Nissan Murano third generation (Z51, 2015–2021) with motor VQ35DE 3.5 l (260 hp) - one of the most popular crossovers in the class. But his appetite often becomes a headache for owners. Official consumption figures from the manufacturer (9.8–10.5 l/100 km in the combined cycle) rarely coincide with reality. Why is this happening? And is it possible to reduce gasoline consumption without sacrificing comfort?

In this article we will look at real consumption Murano 3.5 according to owner reviews, we will analyze the technical reasons for the overconsumption (from clogged injectors to a faulty variator Jatco JF011E), and also give practical recommendations, which will help save 10–15% of fuel. All advice is based on the experience of service technicians and data from forums Nissan (including murano-club.ru And drive2.ru).

Official and real consumption figures: why is the difference so big?

The manufacturer declares for Murano 3.5 (2015–2021) the following consumption rates:

  • 🛣️ City cycle: 13.5 l/100 km
  • 🌿 Country cycle: 7.8 l/100 km
  • 🔄 Mixed cycle: 9.8–10.5 l/100 km

But according to the owners (more than 500 reviews on drive2.ru And drom.ru), real indicators often exceed official ones by 20–30%:

Operating conditions Official consumption (l/100 km) Actual consumption (l/100 km)
City (traffic jams, short trips) 13.5 16–19
Route (90–110 km/h) 7.8 9–11
Mixed cycle (50% city/highway) 9.8–10.5 12–14
Winter (warming up, short trips) — 18–22

The main reason for the discrepancy is manufacturer test cycles (NEDC or WLTP) are carried out under ideal laboratory conditions: flat road, temperature +20°C, no traffic jams or additional load. In reality, consumption is affected by:

  • 🚗 Driving style: sudden acceleration and braking increase consumption by 20–25%.
  • ❄️ Climate: In winter, consumption increases by 15–30% due to warming up, heating on and increased cold air resistance.
  • 🔧 Technical condition: clogged injectors, a dirty air filter or a faulty lambda probe can add +2–3 l/100 km.
  • 🛠️ Modifications: Larger tires, a roof rack or a trailer increase aerodynamic drag and engine load.
📊 What is your actual fuel consumption for the Nissan Murano 3.5?
  • Up to 12 l/100 km
  • 12–15 l/100 km
  • 15–18 l/100 km
  • More than 18 l/100 km

Technical reasons for increased consumption: what to check first

Engine VQ35DE known for its reliability, but it also has “weak points” that affect appetite. Here TOP-5 problemswhich most often cause overspending:

  1. Clogged injectors. Over time, deposits form on them, interfering with fuel atomization. Symptoms: jerking during acceleration, increased vibration at idle, consumption +1.5–2 l/100 km.
  2. Faulty variator Jatco JF011E. If the transmission stalls or overheats, the engine runs longer at high speeds, burning excess fuel.
  3. Dirty air filter. When the filter is clogged, the engine “suffocates” and the control unit (ECU) enriches the mixture, which leads to excess consumption of up to +1 l/100 km.
  4. Faulty lambda probes. Oxygen sensors regulate the fuel/air ratio. If they fail, ECU goes into emergency mode with increased flow.
  5. Vacuum leaks. Cracks in the pipes or gaskets of the intake manifold lead to air leaks and disruption of mixture formation.
⚠️ Attention: If consumption suddenly increases by 2–3 liters for no apparent reason, check mass air flow sensor (MAF). Its malfunction is often disguised as other problems, but is diagnosed by the scanner in 5 minutes.

How can I check these nodes myself?

Read errors with scanner (ELM327 + Torque application)

Check fuel pressure (normal: 3.5–4.0 bar)

Inspect the air filter against the light

Listen to the variator for extraneous noise

Check the intake manifold pipes for leaks -->

CVT Jatco JF011E: how does it affect consumption and what to do

CVT Jatco JF011E, installed on Murano 3.5, is one of the most controversial transmissions in the lineup Nissan. On the one hand, it ensures smooth running, on the other hand, can add up to 1–1.5 l/100 km in case of malfunctions. Main problems:

  • 🔥 Overheating The variator is sensitive to temperature: when overheated, the oil loses its properties, which leads to belt slipping and increased load on the engine.
  • 🛢️ Contaminated oil. Regulations for changing the oil in the variator - every 60,000 km, but many owners ignore this, which leads to accelerated wear.
  • 🔄 Incorrect adaptation. After an oil change or repair, the variator needs “training” (procedure Relearn), otherwise it will not work optimally.

How to reduce the influence of the variator on consumption?

  1. Change your oil regularly (every 60,000 km or every 2 years). Use only original oil Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3.
  2. Avoid abrupt starts — the CVT does not like aggressive driving.
  3. Check the oil level every 10,000 km. Low levels lead to oil starvation and overheating.
  4. Make adaptations after an oil change or repair (diagnostic scanner required).
How to check the oil level in a variator

1. Warm up the car to operating temperature (drive 10–15 km).

2. Place the car on a level surface and turn off the engine.

3. Remove the variator dipstick (yellow ring under the hood), wipe it and insert it back.

4. Take the dipstick out again - the level should be between the "HOT" marks.

⚠️ Attention: If the variator begins to “kick”, a hum or vibration appears - go for diagnostics immediately. Delaying repairs can lead to complete failure of the transmission (the cost of restoration is from 150,000 rubles).

Top 7 ways to reduce fuel consumption without losing comfort

Even if your Murano 3.5 technically sound, consumption can be reduced by 10–15% using simple techniques. Here 7 most effective methods, verified by the owners:

  1. Use quality fuel. VQ35DE sensitive to octane number: refueling with 92 gasoline instead of 95 increases consumption by 5–7%. Optimal choice - AI-95 or AI-98 with additives (for example, Lukoil Ectro or Gazpromneft G-Drive).
  2. Monitor your tire pressure. Wheels lowered by 0.3 atm add +0.5 l/100 km. Optimal pressure for Murano: 2.3 bar front / 2.5 bar rear.
  3. Disable all-wheel drive (AWD). In mode 2WD (if there is such an option) consumption is reduced by 0.7–1 l/100 km. Use 4WD Lock off-road only.
  4. Avoid idling. Warming up in winter for longer than 3–5 minutes burns excess fuel. Use a preheater (eg Webasto).
  5. Use cruise control on the highway. The system maintains optimal speed, saving up to 0.5 l/100 km over long distances.
  6. Reduce vehicle weight. Every 50 kg of cargo adds +0.2 l/100 km. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk.
  7. Plan your route. Avoid traffic jams and short trips (a cold engine consumes 20-30% more fuel).
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If you often drive on the highway, install wind deflector on the hatch - this will reduce aerodynamic drag and save up to 0.3 l/100 km at speeds above 100 km/h.

The effectiveness of methods can be monitored using on-board computer (Trip Computer) or mobile applications (for example, Fuelio or Dreamnote). Measure consumption on the same route before and after implementing changes.

Winter consumption: how to save money in cold weather

Winter is the most difficult period for Murano 3.5. Consumption may rise to 18–22 l/100 km due to:

  • ❄️ Long warm-up (the engine runs on a rich mixture).
  • 🔥 Heating on (stove, heated seats, steering wheel).
  • ⛽ Thickened oil (friction in the engine increases).
  • 🚗 Snow/ice on the road (increased rolling resistance).

How to reduce winter appetite?

Problem Solution Economy (l/100 km)
Long warm-up Use a pre-heater (Webasto, Eberspächer) 1.5–2.0
Thick oil Fill synthetics with 5W-30 or 0W-20 (for example, Mobil 1 ESP) 0.5–0.8
Cold salon Use autorun with a timer (no more than 10 minutes at a time) 0.7–1.0
Snow on the roof Clear the car of snow (excess weight + aerodynamic drag) 0.3–0.5
⚠️ Attention: Do not use autorun more than 2-3 times per hour - this accelerates starter wear and drains the battery. Optimal mode: start 10–15 minutes before the trip.
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The most effective way to save money in the winter is to combine a preheater and synthetic oil. This reduces consumption by 2–3 l/100 km without losing comfort.

Chip tuning: is it worth doing and what is the effect in terms of consumption?

Many owners Murano 3.5 are considering chip tuning as a way to improve dynamics and reduce consumption. But there are nuances here:

Pros:

  • 🚀 Increase in power by 15–20 hp. (up to 280–285 hp).
  • ⛽ Potential reduction in consumption by 0.5–1 l/100 km due to optimization of mixture formation.
  • 🔧 Elimination of “failures” during acceleration (relevant for a variator).

Cons:

  • ⚠️ Risk engine overheating when driving aggressively (especially in summer).
  • 🔧 Possible problems with guarantee (if the car is under warranty).
  • ⛽ In reality, consumption can increase, if the tuning was done unprofessionally.

Chip tuning cost for VQ35DE — from 15,000 to 30,000 ₽. Recommended workshops: ChipTuning Pro (Moscow), DT-Racing (St. Petersburg), BRTuning (Ekaterinburg). Before the procedure, be sure to:

  1. Check the compression in the cylinders (normal: 12–14 bar).
  2. Replace spark plugs (recommended NGK ILFR6H11 or Denso IT20TT).
  3. Make sure the lambda probes are in good condition and MAF-sensor.
What is "eco-tuning"?

This is a type of chip tuning aimed solely to reduce consumption (without increasing power). The wizard optimizes ignition timing and fuel maps for economical mode. Effect: consumption decreases by 0.5–1.2 l/100 km, but dynamics may deteriorate by 5–10%.

Owner reviews: real numbers and tips

We analyzed more than 200 reviews on drive2.ru, drom.ru And murano-club.ru and allocated the most typical stories:

Alexey, Moscow, Murano 2016:

“In summer, consumption is 11–12 l/100 km (50% city/highway). In winter it reaches 18 liters - I’m saving myself Webasto and synthetics 0W-20. Top tip: change the oil in the variator every 50,000 km, even if it is officially written 60,000.”

Igor, Ekaterinburg, Murano 2018:

“After 100,000 km, consumption increased to 15 l/100 km. It turned out that the injectors were clogged and the MAF. After cleaning and replacing filters I returned to 12.5 liters. Don't skimp on maintenance!»

Olga, Sochi, Murano 2017:

“My consumption is 9.5 l/100 km on the highway (cruise at 90 km/h) and 14 l in the city. Secret: I always fill up with 98 gasoline and monitor the tire pressure. The variator has no problems so far (120,000 km).”

General trend: owners who service the car regularly (oil, filters, spark plugs) and use quality fuel, receive consumption 10–15% below average. Those who ignore maintenance face cost overruns and costly repairs.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

❓ What fuel consumption for Nissan Murano 3.5 is considered normal?

For a working car:

  • 🛣️ Route (90–110 km/h): 8.5–10 l/100 km.
  • 🏙️ City (moderate traffic): 13–15 l/100 km.
  • ❄️ Winter (with warming): 16–19 l/100 km.

If your numbers are 2-3 l/100 km higher, look for technical problems.

❓ Is it possible to fill in 92nd gasoline instead of 95th?

Not recommended. Engine VQ35DE designed for AI-95. When using 92:

  • Consumption increases by 5–7%.
  • The risk of detonation increases (especially in hot weather).
  • The service life of the catalyst is reduced.

Exception: if you drive very calmly and refuel at proven gas stations (for example, Lukoil or Gazpromneft).

❓ How often do you need to change the oil in the variator?

Official regulations - every 60,000 km, but experienced owners recommend:

  • 🔄 Every 50,000 km — if you drive mostly around the city.
  • 🔥 Every 40,000 km — if you often tow a trailer or drive off-road.

Use only original oil Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 (article KLE52-00004).

❓ Does chip tuning help reduce consumption?

Yes, but not always. The effect depends on:

  • 🔧 Firmware quality. Good tuning (for example, from BRTuning) can reduce consumption by 0.5–1 l/100 km.
  • 🚗 Driving style. If you drive aggressively, there will be no savings.
  • 🛠️ Engine states. On a worn-out engine, tuning can worsen the situation.

Average cost: 15,000–30,000 rubles. We recommend first eliminate all technical problems, and then do tuning.

❓ Which spark plugs are best for Murano 3.5?

Optimal options:

  • 🔥 NGK ILFR6H11 — original spark plugs, resource 60,000–80,000 km.
  • ⚡ Denso IT20TT — iridium, improved spark quality.
  • 💎 Bosch FR7LPP33 — platinum, suitable for gas.

Change the spark plugs every 60,000 km - even if they are “still working”. Worn spark plugs increase consumption by 0.3–0.5 l/100 km.