Hey Xterra-Land!
This is my first post in the forum, and I really hope you can help me out! Last summer, I bought a 2012 Pro4X, and have enjoyed it (I have previously owned Xterra, so I got another one). But after a few months, I noticed my new Xterra seemed to have some gas tank volume issues (I'd run it down to Empty, but could only fill it with 16 gallons, not the 21 advertised gallons...I know that tanks always have some reserve space, but even my previous 2006 Xterra would fill at almost 20 gallons on empty). So last Fall, I started the long process of talking to Nissan customer service and visiting local dealerships about the issue. They confirmed my tank was the right size (21 gallon), but that there maybe was an issue with the reading gauge from tank-to-gas-gauge-needle (that needle & DTE indicator may incorrectly show it empty, when it likely had 4-5 more gallons of gas). Anyway, last month, after the 5th trip to dealer garage in 10 months to get this figured out, they told me that they called Nissan and was told that these Xterra's apparently had a reserve space in the tank of 5 gallons, and so while they advertise 21 gallon tank, they now tell me that it is only a 16 gallon tank. Knowing my 2006 Xterra was good for 20 gallons, this seems crazy to me, and they even said that this 16 gallon capacity was news to them (that 5 gallons of reserve space seemed weird to them). And so I wanted to ask any of you 2012 Xterra (or even 2013?) owners: Do you also have this same gas tank capacity issue, or is this something that is only in my Xterra? Your feedback would be very very very appreciated. THANKS!!! -Adolphi

Um, reserve of 5 gallons at 18mpg is like 90 miles. How far do you want to go after the light comes on?

So while it DOES have a 20 gallon tank (absolute volume), the light will come on once you hit the reserve (and it will show empty at this point) or the "usable" volume, if you want to call it that. It's their way of trying to keep you from running out completely and being stranded. My '03 will only go (to the best of my knowledge) about 35-40 miles. At least that's all the further I've pushed it.

Oh, and welcome to the site. Why didn't you join when you had your '06?

Hey Gonzo-2!
I actually did not know about this site when I bought my 06 X, but glad to know about the site now. Question about your reply: does your X have a reserve that big (5+ gallons)? The service guys at the dealership told me they were caught off guard by that much reserve, and told me that the remaining fluid in the reserve was not clean gasoline that will ever be touched by the car...my Drive To Empty (DTE) gauge reads down to almost 0 miles when my tank goes thru 16 gallons of gas, and the Nissan service guys said that at that point, I'd need to get gas (and that the remaining 5 gallons would not usable -- their word -- gas). Is this your experience too? THANKS for your feedback. This is just such a different gas tank scenario than my 06 X, and it's kind of frustrating that I can't drive as far (and have to get gas a lot more often) in my 12 Pro4X.

Just saw your reply when I saw your other thread with the poll.

To answer your question, no, mine doesn't do that. When the light comes on, I have between 35 and 50 miles before I'm out. The light comes on at empty on the gauge. When I then fill it, it will take 17+ gallons, as it should, with a 19 gallon tank.

First off, the Nissan guys you're talking to are idiots. There is no magical 5 gallons that sits in some mystical area for it to go bad with age and the truck (not car) will never use. Believing that is non-sense. They probably told you that because either they believe it (which they probably don't), in which case proves they are idiots, or they know better and don't want to bother with your issue knowing that it's still under warranty so they won't get much for the work. So they told you that to see if you'd believe them and go away. Which it appears you didn't because you're here on XOC for some real answers.

My suggestion would be to find another dealer/service tech and ask them about it. If they then try to push you off as well, make it case by not believing their BS. If you have a 20 gallon tank and you run it to empty, it should take close to 20 gallons to fill it back up. Pure and simple.