Fuel fill-up question

[wax87]

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.

Because over time you might burn up the fuel pump, if it is an in-tank pump. They can get hot if the fuel level is low

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[BrianA]

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 .

Always keep it full and your bug-out bag in the back. You never know when the comet strike, zombie apocalypse, solar flares, or alien invasion is going to shut the whole thing down!

 

[Bad Samaritan]

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.

From my research, 2 reasons:

• The more air you have in your tank, especially in cold weather, the more condensation will form. And you don't want water in your tank.
• Fuel pump is cooled by fuel, so you don't want to go too low on gas.

I am not a mechanic, but I follow this rule just in case, fill up as frequently as I can, within reason

 

[Bad Samaritan]

You never know when the comet strike, zombie apocalypse, solar flares, or alien invasion is going to shut the whole thing down!

I do.

Mortals...

 

[Meeka]

I do.

Share dammit! Tell the rest of us mortals!

 

[Blue316]

In 43 years of driving cars and riding motorcycles I have never had a problem running my tanks to empty. Fuel injected or Carbureted, gas or diesel.
So whichever way works best for you is the best way.

 

[Tbone289]

I run my tank nearly empty before filling it to the first click, then adding about another gallon, giving me over 600 miles on a "full tank". I don’t get why anyone fills up halfway these days—maybe that made sense in the '50s, but now it just means more stops for gas. If you’ve got time for that, good for you.

I agree, and I rarely fill up before I'm below 1/4 tank remaining. The exception is when Phillips/Conoco is offering a discount to rewards members. Sometimes I get as much as $.25/gal off, so I'll swing by a station and top off.

 

[Bad Samaritan]

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 .

Here is what Gemini thinks.

Condensation in Fuel Tanks

I find this part especially relevant:

Why It's Not a Simple Myth:

• Extreme Conditions: Even in modern cars, extreme temperature fluctuations or high humidity can lead to condensation in the fuel tank.

 

[Tiger Dude]

You can do Shaq math and save money by filling up more often. LSU education, sorry.

 

[Porsche 356]

I’m 79 years old and in the late 1950s my friend’s dad was the head of civil defense for our county.
He said to never let the tank get below !/2 in case there was a national emergency and at least you had 1/2 a rank of fuel.

 

[john v]

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’ve been doing this for every vehicle I’ve owned. The fuel pump is in the gas tank and is lubricated by the fuel. Just don’t run your truck dry.

 

[MYNOMAV]

I usually refill between 1/4 and 1/2 tank. My wife runs the expedition down to 50 miles to empty. It has a 33 gallon tank, yet never takes more than 28 to fill. 200,000 miles on it, just saying.

 

[CBennett]

I normally do it at half. sometimes I let it get to 1/4 . Mostly because I never know when I may have to make a longer trip and not want to have to fill-up before going. Also same deal many have said in the winter months i try to avoid any water in gas tank from condensation.... mostly though I just like 1/2 tank because then you're not one of those guys that end up "accidentally running out of gas"

im in my mid 50's ..... times ive run out of gas in my entire life.. 0 times. Not because im lucky but mostly because im bright enough to actually fill it up before I get close to E.. to me 1/4 tank = E.. times in the last 40 years of driving ive been under 1/4 tank and E maybe 5 times in 40 years.

 

[MYNOMAV]

[QUOTE="CBennett, post: 1039180, member: 31483. times ive run out of gas in my entire life.. 0 times.
[/QUOTE]
I ran out of gas shortly after buying my first car, when it said 1/4 you were walking. Never happened again

 

[surfstar]

@The Real Maverick
I can't keep up with all the incorrect posts in this thread. It is overwhelming. Muzzle velocity, one might say.

Good on ya for trying to educate the masses.

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