Nissan Murano Z51: real fuel consumption and how to reduce it

Nissan Murano Z51 is one of the most popular crossovers in its class, combining a spacious interior, comfort and powerful engines. However, owners are often faced with the question: which real fuel consumption this model and how to optimize it? Official data from the manufacturer often diverges from practice, especially in the conditions of Russian roads and climate.

In this article we will look at consumption rates for different engines Murano Z51 (including petrol VQ35DE and diesel YD25DDTi), we will analyze the factors influencing fuel consumption and give practical recommendations to reduce it. We will also compare performance with competitors and answer frequently asked questions from owners.

Official and real fuel consumption data

The manufacturer states the following figures for Nissan Murano Z51 (in l/100 km):

Engine	City	Route	Mixed cycle
VQ35DE 3.5 l (gasoline, 234 hp)	13.8	8.7	10.6
YD25DDTi 2.5 l (diesel, 190 hp)	9.5	6.2	7.4

However real consumption according to owner reviews, it often exceeds these values by 15–30%, especially in winter or when driving aggressively. For example, for the gasoline version in the city, indicators are often recorded 15–17 l/100 km, and for diesel - 10–12 l/100 km.

The difference is explained:

• 🛣️ Fuel quality (octane number, impurities).
• ❄️ Climatic conditions (long heating in winter).
• 🚗 Driving style (sharp acceleration, high revs).
• 🔧 Technical condition (clogged filters, worn spark plugs).

Factors affecting fuel consumption

Fuel consumption Murano Z51 depends on dozens of parameters. Let's look at the key ones:

1. Driving style. Aggressive acceleration and braking increases fuel consumption by 20–25%. Optimal mode - smooth acceleration up to 2000–2500 rpm for diesel and 2500–3000 rpm for gasoline.

2. Loading the car. Every 100 kg load add ~0.5 l/100 km. For example, a full trunk + 5 passengers can increase consumption by 1–1.5 l.

3. Tire pressure. Reduced pressure on 0.3 bar increases rolling resistance and fuel consumption 3–5%. Recommended values for Murano Z51:

• 🚘 Front wheels: 2.3–2.5 bar.
• 🚘 Rear wheels: 2.5–2.7 bar (at full load).

4. Aerodynamics. Opening windows at speeds >80 km/h increases consumption by 2–4%, and the roof rack - up to 10%.

⚠️ Attention: Usage low quality fuel (octane number below 92 for gasoline) leads to detonation, increased engine wear and increased fuel consumption 5–15%.

Comparison with competitors: who is more economical?

For objectivity, let's compare Murano Z51 with similar crossovers in terms of fuel consumption in the combined cycle:

Model	Engine	Consumption (l/100 km)	Difference with Murano
Toyota Highlander (XU50)	3.5 l, 273 hp	10.2	−0.4 l
Honda Pilot (2nd generation)	3.5 l, 250 hp	11.0	+0.4 l
Mazda CX-9 (first generation)	3.7 l, 273 hp	11.5	+0.9 l
Hyundai Santa Fe (CM)	2.2 l diesel, 155 hp	7.0	−0.4 l

As you can see, Murano Z51 with gasoline engine VQ35DE is in the middle segment in terms of efficiency. Diesel version YD25DDTi competitive, but inferior Hyundai Santa Fe due to greater weight and less modern transmission.

Advantage Murano — reliability And engine life. For example, VQ35DE with proper maintenance it goes away 300,000+ km without major repairs, which compensates for slightly higher consumption.

Why is the diesel Murano Z51 less popular?

The main reasons are the high cost of maintenance (replacing the timing belt every 100,000 km, expensive injectors) and problems with starting in frosts below −20°C. Gasoline versions are cheaper to repair and operate more reliably in Russian conditions.

How to reduce fuel consumption: practical tips

Reduce fuel consumption by 10–20% A set of measures will help:

1. Maintenance. Check regularly:

• 🔥 Spark plugs (replace every 30,000 km for gasoline).
• 🛢️ Air filter (replace every 15,000 km).
• 🔧 Mass air flow sensor (MAF) - pollution increases consumption by 3–7%.

2. Route optimization. Use navigators (for example, Yandex.Maps or Google Maps) to avoid traffic jams. Every 10 minutes of downtime with the engine running - this is ~0.3 liters of fuel.

3. Correct choice of fuel. For Murano Z51 with VQ35DE gasoline is optimal AI-95, for YD25DDTi - diesel with cetane number not lower than 51.

4. Economy driving mode. Turn on ECO Mode (if any) and avoid revs higher 3000 rpm for gasoline and 2500 rpm for diesel.

Check tire pressure|Remove excess cargo from trunk|Close windows at speeds >60 km/h|Use cruise control on the highway-->

⚠️ Attention: Prolonged engine idling (more than 5 minutes) doesn't save fuel. Modern injection engines consume less when restarted than when idle.

Frequent problems that increase consumption

If fuel consumption suddenly increases, check:

1. Lambda probes. Faulty oxygen sensors lead to a rich mixture and increased fuel consumption. 10–40%. Symptoms: black smoke from the exhaust pipe, error P0130 or P0150.

2. Thermostat. A thermostat stuck in the open position does not allow the engine to reach operating temperature, increasing fuel consumption by 5–10%. Check the temperature on the dashboard - if the arrow does not rise higher 60°C, the thermostat is faulty.

3. Fuel injectors. Dirty injectors interfere with fuel atomization, which leads to excessive fuel consumption. For Murano Z51 cleaning is recommended every 50,000 km.

4. Air leak. Cracks in the intake manifold pipes or gaskets cause a lean mixture and high idle speed. Check the tightness using a smoke generator or soap solution.

Winter consumption: how to save money in cold weather

In the cold season, fuel consumption Murano Z51 can grow by 20–30%. Main reasons:

• ❄️ Long warm-up (up to 10–15 minutes at −20°C).
• 🔋 Increased load on the generator (heated windows, seats, headlights).
• 🛞 Increased rolling resistance (winter tires, snow on the road).

Saving tips:

• 🔥 Use autonomous pre-heater (For example, Webasto) to reduce warm-up time.
• 🚗 Park in the garage or on the sunny side - this will reduce the warm-up time by 30–50%.
• ⚡ Turn off unnecessary consumers (heated seats, rear window) after reaching operating temperature.

For diesel Murano Z51 critical to use winter diesel fuel with additives (for example, Liqui Moly Diesel Fliess-Fit) to avoid fuel waxing at −15°C and below.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Why is fuel consumption on the highway higher than in the city?

This is not typical for Murano Z51 and is usually associated with:

• 🚗 Strong headwind (increases resistance).
• 🛣️ Driving at high speeds (above 120 km/h consumption increases exponentially).
• 🔧 Malfunction of the 6th gear of the automatic transmission (check the oil in the box).

❓ Is it possible to use 92 gasoline instead of 95?

Technically yes, but:

• 🔥 The risk of detonation increases, especially at high loads.
• 📉 Consumption will increase by 2–5% due to less efficient combustion.
• ⚠️ In the long term, this can reduce engine life.

For Murano Z51 with VQ35DE optimal AI-95 or AI-98 (if available).

❓ What is the fuel consumption on gas (GBO)?

When installing 4th generation gas equipment, the propane-butane consumption will be:

• 🚗 City: 15–17 l/100 km (equivalent to 11–13 l of gasoline).
• 🛣️ Route: 10–12 l/100 km (equivalent to 7.5–9 l gasoline).

Payback of gas equipment is ~50,000 km with a mileage of 20,000 km/year.

❓ Why did the consumption increase after changing the oil?

Possible reasons:

• 🛢️ Oil used wrong viscosity (for example, 10W-40 instead of 5W-30).
• 🔧 Underfilling or overfilling of oil (check the level with a dipstick).
• 🔥 Oil filter contamination (if the filter has not been replaced).

Recommended oil for Murano Z51: 5W-30 or 5W-40 (For example, Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30).

❓ How to reset consumption statistics on the on-board computer?

Instructions:

1. Click the button TRIP on the dashboard.
2. Hold her 3 secondsuntil the message appears RESET.
3. Release the button and the data will be reset to zero.

To accurately measure consumption, fill the tank full, reset the statistics and drive at least 200 km.