Running on Fumes

I know the issue of fuel economy has been discussed extensively, I just was curious to know when different people filled up. With my last car (2008 Chevy Impala) I would run it into the ground before re-filling the tank. I would drive it at least another 50 miles after it told me to get gas and I'd only really stop when I didn't think I' even make it to the gas station. I kept telling myself that this was the only way for me to get the most out of each tank, but some friends have told me that that's actually bad for the engine and have recommended filling up at 1/4 tank or around there and NEVER to let it dip below 1/8 of a tank.

Barring the fact that an Impala is NOT a Tacoma, they each had/have V6 engines (the Impala with a 3.9L and my Tacoma with a 4.0L) so ideally I think the gas mileage is the same regardless. After driving my Tacoma for the first week, making sure to keep it below 2000RPMs when driving, I saw that I got a little over 300 miles from a full tank, is this a good way to conserve fuel for the Tacoma or has anyone seen it to make no difference at all?

 

I try and get through the week on a tank, usually takes around 17-19 gallons. Sometimes the light is on but never for that many miles.

 

i have pulled out of my road on to the highway and the light turned on, i drove to work (20 miles) and to the gas station at lunch (2 miles) then drove home (20 miles) but the road i take was 55 mph 90% of the time and the rest is a stretch of 65 mph. i could barely make it to the gas station that is about a mile down the road.

 

Fuel in the tank is keeping the pump cool......
Just a heads up

 

Also keeps moisture from forming in the tank. I'd suggest a fill up at 1/4 tank if reasonable. No need to chance it. I ran out of gas once, it sucks

 

I try to never let my tank go below 1/4. 1/8 at the most. I like to think i keep the fuel pump submerged that way and it keeps itself cool by being submerged....so when it is cool (submerged) it won't "burn up" by getting to warm and wear out sooner. I may be nuts...its just a preference...an over precaution...

 

The Tacoma has a 21 gallon tank & Toyota designed it to use all 21 gallons. The dangers of overheating the fuel pump, sucking up sediment & moisture collecting on the fuel tank walls are greatly exaggerated. The real danger is running out of fuel & being stuck somewhere you don't wanna' be. If you're gonna' drive beyond the low fuel warning light keep your cell phone charged up & your AAA membership current.

 

^^This^^

David

 

I've run out of gas once with my first car and I surmise it was due to the fuel tank never reading empty. I always have with me a small gas container (I think 2gal) filled up just in case and, being a medic and part time EMT, I always have an aid bag and a "blow out kit" if you know what hits the fan. I think driving conservatively with the RPMs helps in my case, especially since I tend to have a lead foot. In terms of when to fill up I think it's personal preference. As for the size of the tank, I'm pretty sure it's 17.1 gallons at least that's what I remember reading

 

I fill up when the fuel light comes on. I have a round 20L left so I know I am not going to running on fumes etc. You should never run on fumes unless it's necessary. It can wreck your fuel system.

I found that in the summer time keeping my RPMS under 2000 made a difference in my mileage(check my fuelly link below). If your vehicle is still new you're not going to notice that much of a difference. You're going to go through a couple of tanks before you'll notice.

 

My 2011 Focus I would run until it said 10 miles or so to E.

Tacoma I fill up once the fuel light comes on. No issues in either so far

 

i dont let mine get below 1/4 tank. that way the fuel keeps the pump from burning up and im not picking up all the shit in the bottom of the tank and clogging lines/filters

 

The fuel pump always draws fuel from the bottom of the tank.
If there is enough fuel to run the engine, there is enough fuel to cool
the fuel pump.

 

its mostly just personal preference in my case. i know there is more than likely no harm in running until the fuel light comes on, but its just why ive always grown up doing so its probably more of a habit than it is personal preference lol

 

During the winter it is said to avoid leaving the truck over night with less than a 1/4 tank due to condensation. Condensation happens when the air that is inside the tank changes temperature and density. Less air, less condensation. That said, there are plenty of times my truck sits outside over night with the fuel light on and it never really seems to be a problem.

 

I too am on a fill at 1/4 mentality. I've pushed it to the light before but not much further.

When I've pushed it to the light I've noticed the light comes up with about 2gals left.

Being stranded sucks, before cellphones I ran out of fuel in 100* weather wearing flip flops, wasn't a pleasent walk and I don't want to have to ever do it again.

 

Whether you fill up after the light comes on or at half tank it has no effect on your conservation of gas other than the weight factor which is very little. As for running the tank low and hurting your engine that is incorrect. There is a debate over the practice of running the tank low hurting the fuel pump, but I have never seen any proof of it, just claims by some people. If you run out of fuel very much I can see how that might harm the pump, but not because the fuel is low.

 

You guys who run all the way to empty, what are you going to do when there is a major power outage or some other reason for unavailable fuel? I keep my tank above 1/4, prefereably 1/2 in the winter. My reasons have nothing to do with whats better for the truck.

 

As you can see there is many different opinions on this. My personal preference is not below a 1/4 tank. Not because I'm worried about fuel system damage, but because I like to be semi prepared incase something comes up. Stuck in traffic, stuck during snow/ice storm, etc... I also have atleast on of my kids in the truck with me 90% of the time. So being prepared is more for them then me.

 

So you would run it to nearly out of gas to get the most out of it? I didn't know the gas pump would empty my tank before refilling it....



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