How full should you keep your gas tank?

[ch77]

I remember reading an article that said 1/2 full as low as you want to get before refueling - for optimum fuel pump life. In practice, I'm not that good, but I do keep it 1/4 full or more.

 

[BOOSTR]

That article must have been sponsored by the refineries and gas dealers, especially at today's prices!

I've never killed a fuel pump by driving until the light comes on. Using gas from a station with old tanks could pose a sediment problem and get sucked up into the full system and running it empty could wear out the pump. Both of those situations are easily avoidable IMO.

 

[Rotus8]

That article must have been sponsored by the refineries and gas dealers, especially at today's prices!

I've never killed a fuel pump by driving until the light comes on. Using gas from a station with old tanks could pose a sediment problem and get sucked up into the full system and running it empty could wear out the pump. Both of those situations are easily avoidable IMO.

Empty is bad. It makes your car stop. Anythnig more that and it will run fine.

 

[moleodonuts]

Empty is bad. It makes your car stop. Anythnig more that and it will run fine.

Prove it. (pissed)

 

[BradC]

Prove it. (pissed)

Prove that it does(smash)

 

[Rotus8]

Prove that it does(smash)

I proved it. I used up all my gas and my car stopped. I put gas in it and it goes again. I invite others to try the experiment to verify my result.

 

[Speed_Racer]

true to an extent, running your car almost empty often can kill aftermarket fuel pumps (old school walbros for example) over time.

remember guys, the fuel in the tank also serves as a medium to cool the pump. if you have a pump thats working its ass off to supply some crazy fuel (80psi fuel pressure, pump wired directly to battery, fuel pump voltage boosters etc...) it will overheat if it doesnt have some nice cool fuel to dissapate heat in.

but as i said, extent, stock cars have nothing to worry about and as far as I'm conscerned less fuel in the tank = less weight which = better gas mileage. so by that logic keep it empty. I believe the term is "ridin dirty" lol

 

[BradC]

I proved it. I used up all my gas and my car stopped. I put gas in it and it goes again. I invite others to try the experiment to verify my result.

I was agreeing with you. Disagreeing with the person that told you to prove it

 

[moleodonuts]

I proved it. I used up all my gas and my car stopped. I put gas in it and it goes again. I invite others to try the experiment to verify my result.

I don't buy it. Do you have any documentation? If I have at least one viable study at my fingertips I might consider performing this test on my own goods, but as it stands I cannot risk the consequences of failure.

 

[moleodonuts]

I was agreeing with you. Disagreeing with the person that told you to prove it

(iagree)

 

[justa4banger]

Most ludicrous thing i have heard in a while........... WhereTF do people come up with this s***?? Not knocking the guy who made the post, but thats just silly.

I ran my 2000 GTI for 7 years and regularly ran it til the light came on. 7 years later the car was just as fast at the track as when it was new and even faster on the bottle.
Sold the car and its still running fine.

Sorry but i have to say most people that own cars , SHOULDN'T. Not if their intention is to make up garbage or misinterpret someone elses info. Drive the car and have fun, when the ****** falls apart have mazda fix it. Do normal Schedule preventive maintenance and enjoy the car for years to come........

 

[DaleNixon]

When I got my 15,000 mile service they told me to run my tank down as low as possible. I think it's a BAD idea to let old gas accumulate in there.

 

[Micah]

I run it down to E or slightly above nearly every tank. Then I figure out my mileage when I fill up. Ever notice your car runs better for a few minutes after filling up? That's because the gas in the tanks underground usually is at a much cooler temp than ambient. I doubt it's enough to overcome the weight difference between an empty and a full tank, but it is kinda nice to know.

What we need is weightless fuel! FLUBBER?

 

[SPEED305]

the light tells youh when to put gas! there are so many myths about low gas, one will go crazy. light turns on put gas. now if someone doesnt want to put gas when the light comes on, and try the "test" mentione above.......let us know the result. lol

 

[moleodonuts]

I run it down to E or slightly above nearly every tank. Then I figure out my mileage when I fill up. Ever notice your car runs better for a few minutes after filling up? That's because the gas in the tanks underground usually is at a much cooler temp than ambient.

I don't get it- how does the temp of the fuel affect how the car functions? (uhm)

 

[jeg0024]

I heard from someone that you will get better mileage with a full tank. Somthing about it not having to run the fuel pump so hard to pick up gas. I guess a fuller load would be easier on your pump, but still, I run my tank dry each time and no harm. I would worry about wearing out a ton more things than your fuel pump. I mean its not like we have a million "fuel pump faliure" threads floating around this place...