General Maxima Discussion This a general area for Maxima discussions for all years. For more specific questions, visit one of the generation-specific forums.

Maxima Fuel Tank "reserve"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 5, 2006 | 03:55 PM
  #1  
SilverMaxima06's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 130
Maxima Fuel Tank "reserve"

How large is the "reserve" on the max?

A couple of weeks ago, I drove about 450 miles and the "low" fuel idicator was on for at least 25 miles before I refilled. If I remember correctly, my refill was 15.7 gallons.

That must mean you have abut 5 gallons left as soon as the first legitimate 'low fuel' warning light comes on.
Old Sep 5, 2006 | 04:06 PM
  #2  
Metal Maxima's Avatar
SHIFT_om nom nom nom
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,998
Older cars have two resistors which serve as the indicator points for full and low...it's entirley possible they have a 3rd value for the 6th gen.
Old Sep 5, 2006 | 04:24 PM
  #3  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
IIRC A34's have a 20.5g tank.
Old Sep 5, 2006 | 05:55 PM
  #4  
nadir_s's Avatar
vicodin ... gift of life
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,399
From: norcal
prolly 2 gallons .. . everytime i refill, just barely over 16 gallons at most.
Old Sep 5, 2006 | 05:57 PM
  #5  
07SE's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 26
I'de love to get this answert as well. I drove my 07 until the light came on. My NAV said I had 43 miles left. Then at 20 miles the NAV changed to read **.** miles left. I went another 10 miles to a gas station and filled up and it only took 17 gallons. I thought these cars had 20 gallon tanks. I am guessing a 3 gallon reserve, which seems like a lot to me. I'll have to dig through the owners manual next week after my hernia surgery.

Nick
Old Sep 5, 2006 | 06:00 PM
  #6  
NmexMAX's Avatar
dot dot dot ...
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 34,576
From: Santa Fe, NM
I think the term reserve here is being misused. Typically it's 2.5g, but the level sensor may read differently due to uneven ground surface etc.

Instread of finding out, just add some fuel when you need it and don't run it too low.

FWIW, trip readout is inaccurate. I got 81.6 MPG one day
Old Sep 5, 2006 | 06:41 PM
  #7  
MAX2DAMAX's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,684
4 Gallon reserve.
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 09:03 AM
  #8  
SilverMaxima06's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by NmexMAX
I think the term reserve here is being misused. Typically it's 2.5g, but the level sensor may read differently due to uneven ground surface etc.

Instread of finding out, just add some fuel when you need it and don't run it too low.

FWIW, trip readout is inaccurate. I got 81.6 MPG one day
I didnt use the trip readout. I used the basic odometer trip and I also just recorded total odometer miles traveled for that tank.


Also, I just verified, that when I went to refuel that day I filled up with 15.24 gallons after traveling 448 miles. Not too shabby for a commute that includes 80% highway, and decent stop and go city driving! That equals 29.396
Old Sep 6, 2006 | 12:23 PM
  #9  
Nietzsche's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,014
My light goes on with about 5 gallons left everytime. At first I thought it was wrong but after 20 fill ups all the same and checking other maxs/altimas I realized it was right. I think Nissan is just giving a LARGE amount of wiggle room. The DTE is very conservative because Nissan doesn't want to be sued when you run out of gas with 10 miles left on the display. The *** is just saying that it's low enough that I will not calculate anymore. The 4 gallon reserve sounds right when you look at all the facts.
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 07:30 AM
  #10  
maxima1380's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
I have a 16 gal and 2 gal reserve but I never run below a quarter.
Old Sep 8, 2006 | 07:41 AM
  #11  
89blackse's Avatar
"and falling like a rock"
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 655
I wish.
1.) I have an 18gal tank...
2.) But it goes 'dry' after 16gal
3.) Have yet to see the fuel light
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kjlouis
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
11
Nov 24, 2018 06:09 AM
Samedi
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
11
Aug 13, 2015 04:05 PM
acw
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
10
Aug 13, 2015 12:50 AM
Balkins
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
1
Aug 12, 2015 06:39 AM
MikesChevelle
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
4
Aug 6, 2015 11:36 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:26 AM.