Gas can Question 03 M45

[JoeyJ]

Hello all.Well it is now the 3rd time I have been stranded out of gas in my 2003 M45.Trip computer sh0wed 150 miles left till empty. I realize that I should be more careful, but I wanted some input on keeping a small amount of fuel in a gas can in the trunk.Any suggestions to make this a safe procedure?

[seldomseen]

Don't do it...just make it practice to fill up your tank when you down to 1/4 tank. You may also want to do some research to see if Infiniti has offered a fix to the inaccurate fuel gauge reading too. Most folks seem to just live with the problem and fill up the tank when it's down to .25 tank.

[M45Caliber]

the issue is with the fuel gauge and the trip computer and gauge are both impacted. If you don't want to get the cluster replaced (and as common as the problem is, most service managers will fix it for free...) The ONLY way to ensure you will NOT run out of gas is to re-set the trip meter (you have 2 of them). So select the A or B trip meter and use it exclusively for gas fillups. Just be sure to fill up at about 250 mile intervals and you should be fine! then reset the trip meter after each fill up and just keep an eye on it for your next fill up interval. 250 miles @ 15 MPG = 16 to 17 gallons. Probably would want to cut it much closer than that.

[JoeyJ]

Thanks to both of you.You have confirmed my suspicions.Does anyone know if the instrument cluster was a recall issue.My warantee has long since expired.

[peter_rabbit]

Hello all.Well it is now the 3rd time I have been stranded out of gas in my 2003 M45.Trip computer sh0wed 150 miles left till empty. I realize that I should be more careful, but I wanted some input on keeping a small amount of fuel in a gas can in the trunk.Any suggestions to make this a safe procedure?

JoeyJ

Have you tried getting the problem fixed with the cluster gauge? I got mines fixed earlier this year and my car was out of warranty. What i did was call Infiniti Consumer Affairs and complained about how this is a known problem. You might have to spend money at the dealer for a diagnostic. i don't think they will open a claim until the diagnostic is done. Out sided of the diagnostic, i got it fixed for free. ICA # 800-662-6200. Hey you never know til you try.

[JoeyJ]

Thanks,i will try that.i am actually taking it in on another recall. Side Airbags have a problem apparently.I will have them diagnose the cluster at that point.

[szh]

The gas misreading is indeed a common problem with the 2003 and 2004 model years - mine was fixed under warranty, so I did not have to do much arguing at all.

Definitely contact Infiniti Consumer Affairs and talk to them about it. I don't know if they will be willing to fix it without it being under warranty, unfortunately. But, no harm in trying ... IMHO, they should have done a recall on this issue.

In the meantime, like has been mentioned, keep track of the miles between fill-ups using the trip-meter and simply fill it up at every 225 to 250 miles and you will be fine.

Z