What is the most gallons that you guys have filled in your max? Isn't the capacity 18.5 gallons? or something like that? The needle was down to E and couldn't go down anymore yesterday and I had expected to fill at least 17 gallons, but it stopped at 16.4 gallons. Is it really 18.5 gallons and once it hits below the line under "E" how much farther can i go?!

 

You didn't get an owner's manual??

18.5.

 

Yep got an owner's manual alright, but were you ever able to fill up 18.5 gallons?

 

If you are asking me if I ever ran the tank totally dry then filled it, no. Based upon numerous fill ups over 38K miles of driving however I would say it is right.

Anyway, why would the tank be different than indicated in literature?

 

Yeah i just noticed that today, my fuel light came on and i went right to the gas station and filled up 3 gallons short of 18.5. So i guess a 3 gallon resevoir is a good thing.

 

Beats me, it's just kinda weird how the needle can go all the way down to E and can't go down anymore, with the DTE flashing "---", I would figure that I could get more then 16.4 gallons. Wonder where that extra 2 gallon goes...

 

Thankfully, I have the standard low fuel warning light and fuel gauge and that is all. Never will trust those 'estimated XXXX' readouts on cars. Perhaps your gauge is a bit miscalibrated? I know when my low fuel light comes on common experience around here has been there are about 4 gallons or so left...then I pull in for a fill up and guess what! Usually right around a 14+ gallon purchase. Good enough for me.

 

The light is "supposed" to come on with 3.5 or so gallons left in the tank. The gauge is extremely inaccurate (it's a float, after all), but the light must be some type of sensor...dunno exactly how it works.

 

I wish the computer would be as accurate the Mercedes' computers. On my dad's car, it's accurate to the mile. By the way, I really do not understand the stupid average MPH thing in our maxima. How the heck is that calculated?

 

Bottom line to this whole topic though is why let the tank get that low at all? It has happened to me only 4 times in the over 2 years I have owned the car and that is more than I care for anyhow.

 

too lazy to get gas

 

If you open the gas tank you'll see a lil thing that looks almost like a pedal sitting on the housing of the filter. It's stays afloat and I guess when it feels the fuel level go down it trips the light

 

I always run it to the edge (or light). That's just the way I do it. Probably always will. I do carry spare gas in my truck, so that's not a big deal. My Maxima never really goes great distances that would allow it to fully run out...

 

Mine comes on with 3-3.5 gallons left every time.

 

Ok, Ok...guess when I live over 8 miles away from the closest service station (other than no-name 87 octane stuff) and parts of my commute put me over 10 miles from one, I tend to like having more than fumes in the tank.

 

Yeah, you're case is different. My office is 9 miles away, and there are about 1.2 million gas stations inbetween my two points of travel...

 

Is there a noticable difference racing with a full tank of gas vs 1/4 tank?

 

 

Yes. I try to only go to the track with ¼ tank left. Every gallon of gas weighs between 5-8 pounds, so you can do the math.

 

Gallon of regular gas is between 7.6-8 pounds damn heavy stuff, and it makes a HUGE difference...

Especially in my 24 Gal tanked truck!

 

if uve ever driven with a 1/4 tank or less, then with a full tank after a fillup in a car with not much cargo or passengers, u can definetly feel the weight, not a question, its like throwing 100lbs in the trunk

i didnt kno u could feel the gas in trucks/big SUVs tho, i guess its the crazy torque from them giant V-8s, what truck do u drive QuickSilver?

 

Hey, the reason that you cant ever fill the full 18.5 gallons into the tank is that there has to be room for the fuel vapor. If you filled the tank all the way up to full, the vapor would make it burst.
Here is an experimant. Go and get a gas can, and fill it to the brim, then put the lid on. Then pick up the can and walk 5 or 6 steps. The gas will begin to spray out of the cap, due to the vapor pressure of the fuel. This is how the autostop works on gas pumps. As for the Avg MPH meter, it updates every 30 sec. It also doesnt reset every time you shut off the engine, so that trip to the supermarket at 35mph and 5 stoplights is averaged in w/ your highway driving. Mine reads like 25mph all the time, unless I reset it right when I start my trip. The one in the mercedes is rediculously precise. It updates continuously, so that is why you can watch the fuel economy and avg speed change instantly. It makes the maxima's trip computer look like an apple IIe..........

 

I drive a 2002 Dodge Dakota 4.7L V8 (and have swapped tanks from the stock 22 gal to another Chrysler 24 gal tank). It occupies the same exact space (within an inch or so), but holds two more gallons.