I filled up my tank with 30 miles to empty and I only managed to get 16 gallons in this time... IT is so damn frustrating because I do not know the maximum mileage I can drive before the stupid car runs out of gas... but it is a damn good looking car!!!!

 

A bit aggravating, the pump always shuts off with the tank half full.. I tried manuevering the nozzle every wich way and still no luck, kept shutting off or it would spit back .. Never ever had a problem filling up any of my other cars.. I managed to get it about 3/4 of a tank.

 

God it's good to hear I'm not loosing it! I was going to post on this same topic....but figured I'd get laughed at by those that are impatient with others experiencing things differently than they. Anyway I've had this problem with both my fill ups since getting the car, and the only way I've been able to get more than a half a tank in is to manipulate the nozzel to one position or another until it pumps....but even when it does, it usually turns off well before it is full. I can only surmise it has something to do with the vapor sensor in most pumps and the severe angle of our gas inlets possibly contributing to the problem? Guess it's not the end of the world...but when it's below freezing and windy...it really SUCKS to be standing there for nearly 10 minutes or longer! Unless it is a peculiar configuration of the gas line leading to the tank...I can't imagine Nissan doing anything about it. And even if so...what could they do? I'll be curious to hear more from others to see what comes of this.

 

I had the samee exact problem in my '84 and my '92. The answer on both of those was to put the nozzle in the fill hole upside down(yeah silly lookin and stupid but it works.) Never had the problem once I figured out how on the '84. Slapped my forehead when the '92 did it. If the '03 does it I'm gonna have to run my head into the pump!!! ;-)

 

For those of you that are new to the Z, it has a 3 gallon reserve. Call it experience with 4,500 mile on mine. I too was totally confused.30 miles dte and fill up with 17 gallons. The other day the Mrs. and I were going to fill up and she was freaked when it went flat line. You will know what I meen in a few miles. Anyway, the dte is until it hits reserve. The reserve is +/- 3 gallons. It is weird thinking you are almost dry but their is gas.

No problems filling in Frisco, TX at Sam's Club $1.42/gl for 93 octane. I wonder what CA is?

 

Well, it finally happened to me too. I've got 2000 miles and numerous fill ups with no problems until yesterday. I thought the problems were due to a too sensitive pump shut off, but I used one I'd used before and had to move the nozzle out to get it going. I was able to fill it , but it shut off 10 times, just kept moving nozzle , found a position it liked and was able to get most in with one squeeze.

 

Are you guys sealing the rubber boot against your car? If not, the vapor is escaping from the nozzle area and also, some pumps are not able to function unless the nozzle is pressed against the vehicle in order to seal off the vapor from excaping. Try gently pressing the boot against the Z and report results

 

Based on the responses to this post, I am quite certain that their is an issue with the Z. In addition, I would ventue to guess that just about every combination/method of trying to pump gas has been explored. Ofcourse the issue now, is duplicating this issue to the dealerships, which we all know will be difficult.

 

Here is an example of what it is like to explain to a dealer that there is a problem...

I was taking delivery of my Stupid Freakin MINI Cooper while some lady was hysterical on the phone cause the nozzle did not fit. He was basically callling her an idiot and to go get gas somewhere else. No other help or explanation was given. When he hung up he just looked at me and shook his head. In 12.5 minutes while I was filling for the trip home I realized there is a plastic guide that only fits Aromatic fuel type nozzles and if some moron has dropped it or run over it--- IT DONT GO IN!

I hate BMW/MINI and I should have refused delivery when I saw the level of service and respect they give customers. I actually cancelled a Pre-ordered Touring Z (ordered FEB 17,2002) to buy this hunk of junk I like to call DAS MINI. I have to get my car serviced in Greenville SC cause the Atlanta dealers don't even return phone calls.

Nissan Please hurry and make my Blue Performance Z Quickly!

 

OK. I'm a believer. It can happen. Just happened to me. I don't think I had the nozzle in all the way though.

Weird.

 

Ok...here is what I have found. I fill up at two gas stations. Everytime I go to one of them I have the problem (no matter what pump) and everytime I go to the other I do not have the problem (no matter what pump). Both are Petro Canada Gas stations (very popular and large here in Canada). I would think that all newer Petro Canada use the same manufacturer for pums so its very confusing...I guess I really only fill up at one station now.

 

I just thought of this when thinking about z461's topping off tank problem and reading something online about the the downside of topping off tanks.

They mentioned that gasoline station pumps have a vapor recovery line which captures and later returns the vapor as fuel back to the station's fuel tank. In some cases of topping off, the topped off fuel is forced back up the pump's vapor recovery line and causes the same effect of a kitchen sink trap in the hose. This liquid fuel trap essentially keeps the fumes from being collected and possibly is why people experience the pump stopping too soon. The fumes are building pressure because of the trapped fuel in the pump lines and causing a pump shut-off.

This would explain why it's intermittent (i.e. one pump will be fine for weeks, then next time you fuel it's busted). Also it would explain why if you pull back the rubber fume hood on the fuel pump you get 1) massive amounts of fumes released and 2) the fuel pump keeps going instead of stopping.

So if the previous person using the pumped topped off enough to screw of the pump's recovery lines... then Joe or Jane pulls his/her Z up to fill... you get Aggie's (and others) problem.

Thought I'd just share my useless revelation at 2am.

 

I had the same problem last night! My car was at about a quarter of a tank and I managed to get a couple of gallons in and then it just kept shutting down. My car has around 3000 miles and I've never experienced this before. Only thing that was different from other fill-ups was the outside temp...we finally have some cold weather. Do you guys think it could be related to that?

 

I've filled up about 5 times already. 4 times with same pump with no problem...the one time I had a problem was a different pump at the same station. I think it's either the equipment or not putting the nozzle all the way in.

 

I just started having this problem at 13,000 miles. Has this problem been resolved yet? Any inputs appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

I've experienced this prob too but I don't remember which car I had the prob on: my Maxima, my Z, or a rental. I think I just gave up and got gas somewhere else or on a different pump.

I just filled up my Z today (along w/many other times) w/o any prob .

 

GUYS... this is NOT A PROBLEM WITH YOUR CAR.

Take a look back at 3502GO's post. If you are sure the nozzle boot is sealed to the car then just pull the boot all the way back or push the nozzle all the way in. Anyone who has a motorcycle or has a fuel can can vouch for this.

 

Never had a problem with mine......
Maybe they resolved the problem with the 04 Z.

 

Well, I AM having this problem with my '04 Z. I've tried filling it up twice at the same station, and gotten the same results - about half a tank. So, maybe it's the station.

G