I just filled my automatic maxima se up with gas today and it filled up with just under 16 gallons and the low fuel light was on for some time. i thought the maximas have a 18.5 gallon fuel tank...but anyway that light comes on way too early and i drive around for a while so i can get the most out of my tank but my major problem is im only getting between 17-18 mpg doing city/highway driving...what could be causing this low gas mileage...any1 else have this problem? oh and i fill it with premium

 

I also have this problem, but mine comes on around 14-15.5, and I get around 270 miles to that point (whatever that comes out to be) I recently installed Super FuelMax and that seemed to help a little, but it has really been makin me mad that the light comes on so soon. I also looked around and noticed that it is supposed to come with 18.5 gallon tank. I have a 01 Maxima SE. I am takin it into the shop to have a bunch of things fixed, so I will ask while I am there.

 

I have a 2000 I30 and noticed that my MPG began dropping (and pinging increaed) from the usual 20MPG around town to 18MPG as my ignition coils began to fail. The gas milage dropped about 6 months before the SES light came on (P1320).

Since replacing the coils, MPG back up to 20, and pinging is gone!

 

I have not noticed any pinging so maybe it is just my driving style...

 

How many miles have been driven at each fuel gauge interval? I can go 75 miles on 3/4, then about 160 on 1/2 then around 230 on 1/4 then my light may come on at around 260 and i eventually fill up when its at 280 but it only fills up about 15.8 gallons...how many miles have people driven on 1 tank doing city and highway while using premium or regular?

 

I have gotten 16-17 MPG on my 2K since the car was new. Dealer said it needed more air in the tires. Ha! I just replaced the MAF today and am hoping to see some MPG improvement. I filled up the tank after and will post again after the next fillup.

 

It all depends on how you drive it. When i go exclusively city driving, I'd be lucky to get 18 mpg. When I took a trip to Florida, I am from New Jersey, all highway driving, I average 24 mpg and got as high as 27 mpg. Remember, the EPA listed the car, at least the 2k model, with a 18 mpg for city and 28 mpg for highway, and that's under controled driving condition, so 16 mpg is not crazy bad. As for the low fuel light, mine comes on after about 14 gallons are gone everytime, I think it's prudent to have the light to come on that early so you have plenty of gas left in case you are in the middle of nowhere. Also there are times when i had to put in almost 18 gallons to filled up my car, and needle is at empty, so I am sure the tank is 18.5 gallons