Your Guide to Maximizing Fuel Efficiency in Stafford, VA
From long commutes to summer road trips, making the most out of your fuel is key to saving at the gas pumps and spending longer intervals on the road. Our team at Pohanka Nissan of Stafford has put together this guide full of helpful tips to maximize fuel efficiency.
Keep Up With Routine Maintenance
One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve fuel economy is staying current on scheduled maintenance. A clogged air filter, worn spark plugs, or low tire pressure can quietly drain your efficiency without you even noticing. Vehicles like the Sentra or Rogue, for example, already deliver impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy, but neglecting an oil change or running on underinflated tires on the way to Government Island can chip away at those numbers fast. Bring your vehicle into our Service Center regularly, and we'll make sure everything is running exactly as it should.
Mind Your Driving Habits
How you drive matters just as much as what you drive. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking are two of the biggest fuel wasters on the road. Try to accelerate gradually and anticipate stops so you can coast to a slowdown rather than braking sharply. This is especially impactful in a larger vehicle like the Pathfinder, where engine load plays a bigger role in overall consumption. Using cruise control on the highway is another easy win, as maintaining a steady speed prevents the constant fuel-burning fluctuations that come with manual throttle adjustments.
Reduce Unnecessary Load and Drag
Extra weight and wind resistance force your engine to work harder. If you've been hauling around cargo you don't need, clear it out. Roof racks and cargo carriers are great when you need them to haul gear to Richmond, but they create aerodynamic drag that hurts efficiency. Owners who use a roof rack only seasonally should remove it when it's not in use.
Use the Right Fuel and Fluids
Always use the grade of gasoline recommended in your Owner's Manual. If you’re not sure about the type of fuel you should be using in your Nissan model, contact our team right away. Premium fuel in a vehicle designed for regular-grade gas won't improve performance or efficiency — it just costs more. Likewise, using the manufacturer-specified motor oil reduces internal engine friction, which directly supports better fuel economy across all models.
Plan Your Trips Wisely
Combining errands into one trip, avoiding peak traffic hours around Stafford when possible, and using navigation apps to dodge congestion all reduce idle time and unnecessary mileage. A cold engine uses more fuel, so shorter, separate trips are far less efficient than one well-planned route.
Quick Action Items to Boost Your Fuel Efficiency
If you want to start boosting your efficiency, follow these action items:
- Check and inflate tires to the recommended PSI monthly
- Schedule regular oil changes and air filter inspections
- Remove roof racks or cargo carriers when not in use
- Accelerate smoothly and use cruise control on highways
- Combine errands to minimize cold-engine short trips
- Ask our service team about a full fuel-system inspection
Stop by our dealership location and see us. Our team is always ready to help you get the most out of your Nissan.
Find a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle in Our Inventory!
Dealership Information
Testimonials
“ Everything was great as always. Stephanie was pretty awesome and when I dropped my car off the gentleman (I wish I could remember his name ) at the front was very nice, and very helpful. I would definitely recommend using them for your car repair, and car inspections. ”
“ Maya did a great job ”
“ Once again, had to come back after my last visit…this time they absolutely hooked me up with the A/C. I honestly appreciate the service, support and the discount I was able to obtain. Thank you for keeping me “kool” this summer to both Mr. Murray and Mr. Needle. Also I would like to point out that both these gentlemen saved me from unnecessary brake work that I thought I desperately needed. Blessings 🤙 ”
“ My service advisor Frederick was great and answered any questions I had thoroughly. ”
“ Did the night drop for warranty work on my Titan XD. Service was prompt and courteous. Frederick was our service advisor .... did a great job representing Nissan of Stafford. ”
“ I recently had some maintenance issues with my vehicle so I brought it in to Pohanka Nissan. Stephanie Fallows was my service person, and she was absolutely outstanding. She went above and beyond to assist me with my vehicle’s needs. I want to again thank Stephanie, and the entire staff at Pohanka Nissan for making my service experience memorable. ”
“ Maya is the BEST person to contact for your vehicle purchase at this dealership! She made the entire process easy, smooth, and stress-free. Her customer service is outstanding, and she truly cares about her clients. Maya took the time to understand my needs and worked around my busy schedule. Between family responsibilities and managing a household, finding time wasn’t easy, but she handled everything efficiently and made the process convenient for me. She never rushed me and was patient, supportive, and professional every step of the way. I highly recommend Maya to anyone looking for an exceptional car-buying experience! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ”
“ Very kind and helpful people! Loved how thorough they were and how they kept me up to date with my Tesla. Will definitely be back and I definitely recommend if you have a Tesla! ”
“ Love this shop Freddie is the best service tech, always get in and out or a ride home and back when needed. ”
“ Had a great service experience. Speedy turnaround. ”
“ I purchased my second car from Pohanka Nissan of Stafford in November of 2025 and I must say, they treat me very well. Stephanie in Service is was amazing today! She is professional, kind, thoughtful and caring! The service and care I received was quite possibly the best experience I’ve had in a while. Because of this, I will absolutely be back. Thank you! ”
“ The salesman was very helpful ”
“ My service advisor, Frederick awesome 👌. Service technicians, awesome 👌. Pohanka Nissan of Stafford 4.9 out of 5. ”
“ I had to change my appointment three times!! It was because of my work schedule but never did thy turn me down. The third time I could make it in. They will work hard to get you what you want. Then they hand washed my car !!’ Was I smiling 😊….oh YES! ”
“ Maya was very helpful. She assured me that I was getting a great deal for my purchase. Awesome job! ”
“ Stephanie at the front desk in Stafford was amazing to work with. She has helped me before, and every time she’s been incredibly helpful, friendly, and professional. She made the whole process smooth and stress-free, and she went above and beyond by arranging a rental for me while my car was being used. Excellent customer service—I really appreciate all of her help. Thank you, Stephanie! ”
“ Maya was amazing! She helped us find a great car at a great price for our high school graduate! Thank you Maya for all you did - you made it fun and easy!🫶 ”
“ Absolutely fantastic car purchasing experience. Our service agent was Maya and she was a delight. Very knowledgeable on the cars, she helped us find the best deal and discounts for our goals. Loved our experience! ”
“ I have to say you guys rock. Angel and Aaron were absolutely the best. All the other staff were awesome as well. The guys worked so hard for us. You are lucky to have them on board. Again thank you so much Angel and Aaron ”
“ Outstanding service and ask for Frederick and/or Freddy! ”
“ Fredy was very helpful in explaining what was recommended for my car and what really needed to be done asap vs what could wait. He was very patient with all my questions. ”
“ Excellent business. Maya was an absolute pleasure to work with. She went above and beyond to help my wife and I find a reliable car within our budget, with no high pressure. Give her a raise! ”
“ Every time I come to Pohanka Nissan of Stafford. Thanks to Frederic, Riley and the technicians. They take good care of me as a customer and my car for maintenance. They have a program Sunbit which is extremely helpful to make monthly payments for costly maintenance. I've always like Nissan I've own 3 cars in the past and still continue as a loyal customer. ”
“ Maya was awesome. ”
“ Great customer service ”
“ Stephanie at the service center was beyond awesome. She went over and beyond to make my first experience at this dealership exceptional. ”
“ Polite and friendly service reps, convenient and timely service, accept any cars or SUVs, if service takes more time, offers Uber rides home and back for pickups. Have a nice waiting area. ”
“ Staff were awesome and super helpful ”
“ Ali helped me with my car buying experience he was beyond helpful and made it soo easy! Would highly recommend Huge shout out to Ali and the sales manager Aaron the two of you made this the easiest and smoothest purchase ever! Love my new car thank you! ”
“ I had a great experience. When I got there Stephanie took the time to explain everything to me and made my experience 10x better. Very nice people. I had to get a lot done to my car and I was being updated as the time went on. The wait was not long at all for all the stuff I had to get done. I was highly satisfied and impressed. ”
“ Maya is exceptional. The service I received from her exceeded expectations. I am delighted to have acquired the car — my aspiration. I am profoundly grateful for her exemplary assistance. Thank you very much. ”
“ Ali helped a lot with his amazing knowledge of the vehicles I was interested. He did a great job and answered any questions I had. Very satisfied with my new car ”
“ Stephanie from service department was awesome! ”
“ Fredrick and all service staff involved did an outstanding job in addressing my service needs! It is great to have familiar technicians and service personnel who know you and your vehicle by name! I highly recommend Pohanka Nissan for service and for all automobile purchase needs!! Job well done all around! ”
“ I went in to get my car inspected. I got there early, Frederic was the Service person assisting me. He was very personable. He sent my car back to the technician right away and I was out of there in no time. Thank you so much Frederic! It is so refreshing to have a friendly person to work with! ”
“ Big Shout out for Excellent customer service from service advisor Frederic Murray. From the onset he was very professional. He understood my concerns with my car and had them wash it. He assured he told the tech what I was experiencing. He provided prompt feedback with the issue. Guided me with options and solutions. Provided me with a ride to work since I had to leave my car. Overall his professionalism and customer service was the best!!! ”
“ Came in for a simple service and ended up leaving with a brand new Nissan thanks to Ali at Pokahana Nissan! He made the whole process easy and stress free. His manager Mitch was also a big help in getting me a great deal. Awesome experience all around! I highly recommend! ”
“ Very pleasant and timely ”
“ First visit went in for an oil change and they failed to fully tighten the drain plug. The crush washer was left uncompressed. Oil leaked onto my driveway. Took it back and they apologized and said they would send someone to clean my driveway. They didn’t. Had to have it done myself and call them several times before they would reimburse me. Next visit they did a tire rotation and over tightened the wheel lugs. When i went for a tire rotation and balance at another location they would not remove the lugs for fear of snapping the lug bolts. Had to take it back to Pohanka for them to remove them. Filed a complaint and asked their management to call me. They never did. ”
“ I brought my car in for a check engine light and clear drivability issues (shaking, rattling, jerking). I was charged about $1,600 for repairs, including services I did not request. After pickup, the same issues were still present. I was later told the problem may actually be the transmission, which was never properly diagnosed before the repairs were done. I was also told the car was not test driven because it was “just a check engine light,” despite the drivability concerns. No credit or resolution was offered after the ineffective repair. I would not have approved these repairs had the issue been properly diagnosed from the beginning. ”
“ The maintenance they perform on my Nissan is excellent, and their service is top-notch. I had to bring in my car because the lower car door trim (cover) came off and I couldn't re-attach it. They re-secured the cover and when I wanted to pay for it, they said don't worry, all it needed was a couple of clips - they fixed it, all at no cost, almost unheard of in modern times! And a big shout out to Freddy Avelar and Stephanie Fallows, they are amazing service advisors - they really go above and beyond! ”