- 1). Stay current on all Nissan maintenance. Check the "resources" accompanying this article for a link to Nissan's maintenance schedule. You can input the year and model of your Nissan Xterra and see all the mileage intervals when maintenance is necessary. This includes an oil change roughly every 2,500 miles. Taking care of your Xterra's engine is one of the best ways to maintain and improve fuel economy.
- 2). Change your driving style. Slowly accelerate from a stop, rather than slamming on the gas pedal. Anticipate upcoming stops so you can let your foot off the gas in advance and glide to a stop instead of having to brake hard. On the freeway, set the cruise control at the speed limit to maintain a constant speed. Altering the way you drive is one of the easiest and most effective ways of increasing gas mileage.
- 3). Remove all sport racks from the outside of the Xterra and any extra weight from the inside of the vehicle. Although the Xterra is a rugged SUV, having a ski rack or a kayak car-top carrier makes the vehicle less aerodynamic. Extra weight on the inside will also cause the engine to work harder.
- 4). Avoid driving during rush hour. Idling on the freeway burns gas but gets you nowhere. Even when you are not driving, avoid idling your car to warm it up or when you are waiting for someone. It is better to turn the Xterra off than to let it idle and burn gas.