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Author	Topic: What level do you keep your fuel tank?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

mcfaith Rookie Author Virginia Posts:36 Points:4,685 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 16, 2011 5:13:23 PM Ignore mcfaith Report Abuse I have a minivan and I try to keep the tank around half full or higher and my hubby has a smaller car. He doesn't have a problem with letting the tank run down until the light's on. Yes, I've tried to tell him it's bad to do that... I don't drive much, so fuel lasts a while for me. Does the weight of the fuel make that much of a difference in mpg? Is it better to keep it full if you can (when prices drop) or less?

mcfaith

Rookie Author
Virginia

Posts:36
Points:4,685
Joined:Mar 2011

Message Posted: May 16, 2011 5:13:23 PM

Ignore mcfaith Report Abuse

I have a minivan and I try to keep the tank around half full or higher and my hubby has a smaller car. He doesn't have a problem with letting the tank run down until the light's on. Yes, I've tried to tell him it's bad to do that...

I don't drive much, so fuel lasts a while for me. Does the weight of the fuel make that much of a difference in mpg? Is it better to keep it full if you can (when prices drop) or less?

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firemantx Rookie Author Dallas Posts:45 Points:29,105 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 2:52:53 PM Ignore firemantx Report Abuse Full
mybigtruck Sophomore Author San Jose Posts:249 Points:224,740 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 2:00:12 PM Ignore mybigtruck Report Abuse I used to drain my tank until the low fuel light came on. These days I fill it whenever I pass by the cheapest station if I happen to be around. My cars do feel peppier when the tank is empty Having a 38 gallon tank of diesel @ 7.15 lbs/gallon = 270lbs of fuel in the back at all times! They were estimating an average car suffers 1-2% economy for every extra 100lbs of excess weight. In my 8100lb truck, 270lbs is noise. I get my 14mpg regardless of going uphill or downhill with or without a tailwind :-(
dvc2 Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,011 Points:468,965 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 1:52:04 PM Ignore dvc2 Report Abuse Fill up as soon as I need too.
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,867 Points:458,250 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 9:51:59 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse I fill it about every two weeks.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,870 Points:1,608,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 4, 2013 8:03:35 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse When my fuel gets below 1/4 full, I fill up
fkkf92 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,047 Points:2,613,195 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Jun 1, 2013 7:41:15 PM Ignore fkkf92 Report Abuse always full
jam2siu Rookie Author Illinois Posts:34 Points:2,240 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 6:37:16 PM Ignore jam2siu Report Abuse it varies
BBF_PFS Veteran Author Washington Posts:335 Points:113,505 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: May 31, 2013 10:49:48 AM Ignore BBF_PFS Report Abuse Somewhere between E and F comming close to the E and hitting the F everytime I fill up.
GLM4205 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,182 Points:825,070 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 6:26:04 AM Ignore GLM4205 Report Abuse 1/2 tank
forresj Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,940 Points:569,980 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 29, 2013 8:35:05 AM Ignore forresj Report Abuse Try running with 60 lbs (10 gallons of gasoline) strapped on your back. Also avoid quick starts and stops in traffic. A gallon of gasoline weighs about 6.073 pounds per US Gallon.
jack4141 Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,127 Points:721,305 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 29, 2013 1:37:03 AM Ignore jack4141 Report Abuse Full most of the time
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2013 12:06:44 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Always full
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2013 12:06:33 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Full
allnighter Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:35 Points:203,540 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: May 28, 2013 5:01:49 PM Ignore allnighter Report Abuse As much as I can afford
forestghost07 All-Star Author Miami Posts:604 Points:7,565 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: May 28, 2013 3:34:54 PM Ignore forestghost07 Report Abuse 2 very different vehicles, 2 approaches: truck gets filled when almost empty; it doesn't seem to care how much, what kind, when, etc. vintage car kept full as possible w/ ethanol-free to prevent condensation in the 41 yr old tank.
jack4141 Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,127 Points:721,305 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 28, 2013 10:24:38 AM Ignore jack4141 Report Abuse Almost full,
dekline Sophomore Author Atlanta Posts:166 Points:56,440 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: May 28, 2013 7:03:02 AM Ignore dekline Report Abuse Refill at 1/4 to empty tank
JoeKing Champion Author British Columbia Posts:14,004 Points:1,960,765 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 28, 2013 4:42:41 AM Ignore JoeKing Report Abuse Always try and keep the tank above the 1/4 mark.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,373 Points:355,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 27, 2013 10:23:49 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse Full
toms1120 Champion Author Maryland Posts:8,753 Points:1,834,745 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 27, 2013 5:48:45 PM Ignore toms1120 Report Abuse Full
fkkf92 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,047 Points:2,613,195 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: May 27, 2013 9:52:17 AM Ignore fkkf92 Report Abuse always full
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 27, 2013 7:40:32 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Always full
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 27, 2013 7:40:26 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Full
busdude2 Champion Author Florida Posts:8,126 Points:1,517,035 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 26, 2013 6:01:23 AM Ignore busdude2 Report Abuse half to full
streetirsx Veteran Author North Dakota Posts:469 Points:148,465 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: May 26, 2013 2:59:16 AM Ignore streetirsx Report Abuse 1/4 at least
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 25, 2013 10:43:29 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Most of the time full
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 25, 2013 10:43:16 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Full
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,870 Points:1,608,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 25, 2013 9:01:50 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse Normally I let mine get just below 1/4 full, then fill it up.
jack4141 Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,127 Points:721,305 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 25, 2013 4:01:57 AM Ignore jack4141 Report Abuse Mostly on full.
Z12 Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,755 Points:784,595 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2013 10:36:29 PM Ignore Z12 Report Abuse About 1/4 of a tank
jl1rp Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,975 Points:384,380 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 24, 2013 5:01:58 PM Ignore jl1rp Report Abuse most of the time I only add more when the low light comes on.
73amx Champion Author Allentown Posts:1,307 Points:486,470 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 24, 2013 12:28:56 PM Ignore 73amx Report Abuse usually at half a tank
GBMAX Champion Author Phoenix Posts:4,800 Points:1,928,330 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 5:18:24 AM Ignore GBMAX Report Abuse full before the prices increases more
dgsteven All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:932 Points:233,525 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 3:40:18 AM Ignore dgsteven Report Abuse 1/2 tank
forestghost07 All-Star Author Miami Posts:604 Points:7,565 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 1:29:22 AM Ignore forestghost07 Report Abuse vintage sports car - full as possible to prevent condensation suv - who cares, it's a gas vampire full or empty
hyeglenn Champion Author Fresno Posts:1,203 Points:626,120 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 1:26:57 AM Ignore hyeglenn Report Abuse Full
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,699 Points:1,571,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2013 11:33:10 AM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse Somewhere between full and empty... lol... I fill the car up when it gets down to 1/4 tank. The gauge falls fast after that. The wife wont tell me if the truck needs gas until the light comes on. Drives me crazy...
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2013 10:16:14 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse to full
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 11, 2013 10:15:42 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse 3/4
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,179 Points:2,457,350 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 11, 2013 8:52:25 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I hope to keep it from being empty.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,123 Points:37,065 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 11:02:54 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Often up to 1/2 capacity, hardly any over that, away from home with a lower price I have room to take advantage on a fill-up.
kellyoneal Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,544 Points:731,090 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 2:46:07 PM Ignore kellyoneal Report Abuse 1/4 tank
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 5:40:20 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Topped up
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 5:40:10 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Full
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,100 Points:1,869,875 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 1:27:33 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse i don't let it get to the light that often at least at 1/4 tank, i'll start looking for the lowest priced gas station along my route
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,373 Points:355,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 1:19:37 AM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse half full then fillup
GLM4205 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,182 Points:825,070 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 9, 2013 6:39:17 AM Ignore GLM4205 Report Abuse At least half full.
pupule777 Veteran Author New Hampshire Posts:404 Points:105,590 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 12:53:45 PM Ignore pupule777 Report Abuse I fill up every Tueday when we are out shopping and that is approx. a litle more than half full !!
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 1:11:02 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Nope
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 1:10:53 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse No