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AMX 05-14-2008 02:29 PM

When to fill up the tank
 
I apologize if this has already been covered in another thread. However, my question is: Is it better to fill up the gas tank when it's near empty, or when it's half empty? There is less weight, therefore some better mileage can be gained when the tank is near empty, however I have also read that with a small amount of gas in the tank, a lot can evaporate. What are your opinions on this?

jadziasman 05-14-2008 02:37 PM

Always better to have less fuel in the tank for less weight.

If you always go to the same gas station and same gas pump the same time of day and drive the same route at the same speed you will eventually be able to find out the absolute maximum number of miles you can drive before you must get gas.

Works pretty good most of the time. But with E10, you might get an unpleasant surprise once in a while. Then you're EOC for real LOL!!!!!!

theholycow 05-14-2008 02:43 PM

The downside of running on empty all the time is excess heat in your fuel pump resulting in premature failure. Modern in-tank fuel pumps depend on being totally submerged to dissipate heat.

cems70 05-14-2008 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theholycow (Post 99842)
The downside of running on empty all the time is excess heat in your fuel pump resulting in premature failure. Modern in-tank fuel pumps depend on being totally submerged to dissipate heat.

Being the poster child for running my tank almost completely empty before filling up, I have to disagree. I bought a Civic VX brand new in 1995, always ran it close to empty before refilling (i.e. the pump usually stopped at 9.5 - 9.8 gallons for the 10 gallon tank), and I never had any problems with the fuel pump in the 225,000 miles I drove the car. I also used to overfill it with 3 - 5 gallons extra, after the pump stopped. I could trickle it in slowly. Believe it or not, I never actually ran out of gas...came close 2 times, but always made it to the gas station.

1993CivicVX 05-14-2008 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cems70 (Post 99845)
Being the poster child for running my tank almost completely empty before filling up, I have to disagree. I bought a Civic VX brand new in 1995, always ran it close to empty before refilling (i.e. the pump usually stopped at 9.5 - 9.8 gallons for the 10 gallon tank), and I never had any problems with the fuel pump in the 225,000 miles I drove the car. I also used to overfill it with 3 - 5 gallons extra, after the pump stopped. I could trickle it in slowly. Believe it or not, I never actually ran out of gas...came close 2 times, but always made it to the gas station.

At times, I've put 11 gallons into my gas tank. How many gallons have you put it in one fill up?

theholycow 05-14-2008 03:39 PM

I can counter your data point with a fuel pump that died at 120,000 miles. Perhaps a 1995 VX fuel pump isn't very sensitive to heat...

VetteOwner 05-14-2008 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theholycow (Post 99842)
The downside of running on empty all the time is excess heat in your fuel pump resulting in premature failure. Modern in-tank fuel pumps depend on being totally submerged to dissipate heat.

yup, ive heard of this happening in the s-series GM trucks and blazers

whoppign $300 to replace soo id rather not risk it:p

101mpg 05-14-2008 07:51 PM

You're also best off to fill up in the morning. I see about a 3% difference - so much so that it's been YEARS since I did a regular fill in the daylight hours. Usually fill up between 6 and 8 am. Many years in the desert taught me this one.

civic94 05-14-2008 08:05 PM

summer's coming and it gets to the 80's and 90's here, should i fill up with 1/4 a tank with my 94 civic?

AMX 05-15-2008 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101mpg (Post 99883)
You're also best off to fill up in the morning. I see about a 3% difference - so much so that it's been YEARS since I did a regular fill in the daylight hours. Usually fill up between 6 and 8 am. Many years in the desert taught me this one.

Here in Canada the pumps are temperature compensated, so there wouldn't be much, if any, difference.


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