2007 Altima fuel tank

[snu]

I have a 2007 Altima 3.5 6 speed. The owner's manual states that the fuel tank capacity is 20 gallons. Twice I've let it go less than 20 miles to empty and then filled it. Both times I was only able to put in 16 gallons. This seems to be a big discrepancy. I get about 22 mpg, so if the tank is full my range should be around 450 miles, but the best I've gotten is 370 miles to empty. I asked Nissan and they couldn't explain. My previous car was a 2003 Altima 3.5 and the tank was listed at 17 gallons. When it was almost on empty the most i could put in was just under 16 gallons. Can anyone answer this?
Modified by snu at 10:50 AM 5/15/2007

[SSlimShagy89]

I have an altima also, with a 20 gallon tank. I've wondered why the most I've ever been able to put in it was hardly 17 gallons. One of my friends works at a dealership and he said you have to factor in all the gas that is currently in the engine, and in the lines flowing to the engine and it will equal 20 gallons.

[Dexion]

If you could put 20 gallons of fuel in your Altima, that means you were stalled somewhere on the road because you were out of gas.

The Altima has a reserve of gas, which is about 3 or so gallons so people won't be so stupid to run it to E and have the car stall out on you.

[generic808]

Yup, you have to factor in all the gas throughout the entire car, including the reserve tank. I usually fill about 16.5-16.9 per fill up.

[ch0w]

do you guys know how to restart the MPH and MPG meter?

[Dexion]

yeah push the other button and hold it.

[wild willy]

If you could put 20 gallons of fuel in your Altima, that means you were stalled somewhere on the road because you were out of gas.

The Altima has a reserve of gas, which is about 3 or so gallons so people won't be so stupid to run it to E and have the car stall out on you.

My 02 has a 4-5 gallon reserve when the light comes on

[adidas2go]

I once read the fuel tank is measured to hold 20 "US gallons" but fuel stations actually measure in "imperial gallons". Imperial gallons are slighty larger than us gallons so it takes less of them to fill it up. The conversion, 20 US Gallons = 16.7 Imperial Gallons. Just a stab in the dark http://www.albireo.ch/volumeconverter/

[WhaJac]

WOW!!! I also wondered why I could barely get 18 gal in. I never thought of US vs. Imp gals. You're smart.

[600hppot]

I once read the fuel tank is measured to hold 20 "US gallons" but fuel stations actually measure in "imperial gallons".

I highly doubt that. There were times when I filled up my car .2 gallons less than the stated capacity in gallons. So methinks that's false.

[One Crazy Max]

my car shut off right in front of the gas station, and i had to get my dad to bring the tank to put some gas in to get the car into the gas station. i put 2 full gallons from the tank, and another 17.9 gallons into the car, so altogether thats 19.9.

and then another time i filled my car up right before it shut off and i put in 20.319 gallons of gas, and im not lying, i have the reciept in my car!

oh and btw snu, since 02 nissan has used 20 gallon tanks in the altimas, so your theory is false.

[600hppot]

my car shut off right in front of the gas station, and i had to get my dad to bring the tank to put some gas in to get the car into the gas station. i put 2 full gallons from the tank, and another 17.9 gallons into the car, so altogether thats 19.9.

and then another time i filled my car up right before it shut off and i put in 20.319 gallons of gas, and im not lying, i have the reciept in my car!

oh and btw snu, since 02 nissan has used 20 gallon tanks in the altimas, so your theory is false.

You really are one crazy Max.

[Sertelegger]

Yeah it's really all about making sure that people don't actually run out of gas, so when the warning light comes up and the needle is all the way at the bottom you still have 3 gallons or so left in the tank.

I usually don't look at the gauge at all but just fill up when I reach 400 miles or more, and then it takes about 18 gallons to fill up.

I know it can be scary to drive around when the DTE displays doesn't even show anything anymore and the needle is all the way down, but after a while you get used to it