How is there not a class action against Nissan yet? Anyone want to step up?

cossie1600

I almost fell victim to the stupid fuel gauge/estimated distance. When I got in the car today for my 200 miles trip, the car clearly stated 235 miles to go. Due to time constrain, I decided to wait until tomorrow before I fill up since 40 miles margin seems plenty. The 240 miles estimate was based on highway miles, which was the only thing I did! Apparently the estimate wasn't even in the ballpark as the car was screaming for gas 35 miles before my arrival. With 35 miles to go, the 60 miles warning came on. Within 10 miles, the estimate went from 60 to zero!!! Of course this had to happen in the middle of no where and during a thunderstorm. After a nerve-wrecking 20 miles drive, I finally was able to find a gas station. How can a gas gauge be off by this much? I understand most gauges are not linear, but who the f would design a gauge that would accelerate near the end?!?

Let's not even get me started about the fuel starvation with 1/4 tank gone on right turns!

Since Nissan won't come up with a fix, can someone step up and sue these SOBs!!!

Hambone1

Anybody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but the estimated distance to empty is a projected average based on current driving conditions, i.e. while starting your car this morning. Any number of factors could have changed what it really was over the course of the next 165 miles, such as AC usage, acceleration/deceleration, cruise control usage, etc. Yeah the gas gauge kind of sucks, but you should also be aware enough to keep an eye on your trip computer and have a pretty good idea of a ballpark cruising range for a tank. Another point I've seen raised in other threads, and have experienced myself, is the vast majority of cars sold in America, when saying that they are empty, actually do have in fact about 20 miles or so to being bone dry.

initialgemini

Not to be rude, but I'm sure most people have better things to do with their time like fill up their gas tank before going on a long trip, than dedicate their resources and funds to hire lawyers for lawsuit that will go no where.

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frost

This is a worse idea for a lawsuit than the bish who spilled the coffee in her lap.

Jamaica

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cossie1600

try tracking your car and get fuel starve, you will know how annoying it is.

Hambone1

Fuel starve while tracking vs. implicitly trusting your miles to empty estimate are two completely different things. Just saying...

frost

^--- This. I admit, I wish the thing was a bit more accurate. I've had my share of times where I parked the thing and I had "100 miles to empty" only to get in the car and have "40 miles to empty," but a lawsuit ...

Z_ealot

i have to agree with the previous statements...theres a reason they say in the manual that the gauge you are talking about is an ESTIMATE of miles till empty not an actual fact of how many miles their is till the tank is empty. Filing a lawsuit is pointless since it is an estimate on that gauge and has always been that way ever since nissan introduced that gauge into their cars, hell even my 05 Altima 3.5SE manual stated that the gauge was only an estimate. Main thing to do is just make sure you fill up before you go on long trips and even if you cant, is it really that big of a hassle to stop for a few minutes and get some gas?

samb03

I guess because I am used to riding a motorcycle for my DD which has no fuel gauge, I am used to paying attention to the last time I filled up and the trip odometer. I also fill up around a quarter tank just to be on the safe side.

Yes most fuel tanks are rounded on the bottom and top. The top drops quickly then you hit the wide middle stay there for a long time and then when you do hit bottom it falls like a rock.that is the automotive standard.

Cmike2780

You can't use that as a fuel guage. It's an average measurement based on driving conditions within the past miles driven, same as the mpg reading. That's what the fuel gauge is for. If you have a single dot left, you probably won't make it 200 miles unless the car suddenly achieves 100 mpg. Fuel starvation is one thing, but how about taking some responsibility and just filling up before a long trip. It shouldn't change as much as you had described, but theres no distance till empty gauge that's 100% accurate. I've never had this problem...then again I go by how many miles I've driven since my last fill up.

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Trips

Why would track on empty? Thats the only reason you're getting any fuel starvation.

This thread is useless

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happytheman

What damages or loss have you personally incurred due to the err in accuracy? I'd be extremely surprised if you could find a lawyer willing to take the case.

Edit: IBTL

Hambone1

It's like the instant fuel economy gauge, which is largely worthless as it fluctuates wildly throughout all driving conditions. Also keep in mind the fuel gauge has 16 dots, so if you have 8, given that you probably average roughly 320 miles per tank, you have 160 miles left, give or take.