MPG vs gearing/packages

[jammadave]

OK, now I'm a little overwhelmed by all the different package/drivetrain combos and what they mean to mileage.

My first instinct is to go 2WD and no extra packages, because I don't tow and I don't go offroading - maybe off road a little ways from time to time, but not for the sport of it. Simple. Should be good mileage.

But then I think maybe one day I'll need 4wd for something. I've never needed it, and my last truck was a Ram 1500 longbed, 2wd and only one problem ever - Got stuck once in my driveway when the snow was packed all the way up to the frame upon backing out of the carport (too lazy to shovel *first*) - but I firmly believe not even 4wd would have helped that particular instance.

That said, I'd still want the best mileage possible, so screw the BT and OR, right? But for 05 4x4 LE's all have the same gearing as a BT anyway?

Would 2WD with VDC be available? Would it work for the occasional snowy hill or icy street?

I'm beginning to think I'm spoiled with my Murano's 19.1 MPG here in the DC Metro area - I dont expect near that with Titan of course, but every little bit helps, right? And I probably wouldn't drive the T like it's a 350Z, as I do with the Mo.

Cheers
Dave
License plate TRIKKY, but unrelated to the forum member of the same name. How weird is that.

[SUBTITAN]

I have a CC with big tow. I'm getting 15MPG average. It almost seems like it's a crap shoot on what your MPG's will be, not depending so much on what packages but with the luck of the draw. It If you can get the dealer to give you a 24 hour test drive so you can run it through a tank to get an idea of what it will be that would at least give you a quick indication of what you will be getting. I got 13.5 on first tank 50/50 Hwy/City. As for the VDC on 05's I'm not sure of the new packages, but you can go to www.nissanusa.com and get the package description. I love my VDC however that is personal preference others may not like it. Good luck and buy what you want without regard to gas millage. If your worried about gas millage don't buy a truck, even my little ranger gets 16MPG. Good Luck on the Hunt.

[grunkster]

but WHY are everybody's mpg's SO different?? Even people with the same packages..."luck of the draw"...I don't get it.

[jammadave]

Originally Posted by SUBTITAN

Good luck and buy what you want without regard to gas millage. If your worried about gas millage don't buy a truck, even my little ranger gets 16MPG. Good Luck on the Hunt.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting it to match the Mo, or anything else smaller with a V6. I'm just trying to maximize mileage while getting exactly what I need in the drivetrain, which is why I asked this stuff...

Heh, I sold my last truck because it was a long bed and regular cab, and I needed the interior room more than the bed space - mileage was a consideration but not the major factor. With a Titan I'd be essentially getting a super-sized Murano interior with the bonus of an open bed, so I doubt I'd have much to complain about =0)

[BigSkiff]

Originally Posted by grunkster

but WHY are everybody's mpg's SO different?? Even people with the same packages..."luck of the draw"...I don't get it.

There are a whole bunch of reasons why gas mileage differs from one truck to the next. Most if not all have been discussed in depth on this forum in other threads. Things like, brand of fuel, additives, climate, driving conditions, driving style, gearing, tire pressure, and on and on. Every truck gets driven in a slightly different fashion. Most get mileage that is close to the 14-18mpg rating. Like any sampling, some are at the outer limits of the envelope, but most are within the median average at the center of the sampling.

[rholland]

I am happy with my gas mileage, but what I don't understand is why it varies from week to week. My last truck got 16 mpg every tank as long as I just drove it to and from work. I drive the same 26 miles to work and 26 miles home agin. The Titan will get 17mpg for a few tanks, 16 for a while and 15. After I take a freeway trip, 200 miles or so, it will get 17 for a tank or two, and run exceptionally well for a while. Then it will slip back to 16 and 15 mpg. I have 23,000 miles on it now.

[Turbodog]

I dont' get it either. I have an KC BT LE and the BEST I have EVER gotten was 14.4 mpg and that was nearly all flat highway driving with the tailgate removed and I never went over 65mph and I slooowly went up the on-ramps, It was the most boring slow tank I ever drove. I would be extatic to get 17 mpg while driving normally. I normally get about 11.5 mpg.

[stokie]

Originally Posted by grunkster

but WHY are everybody's mpg's SO different?? Even people with the same packages..."luck of the draw"...I don't get it.

I know why every ones gas mileage is different. Some people born with larger heaver feet.

[electricjohn]

I think if you stay away from the big tow and off road(3.36 gears), and the 4x4(transfer and front drive axle friction), you can easily get the better part of the advertized MPG's. Just keep the tach under 2 or 2 1/2 (it's hard). If you need winter traction, then shovel that snow pack into the back of the truck. You'll go anywhere.

[jammadave]

Re: gears and stuff, I'm perfectly happy going 4x2 with no gear packages.

But - oh great, now I'm running into the bull$#!+ at the build stage on the Nissan site where I can't get a Sunroof without goddamn Navigation. *sigh*. Don't even get me started on side airbags.

ONE OPTION AT A TIME, @$$ CLOWNS.

[Squid]

After 21,500 miles let me put one thing to rest. I have the truck below and I'm getting a consistant 17 MPG with a 60/40 highway to city driving. Don't let the 4X4 rumor stop you from getting a 4X4. It's not true anymore. The transfer case are smaller, weigh less, and there are no longer solid axles on the front like the old 4X4's trucks/Jeeps of times past.

[jammadave]

Well, in my own defense I have always maintained that I don't need 4WD. I enjoy the feeling of RWD and even feel it gives me more control in snow than FWD. I've never even tried 4WD, it's always so much more expensive and yes, at least in the past, automatically tanked the MPG. Maybe I'll try one, but I don't see a need for it. Of course, none of the dealers in my area have any 4x2s, let alone an LE 4x2.

[shadylane]

I have KC BT LE. In Jan 05 I pulled an 8 x 12 utility trailer from New Mexico to Minnesota (3000#). Got 16 MPG in New Mexico and Texas with 86 octaine gas, 13 MPG in Oklahoma and Missouri with 87 octain, 10 MPG in Iowa and Minnesota with 87 octaine. This was all on Interstate routes and mostly flat and speed was 65MPH most of the way. The most significate reasons I could see was it got colder as I went further north and Iowa and Minnesota both have 10% ethyl alcohol added to all gasoline. Without the trailer I usually get about 12 MPG in the city (Minneapolis suburbs) and 14 MPG on the highway(65 MPH). Too many variables for any of us to pin down why milage varies so much,

[Squid]

Originally Posted by jammadave

Well, in my own defense I have always maintained that I don't need 4WD. I enjoy the feeling of RWD and even feel it gives me more control in snow than FWD. I've never even tried 4WD, it's always so much more expensive and yes, at least in the past, automatically tanked the MPG. Maybe I'll try one, but I don't see a need for it. Of course, none of the dealers in my area have any 4x2s, let alone an LE 4x2.

That's cool. I'm self employed and work at night, so I have to get out in the Snow and Ice when no one else is around, So I depend on the 4X4 to keep me safe. Now I will modify my original statement and tell you that the 2 full tanks of gas I ran thru the Titan in 4HI dropped my MPG down to 13. But I did make it home safe in some really nasty Ice storms. There use to be some post and pictures of 2wd Titans that didn't do real well on the ice.(this truck does weigh over 5000 LBS.)

I just wanted everyone to know the you just don't suffer like you use to with 4X4. I think the window stickers show a 1 mpg loss for the 4X4. My sticker says 14 and 18 MPG.

[brif]

To add to the 4x2 to the 4x4 debate. The first truck I had many years ago was a 4x2. It got me around pretty well most of the time(I live in wisconsin). My last 7 trucks all have been 4x4. Granted I don't use it everyday, but the time when you do use it you're real glad that you have it. Another way to look at it is resale. Maybe because I'm here in wisconsin, so it's hard to compare to some of the southern states but, you almost give away a 4x2 around here. Everybody wants a 4x4. That is another way to look at it.