Nissan Altima Quiz
Starting and driving

Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips

In this manual: Starting and driving
Foreword — 1Nissan Customer Assistance Program — 1Illustrated Table of Contents — 8Safety - Seats, Seat Belts and Supplemental Restraint System — 28Controls and instruments — 50Pre-Start Checks and Adjustments — 43Monitor, Climate, Audio, Phone and Voice Recognition Systems — 90Starting and driving — 37In an Emergency — 12Appearance and care — 17Maintenance and owner do-it-yourself — 37Technical data and consumer information — 24Using the multi-function display — 1Start-up Display — 1Settings — 1Multi-function display warnings and indicators — 1Changing the Display — 1How to Park Using the Predicted Course Lines — 1Screen Settings — 1Driving tips — 1Moving Object Detection System (if equipped) — 1Blind Spot Warning System Operation — 1Blind Spot Warning system driving situations — 1Lane Departure Warning system operation — 1Camera Maintenance — 1Headlights — 1Fog Lights (if equipped) — 1Parking Lights and Turn Signal Lights — 1
~3min read

Follow these simple tips to help you get the best fuel economy from your vehicle.

  1. Press the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal gently.
  • Avoid unnecessarily abrupt starts and stops.
  • Get into the habit of accelerating and braking smoothly.
  • Maintain a steady speed while driving, and let the vehicle coast as much as possible.
  1. Maintain a steady speed
  • Look far ahead and try to anticipate stops so that braking is kept to a minimum.
  • Time your speed to the traffic signals to reduce the number of stops.
  • By maintaining a steady speed, you will encounter fewer red lights and improve fuel economy.
  1. Use the air conditioner (A/C) when driving at higher speeds.
  • Below 64 km/h, it is more efficient to open the windows to cool the passenger compartment, due to the reduced engine load.
  • Above 64 km/h, however, it is more efficient to use the air conditioner to cool the passenger compartment, due to increased aerodynamic drag.
  • Recirculating the cabin air while the air conditioner is on reduces the cooling load.
  1. To save fuel, drive moderately and keep your distance.
  • By obeying the speed limit and not exceeding 97 km/h (where legal), you improve energy efficiency due to reduced aerodynamic drag.
  • By keeping a safe distance behind other vehicles, you will not need to brake as often.
  • By watching what happens ahead of you, you can anticipate sudden changes in speed, so you brake less often and accelerate or decelerate more smoothly.
  • Select a gear range suited to road conditions.
  1. Use the cruise control
  • Using the cruise control when driving on the highway allows you to maintain a steady speed.
  • Cruise control is particularly effective in reducing fuel consumption when driving on flat roads.
  1. Plan the shortest route
  • Use a map or navigation system to determine the route that will save you the most time.
  1. Avoid idling the engine
  • When stopped for more than 30–60 seconds, turn off the engine if you can do so safely, to save fuel and reduce emissions.
  1. Get an electronic toll pass for toll roads
  • Drivers with an electronic toll pass can use dedicated lanes and maintain their cruise speed when entering and leaving toll roads.
  1. To warm up your vehicle in winter
  • Limit idling time to minimize the impact on fuel economy.
  • As a general rule, there is no need to idle the engine for more than thirty seconds to circulate the oil before driving off.
  • Your vehicle will reach its ideal operating temperature more quickly when driving than when idling the engine.
  1. To cool the passenger compartment
  • Whenever possible, park your vehicle in a covered area or in the shade.
  • If the passenger compartment is hot, open the windows to lower the interior temperature more quickly and reduce the load on the heating/air conditioning system.

Test yourself

A quick Nissan Altima quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.