MPG achieved with LD28

#1

I'm curious as to what others are getting for mpg. I'm pulling 29 right now with the 3 speed auto tranny.

On Ebay there's a sedan for sale, with a complete diesel transplant and 5 speed, and the seller indicates that he's getting 600 miles per tank which would be over 37 mpg with the 16 gallon tank. That's a pretty significant improvement over the auto trans and if it could be had with the conversion to 5-speed I'm tempted to do it.

Any comments?

steve a

#2

I'd be very wary of that claim by the seller. My 70-yr-old friend told me last year, "There's two things all men lie about their sex life and their gas mileage."

I have never seen better than 28 MPG on my '82 wagon.

The Datsun sales brochure for 1982 lists:

                                   49 States                California
                                    HWY/MPG                  HWY/MPG
Diesel Sedan: 5-spd                  42/30                   42/30
Diesel Sedan & 
wagon: Automatic                     38/28                   38/28

Don't ask me what "HWY/MPG" is supposed to mean!
No 5-spd was available in the diesel wagon in 1982.

The Datsun sales brochure for 1983 lists:

                                   49 States                California
                                    Hwy/MPG                  HWY/MPG
Diesel Sedan: 5-spd                  43/30                   N.A.*
Diesel Sedan & 
wagon: Automatic                     42/28                   N.A.*

* "Diesel Maxima not available in some areas.  California diesel available spring 1983."

Both brochures have the caveat at the bottom:

"Remember: Use estimated MPG for comparison. Your mileage may differ, depending on speed, weather and trip length. Your actual highway mileage will probably be less than the estimated highway fuel economy."

#3

I have a '82 with a 5 spd and I get 32 mpg in stop and go traffic.

#4

My '82 sedan (212,000 mi.) gets between 26-29 MPG. 3-spd auto.

#5

I Have a 5 spd with 305000 and get 32 mpg(in town) and I'm not sure what I get on the highway, but I have an auto also and the acceleration is a lot better so it depends on what you want to do with your car.

#6

Did another 300 mile loop for this past holiday and this time I managed to pull 33 mpg, mostly 55 / 65 mph driving. I have a feeling some of this has to do with the repaired thermostat and the motor finally running at the correct temperature.

SA

#7

I pull down about 28-29 mpg in my 82 Maxima with the 3-speed auto and I have 211,800 miles on the car as of now. I think for the most part any Maxima diesel with the manual transmission should always be in the 30's for mileage.

Salvy

#8

Right on.

#9

In my 82 wagon with 3 spd automatic I get 25-26 mpg mixed town and country driving running 80% biodiesel.

Terry

#10

I have a bunch of Maxi diesels, but one is an 82 5spd sedan, which I have changed the differential from the original 3.55 to 3.36 (standard rear in a 82 automatic car) and on highway trips (like to Florida) I was getting 40mpg (also larger tires 225/75r14 on rear) Now I use a 1996 Dodge diesel dually, 3500, 5spd, 2wd, cap, larger tires, & keep it 65mph or less and I get 26.5mpg on the same trip to Florida.

It isn't about bragging or overstating, it is about knowing what increases or decreases your mileage, and driving accordingly. My truck uses more fuel over 65mph, so I don't do that. When I drive my Maxi's I am totally unconcerned with the driver behind me. My attitude is that the driver behind can spend his $2.50 a gallon any which way they choose, and I WILL not alter my driving to please them. Actually when a tailgator is behind me (the closer you get the slower I go). When I take off from a light a lot of people pass me, and then I pass them just up the road. Coming up to a light I put it in neutral and attempt to time it so I use the brakes the least. (I am a mechanic so I am wearing my own brakes out) If people want to be the first away or to the light, it costs more, so does tailgating. (brakes) If you see coal behind you when you take off, that is unburnt fuel you are seeing...never to be seen again. To each his own.

Everyone could decrease their fuel consumption 10% if they choose, without costing anything. Pump your tires up to 40 lbs. drive in a manor somewhat like above and cut down on unnecessary trips, like coming home and going right back out to the store. This seems quite ridiculous on the surface, but if we imported less oil into this country, the terrorists would have just a little less surplus money to spend. Yep, that is a radical idea and just for everyones information the largest cash crop from Afganhistan is herion (poppy plants) and is/was the worlds top producer. So where did the money for the Taliban come from? Your local drug dealer. We paid for it. I burn wood (only) to heat my house.

This coffee must have more caffeine in it.

Must think pleasant thoughts....

#11

I agree diesel-man, I generally don't get in someone elses way, and I drive slower than most. Then again my main transportation is a 52hp 86 Golf diesel, so going anywhere fast is not really an option. I am rebuilding a 1.6 turbo diesel engine for this little car but still, like you, I know that my little Golf can get 50mpg if I keep it at or below 65 so even though Iowa recently raised the limit to 70 I prefer to take the slow lane.

If someone wants to go faster that's their choice, but don't count on me playing the enabler. If someone wants to pass me that's fine, but don't even think that because you hang on my bumper that it'll make me go any faster!

I am generally shocked by the driving in Iowa to be honest. It's deteriorated to a point where you really are taking your life into your hands when you go out on the street. People can't drive their own drive, they always seem to need to pass someone, just to be passing. I truly believe that people think that everything will be fine if they just push the pedal down a little further.

my .02

sa

#12

I had no idea that it was that bad out your way. Elkton MD is halfway between Baltimore and Philidelphia, which is almost? halfway between Washington DC and New York City. Boston is no walk in the park either. I've heard that some truckers don't like to drive East of the Mississippi River. Alot of people are moving from New Jersey to Delaware because of high property taxes in NJ. Someone from Long Island NY moving down this way would think all the properties are "on sale" the same as we would think that land in Missouri for $600 an acre is "on sale".

Anyhow people bring their bad habits with them from these places....and it shows!

I reckon someone would have to get about 50 miles away from anyplace big enough to get a decent job, to find a nice place to live/drive.

#13

diesel-man wrote:Anyhow people bring their bad habits with them from these places....and it shows!

Yes it does, and that influx of bad driving for Iowa comes generally from Illinois. If I see a car in the rearview coming up extremely fast, I always bet Illinois, and 90% of the time I'm right. The rest of the time it's a toss between Minnesota and Missouri.

I personally think that people should have to feed money into their dashboard whenever their vehicle consumes one gallon of fuel. That way the money to fill the tank would be confiscated from the consumer on a gallon basis as the vehicle consumes the fuel. I don't think it would take long for people to start recognizing the impact of slower driving and more efficient vehicles. As it is now there's a disconnect between filling the tank and driving down the road. People grumble when they fill the tank and pay for it, but they seem to forget all this when they go 80mph down the freeway, or mash the pedal coming off the line, ride my bumper, or pass just to be passing.

Oh well, enough of my complaining, can't do anything about it anyway ...just remember, everything will be all better if I push my accelerator just a little further!

sa

#14

glenlloyd wrote: People grumble when they fill the tank and pay for it, but they seem to forget all this when they go 80mph down the freeway, or mash the pedal coming off the line, ride my bumper, or pass just to be passing.

My old Aero has the "digital dash" and the package that calculates MPG and "instant mileage". It's fun to watch, when you put it into "instant mileage" mode. Go down a steep hill, get 99 MPG, accel up the same hill, drops to 8 or 9.

#15

diesel-man wrote:I have a bunch of Maxi diesels, but one is an 82 5spd sedan, which I have changed the differential from the original 3.55 to 3.36 (standard rear in a 82 automatic car) and on highway trips (like to Florida) I was getting 40mpg (also larger tires 225/75r14 on rear) snip

So ... after changing to a taller final ratio and larger diameter tires, how far off is your odometer reading per 100 miles? The error has to be significant! The Auto Club can direct you to one of their Approved testing stations for speedometer accuracy and they will issue you a comparison card.

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