How to accurately get MPG...my tank never fills up!

[Singhman]

I was almost out of gas the other day (the light was on for about 15 miles). The screen said that I had 22 miles left on 'distance to empty'. I went to fill up and the gas pump began clicking at 16.3 gallons (the tank got full). However, the tank of a Murano is 21.7 gallons. that means that even though the light was on, and the needle was almost touching empty, there were still 5.4 gallons in the car? Does that make any sense? How can i accurately get MPG for my car?

[nissangirl74]

When you go get gas, fill the tank and write down your mileage. Keep up with this number, you're gonna need it. The next time you get gas, fill up, write down your mileage, and write down how many gallons of fuel you pumped into the vehicle. Subtract the first mileage number from the second. This is how many miles you drove on that tank of gas. Divide your answer by the number of gallons of gas you pumped. Your answer is how many mpg you are getting.

[Hmason]

I was almost out of gas the other day (the light was on for about 15 miles). The screen said that I had 22 miles left on 'distance to empty'. I went to fill up and the gas pump began clicking at 16.3 gallons (the tank got full). However, the tank of a Murano is 21.7 gallons. that means that even though the light was on, and the needle was almost touching empty, there were still 5.4 gallons in the car? Does that make any sense? How can i accurately get MPG for my car?

In most vehicles you have a range of between 40 and 50 miles after the light goes on. Don't experiment with that number or you are sure to be walking down the side of the road with a gas can in hand. Also, the gas pick-up tube in your gas tank does not go to the bottom as it would then suck-up any contaminants lurking at the bottom of your tank. When you run out of gas, there is still a gallon or two in the tank. You most likely did have 5 gallons left. Don't worry, your vehicle is normal.

[Singhman]

ok, heres another question:

when your tank is nearly empty, and you put in gas, how many gallons can you put in? Mine was almost empty and I put in 16.3 till it began clicking. But my tank size is 21.7. so there were still 5.4 gallons left? Thats 1/4 of a tank!!! And the light was on for like 15 miles and needle almost touching the 'E' line

[nissangirl74]

Mostly likely, your gauge is not 100% accurate. Most aren't. They err in your favor in case you decide to push your luck getting to the gas station. however, your tank capacity is correct.

Moral of the story: you shouldn't let your vehicle get low enough on fuel for the gas light to even come on. The sludge on the bottom of your tank is not conducive to optimum engine performance.

[Macsleuth]

The gas gauge is approx. only. I'm told I should never run the tank so low the light comes on because the fuel cools the fuel pump. Just what I was told.But, I did it the other day. Ran it till the light came on then ran some more, but by the time I could fill up, I could not get the advertised amount of fuel into the tank even though it was up the filler neck. So there was still gas in the tank. Go figure.