Fuel fill-up question

[The Real Maverick]

I grew up in South Florida and never understood this when my dad said this to me as well. Then moved to Colorado and was driving back to FL in the 90's. Gauge dropped below a quarter at night in Kansas and I figured I'd pull into the next gas station... Closed. And the next and the next were too. I ended up pulling in on fumes to one that was finally open.

Granted now just about all are either 24 hour stores, or at least 24 hour pumps with the card. But back then pre-cell phone, yeah that was getting a bit dicey.

Well of course....

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[Carlitos_92]

Ford already planned for this.
When your gauge reads "empty" it isn't empty.

At miles to go zero, we all have our pumps submerged in 2.5 gallons of liquid fuel. You superstitious folks, are reserving like 5 or 6 gallons.

No one said anything about miles.

A couple of gallons ain’t much spread across the bottom of a tank, so I don’t know if you’re right or wrong. Not that I follow my own advice, nor I have cared one whit about my fuel pump…. But if people are superstitious, cooling a fuel pump is a better reason than fear of a tank rusting out.

Edit: The joke's on us - the tank is plastic.

 

[d7602002]

I grew up in South Florida and never understood this when my dad said this to me as well. Then moved to Colorado and was driving back to FL in the 90's. Gauge dropped below a quarter at night in Kansas and I figured I'd pull into the next gas station... Closed. And the next and the next were too. I ended up pulling in on fumes to one that was finally open.

Granted now just about all are either 24 hour stores, or at least 24 hour pumps with the card. But back then pre-cell phone, yeah that was getting a bit dicey.

Long time ago probably 1982 or 83 we had a 1976 Jeep that I would drive. So one winter I didn't fill it and I was driving and ran out of gas like six seven blocks from home. So I walked home and My dad and I went to the gas station to get gas in a gas can and then go fill up the Jeep. When we got there he explained that we just needed a couple gallons because the Jeep had run out of gas and the gas station attendant started lecturing him about you should make sure that you always fill it when it gets about half so that way you don't run out especially in the winter. And my dad blew a f****** gasket because he said I've been lecturing you about that God damn it and you made me look like an a******. It was hilarious!

Well, I should say looking back at it it was hilarious. At the time, it was not hilarious.

 

[The Real Maverick]

The gauge should have "F" on the right side and "R" on the left side.

"Full" and "Refuel".

I wonder if anyone would change their old habits? Probably not.

Funny irony is: if you run down miles remaining to zero, it does say "Refuel Now". Implies refueling earlier is fine, but not necessary.

P.S. the hybrid has a 16.5 gallon tank.
13.8 gallons is the typical usable fuel, while still keeping the pump happy and no risk of getting stranded.

13.8 is the designed INTERVAL between refuelings and not the physical tank size.

I know the "manual" and the advertisements are not clear on this. So it's great there are sites like this.

Given enough time, almost every owner will refuel 15 gallons or more once or twice. I have indeed refueled 16.5 gallons once, as have hundreds of people who posted about it online.

Ecoboosts hold about 18.5 gallons. Maybe at the extreme 19.0 gallons from what I have read online.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I grew up in South Florida and never understood this when my dad said this to me as well. Then moved to Colorado and was driving back to FL in the 90's. Gauge dropped below a quarter at night in Kansas and I figured I'd pull into the next gas station... Closed. And the next and the next were too. I ended up pulling in on fumes to one that was finally open.

Granted now just about all are either 24 hour stores, or at least 24 hour pumps with the card. But back then pre-cell phone, yeah that was getting a bit dicey.

In Texas there is a small town about 120-160 population, depending on direction you are going at least 45 miles to nearest next station. It's been 8-10 years since I've been there but they still had old style pumps. If you pulled in and clerk was not there pump would dispense 3 gallons free.

 

[piwtrnr]

Every single minute of every single drive fuel is sucked from the bottom of the tank. This is so water as you say NEVER EVER EVER has opportunity to accumulate in your tank.

It's time this myth is busted.

If your mythical way of thinking were true, in Florida after a couple of years you'd have GALLONS of water in your tank!

Never ever had a vehicle where the maker of the vehicle told you that you should not let your tank get to a certain level. Been driving vehicles 66 years and live in PA where there are 4 seasons and always get gas when it nears empty and have never had a problem!

 

[Tim d]

I’ve always filled up my vehicle’s fuel tanks when it gets to half. Is that a good idea or no, cause I’m wondering if the ‘older’ fuel goes bad, but no big deal if mixed with newer gas. Thanks. Remember, there are no dumb questions .

I fill up when it gets around half tank, my wife waits until the low fuel light comes on lol. It doesn't matter.gas stays good for 6 months.

 

[DragonLady]

Condensation is more of an issue with motorcycles than cars, because they tend to sit around more, especially seasonally.

The main reason to not let your fuel get too low is because the fuel pump is submerged in the tank and the gasoline is its coolant. If you run the tank down low, the pump will still pump fuel and the engine will keep on going, but you are stressing the pump by running it when it is not fully submerged. Keeping the tank 1/2 full is probably overkill for that, but everybody's driving (and fueling) habits are different...

That's what I was told too--AFTER I had gone through 2 of them on my old Silverado. We do it now because of that, because we can afford to and because we fill up when the weather is good so we don't have to when the wind chills are brutual.

 

[dsford]

I was told by my father 42 years ago, when I first started driving, that you shouldn't let your tank get below half. I never asked why, and to this day I still have no idea why he said it. But I have always filled my tank when it gets just a little below half, except if I'm on a trip then I go as long as I can. I've never had a problem on any of my vehicles so to answer your question, I have no idea.

Yes this was good advice for vehicles back in those days when the tank would accumulate rust particles. Vehicles today have different tank than don’t rust and better refined fuel. I think filling up between E and 1/4 tank is fine. Try to avoid running on E because fuel that low can affect the lubrication the fuel pump needs.

 

[dldjtad]

I was told by my father 42 years ago, when I first started driving, that you shouldn't let your tank get below half. I never asked why, and to this day I still have no idea why he said it. But I have always filled my tank when it gets just a little below half, except if I'm on a trip then I go as long as I can. I've never had a problem on any of my vehicles so to answer your question, I have no idea.

I believe, that a lot of people fill up their tanks when it gets to half, is because they want to keep the fuel pump covered in fuel

 

[The Real Maverick]

I believe, that a lot of people fill up their tanks when it gets to half, is because they want to keep the fuel pump covered in fuel

Read post #19. I think you missed it.
I will also add the pump is in a deeper well, or sump. The tank is a complex shape. Ford has you covered.

 

[sanpablo]

I’ve always filled up my vehicle’s fuel tanks when it gets to half. Is that a good idea or no, cause I’m wondering if the ‘older’ fuel goes bad, but no big deal if mixed with newer gas. Thanks. Remember, there are no dumb questions .

I refuel my hybrid Mav at 3/4 tank. Retired and I only drive about 120 miles a week. It's usually 3 1/2 gallons and around $10. Makes me feel like I'm hardly spending any money on gas, lol.
I was thinking of starting to refuel at 1/2 a tank but then I spot a station with 30 cents less a gallon and I can't resist pulling in!

 

[The Real Maverick]

I refuel my hybrid Mav at 3/4 tank. Retired and I only drive about 120 miles a week. It's usually 3 1/2 gallons and around $10. Makes me feel like I'm hardly spending any money on gas, lol.
I was thinking of starting to refuel at 1/2 a tank but then I spot a station with 30 cents less a gallon and I can't resist pulling in!

See, I'm just the opposite.

With limited time, I don't want to be bothered so I enjoy going 700 miles between fill-ups. And yes, 800 miles twice in ideal conditions.

Did not run out. But yes, drove 2-3 days with the yellow lamp on.

 

[Halo9x]

I was told by my father 42 years ago, when I first started driving, that you shouldn't let your tank get below half. I never asked why, and to this day I still have no idea why he said it. But I have always filled my tank when it gets just a little below half, except if I'm on a trip then I go as long as I can. I've never had a problem on any of my vehicles so to answer your question, I have no idea.

You fill it at half or these days at a quarter due to the price of fuel!

 

[The Real Maverick]

You fill it at half or these days at a quarter due to the price of fuel!

With such great city MPG,

I have not refueled since last YEAR!

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