Help Me Explain this

[R.I.D.E.]

Basically your van is a station wagon version of an 89-94 Nissan maxima.

If I remember correctly the 89 Maxima we had would do close to that MPG, but we usually drove at higher speeds.

Your engine revs are probably very low at 55 max speed, Hills can actually help your MPG if the transmission drag is low on the downhill slopes.

Those old Maxima powertrains were among the best ever built by anyone anytime. Engines were final fitted with 4 different standard bearing sizes and 4 different piston sizes depending on final finished machine dimensions. I have seen them go 350k plus miles with ease.

The hot wire mass air flow sensors tended to run lean when they were getting somewhat tired, the idle symptom you describe was one symptom of a weak meter.

Combining this with the fact that the Quest was not a large Minivan (same as villager) and probalby had decent aero, especially for a Minivan, I don't think your figures are wrong or even amazing. I would consider them exceptional, and doubt you will be able to do much to make them better, but good luck on your 40 MPG goal.

regards
gary

[WorkingOnWise]

Originally Posted by R.I.D.E.

Basically your van is a station wagon version of an 89-94 Nissan maxima.

Do I remember correctly that the 89-94 Maximas had the same V6 as the 300Z of the same generation? Do I have that same V6 in my van? If so, I totally get why it is such a great running engine, and have a little easier time believing 30.5 mpg. I did know that my van was a Quest dressed up in Mercury clothes, which is why I liked it so much. Nissan has always been one of my more respected manufacturers.