'95 Altima bad gas mileage

[cprince]

Hi!
I have a '95 Altima with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. The car has about 62000 miles. In the city, I get about 18mpg, and 25mpg on the highway. I normally don't run the AC. Is this normal for the car? I maintained the car well. New tires(properly inflated), new air filter, change oil every 3000 miles. I don't have too many things in the trunk. The only other things that I can think of is the Oxyen sensors and the PCV valve. Thanks for your help.

 

[steppinthrax]

That seem about right. My wife's 94 altima with about 107K gets around 21 average. If it was an O2 sensor you'll likely get a SES (Service Engine Soon Light). Unfortunatley for me and you the PCV valve is inside the valve cover. But it's not supposed to be changed frequently.

 

[j00fek]

did you try getting some fuel injector cleaner? i use it every other oil change

 

[CrackRabbit]

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg...ar1tablef.jsp?id=11826
Sounds normal to me.
Just as a note, older OBD I (not sure if 95 or 96 was the first year that OBD II was mandated) cars don't always set off the "Check Engine" light when things go out. The O2 sensor on my car had died and the "Check Engine" light never lit up.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg...ar1tablef.jsp?id=11826
Sounds normal to me.
Just as a note, older OBD I (not sure if 95 or 96 was the first year that OBD II was mandated) cars don't always set off the "Check Engine" light when things go out. The O2 sensor on my car had died and the "Check Engine" light never lit up.

The 95 altima has OBD II. But most younger OBD I systems are supposed to monitor O2 Sensor readings.

 

[myocardia]

Change your spark plugs, and run a couple of bottles of fuel injector cleaner through it. Just don't use both bottles at the same time.:laugh:

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg...ar1tablef.jsp?id=11826
Sounds normal to me.
Just as a note, older OBD I (not sure if 95 or 96 was the first year that OBD II was mandated) cars don't always set off the "Check Engine" light when things go out. The O2 sensor on my car had died and the "Check Engine" light never lit up.

The 95 altima has OBD II. But most younger OBD I systems are supposed to monitor O2 Sensor readings.

OBD I systems do, but they don't always do a good job of it.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Change your spark plugs, and run a couple of bottles of fuel injector cleaner through it. Just don't use both bottles at the same time.:laugh:

Lol! I put some Outlaw and some Slick 50 Fuel cleaner in at the same time in a Prelude, that car got a bad attitude for that tank of gas

But yes, change all of this, if necessary :

Add some fuel system treatment
Plugs
Wires (if they're frayed/worn, look at the contacts inside)
Distributor cap (again, examine in detail)
Fuel Filters (cheap, go ahead and change them)
Air Filter (get a K&N, they *do* increase mileage a smidgeon, plus they're reusable)
PCV Valve/O2 Sensors
Might have a mechanic check the EGR readings, sometimes a faulty EGR valve can jack your mileage

 

[HiTek21]

Start with the least expensive fixes and move up.

Check your tire pressure and adjust to the manufacture recommended pressure
fuel system cleaner (Techron or BG44k)
Change your Air Filter
Check spark plugs (regap or replace as needed)

Check to see if your brake calipers are dragging, drive around the block (when the car is cold) a few times with minimal braking. If your wheels are extremly hot chances are your brakes are dragging and the calipers need to be replaced or rebuilt.