gas question

[BostonAmy]

I've read this on several other threads but I wanted to know what you guys thought.

Is it best to wait until the gas light comes on to fill up your tank?

 

[UpNorth]

I live in a cold climate and with any car I've had, I don't let my gas tank get below a quarter tank.

 

[mikey1981]

well - from a logical stand point, that doesnt sound like a good idea period. Plus, u live in Boston, not good to let gas drop till the light comes on with this cold weather.

U will get around 16 gallons in there if the light is on. Depending how much u drive with the light on ull get 16+ on a fill.

 

[osu1steve]

It's not good for the fuel pump to always run on really low fuel levels. Some people will refill at 'E' and only put a couple gallons in at a time, so they are always running with very little fuel. The pump sits in the gas tank, and the fuel helps keep the pump cool. With very little fuel, the pump gets hot and can put extra wear and tear and it'll burn out more quickly.

 

[BostonAmy]

wow I'm so glad I asked you guys. It didn't sound right to myself either. I read it on a couple "no name websites." They made up some rumble jumble answers that when you fill your tank at a "longer fill" you will get better gas mileage rather than "short fills."

Thats crap! (hand)

 

[mikey1981]

u let ur tank get that low, like the other poster said - itll just suck all the crap outta the tank vs fuel

 

[CX7andMiata]

wow I'm so glad I asked you guys. It didn't sound right to myself either. I read it on a couple "no name websites." They made up some rumble jumble answers that when you fill your tank at a "longer fill" you will get better gas mileage rather than "short fills."

Thats crap! (hand)

I don't think that is what they meant by a "longer fill" or "shorter fill". I think they are referring to the way some gas pumps turn off sooner than other resulting in your tank not being as full as if you used another pump. It does not matter how empty your tank is but rather how full you fill it when you fill it up...

Hope that helps...

 

[singlemalt_18]

Technically, waiting longer to fill up will give you better gas mileage because as the "weight" of the fuel carried on board declines, the mpg theoretically increases as the overall weight of the vehicle decreases.

Someone who constantly maintains a full tank is always carrying around more weight. The question becomes how big a difference this actually makes...

In SUVs with 30+ gallon tanks, I would submit it is measurable.

Just a few thoughts to ponder...

 

[azcat]

wow I'm so glad I asked you guys. It didn't sound right to myself either. I read it on a couple "no name websites." They made up some rumble jumble answers that when you fill your tank at a "longer fill" you will get better gas mileage rather than "short fills."

Thats crap! (hand)

I started talking about "long" fills and "short" fills on this web site in regards to how much fuel goes in, not when you fill up, as CX7andMiata said. You don't quite get the tank full ("short"), then you do ("long"), and you think you're getting crappy gas mileage.

I try not to wait until the light comes on; I fill it when it's 1) below half a tank, and 2) convenient. Sometimes that's below a quarter-tank, sometimes even less.

 

[offset_98]

If its cold fill early...if not and you fill when the tank is nearly drained, just replace the fuel filter more often.

 

[meanstreak]

I've read this on several other threads but I wanted to know what you guys thought.

Is it best to wait until the gas light comes on to fill up your tank?

In the wintertime it was an oldschool thought that it was best to keep the tank full so that less condensation can form inside the tank. The extra weight of the gas also normally helps with traction, but not as much as it does on a rear-drive vehicle. If you are in a situation where the AWD kicks in it may help.

 

[meanstreak]

It's not good for the fuel pump to always run on really low fuel levels. Some people will refill at 'E' and only put a couple gallons in at a time, so they are always running with very little fuel. The pump sits in the gas tank, and the fuel helps keep the pump cool. With very little fuel, the pump gets hot and can put extra wear and tear and it'll burn out more quickly.

That is correct assuming the fuel pump sits higher than the fuel level when the light comes on. I normally don't let it go lower than a quarter tank and in the winter try to refuel at half a tank.