I've slowly started to notice that I'm not getting the normal amount of miles on the trip that I used to. When I go to fill up my 89 sentra (I normally fill at around 1/2 a tank or so) It only says I'm putting an average of 4.5 gallons in. I know the car can hold something like 12 gallons, so the gas gauge must be broken? Or could there be something else thats killing my mpg?
If it is the my gauge is broken, is there anything I can do to fix it?
Thanks in advance.
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How many miles are you getting for every 4.5 or so gallons? The tank is supposedly over 13 gallons, I don't think I've been able to get 12 gallons in. The gas gauges aren't going to be very accurate anyways due the vehicle always moving.
tank holds 13 1/4 gallons, most I've put in mine has been 10.6 gallons but that was stopping at the "click" related ? how low before the low fuel light comes on?
I've had the light come on guite a few times due to not paying attention to the gauges being in a hurry to get somewhere. Every time I couldn't even get 12 gallons in, and the car was starting to sputter a couple of times.
the most miles I've gone on a tank so far was 327 and it still only took 9.8 gallons, I figured the MPG out for that tankful to be 33.4 mpg. I know one thing, at least in my sentra, I've driven from work to the gas station ( about 26 miles ) with the fuel gauge about an 1/8 " below the empty line and the car only took 10 gallons to fill it.
For the 4.5 gallons, I get anywhere from 22-28 mpg. I'm not sure how this compares to other 89's, but I think it's alright for such an old car. Recently though, I've been getting much lower numbers like maybe 15-20 mpg. The gague does move around a little bit when I'm driving, but no major increases or decreases.
I'll give you an example, right now I've only driven 71 miles on this tank, and it's saying I'm between 1/2 and 3/4 of a tank. Something is REALLY wrong when, in theory, I'll only get 140 miles per tank of gas.
If there is anything thats easy to change to help my mpg, please let me know. Thanks for all of your responses so quickly.
--Also, I've never driven my car to the point where the gas light comes on. I think I'm going to give that a try. And if worst comes to worst, I have AAA :-).
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Last edited by 89Sentra-man : Jul 15th, 2004 at 12:11 AM.
A basic tune up will probably help:
spark plugs
wires
cap
rotor
fuel filter
air filter
oil change
timing check
idle check
and the o2 sensor which usually has the most effect on gas milage
Thanks for the help minute rice. If I only knew what half of those things were or where they were located, I would probably have an easier time. I really dont know much about cars, just the basics.
This is what i've done to the car in the past few days:
Oil change
Fuel filter
Yea...thats about everything. I'm not sure where most of the rest of the stuff is? If you could be a little more detailed for the ignorant I would much appreciate it
__________________
Your little princess is my little whore.
A few more questions...
-Where is the o2 sensor and how would do I check it? I understand it should be between a certain voltage, but how do I check the voltage?
-Where is the air filter, and is it easy to replace?
-How do I do an idle check?
Sorry about the dumb questions, I really wish I knew more about the car (and cars in general).
Thanks for your help.
__________________
Your little princess is my little whore.
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