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    Is it normal for a car to have more fuel than the gauge says?

    Nissan Nissan Advice Nissan Navara Nissan Navara Advice Nissan Navara 2021

    We have two 2021 Nissan Navaras that show empty when 60 litres of fuel has been used. But the tank is actually 80 litres. Is this a common issue?

    Answered by CarsGuide
    23 April 2025
    David Morley

    Surprisingly, yes it is a fairly common observation. The idea is that having the gauge tell you that the tank is nearly empty even though it has a few litres still sloshing around in it, is a great way to convince you to find a service station before you run out of fuel. In the old days, many cars had a reserve tank which had to be switched on when the main tank ran out of fuel. This reserve tank was your insurance against being stranded. The modern fuel gauge acts in the same way by ensuring you have a supply remaining even when the gauge is telling you you’re just about empty.

    Normally, a car has around 50 to 80km of fuel left when the gauge reads zero (although don’t be tempted to find out the hard way). So the 20 litres remaining in your tank when the gauge is on empty is on the high side, but far from abnormal.

    Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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