Camover

My co-worker was telling me to have the gas always me close to empty before refilling it and my other co-worker said she never let's her gas fall below the half mark.

I don't know myself but I'd think that it's better to let it be close to empty.

BlueStreak362

iTrader: (8)

i always run mine down till the check guages comes on. That way if there was any crap in the fuel i ran before that it wont mix with the new gas.

Smokin00WS6

iTrader: (4)

In the winter time at least up here, we all know never to let it go below a half tank. All around, I never let my gas get below a quarter or eighth, you never know what could be floating in the bottom of the tank, (Debris). Anyways, I like having gas in the tank, you never know when you are going to need the car for an emergency and need some petro.

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

its best for your pump if it never ever runs dry.

that said, the 99+ fbodies have a kickass "fuel bucket" style pump system, that eliminates that problem unless you are OUT of gas.



for other cars, like my 91 for example, its best if you dont let it go at E... because the fuel does slosh around some, and the pump will suck some air.

beaSSt

You should never let your tank get even close to empty.

First off -- if you run out of gas you're looking at replacing your fuel pump. Go in the fuel forum here and see how many people have had to replace the pump after running out of gas. Also see how difficult it is and expensive to change a pump.

Secondly, it's the gas that keeps the fuel pump cool. It's not uncommon to have a pump fail after driving for hours with little fuel in the tank. A hot pump hit by cool gas has also caused failures.

Greggy

How do you drive for hours with little fuel in the tank? Do you keep getting 1 gallon of gas every 20 miles?

NDFORSPD

Couldn't have said it better myself. I TRY not to run my tank much below an 1/8 in any of my cars.....and if you DO run low on gas(empty) it is a good idea to let the car sit for a while so that 15deg gas doesnt hit 150+ deg fuel pump

ibanez7

iTrader: (7)

never let you gas run low. Many F-body (among other car owners too) have let their cars run close to empty before getting gas. Then once they fill up at the gas station and try to start their car, NOTHING HAPPENS.

They burnt out the fuel pump. Your fuel keeps the pump cool!

BlueStreak362

iTrader: (8)

ive never had a problem

timberman00

iTrader: (1)

It's best not to let it drop below 1/8. For keeping the pump cool as mentioned above, and the lower it gets, the more crap the pump picks up. That will clog the filter.

3rdgentug

iTrader: (23)

i never let it go past 1/4 tank

buy good gas and you wont have to worry about the debri as much

1meantransam

iTrader: (8)

letting it go down to E generally = burning up fuel pump

SHINER

iTrader: (18)

everyone has their own theory on this, pretty interesting stuff to read.


I like to wait til the check gauges light comes on then ill look for gas because i dont like old fuel that has been vented and might have lost some of its characteristics etc to "dilute" my new fresh fuel.

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

I think mine got below 1/4 tank...once...keep fuel in there..minimum 1/4 tank...as said..cools pump. No need for me to worry about debris here in Canada..our station standards are stricter.

SScott

iTrader: (21)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned weight and fuel economy. Full tank = more weight, less fuel economy decreased performance. I would think 1/10-1/2 tank at the most. Don't let it go empty but don't rush out and fill up all the time either. I'm sure someone smarter than me or someone with morre time or both can figure out the math. How much gas in a tank (gallons) how much does a gallon of gas weigh etc...

styoung

iTrader: (4)

i never let my gas tank get below 1/4. like said above it cools the pump and i like my fuel pump.

The Postman

iTrader: (44)

put like 30,000 miles on mine since i've had it and have never put less than 15 gallons in it when i fill up, so with an average of 300 mpg thats like 100 fill ups with no problems...but i might have to change my ways if the fuel pump takes a beating

ghardester

The less fuel you have in your tank, the more air you have, and when the temperature changes, the more moisture will condense into your gas tank. That alone is reason enough to keep it on the high side of empty. Power outages, and other unexpected events, phone calls in the middle of the night. Do you really want to have just a little bit of gas in the tank?

bsf

iTrader: (7)

I changed the gas tank on my 89 S10 a few years back, and some of you would not believe the scary looking stuff in the bottom of that tank.

So I guess that would be a reason not to run it too low.

Ls1CamaroGuy87

iTrader: (7)

I let it hit the "check gauges" mark before i fill up, and seems like its gonna be empty, but when i fill up, it only fills like 13.5 g at the most!, so theres still 3 gallons in that sucker. the most I have ever filled up was like 14.5 gallons, and i for sure thought I was going to run out of gas in minutes....