Two issues/questions with my '03 M45--

[colagolfr68]

I am a previous owner of a J30 who just got an M45 about 3 weeks ago. I was trying to program the seats/steering wheel/mirrors last night. I was following the owner's manual and it didn't seem to work. I put the ignition in the ON position, set everything like I wanted it, then pressed the set button followed by the 1. Nothing happened. Ever. I tried the 2 button as well, and nothing. Am I doing something wrong?

Second question--I was on E last night and got the low fuel warning and the low fuel light. I went to fill up. According to the owner's manual, the gas tank holds 22 gallons. I went to fill up and it topped out at 17.5 gallons. I have seen some posts about people running out of gas because of the fuel gauge, but is it possible that the reserve is 4.5 gallons.

[auditech10]

There is no "reserve" on cars. Your gauge could be wrong, though. Usually it shows you have more than you actually do, not less like in your case.

[nmgoodthing]

There is no "reserve" on cars. Your gauge could be wrong, though. Usually it shows you have more than you actually do, not less like in your case.

Are you postive there is not a reserve? I could have sworn I read in the manual it had a 3 gallon reserve. I could be wrong though. You are way more knowlegable then me about the M.

[lfj2025]

The spec sheet says 21.1 gallons. My light comes on between 17-18 gallons.

Programing can be a bit hard, follow the directions to the letter. It took me several tries till I got it right.

[auditech10]

I have never seen or heard of a car with a reserve fuel tank. Maybe they exist though.

[colagolfr68]

Well, I guess by reserve I meant that which is still in the tank to get you to the gas station so you don't run out. My J30 would have about 2 gallons when the light came on and it was a progressive light--it would get brighter as the gas got lower. It sounds like maybe I have 4 gallons left when the light comes on.

I also have had a helluva time programming the garage door opener even though I swear I am following the instructions on that one too. Guess I will keep trying.

[nmgoodthing]

Yea, there definetly isn't another tank. They do call it reserve in the manual though. Probably whats left when the light comes on.

[cremecreme]

I just set the steering wheel, seats and the mirrors were i want them and press and hold the number 1 button for like 10 seconds and works for me? Usually that is how it is on most cars....but i have noticed when i press the 2 nothing happens....so maybe i should read the manual...but no one else drives the M...so oh well

[auditech10]

Ive always held the memory button or whatever button is to the left of the 1, and then at the same time I press and hold for 5 seconds the preset number I want. It worked for me and I havent touched it since.

[Skorj]

The old VW Beetles actually did have a reserve tank IIRC: no gas gauge, so when the main tank ran out, you flipped to the reserve and looked for a gas station. Not likely in any modern car.

I found it quite difficult to program the seats/mirrors. For the seats, I'm pretty sure the trick is that you have to start the car, but not take it out of park. The LEDs on the memory position buttons make it clear when you're doing it right.

For the mirrors remember that the switch that selects which mirror to adjust does double duty as the switch that selects which mirror dips in reverse.

[Jackhammer]

i programmed my homelink with NO problem whatsoever....it was easy.

but yes, programming the seats memory is a biatch to do....until now, i cant do it----i tried all kinds of procedure.

[Q45tech]

Since 1980 Nissan has used a ~~2.5 gallon reserve to allow ~~ 50 miles from the time that rural interstates didn't have gas stations open 24 hours.

A separate fuel sensor from the level gauge was used to signal the 2.5 gallon level.

Obviously assembly tolerances can cause this to vary a tint amount.

Read the FSM to determine the exact way each different model accomplishes this.