Fuel tank question

[Kipatronic]

I've got a question,The tank in my 04 350Z roadster has a 20 gallon capacity (or so the manual states), but when I drive it to empty (computer reads 20 miles remaining), I can only get 16 gallons in it. I'm getting about 350 - 375 miles per tank as is, which doesn't suck, but if there is a sensor that is out of whack, I could definately use the extra miles between fill-ups as this car is my daily driver and I'm putting 100 miles per day on it. Any thoughs would be appreciated.

[wrecklessdrivingdan]

100 miles a day.... i got some better advice... buy a bike

[maxitorque]

I've got a 2007 coupe and don't seen to have that problem. I drive 200 mile per day round trip and usually put in 15-16 gallons on a fill up, but my gauge reads 100 miles or more until empty. Sounds like you could have an issue or the roadster sensor position is no the same as the coupe.

[samej82]

I have the same problem with mine actually. Today I drove till the fuel light came on, and when I went to fill it up I only got 16.2 gallons in. I drove for 440miles though on that trip, so I'm not sure. I'm also thinking there's something up. I'd like to hear from other 07 Z owners, if u guys have a similiar experience please post.

I would normally expect to fill 18 or 19 gallons with the fuel light on. But, my range is about specified, even though only 16 gals go into the empty tank. The only thing I can think of is bad sensor, or not 20gal tank. If i had 20gals in the tank I should do 560 miles per tank, not 420-440miles.

[Kipatronic]

Thanks for the feedback.Hopefully someone on here has had this problem and had it fixed.

p.s. wrecklessdrivingdan, I would love to have a bike, but Bike + LA traffic = dead driver. The Z is as close as I can get.

[samej82]

Well NissanUSA told me to go to the dealer to see if they could see what the trouble is, faulty sensor, or wrong sized tank.

Nissan dealer said there's no way for them to determine(?) Said the car had the possibility of a 4 gal reserve.. but there's no way to test it. The range should be 540 miles instead of 430miles, the dealer said he doesn't know what could make the difference.

My car was manufactured in Jan 07. If there are other 07 owners that have this problem, please post. If you don't have this problem please post.

[Kipatronic]

So I took my Z into the nissan service department to check out the fuel tank. 4 days in the shop and still no answers. They just said that it probably has a large reserve. , I think the next plan of attack is to buy a 1 gallon gas tank, and stick it in the trunk, drive around the block until the car dies, put in the 1 gallon of gas, get to the gas station and fill up and see if I can get the 19 other gallons in the tank. But, if there is a 4 gallon reserve, that's going to be alot of trips around the block. I'm really not looking forward to driving to empty, so if someone has a better idea of how to check this, please let me know.

[flyguy2618]

Ya i have the same thing with my 06 i noticed it right when i got it its like it has a 2 gallon reserve or more im not sure i just know that i let my gas light go on and still run if for awhile and even after that ive never filled it up more than 18 gallons. Its kinda nice when you think of it tho, keeps you safe.

[GrandAm350Z]

The saddle design of the tank lends itself to leaving fuel in the tank. There's only one fuel pump behind the passenger seat, and I don't believe the pickup on the driver's side is extremely effecient.

The problem is that reading the fuel level of the car gets to be tricky, as it's reading fuel levels from both sides, then trying to figure out how much is in there. I wouldn't think that your car in particular has a problem. It's just a design issue. The senders have reached to bottom of their travel, but the is still fuel sloshing around in there.

[simplewon]

Mine has a 5 gallon reserve that's hidden also

[bkreitzer]

In my experience, with several cars under my belt including my 2nd Z (04 and 07) is this:Some manufactures seem to trip the Low Fuel light in plenty of time to “scare” you to fill up the tank. Depending on the tank design, running the tank to near empty (past the fuel light) is NOT a good idea as particles in the gas settle at the bottom of the tank and might be mixed into the mixture.

Now granted that particles are always present in the mixtures, but the concentration is greater the lower the tank is. This was explained to me by 2 independent mechanic buddies. I do not know this to be fact, but it makes sense to me.

Both of my Z’s (past and present) exhibit the same behavior as they trip the Low Fuel light when there is at least 3-4 gallons in “reserve”.

[sluggoZ]

The tank holds 20.6 gallons.