Do I need to drive a CVT engine differently?

[swbsam]

My versa's rated at 33 mpg and I'm getting far less than that - about 20... I'm thinking that I'm used to standard auto-tran, not CVT and my driving habits might be the heart of the problem.

Any hints for CVT engines?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

ease up on the lead foot? rtfm? i don't see how driving a cvt would be any different than a conventional automatic.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: swbsam

My versa's rated at 33 mpg and I'm getting far less than that - about 20... I'm thinking that I'm used to standard auto-tran, not CVT and my driving habits might be the heart of the problem.

Any hints for CVT engines?

Is that 33MPG city or highway?? if that's the Hwy. MPG rating you won't get that around town!. New car usually needs a break in period before it achieves maximum MPG..

 

[MadScientist]

The Versa CVT is rated 27MPG city, 33MPG highway, 29MPG combined. Link. Again stating the obvious, these numbers depend on your driving habits and driving conditions.

If you look at the individual estimates of 27 Versa CVTs on the EPA site, on an average, the vehicles that reported the lowest MPGs also had the highest percentage of Stop and Go driving conditions.

I own a 2008 Versa SL CVT and get 28-32MPG, again dependent on driving conditions. I would estimate my driving conditions as 30% city, 70% highway. My best MPGs are, as expected, highway driving.

My Versa is 8 months old and has ~20,000 miles on it. I have not noticed any difference in the gas mileage between when it was new and now.

Follow the EPA's tips on "Driving More Efficiently" and "Keeping Your Car In Shape".

Also, are you filling your gas tank up the same way every time? I have found that on my Versa that after the pump shuts down I can still squeeze almost another gallon in. If I don't fill my tank up exactly the same way every time this will affect my gas mileage calculation by 2-4MPG.

 

[lurk3r]

My altima started with horrible milage too, it should improve after a couple oil changes.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: MadScientist
The Versa CVT is rated 27MPG city, 33MPG highway, 29MPG combined. Link. Again stating the obvious, these numbers depend on your driving habits and driving conditions.

If you look at the individual estimates of 27 Versa CVTs on the EPA site, on an average, the vehicles that reported the lowest MPGs also had the highest percentage of Stop and Go driving conditions.

I own a 2008 Versa SL CVT and get 28-32MPG, again dependent on driving conditions. I would estimate my driving conditions as 30% city, 70% highway. My best MPGs are, as expected, highway driving.

My Versa is 8 months old and has ~20,000 miles on it. I have not noticed any difference in the gas mileage between when it was new and now.

Follow the EPA's tips on "Driving More Efficiently" and "Keeping Your Car In Shape".

Also, are you filling your gas tank up the same way every time? I have found that on my Versa that after the pump shuts down I can still squeeze almost another gallon in. If I don't fill my tank up exactly the same way every time this will affect my gas mileage calculation by 2-4MPG.

The pump shuts off for a reason. You aren't supposed to go after that. You're messing up the cars method of handling gas vapors.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: MadScientist
The Versa CVT is rated 27MPG city, 33MPG highway, 29MPG combined. Link. Again stating the obvious, these numbers depend on your driving habits and driving conditions.

If you look at the individual estimates of 27 Versa CVTs on the EPA site, on an average, the vehicles that reported the lowest MPGs also had the highest percentage of Stop and Go driving conditions.

I own a 2008 Versa SL CVT and get 28-32MPG, again dependent on driving conditions. I would estimate my driving conditions as 30% city, 70% highway. My best MPGs are, as expected, highway driving.

My Versa is 8 months old and has ~20,000 miles on it. I have not noticed any difference in the gas mileage between when it was new and now.

Follow the EPA's tips on "Driving More Efficiently" and "Keeping Your Car In Shape".

Also, are you filling your gas tank up the same way every time? I have found that on my Versa that after the pump shuts down I can still squeeze almost another gallon in. If I don't fill my tank up exactly the same way every time this will affect my gas mileage calculation by 2-4MPG.

Fellow Versa owner - w00t! Any thoughts 8 months into your purchase?

My past car was a hyundai elantra with mediocre mpg and I used to drive that with nearly maximum efficiency - I think the issue now is that I'm not used to how this new car revs. It's hard to explain, but I think I'm heavier on my foot since the engine is quieter and somehow smoother, so I don't get the viceral and auditory feedback I'm used to.

I'll get used to it and will try to be gentler with the accelerator.

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: MadScientist
The Versa CVT is rated 27MPG city, 33MPG highway, 29MPG combined. Link. Again stating the obvious, these numbers depend on your driving habits and driving conditions.

If you look at the individual estimates of 27 Versa CVTs on the EPA site, on an average, the vehicles that reported the lowest MPGs also had the highest percentage of Stop and Go driving conditions.

I own a 2008 Versa SL CVT and get 28-32MPG, again dependent on driving conditions. I would estimate my driving conditions as 30% city, 70% highway. My best MPGs are, as expected, highway driving.

My Versa is 8 months old and has ~20,000 miles on it. I have not noticed any difference in the gas mileage between when it was new and now.

Follow the EPA's tips on "Driving More Efficiently" and "Keeping Your Car In Shape".

Also, are you filling your gas tank up the same way every time? I have found that on my Versa that after the pump shuts down I can still squeeze almost another gallon in. If I don't fill my tank up exactly the same way every time this will affect my gas mileage calculation by 2-4MPG.

The pump shuts off for a reason. You aren't supposed to go after that. You're messing up the cars method of handling gas vapors.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I don't recommend it either. I was just pointing this fact out to the OP who maybe be filling his tank up differently each time, thus affecting his gas mileage calculation.

Swbsam,
I have a few minor complaints about the car, but overall I'm pleased with it.

I test drove the Yaris, Fit, Focus, and the Scion xD. The Versa was not the best driving car, too much oversteer on turns, felt top heavy, and uneven braking, but I felt it was the best value. My 2002 Focus SE handles much better, and gets about the same gas mileage. The 1.8L CVT has better acceleration than my 2.2L Focus, but is noisy at higher RPMs. What sold me on the Versa was its upscale stock interior styling and the roomy back seat. The build could be better. I had to have the front bumper re-aligned, have a few squeaks coming from the dash, and the chrome plating on the front Nissan emblem was peeling (dealer replaced).
What it needs is lighted cruise control buttons, the side mirror controls should be higher, a stiffer suspension, and more precise steering.

More customer reviews at Edmunds: Link

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: MadScientist

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: MadScientist
The Versa CVT is rated 27MPG city, 33MPG highway, 29MPG combined. Link. Again stating the obvious, these numbers depend on your driving habits and driving conditions.

If you look at the individual estimates of 27 Versa CVTs on the EPA site, on an average, the vehicles that reported the lowest MPGs also had the highest percentage of Stop and Go driving conditions.

I own a 2008 Versa SL CVT and get 28-32MPG, again dependent on driving conditions. I would estimate my driving conditions as 30% city, 70% highway. My best MPGs are, as expected, highway driving.

My Versa is 8 months old and has ~20,000 miles on it. I have not noticed any difference in the gas mileage between when it was new and now.

Follow the EPA's tips on "Driving More Efficiently" and "Keeping Your Car In Shape".

Also, are you filling your gas tank up the same way every time? I have found that on my Versa that after the pump shuts down I can still squeeze almost another gallon in. If I don't fill my tank up exactly the same way every time this will affect my gas mileage calculation by 2-4MPG.

The pump shuts off for a reason. You aren't supposed to go after that. You're messing up the cars method of handling gas vapors.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I don't recommend it either. I was just pointing this fact out to the OP who maybe be filling his tank up differently each time, thus affecting his gas mileage calculation.

It's not quite as clear-cut as that.

The pump can (and on many cars, including mine does) shut off long before the tank is full, depending on the flow rate of the pump, the angle of the kink in the tube down to the tank, and how long that tube is.

I know many pumps seem to cause the nozzle to kick off multiple times with my vehicle, and it seems that the flow of petrol is too quick for the rate the tank/tube can take it.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: MadScientist

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: MadScientist
The Versa CVT is rated 27MPG city, 33MPG highway, 29MPG combined. Link. Again stating the obvious, these numbers depend on your driving habits and driving conditions.

If you look at the individual estimates of 27 Versa CVTs on the EPA site, on an average, the vehicles that reported the lowest MPGs also had the highest percentage of Stop and Go driving conditions.

I own a 2008 Versa SL CVT and get 28-32MPG, again dependent on driving conditions. I would estimate my driving conditions as 30% city, 70% highway. My best MPGs are, as expected, highway driving.

My Versa is 8 months old and has ~20,000 miles on it. I have not noticed any difference in the gas mileage between when it was new and now.

Follow the EPA's tips on "Driving More Efficiently" and "Keeping Your Car In Shape".

Also, are you filling your gas tank up the same way every time? I have found that on my Versa that after the pump shuts down I can still squeeze almost another gallon in. If I don't fill my tank up exactly the same way every time this will affect my gas mileage calculation by 2-4MPG.

The pump shuts off for a reason. You aren't supposed to go after that. You're messing up the cars method of handling gas vapors.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I don't recommend it either. I was just pointing this fact out to the OP who maybe be filling his tank up differently each time, thus affecting his gas mileage calculation.

It's not quite as clear-cut as that.

The pump can (and on many cars, including mine does) shut off long before the tank is full, depending on the flow rate of the pump, the angle of the kink in the tube down to the tank, and how long that tube is.

I know many pumps seem to cause the nozzle to kick off multiple times with my vehicle, and it seems that the flow of petrol is too quick for the rate the tank/tube can take it.

this is true, filling up a 2000 Durango the pump will kick off 4 secs into filling an empty tank if the flow is to fast, its really really annoying

 

[MadScientist]

Originally posted by: dug777

It's not quite as clear-cut as that.

The pump can (and on many cars, including mine does) shut off long before the tank is full, depending on the flow rate of the pump, the angle of the kink in the tube down to the tank, and how long that tube is.

I know many pumps seem to cause the nozzle to kick off multiple times with my vehicle, and it seems that the flow of petrol is too quick for the rate the tank/tube can take it.

That's true. The point I think that cool was making is that you should not fill your gas tank up above the gas vapor recirculation line.

 

[SJP0tato]

My wife's 07 Automatic (non CVT) Versa picked up 3-5 MPG after around 2000-2500 miles on the odometer. From reading up on it at the time, some people reported showing a slight increase in gas mileage after "wearing in" the engine over a few thousand miles, others didn't notice any difference at all.

Anyhow, hopefully it will go up a little for you once you get a few more miles on the car!

 

[desy]

nissanversa.org

Lots of CVT owners with widly varied mileage, my 4speed auto does as advertised.

 

[mastertech01]

CVT definitely takes time to adjust driving habits. I recently purchased a Freestyle and it has been a learning experience to prevent staying in higher reving conditions too long. The tendency to wait for the shift that never happens is a problem most new owners have and the adjustment period does cost fuel efficiency for awhile.