Poll of the Day > How empty do you let your gas tank get before filling it?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I usually fill it when I have between 25-50 miles left of gas.
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1/2 tank. If it gets too low you can theoretically dredge up impurities from the bottom of your tank and clog your fuel injectors over time (or at least, that used to be a problem that could happen). So I generally keep my fuel topped up both to avoid that, and so that I always have fuel in case an unexpected emergency pops up.


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Typically when there is between 1/4 and 1/2 remaining in the tank
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I like to fill it up when it gets to about 1/4.
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ParanoidObsessive posted...

unexpected emergency

Are you referring to end of the world scenarios?
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I usually go some time after the 80 km warning comes up, if it's convenient. Once it gets below 40 km, I'll go out of my way to refill, since that's cutting it close.
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usually when the light goes on, but you guys are making me consider otherwise now, ok?
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Just top it off every time - iz liek $3
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Depends on the price of gas. I sometimes let it get or stay pretty low if I think prices are going to drop soon. Granted, back when I had a longer commute I didn't have that luxury.

ParanoidObsessive posted...

1/2 tank. If it gets too low you can theoretically dredge up impurities from the bottom of your tank and clog your fuel injectors over time (or at least, that used to be a problem that could happen). So I generally keep my fuel topped up both to avoid that, and so that I always have fuel in case an unexpected emergency pops up.

Oh, maybe I'll keep it more consistently refilled.

Zangulus posted...

Depends on how lazy I am.

Also this. So much this.
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Mead posted...

Typically when there is between 1/4 and 1/2 remaining in the tank

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SunWuKung420 posted...

Are you referring to end of the world scenarios?

No, those are expected emergencies. If one happens, I probably caused it.


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AllstarSniper32 posted...

I like to fill it up when it gets to about 1/4.

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Typically whenever I think about it once it's below 1/4. But I generally only think about it when my car reminds me.

As for clogging the injectors or what not if the fuel level gets low. The pump often (not always) sits inside the tank at the bottom so if it's going to pull up stuff like that it will do it even if you have a full tank. Bumps in the road and what not would slosh the fuel around and stir up any crud in the tank anyway. But it has a fine mesh around the pump to help stop impurities from being sucked in and there's also a filter further down the line for anything finer that gets through.

The biggest issue with running your tank dry is that it can shorten the life of the pump since it relies on the fuel as a lubricant a and a coolant. Doing it often can negatively impact the life of the pump. Generally if a pump is intended for liquid it shouldn't be run dry.
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Anywhere from 1/3rd of a tank left to dangerously close to running outta fuel
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when it's right below 1/4
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Depends on if the "Empty" really means "Empty", or short for, you have about 20 miles left "Empty".

On about the former I'll get gas.
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1/4 tank... I dont use crappy gasoline either. It makes cars idle rougher.
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my gas light turns on when i get below 3/4ths of a tank

naturally i wait until i'm at the E line, because my gauge actually goes lower than that bar.

though rn my fuel economy is shit because one of my exhaust manifolds is fucked to hell and i just am not going to put more money into this truck
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Sometimes it depends on whether I fell like it or not. Other times, it depends on my financial situation.
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I live in a cold area which means it's not good for your car to have too low gas.
I try to fill it up before 1/3 though.
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My car is telling me I have 20 miles of gas left. I'll stop on the way home from work and through in $20 worth.
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LinkPizza posted...

Sometimes it depends on whether I fell like it or not. Other times, it depends on my financial situation.

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I just let it run out every time

OhhhJa posted...

I just let it run out every time

Got AAA?
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SunWuKung420 posted...

OhhhJa posted...

I just let it run out every time

Got AAA?

Naw I just walk to the gas station

I fill it all the way up and wait for the gas light to come on, and then I fill it all the way up again

Back when I used to drive I'd fill it between the 1/4 and 1/3 mark, normally. If I had a long trip ahead of me, and had more than that, then I'd still fill up to be safe.
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Whenever it won't be enough to make a round trip from home to work
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Usually at 1/4 tank then I fill it with $50
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I try to fill up every Sunday so I don't have to worry about.
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