hummer, cadi or FJ. Everything I've asked this rig to do, It's done far exceding my expectations!:coolsun:

If you check some of the earlier posts, you will find a few folks getting in the 17 - 19 range. I tried driving slower and it didn't matter much. So know I drive the way I always have and just don't worry about it too much. Bad mileage and gas prices will always be here to deal with.

I still love this truck!

Just went from Bakersfield to Lake Powell through Flagstaff both ways. Virtually no detours or excess traffic. 1243 miles with 16.2 MPG at 70 to 80 MPH and A/C pretty much the whole way. Full load, including a Cabela soft bag on top. No complaints!

P.S. gas price was $3.89 in Needles (bad decision to stop there) and $2.79 at the Lake Havasu turnoff (lowest price I saw).
I just bought gas here in Jackson, Michigan for $2.48 Its coming down

I've got 2 wheel drive and average 10-11mpg city and 14-15 on the freeway.
from all the posts, I don't think the 4WD is much different.

I'm feelin really, really, really fortunant!!!

I'm feelin really, really, really fortunant!!!
...and you should!

Hehe!

Well, just wanted smilies here but to no avail!

By-the-way gas has dropped to $2.36 on several of the stations around here.
I have heard from some of my coworkers that there are some as low as $2.30. :) Every time it drops 2 cents I fill up, only to be disapointed next day to see that it dropped even further :mad: I have to drive to Northern VA for the next couple of days, this will give me a good oppertunaty to check my fuel consumption again, since it is now well broken in (@ 12,000+ miles). :D

Using E10
12.5 MPG City
14 MPG Mixed
17 MPG Highway

Personal Best 362 miles between stops on I-80 19.9MPG using Chevron 91 (E0 100% gas)

06 QX56 4x4
Almost broken in at 6,500 miles on the clock; mileage can only go up from here I hope?

This is the first automobile I havn't been able to exceed EPA estimates :(
My GS400 is rated 18/24MPG and I get 21/28MPG :)

Today in Denver 85 Regular dropped down to $2.82/Gallon, the beast likes to chug down the 91 Premium at $3.05/Gallon:o

My '05 SE 4X4 does just fine on the cheap stuff :)

I bought gas today at $2.679 ($2.68) I got some in NJ this weekend for $2.53!

Have you guys tried running synthetics and the like? There is a 50 page thread on my Explorer board Aldive's Quest for 30 MPG (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372&page=1&pp=20&highlight=quest).

He drives a V6 4x2 but a lot of the same principles apply to all vehicles. The first mods he did were as follows:

"The following is a list of modifications that have resulted in the mileage reported on my 99 4.0 SOHC:
Mobil 1 5 w 30 synthetic motor oil
Mobil 1 ATF in auto tranny ( a complete change )
Mobil 1 in the 3.73 rear end
KKM Tru Rev intake
Custom cat back exhaust system
Remove roof rack
Many coats of Zaino polish
Tire pressure 40 psig
Explorer Express X Spec air dam
Amoco 87 octane gas
Secondary tranny filter ( don’t know if this helps )

Driving habits help also:
No race like starts
Windows up always - usually with AC on
Keep top speed at or below 70 MPH"

I recently changed to synthetic motor oil in my Explorer and have noticed a bump in mileage on short trips (ie: City). I'm curious to see what works on the Armada so when I get mine all the leg work will have been done for me :D

Have you guys tried running synthetics and the like? There is a 50 page thread on my Explorer board Aldive's Quest for 30 MPG (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372&page=1&pp=20&highlight=quest).

He drives a V6 4x2 but a lot of the same principles apply to all vehicles~~~
This guy claims 580 miles on 18 gal of Amoco regulat - or 32.2 MPG. Even with all of the mods he has, he is driving a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT. It is only rated at 18 city /23 highway.

Could be possible but...
http://www.clubarmada.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2895&d=1157487685
Just my opinion!

I use synthetic oil. No major mileage change!

Even the guys at that Ford forum were calling B.S. on him. Bottom line, we all knew what we were buying. Just go have fun. If I wanted 30MPG, I would have bought that 1999 Ford Explorer P.O.S. Edition and run synthetics. ;)

I say is is slightly possible to achieve those MPG figures. The Ford SOHC V6 and 5 speed AT is pretty efficeint. There is a guy with a 2002 Acura MDX that regularly gets 31+ MPG. And that is bigger than an Explorer.

But it has to be noted it takes a retarded amount of effort to get those figures. These people NEVER accelerate with the flow of traffic. It's like their goal in life is to go slow, and milk the fuel for all it's worth.

Is anyone running synthetics here? I've noticed that my Ex is running better with the motor oil so I figured it can't hurt to go after the tranny and the diffs.

By-the-way gas has dropped to $2.36 on several of the stations around here.
I have heard from some of my coworkers that there are some as low as $2.30. :) Every time it drops 2 cents I fill up, only to be disapointed next day to see that it dropped even further :mad: I have to drive to Northern VA for the next couple of days, this will give me a good oppertunaty to check my fuel consumption again, since it is now well broken in (@ 12,000+ miles). :D
Well, here is my fuel latest ecconomy. Drove 180 miles each way.
On my first leg I got caught in a traffic back-up (due to a multy car fender bender which backed traffic up for miles and set me back approx. 40 minutes). Once I cleared the incidence I had to make up as much time as possible, in order to arrive at the promissed time; I had to drive 80 - 85, keeping up with the faster cars. Once I got to Northern VA. I tanked up = sadly only got 14.2 mpg (95% Highway 5% city). On way way back, I took a combination Highway 35%, rural 60% & city 5% route, (Highway 75 mph/rural 2 lane 65 mph & city from 25 to 45 mph) once out of the city - cruise control set, light traffic = averaged 16.7 mpg. This with a '05 SE 4x4 and tow pkg. A/C running all the time. Lowest observed gas pricing: $2.20, highest $2.79. I expected better, but than again :D not surprised.