jackal98

Hey guys, i was wondering if any of you experience this. Whenever i am low on gas and start my car, it stutters for about 5 sec before starting. It does this when the estimated miles to empty flashes ---. Its getting cold here but even when it was warmer, it did this. is this normal???

saxdogg

I recently ran my 2k2 down to the E (not all the way out), but I had no problems starting it. I started it four-five times before filling while it was low...

Maybe fuel pressure? Dirty filter? I don't think it's normal, though...

ARFF

mightima

no problem here.

jjs

Silly question: what kind of gas you using?

jackal98

i use premium. its only when i'm pretty low on gas. not any other time.

99Wht

I have had the same problem with my Maxima that I have had for a year. As soon as my gas levels get to just above "e" it takes a little extra to start the car. I figure it is just a loss of pressure. I only use premium too. I am having the problem looked at next week cause winter is coming and I don't want to get stuck anywhere. Will post when I find something out.

ICELANDIC MAX

iTrader: (1)

jackal98,

I have the same problem the last few times I let the display flash "---" and the gas light on for a little longer. I've noticed about 3 gallons left in the tank when the light start flashing so I didn't think it wasn't that urgent to fill up immediately. I was also thinking if I use up more gas in the tank that may increase the MPG on the display. Anyway, last fill up had 0.8 gal to spare, based on 17.7 gal fill up, with premium gas. Maybe it's the pressure thing. I might want to fill up at the time of display flashing from now on.

MaxPower2K2

mines fine
never went less than quarter tank

MarkWhit

I have a 96 Maxima and a 2000 Maxima. Both have trouble starting when the gas tank is low (less than a 1/4 tank). I assume that it is pressure but would like to know for sure. I've had the 96 for five years and just got the 2000. Thought it was just a quirk with the older one, but now the new one does the same thing!

ouzo99max

iTrader: (2)

my car is a 99, but yesterday this actually happened.

granted I let the car sit for about 5-6 days... but it was real low on gas and I started it and it sputtered for about 3-4 seconds. I went and filled it up and probably won't let it happen again. I have a new fuel filter, probably replaced 3-4 weeks ago. So IDK, I don't think anything could be wrong but I haven't seen your car

also this has never really happened to me other than yesterday

Darktide

if you live in a cold area, like Mass..., and let your car go to E and sit for a few days you're asking for problems. In most cases I'd try a bottle of dry gas to help get rid of any water in the system. 2nd I always get on my wife's case for this, I'm saddened by someone on here doing it, never let your tank get that low. Your fuel pump will have a shortened life for it (think of how the gas will slosh when you take a corner and the pump will suck air, then as the gas sloshes past it'll get some gas and then air again... not good). 3rd, have you given it a tune-up recently? plugs? air filter? it can always help. Good luck with it.

oh and I never let my tank go below 1/4 if I can help it. I also run regular gas and have no problems at all.

bert

I regularly run the my tank down to less than a gallon and about half the time, half a gallon. I am lucky that the light comes on early and I can gauge how much is left in the tank. (e.g. if the light comes on when I am at 500KM, I have 100 left, if it comes on at 600, I have 120 left.

The only time I have had a fuel-related starting problem is when I was very low (under half a gallon left) and I parked on a slope with the trunk lower than the front, which I have learned not to do anymore when I am low on gas!

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

why will you guys aways run your gas so low? you won't get higher mpg, and also damaging the car. just like running on regular gas, save a little money, damage the engine.

User 12822

iTrader: (1)

Hmm I think you might need your tank cleaned. You might have a lot of gunk built up at the bottom, hence why its only a problem when your low on gas.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

My 4th gen will crank just a little bit longer when the tank is near empty.

Dave

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

The fuel is always drawn from the bottom of the tank. Gunk does not build up as you suggest.

If there is an issue with contamination, replace the fuel filter.

Dave

Rydicule

I would hope after the five years since the OP posted this thread, they would have figured out the problem. I'll bet that since he joined in 2002 and hasn't posted since 2002, that it has been resolved.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

same problem.... when you turn the key... it has trouble... turning over... I didnt think anything of it...

mattynicks3

i tend to keep my car above 1/4 of a tank as well but sometimes it does get lower than that. i havent had any sputtering issues while starting it.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Holy lets bring an old thread back batman!

My 4th gen does this, my 03 does not.

tav303

iTrader: (1)

ya i have the same problem with my 2k1 max, but mostly its in the winter when its cold out. My friend told me to turn off the heat when i started the car, and the next time i did that, and it actually, to my surprise, started fine.

bert

It's a reverse-protest against all the "Read the FAQ", "Use the search, newbie" and "This thread has been covered a billion times, no exgagerating!".

As a form of resistance we will go back and answer all unanswered questions!

Ignorance is futile.