When should you fuel up?

[herBs]

Hi everyone,

According to the owner's manual, they recommend fueling up at the 25% mark, which I'm assuming is the last set of the small bars before the first tick in the fuel gauge. Is it bad for the car in anyway if you decide to fuel up when your gas level is below 25% if you plan on keeping the car for a very long time (i.e. 10 years+). I read a bit online, and from what I can gather, even after you hit 0 on the fuel gauge, there is still some gas that's always in reserve which starts to get used. I personally so far have been filling it up at or above the 25% mark but would like some input from some more experienced members. This is my first car and whatnot, so just trying to do right by it.

herBs

 

[lowincash]

I'm not that paranoid. Most of the time I fill up when the light comes on at two bars, but I've also filled up when there's no bars and miles till empty is 0. Filling up at no bars was around 11ish gallons so there's probably two gallons left before it's completely empty.

 

[herBs]

But is filling up on gas when the level is that low bad for the car if done continually on a long-term basis? And do you fill it up to 100% or to $X?

 

[grumpy]

I've had cars for an average of 5-7 years, In every one I've gone to the light (at least those with lights I did. I've never had a problem related to that (fuel pump issues, I"m assuming would be one) Since there's still 2 gallons or so of gas left in the tank when the light comes on, as long as you don't continually run 30 miles or more past that point on a reg. basis, I can't see it creating an issue, but I"m no expert, so don't sue me if it does! LOL

 

[herBs]

LOL . Yeah, I wonder what that reserve amount of gas is. From what I can gather online, as long as there is fuel in your car, the fuel pump will stay relatively cool. Junk and other things build up over time and remain the lowest level of your tank. So if you're literally out of gas or only have a few drops left, the junk and other things will eventually flow through your car which is bad. But, since even when you're at empty, you have 2 gallons/few liters it should be fine to run it down. I don't always plan on doing it, but sometimes I rather just wait it out then fill up on gas mid-week and whatnot.

 

[npaladin2000]

The reserve amount is a little over a gallon near as I can tell. I have a 50 mile commute in each direction, so I fill up when I won't make it, simple. Generally i fill up before the light goes on, though sometimes not much before.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

 

[lowincash]

But is filling up on gas when the level is that low bad for the car if done continually on a long-term basis? And do you fill it up to 100% or to $X?

I always fill it up to full. I do this on my other cars and no problem. Owned my previous car for 5 years and no problem filling up when light comes on

 

[mazdadude]

Hi everyone,

According to the owner's manual, they recommend fueling up at the 25% mark, which I'm assuming is the last set of the small bars before the first tick in the fuel gauge. Is it bad for the car in anyway if you decide to fuel up when your gas level is below 25% if you plan on keeping the car for a very long time (i.e. 10 years+). I read a bit online, and from what I can gather, even after you hit 0 on the fuel gauge, there is still some gas that's always in reserve which starts to get used. I personally so far have been filling it up at or above the 25% mark but would like some input from some more experienced members. This is my first car and whatnot, so just trying to do right by it.

herBs

Keeping over 25% fuel will be the best practice over the long haul. Best for your car, best for your wallet, and best for your sanity.

Yes, you can still drive more miles when the range hits "0". In my estimation there is nearly 2 gallons left when the range hits "0", but you will never be able to use that last gallon if the car is level, or tilted the wrong direction. So that leaves you with nearly a gallon of usable fuel when the range hits "0".

Under 10% fuel, you run the risk of fuel pump damage, also if you were to park on a slant, or the shoulder of a road where the vehicle is tilted severely, you also run the risk of the pick up tube not being able to suck up the gas (think of a soda cup and a straw). If there is some sort of emergency and you need to travel in a hurry, or there is a weather or other catastrophe, it is nice knowing that you can leave town without having to find a working fuel station.(peep)

In addition, by filling up earlier, you also get to choose what gas station to stop at, rather than stopping at the closest one you can find, and paying whatever they demand.

A couple of other hints I would pass on would be...

1. Fill up in the morning, you will get a little more for your money due to the density increase at cooler temperatures.
2. Using a busier gas station with a higher turnover rate will help ensure fresher fuel.
3. If you see a fuel truck refilling the stations tanks when you arrive, go to another station. The stations tanks get stirred up during refueling.
4. Use that boring time during refueling to walk around your car, and glance at each of the tires to make sure that they all appear inflated correctly.

(band2)

 

[herBs]

Solid advice thank you!

 

[stjohans]

Keeping over 25% fuel will be the best practice over the long haul. Best for your car, best for your wallet, and best for your sanity.

Yes, you can still drive more miles when the range hits "0". In my estimation there is nearly 2 gallons left when the range hits "0", but you will never be able to use that last gallon if the car is level, or tilted the wrong direction. So that leaves you with nearly a gallon of usable fuel when the range hits "0".

Under 10% fuel, you run the risk of fuel pump damage, also if you were to park on a slant, or the shoulder of a road where the vehicle is tilted severely, you also run the risk of the pick up tube not being able to suck up the gas (think of a soda cup and a straw). If there is some sort of emergency and you need to travel in a hurry, or there is a weather or other catastrophe, it is nice knowing that you can leave town without having to find a working fuel station.(peep)

In addition, by filling up earlier, you also get to choose what gas station to stop at, rather than stopping at the closest one you can find, and paying whatever they demand.

A couple of other hints I would pass on would be...

1. Fill up in the morning, you will get a little more for your money due to the density increase at cooler temperatures.
2. Using a busier gas station with a higher turnover rate will help ensure fresher fuel.
3. If you see a fuel truck refilling the stations tanks when you arrive, go to another station. The stations tanks get stirred up during refueling.
4. Use that boring time during refueling to walk around your car, and glance at each of the tires to make sure that they all appear inflated correctly.

(band2)

Actually #1 is not entirely true (well at least here in Canada) Most fuel pumps are designed to correct for changes in temperature and deliver a consistent volume of fuel. Although it is not mandatory I have yet to see a gas pump without the government certification sticker. Also this

 

[mazdadude]

Actually #1 is not entirely true (well at least here in Canada) Most fuel pumps are designed to correct for changes in temperature and deliver a consistent volume of fuel. Although it is not mandatory I have yet to see a gas pump without the government certification sticker. Also this

That is great to hear! So it is probably not true anymore with the pumps technology today. Thanks for the link!