Low fuel light comes on too early

titanplus5 · 07-26-2005, 10:22 PM

Any one having trouble with the low fuel light coming on with 5 gallons left in the tank? The dealer claimed this was a design introduced on both the Titan and the Armada. I have never owned a vehicle where the light came on that early. The one time I pushed it I went another 70 miles before running out of gas.

phillipyang · 07-26-2005, 10:27 PM

I believe all models show the light at the 8 gallon mark.

I do a complete fillup and I notice I only put in 20-21 gallons per tank. Doing some math from that I can assume I have 8 gallons left and I could've gone 8x15mpg=120 miles more

When the light goes on, you have 100 miles of heavy foot acceleration with the A/C on.

Burly · 07-26-2005, 10:39 PM

mine comes on with an 1/8 of a tank left. Right about 8 gallons remaining.

Herbpov · 07-26-2005, 10:44 PM

Same here. About 7 to 8 gallons left.

MattD · 07-27-2005, 05:05 AM

Don't know about the new one, but when the light in my '04 came on, I had 8 gallons of gas left.

QWIKWHIP · 07-27-2005, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burly

mine comes on with an 1/8 of a tank left. Right about 8 gallons remaining.

Mine also comes on at 1/8 of a tank and I usually drive another 50 miles or so and then fill up and only put in 22 gallons. I just think it's a poor design, because last time I checked 1/8 of 28 gallons is 3.5 gallons.

I've just gotten used to it and deal with it.

RU2112SH · 07-27-2005, 05:28 AM

I thought the reason it comes on early is because the fuel pump is in the tank. The gas is used to cool pump. Once the gas level gets to low the pump is no longer submerged. I might also be way off on my assumption.

SickWhip · 07-27-2005, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipyang

I believe all models show the light at the 8 gallon mark.

I do a complete fillup and I notice I only put in 20-21 gallons per tank. Doing some math from that I can assume I have 8 gallons left and I could've gone 8x15mpg=120 miles more

When the light goes on, you have 100 miles of heavy foot acceleration with the A/C on.

Same here.

Quad T · 07-27-2005, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RU2112SH

I thought the reason it comes on early is because the fuel pump is in the tank. The gas is used to cool pump. Once the gas level gets to low the pump is no longer submerged. I might also be way off on my assumption.

Wow, that's an interesting theory...

I have had two Nissan Hardbody 4x4 trucks. That design also had a submerged pump. My style of driving has always been to get every drop of gas I could out of the tank before I fill up completely. Both trucks had their fuel pumps replaced between 100,000 and 120,000 miles.

Very interesting, maybe I should start changing my ways...

geece1 · 07-27-2005, 06:18 AM

Frankly I like the design, it gives you PLENTY of warning which is good when sometimes you'r not paying attention and find yourself a hour away from a gas pump.
or...
Like last night it came on, and I was a 1/2 hr away from home in the land of overpriced gas. I just drove home and parked the truck knowing I could take to a local (cheaper) station today, or if I forgot or was running late I could get to it the next day.

Better a 5 gallon warning than a 1 gallon warning, as long as you know what the light represents.

QWIKWHIP · 07-27-2005, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quad T

Wow, that's an interesting theory...

I have had two Nissan Hardbody 4x4 trucks. That design also had a submerged pump. My style of driving has always been to get every drop of gas I could out of the tank before I fill up completely. Both trucks had their fuel pumps replaced between 100,000 and 120,000 miles.

Very interesting, maybe I should start changing my ways...

I don't know so much as I believe that though. My dad's 87 hardbody has 160kmi on it and he always runs it to E and still has the original pump. Also, my sisters 96 sentra (also in tank pump) has over 175kmi and still original pump.

I almost think that the sending unit may read based on your mileage. I have noticed that my light seems to come on with more in the tank when I'm towing. For example, when I'm not towing (getting about 13mpg) and my light comes on it will take about 6 gallons. When I'm towing (getting about 8mpg) and my light comes on it will take about 19-20 gallons. It's almost like it allows around 75 miles reserve regardless of your mileage????? Could that be possible?

05dr · 07-27-2005, 06:22 AM

8 gallons here to.

i agree with not liking lights that come on too late, like 1-2 gallons, but 4-5 gallons would be plenty for me. coming on at 8 gallons basically makes this feature useless too me.

this and the width of the A-pillars are the only 2 features i really have a problem with on my truck....

QWIKWHIP · 07-27-2005, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geece1

Frankly I like the design, it gives you PLENTY of warning which is good when sometimes you'r not paying attention and find yourself a hour away from a gas pump.
or...
Like last night it came on, and I was a 1/2 hr away from home in the land of overpriced gas. I just drove home and parked the truck knowing I could take to a local (cheaper) station today, or if I forgot or was running late I could get to it the next day.

Better a 5 gallon warning than a 1 gallon warning, as long as you know what the light represents.

I'm not so concerned with the high reserve. It' s more the fact that the gauge doesn't reflect the actual level in the tank. Like it was said the light comes on at 1/8 tank. And 1/8 of 28 gallons is 3.5 gallons, not 7 or 8. See what I'm saying?

DeeDubya · 07-27-2005, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RU2112SH

I thought the reason it comes on early is because the fuel pump is in the tank. The gas is used to cool pump. Once the gas level gets to low the pump is no longer submerged. I might also be way off on my assumption.

Your assumption might be valid. I've heard this before. It makes sense. Also, a near empty tank can condense moisture. Every aviator knows about this.

jeffs05SE · 07-27-2005, 11:54 AM

its a built in reserve. its 8 gallons because of the trucks low gas mileage. my maxima had a 6 gallon reserve. i mean think about it, if your on a highway and its 50 miles to the next service station you only got a 1-2 gallon reserve with a truck that gets 14-16 mpg, your gonna run out. i could see it being lower if we got 25-30 mpg. personaly i never drive any of my vehicle's down to the light. lowest i'll go is 1/4 of a tank