Low on gas in the tank... bad habit?

[G.I.B.]

Recently I saw a news article about how running below 1/4 tank of gas is a bad no-no. Apparently the fuel pump, which is located inside the gas tank, uses the gasoline as a 'coolant'. The news report stated that since folks are now letting the tanks run near empty, the pumps are not being properly cooled.

This is helping to cause the pumps to fail at a higher than normal rate. It usually happens after a fill up. I'm sure someone can explain the reason a bit better than I.

Anyhow, why run on empty? Your going to put more gas in it sooner or later, and the extra few pounds of fuel doesn't waste that much gas anyhow...

 

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[jeff of pa]

I believe old gas makes a vehicle run bad also.
For the past year I have topped my tank off maybe 20 times.

yes thats all

Almost all winter I sat.

lately I have been topping it off at
2/10 below full still costs me between $30 & 40 to do that.
seems that is the biggest part of the tank.

but anyway, either gas these days is very poor
or I'm thinking the Gas in my tank from sitting is very poor
even with the Top offs

 

[djabend]

I try to never let my Prius get below 2 bars (I think that is a more then 1/4 a tank)
Its tough coming up with the 25 dollars to fill the tank, but gotta do it
HH,
Donny

 

[Smee]

I try to never let my Prius get below 2 bars (I think that is a more then 1/4 a tank)
Its tough coming up with the 25 dollars to fill the tank, but gotta do it
HH,
Donny

I know the feeling . . . almost $20/week to fill my 87 Ford Danger Pickup Truck (32+ MPG highway, about 24-26 MPG in suburbia) with a carburetor from a 1960's 6 cylinder on a formerly fuel injected, turbocharged 2.3 liter 4 cylinder Thunderbird engine (In the car it got less than 25 mpg highway). Fill it up once a week.

I thought the fuel injection, turbocharger, and slick body work were supposed to help it be more fuel efficient . . . go figure. Then again, maybe its the antique carburetor 8)

Plus, when I put my hand out the window at 55 MPH, it doesn't change lanes.

 

[handy]

Recently I saw a news article about how running below 1/4 tank of gas is a bad no-no. Apparently the fuel pump, which is located inside the gas tank, uses the gasoline as a 'coolant'. The news report stated that since folks are now letting the tanks run near empty, the pumps are not being properly cooled.

This is helping to cause the pumps to fail at a higher than normal rate. It usually happens after a fill up. I'm sure someone can explain the reason a bit better than I.

Anyhow, why run on empty? Your going to put more gas in it sooner or later, and the extra few pounds of fuel doesn't waste that much gas anyhow...

I myself am on disabilty so i have a limited income. WHEN YOU DONT HAVE THE MONEY do you expect people to do driveoffs so they do have little gas in there tanks? some people just dont have the money and dont want to steal just to have gas in there tank

 

[WV Hillbilly]

I learned years ago that it doesn't cost one penny more to keep the tank full rather than running on empty all the time . Now that I think about it , maybe pulling that extra weight of a full tank around does
cost a little extra . Oh well , I'll still keep it full .

 

[rmptr]

Sounds like you're running the old Holley/Fomoco one barrel carb, Smee.

Nice, simple little unit, used on the 144/170cu in and 200/250 cu in inline motors.

Cheap to build and fix, unlike all the newer smog carbs, and now, computer controlled injection.

We gotta smog test every other year, and engine must be to factory specs for the model/year.
State AND Federal violation to modify anything.

Shot in the foot, again.

...My twenty got me 4.3 gallons of go juice, today...

Best,
rmptr

 

[savant365]

I like to keep mine on full as often as possible too, that is if the bank approves the loan so I can go to the gas station.

 

[lumbercamp]

The gas gage on my truck doesn't work so I run out of gas quite often. Luckily I have dual tanks, but the 2nd tank only holds 3 gallons since there is a hole in it. That 3 gallons is enough to get me to a gas station to pump gas.

 

[rmptr]

LC, why don't you at least put some AB epoxy over that hole so you're not splashing that fuel out!

Not to mention that you could become a torch on a rough logging road!

...Whew! I once watched a friend's catalytic converter almost burn a whole town down in high, dry grass...
but that's a different story...

Best,
rmptr

 

[UnEarthed72]

I try to never let my Prius get below 2 bars (I think that is a more then 1/4 a tank)
Its tough coming up with the 25 dollars to fill the tank, but gotta do it
HH,
Donny

I thought you told me you do not have your drivers license!

 

[rmptr]

Prius comes with a 'get out of jail free card', in CA.

 

[jeff of pa]

I try to never let my Prius get below 2 bars (I think that is a more then 1/4 a tank)
Its tough coming up with the 25 dollars to fill the tank, but gotta do it
HH,
Donny

I thought you told me you do not have your drivers license!

drivers license ? We don't need no Stinkin Drivers License

 

[djabend]

I try to never let my Prius get below 2 bars (I think that is a more then 1/4 a tank)
Its tough coming up with the 25 dollars to fill the tank, but gotta do it
HH,
Donny

I thought you told me you do not have your drivers license!

drivers license ? We don't need no Stinkin Drivers License

No, but I still drive with a permit
HH,
Donny

 

[UnEarthed72]

I try to never let my Prius get below 2 bars (I think that is a more then 1/4 a tank)
Its tough coming up with the 25 dollars to fill the tank, but gotta do it
HH,
Donny

I thought you told me you do not have your drivers license!

drivers license ? We don't need no Stinkin Drivers License

No, but I still drive with a permit
HH,
Donny

Oh yeah i forgot about that,but that car sure is cool