8-15-08: 2008 Altima Hybrid Update & Log

It's that time again ... for our monthly update on the most recent addition to our alt fuel fleet, the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid:

Mileage: 8876

Fuel economy: 42.5 mpg

Weather conditions: Summer, ah summer. August has been pleasant, without as much of the hot, humid heat of other years. Days have been sunny, and nights cooler with a hint of September in the air.

Maintenance/Repairs: None, other than a periodic regular check of oil and tire pressure. We've been running tires at 35 psi, and confirmed that all was well before we headed out on a week's vacation to Cincinnati, about 525 miles one-way. While the Altima Hybrid can offer up to 700 miles per tank and has been averaging 42 mpg on daily jaunts, this long trip's fuel economy rang in at 35 mpg.

Unlike regular gasoline engines that return better highway fuel economy numbers than they do around town in traffic, the Altima's full hybrid system actually works opposite from that. It doesn't utilize the fuel saving electric motor nearly as much at highway speeds as it does around town. When running around town we can sometimes drive two or three miles at a time, on electric power alone (engine off), consuming no gasoline, whereas when traveling at highway speeds--even though the electric motor will phase in and out to assist--the gasoline engine is always running (and burning fuel). Even though the fuel mileage dropped on this long roadtrip, we really don't feel like we can complain much: 35 mpg in a better-than 4000 pound, 5-passenger plush and comfy family sedan ain't too bad. And it certainly was nice to make the one-way trip on just one tank of fuel, with extra left over.

photo © Adrian Gable - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid