I have a 2k2 maxima se. My gas light comes on right on e but my Distance til empty(DTE) says 48 miles left. Can I go this distance until I am out of gas ?


Or does the light mean I am on a reserved tank and how far can I go on a reserved tank ? Anyone every pushed the limit to see. When I fill up when needle is on E I don't put exactly 18.5 gallons. I get in about 15 or 16 at the most.

Anyone any comments or can tell me the deal ?

 

My experience has been that the gas light is pretty conservative in that when it first comes on for me I still have 3 to 4 more gallons left. That doesn't mean all the fuel that's left is actually usable. I've never run my car until it stalled just to see how much it takes to fill it up.

I don't have a trip computer on my car but the DTE is probably conservative too. It really depends on conditions. For example, if you're driving up hill with low fuel level, the fuel might slosh to the rear of the tank and not be picked up by the pump. The engine might sputter and stall even though you still have a gallon left.

Another thing to remember is all the dirt and sediment in fuel tends to settle at the bottom of the tank. If you run the tank low often, then your fuel filter will get dirtier quicker becase it's sucking up more sludge from the bottom of the tank. Not usually an issue on a new car but will be after a few years.

BTW, you don't a separate "reserve tank". The light just warns you of low fuel level. That's all, nothing fancy.

 

on the 2k and 2k1, when the light comes on, you still have 3 or 4 gallons left....