The Gas Tank Theory
01-16-2010, 11:08 AM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jasper, IN
Posts: 772
The Gas Tank Theory
Hey,
I have a theory that I would like to get people's opinion on.
I have often heard that you are not suppose to let the gas in your gastank drop below 1/4 tank because of fuel pump issues. Is this true?
If I wait until my gas tank light comes on to fill up, am I actually doing myself harm in the long run?
I have a theory that I would like to get people's opinion on.
I have often heard that you are not suppose to let the gas in your gastank drop below 1/4 tank because of fuel pump issues. Is this true?
If I wait until my gas tank light comes on to fill up, am I actually doing myself harm in the long run?
01-16-2010, 11:24 AM
#4
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southeast Virginia
Posts: 6,409
I've only let mine get really low once. I have the MyColor option and if memory serves me right, the dash gauges turn red when you are low on fuel. Kind of cool, but I usually get gas when the car is down to a ¼ of a tank.
01-16-2010, 11:45 AM
#5
Cut & Paste Expert
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
With the $4+ gas prices last years, the fuel pump replacement game
has increased partially due to owners letting the fuel get very low
before refueling.
Its a well known fact that the fuel cools the pump and with a returnless
system like the S197 its even more important to keet the fuel level
above about 33% full to keep the pump submerged in fuel and cool.
When the fuel level gets low, the associated sloshing stirs up all the
crap on the bottom and this can ruin a pump prematurally.
Preventive maintence...
has increased partially due to owners letting the fuel get very low
before refueling.
Its a well known fact that the fuel cools the pump and with a returnless
system like the S197 its even more important to keet the fuel level
above about 33% full to keep the pump submerged in fuel and cool.
When the fuel level gets low, the associated sloshing stirs up all the
crap on the bottom and this can ruin a pump prematurally.
Preventive maintence...
01-16-2010, 05:43 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
Fuel pump performance will degrade due to lack of proper cooling until they ultimately fail.
But consider this: Starting out with a full tank and filling it when you get to 1/2 vs letting it get low until the light comes on COSTS YOU NO MORE IN GAS OTHER THAN THAT INITIAL FILL-UP, period. You still drive xx # of miles, regardless whether you start with 2 gallons in the tank or 16. You STILL have to pay for what you use. If you think you're really saving anything by letting the tank get down to 2 or 3 gallons you need to think again.
But consider this: Starting out with a full tank and filling it when you get to 1/2 vs letting it get low until the light comes on COSTS YOU NO MORE IN GAS OTHER THAN THAT INITIAL FILL-UP, period. You still drive xx # of miles, regardless whether you start with 2 gallons in the tank or 16. You STILL have to pay for what you use. If you think you're really saving anything by letting the tank get down to 2 or 3 gallons you need to think again.
