Fuel Level Question???

[drperry]

I've never understood that. Unless gas prices change drastically daily (up AND down), what difference does it make? Sure they change, but rarely enough for more than $1 or 2$ per tank

Is $40 today and $40 next week better than $80 today and $0 next week? I can see that it cost "twice as much" but it's only "half as often"

Less teeth pulling per fill up for some

On my farm tuck I only put in 20 or so at a time, but that can last me all month. I do notice that the gauge startes to flutter around the 1/2 tank to 1/4 tank mark. It may be due to some fuel deposits.

It doesn't affect the drivability, just the spaze out when you glance at the fuel gauge.

Seafoam the gas tank!

 

[mr_bots]

I always fill it up that way I don't have to hassle with it for a while.

 

[drperry]

I always fill it up that way I don't have to hassle with it for a while.

Same here!

I don't have to deal with it for 350 km or so

 

[ScottyBoy]

I've never heard of any issues from driving on a half tank. But I HAVE heard many mechaics say that you should never make a habit of running on 1/4 tank or less ALL the time. It will cause a fuel pump to fail much faster. They say that it makes the fuel pump work harder since there is less gas being gravity fed into the pump. They say it also makes the pump run hotter because it doesn't stay fully submerged to cool itself off. Kinda makes sense if you think about it.
I think that would mainly apply to people who always put like 5 bucks at the time in there and drive it till it just about kills, then put like 5 more bucks in.

 

[Draenor]

I've never heard of any issues from driving on a half tank. But I HAVE heard many mechaics say that you should never make a habit of running on 1/4 tank or less ALL the time. It will cause a fuel pump to fail much faster. They say that it makes the fuel pump work harder since there is less gas being gravity fed into the pump. They say it also makes the pump run hotter because it doesn't stay fully submerged to cool itself off. Kinda makes sense if you think about it.
I think that would mainly apply to people who always put like 5 bucks at the time in there and drive it till it just about kills, then put like 5 more bucks in.

I always use this as law. Though the pump does sit in a cavity that contains fuel, which keeps it cool. If you hit potholes it can cause the cause fuel in that cavity to spill out. I tend to never let the tank get below 1/4. You know when your on that last 1/8 the gas station is never close by.

 

[Zembonez]

I've never heard of any issues from driving on a half tank. But I HAVE heard many mechaics say that you should never make a habit of running on 1/4 tank or less ALL the time. It will cause a fuel pump to fail much faster. They say that it makes the fuel pump work harder since there is less gas being gravity fed into the pump. They say it also makes the pump run hotter because it doesn't stay fully submerged to cool itself off. Kinda makes sense if you think about it.
I think that would mainly apply to people who always put like 5 bucks at the time in there and drive it till it just about kills, then put like 5 more bucks in.

I always use this as law. Though the pump does sit in a cavity that contains fuel, which keeps it cool. If you hit potholes it can cause the cause fuel in that cavity to spill out. I tend to never let the tank get below 1/4. You know when your on that last 1/8 the gas station is never close by.

I think there is a tiny bit of logic in the "super low levels might not cool the pump as well" theory... but you guys are out on a limb with the gravity feeding the pump bit. Mechanics are like a bunch of gossiping old ladies... They tend to believe in voodoo and drink a lot.

It seems logical to me that a full tank would be better than an almost empty tank if you don't drive it very often. Less air and more fuel seems like it would keep the fuel from oxidizing or deteriorating in the tank. That could be just wishful thinking though.

 

[Draenor]

They tend to believe in voodoo and drink a lot.

Yes...and YES.

I guess I am considered a mechanic.

 

[Zembonez]

They tend to believe in voodoo and drink a lot.

Yes...and YES.

I guess I am considered a mechanic.

\

That makes two of us!

 

[Cowboy Cadillac]

I've never heard of any issues from driving on a half tank. But I HAVE heard many mechaics say that you should never make a habit of running on 1/4 tank or less ALL the time. It will cause a fuel pump to fail much faster. They say that it makes the fuel pump work harder since there is less gas being gravity fed into the pump. They say it also makes the pump run hotter because it doesn't stay fully submerged to cool itself off. Kinda makes sense if you think about it.
I think that would mainly apply to people who always put like 5 bucks at the time in there and drive it till it just about kills, then put like 5 more bucks in.

As a guy who used to put in $20 here, $40 there and fill up when i could afford it, I had to learn that the pump failing thing is an issue i only have 140000 kms/87000miles and i've had to replace my pump twice(since 87000kms). Now I try to keep it as full as possibly all the time.

 

[drperry]

The only time my truck gets below 1/4 tank is at the end of a road trip