does my car need a fuel filter if..?

Question

i drive a 2002 nissan altima, it seems like i fill up everyday and then by the end of the day i need gas again? like it doesnt make since. im thinking if i fill up early in the week i have gas for the whole week until about saturday. it was fine when i was over seas but when i got here it like not holding gas.(they're gas is higher than ours)... i also had a friend that had a 2003 altima and he told me that his service engine light would come on and off for him and it does that to me, but myne stays on all the time. sometimes it goes away but most of time it stays. he said that suposedly they have sensors in the gas cap, if its not screwed on well that light comes on(it says it in the manual too). i dont know what it could be why im loosing gas like crazy and i want to know what it is? what do yall think? no dumb answers plz!

Answer 1

it sounds like it is using too much gas if the check engine light is on there is a problem with the engine have it checked and repaired and your fuel mileage will probably go up
there is a sensor that has to do with the fuel tank that will set a code if you keep putting gas in after the pump shuts off
but it wouldn,t change the mileage

Answer 2

you can add a fuel filter easily, what happens is when you fill up your gas tank, the heavier stuff actually builds up on the bottom of your gas tank, If you have been using a good quality gasoline, this helps a lot, because it is cleaner than el cheapo station. If I were you, I would add a in line fuel filter, and start using chevron unleaded with tecron. tecron is a fuel system cleaner, and clean fuel, clean oil and clean air filter and a good tune is the best way to keep your car running. If you keep your tank more full than empty, this can help keep the fuel pump in the gas tank from overheating, and helps keep water out of the gas. If you are not noticing any problems and your vehicle runs ok, do not dump a bunch of fuel system cleaner in the gas, just switch to chevron with tecron for a while, and let the fuel and the tecron help keep things clean.

Answer 3

I don't think you need a fuel filter although it is good to change it every once in a while. Your best bet is the one everybody seems to be saying, a gas leak. You should definetly smell the gas leaking if it is. Another thing it might be is your spark plugs and your pcv valve. When was the last time your changed those. Old sparkplugs can make your car guzzle down some gas pretty fast. And the service light just go to your auto part store and they will tell you what it is. I wouldn't go to the dealer because they will over charge you on it for something simple.

Answer 4

no dumb answers for a dumb question?? aww, you're no fun. According to your description, there could be a million things wrong with your car from a broken gas line to improperly inflated tires (which causes you to lose gas mileage). An air filter would do it too, but not a fuel fliter. And why would engineers put a sensor in the gas cap, aside from wasting money? The gas tank is vented to the atmosphere anyway, otherwise you would have a vapor lock.

Perhaps you should check for a banana in your tailpipe. Or just take it in for service since you obviously have no clue.

Answer 5

your fuel filter could be bad but 99% of the time you wont use more gas if your filter is bad. it will restrict it and thats why they go bad. you might have a leak somewhere maybe in a fuel line or the gas tank. it could be a combination of things. go and do a tune up and have the spark plugs change, air filter, fuel filter, PVC valve, maybe plug wires and get some fuel injection cleaner. spend some money on that stuff and dont buy the cheapest stuff. i would perfer Lucas fuel additive. try those things and you should get some more fuel use.

Answer 6

The check engine light is on because the powertrain control module has detected a malfunction. A loose gas cap is one of hundreds of different reasons for the check engine light to come on. You need to have your vehicle diagnosed by a qualified technician. And for those who don't know, simply retrieving diagnostic trouble codes and replacing parts based solely on those codes will in most instances be a waste of money (I'm referring to certain auto parts chains that will retrieve your codes for free, and then sell you a part based on the trouble code description, which often is not the needed repair). Diagnostic trouble codes typically direct you to a subsystem of engine and or automatic transmission performance management that require you to diagnose that particular system. Hooking up a scan tool and retrieving codes is only one of the steps in the process of repairing your vehicle.

Answer 7

There is more than one possibility one is that you have a leak somewhere in shich case you should be able to smell gas. Another would be a rich fuel mixture caused by a bad sensor or computer in the car. Take the care to autozone and have them do a free computer diagnostic and see what happens.

Answer 8

HOW MANY MPG ARE YOU GETTING? CHANGING THE FUEL FILTER, SHOULD BE DONE EVERY 30K MILES, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM...YOU PROBABLY HAVE A SMALL GAS LEAK. DO YOU SMELL GAS? YOU MIGHT HAVE A LEAKING INJECTOR, OR A PINHOLE IN GAS LINE, BUT IF YOUR NOT LEAKING ANY, THEN YOU ARE USING IT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CLEAN THE AIR FLOW METER, AND MINOR TUNE UP..BUT I WOULD SEE JUST HOW MANY MILES TO THE GALLON YOU ARE GETTING.. FILL CAR UP, SET DOWN MILEAGE, THEN DRIVE, WHEN YOU FILL BACK UP, ..SET DOWN HOW MANY GALLONS...AND MILEAGE...SUBTRACT THE MILES FROM THE LAST TIME...TAKE THE MILES AND DIVIDE IT BY THE GALLONS IT TOOK TO FILL CAR BACK UP.. AND YOU WILL GET MPG..AND THEN SEE OWNERS MANUAL, FOR FACTORY SPECS.

Answer 9

people could be stealing your gas. Get a locking gas cap.

Check your brakes, sometimes they lock up a little and rub wasting gas.

Stop driving 90. hee hee.

Answer 10

go get it looked at...when was the last time you had it in the dealership?....you may jus call them and check the cars vin number for recalls...that car had lots of them..do that first..you might have your problem fixed for free...but the fuel filter will not make your gas mileage go bad...its in the tank and part of the fuel pump...good luck