- Feb 10, 2000
- 30,029
- 67
- 91
I need help! Here's the deal:
I drive a 2001 Nissan Maxima SE with manual transmission. I've owned it since new, and it has 47,800 miles. It has had all scheduled maintenance, and is in excellent condition.
About 4 months ago, I got my second flat in short order on the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires (I have the optional 17" wheels, with 225/50-17 tires). The tires had always exhibited poor wet traction and a lot of noise, and since I was planning a cross-country drive I decided to replace them.
I bought Bridgestone Turanza LS-V tires, in the same size, based on positive reviews on tirerack.com. There are few tires available in my size, and I had also considered Michelin Pilot Sport A/Ss.
The Turanzas are a high-end "Grand Touring" tire, whereas the stock tires were a midrange "Sport" tire. The Turanzas have been a great improvement in terms of noise, ride, handling, and traction, but . . .
I used to get 23 MPG with mixed city/hwy driving. I now get 15-17 MPG.
I have taken the car in, and had an excellent local mechanic check it out. They checked the thermostat, O2 sensor and fuel delivery system, as well as plugging it into the diagnostic computer and checking the plugs. Everything checked out fine. The only oddity they noted was my Amsoil air filter - it is only 6 MO, but they recommended I try changing it out. I tried replacing it with a paper filter experimentally, but it hasn't done any good.
The car has not lost any performance that I can tell in recent months. As it happens I also had the car's 45,000 mile check performed since getting the tires, and it got a clean bill of health. I maintain proper inflation, and experimentally tried higher-than-recommended inflation, with no benefit to mileage. My driving pattern hasn't changed, and in fact I got some of my worst mileage while driving nothing but highways cross-country.
I have consistently used premium fuel, as recommended by Nissan. Since my mileage went down, I have had one oil change, and Mobil 1 full syn was used. No help.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??? I can't come up with any explanation for the lost mileage. I can see how the Turanzas's softer sidewall might make SOME difference by adding to rolling resistance, but I've lost more than 1/4 of my mileage. I can't see any other explanation for this.
I have moved to Minnesota since getting the tires (obviously a potentially important detail), but the mileage dropoff started when I was still living in Washington State. I have spent several winters there before and never had a dropoff in mileage due to winter gas.
Any ideas or advice are more than appreciated. I don't want to be getting Excursion-type mileage when gas prices climb even higher this spring.
Cliff's Notes: 2001 Maxima lost 6+ MPG after changing tires. Car has been checked out to no avail. Seeking advice.
UPDATE 3/11: Just came back from my mechanic. The alignment and brakes are fine. Still no idea what the hell's going on. He says he's willing to keep looking, but it seems like a waste of $80/hour, when the car runs fine. Grrrrrr . . .
I drive a 2001 Nissan Maxima SE with manual transmission. I've owned it since new, and it has 47,800 miles. It has had all scheduled maintenance, and is in excellent condition.
About 4 months ago, I got my second flat in short order on the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE92 tires (I have the optional 17" wheels, with 225/50-17 tires). The tires had always exhibited poor wet traction and a lot of noise, and since I was planning a cross-country drive I decided to replace them.
I bought Bridgestone Turanza LS-V tires, in the same size, based on positive reviews on tirerack.com. There are few tires available in my size, and I had also considered Michelin Pilot Sport A/Ss.
The Turanzas are a high-end "Grand Touring" tire, whereas the stock tires were a midrange "Sport" tire. The Turanzas have been a great improvement in terms of noise, ride, handling, and traction, but . . .
I used to get 23 MPG with mixed city/hwy driving. I now get 15-17 MPG.
I have taken the car in, and had an excellent local mechanic check it out. They checked the thermostat, O2 sensor and fuel delivery system, as well as plugging it into the diagnostic computer and checking the plugs. Everything checked out fine. The only oddity they noted was my Amsoil air filter - it is only 6 MO, but they recommended I try changing it out. I tried replacing it with a paper filter experimentally, but it hasn't done any good.
The car has not lost any performance that I can tell in recent months. As it happens I also had the car's 45,000 mile check performed since getting the tires, and it got a clean bill of health. I maintain proper inflation, and experimentally tried higher-than-recommended inflation, with no benefit to mileage. My driving pattern hasn't changed, and in fact I got some of my worst mileage while driving nothing but highways cross-country.
I have consistently used premium fuel, as recommended by Nissan. Since my mileage went down, I have had one oil change, and Mobil 1 full syn was used. No help.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??? I can't come up with any explanation for the lost mileage. I can see how the Turanzas's softer sidewall might make SOME difference by adding to rolling resistance, but I've lost more than 1/4 of my mileage. I can't see any other explanation for this.
I have moved to Minnesota since getting the tires (obviously a potentially important detail), but the mileage dropoff started when I was still living in Washington State. I have spent several winters there before and never had a dropoff in mileage due to winter gas.
Any ideas or advice are more than appreciated. I don't want to be getting Excursion-type mileage when gas prices climb even higher this spring.
Cliff's Notes: 2001 Maxima lost 6+ MPG after changing tires. Car has been checked out to no avail. Seeking advice.
UPDATE 3/11: Just came back from my mechanic. The alignment and brakes are fine. Still no idea what the hell's going on. He says he's willing to keep looking, but it seems like a waste of $80/hour, when the car runs fine. Grrrrrr . . .
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