Empty light mileage!?

[eljefe305]

i've never understood the whole sedement theory...

isn't the fuel pump, pumping from the bottom of the tank all the time? so it really shouldn't matter, the sedement will go in all the time..
and where does the sedement come from? it's not like i fill up in a sand storm or something crazy like that.

 

[toucci]

I have 2.5 gallons left when my light comes on. It's very conservative. On the highway, I'd be able to drive at least 75 miles.

 

[RaiderMS3]

i've never understood the whole sedement theory...

isn't the fuel pump, pumping from the bottom of the tank all the time? so it really shouldn't matter, the sedement will go in all the time..
and where does the sedement come from? it's not like i fill up in a sand storm or something crazy like that.

The sediment comes from the production of the fuel, but if the tanks at the gas station are old, they may have a lot of stuff at the bottom of the tanks at the station. In fact, the gas pumps have filters in them to keep the large stuff out. But they clog up a lot, and may not get it all. That is why cars have fuel filters. It filters the crud. Of course, once clogged, can be a huge PIA to replace, if the filter is in the tank (Like the P5)

If anyone has removed a gas tank out of a car 10+ year old, it usually has almost sand like material in the bottom.

 

[eljefe305]

ooohh gotcha. is there anyway of preventing the sedement from forming? maybe a fuel additive that desolves it?

 

[RaiderMS3]

I have heard stories about the cheaper gas stations having dirtier gas, but I don't know. It is just a small factor, really. It is not like we get a ton of it when we fill up, it just accumulates over time.

 

[Protege52003]

I have heard stories about the cheaper gas stations having dirtier gas, but I don't know. It is just a small factor, really. It is not like we get a ton of it when we fill up, it just accumulates over time.

i have used generic gas from no name stations for many years and have never had a problem with milage, performance or fuel filter problems.....

i have been using mobil gas for the past year becasue with my new job we get a discount at the mobil station near my office.....

 

[SciFiMan]

The actual problem with sediment is when the tank gets really low. then the wave action during driving can get it all stirred up and clog the fuel system. Keeping the tank half full or more can eliminate the problem if a particular car is prone to clogging. I think the gas stations have water filters also, but I don't know how well they do with changing them. That's why I always avoid stopping at "Bob's Gas & Shine" out in the middle of nowhere. I'll find a highway truck stop at the very least. In cities it probably doesn't matter since they cycle through so much fuel, and have to replace their storage tanks every 5 years or so.