Another Noob!
 

Hello there.

I just picked up a 1995 Nissan 200SX SE (1.6L) for $700 as a commuter/weekday car for my 100-mile per day commute (round trip). I am getting somewhere in the high 30s and I would like to learn how to improve that....so I joined this forum. It's running fine with 193,000 miles. It's a 5-speed with a great clutch. So far I just replaced the spark plugs, air filter, and tires. If anyone knows any special tricks with these little Nissans I'm all ears. Everything else seems to be running smoothly right now. This is a 2nd car, so if anything goes wrong I have a newer car to use, but I want to get the most I can out of this little guy.

My previous commuter car was a Suzuki Wagon R (kei car, 660cc). I never really bothered learning better ways to conserve gasoline because my commute was only 10 kilometers each way and that car was such a gas sipper even though gas was at about $6.50/gallon. Now I am living in the U.S. with cheaper gas prices but a much much longer commute.

Anyway, I hope to learn a lot. Thanks!

Re: Another Noob!
 

Welcome!

The silver lining in the dark cloud that is a 100 mile per day commute is that you get to adjust and learn your route for the best fuel economy results...you can do better on a long daily commute than if you drove somewhere different for 100 miles every day.

Re: Another Noob!
 

Best way to improve MPG is to move closer to work if that is possible.

My round trip commute is 15 miles and I wish it was closer sometimes.

Re: Another Noob!
 

my commute is 25 miles one way but I do enjoy much cheaper housing expenses and the joy of not living in the city.

there are a lot of advantages either way.

I would try to set up some sort of mileage calculator. I think the MPGUINO may work because you are pre 1996 and the scangauge won't work for you. I am not pre 1996 so I am not sure but I know there are options out there.

Re: Another Noob!
 

Actually, if he's driving mostly highway miles now, and moved closer, his MPG would probably suffer. The best MPG is almost always obtained with longer-distance highway commutes. ;)

Re: Another Noob!
 

Twue, however my point was that the idea is to save gas.

Moving close to work means less miles thus less gas.