Winter/ Full Gas Tank

If you're really concerned can of sea foam in the gas tank

 

I make it a rule not to go under 1/4 tank in any of my vehicles. Seems to make the fuel pump happier (on Silverados it's a known problem that habitually driving with the fuel tank under 1/4 causes the fuel pumps to fail). My tow rig is a Silverado so I just carry the practice over to everything else I drive. Another benefit is in case of an emergency (such as a family member getting sick and my needing to jump in something to be with them) I don't have to worry about if I have enough gas to get there. I ran into that a few years ago when my Grandfather was rushed to the Hospital and I had to stop mid-way to see him to buy gas because the light came-on and I wasn't certain I'd be able to make it on what I had in the tank.

If something is going to be sitting for more than a month then fill the tank and add Stabil to the tank. Seems to help. Everyone has their own way, you'll find yours.

 

Thanks Kevin. Stay safe out there!

 

I’ve gotten in the habit of putting methyl Hydrate in the tank to help that moisture in the tank burn off but most winterized gas already has that in the large underground holding tanks. It’s added at the refinery.
I also do road side recovery work and I can count many times in the winter during a storm or when it’s just bloody cold out, I’ve stopped to get someone out of a ditch or assist in some way and they have a 1/4 tank of gas and would of had to wait in there all night with the vehicle running, no help in site and if they did call AMA or some other it would be 12 plus hours for help. Ya, they might die from carbon monoxide but it beats freezing to death from running out of gas
(Edit- one more thing to add about methyl hydrate, its a great cleaning product to put in the tank for the valves and spark plugs.
One more reason though to not run your tank low all the time (besides Toyota requiring low level to replace the fuel pump),... the pump is electronic and functions all the time while driving (no brainer) that means it’s building up it’s own heat and the only thing that keeps it cool is by the pump being submerged in the gas.

 

Me as well. Never experienced problems related to fuel issues.

 

Up here. Yes.

 

Shit,You got PayPal?
I'll send you 20 bucks to fill that guy up the rest of the way.

 

Me too!

 

I run to E and a little farther, then fill with a pump round off.

Been driving since Disco was popular......never an issue with fuel or water in the fuel.

Don't worry about it. Fill what you can when you can. Don't worry about going below 1/4 tank.

 

Only time I ever hear anyone say anything about keeping a full tank in the winter, it’s so you don’t run out of gas in the event you get stuck or stranded in a storm. Very little moisture will get/be in the tank, unless there is some underlying problem.

 

Thanks for the offer. I don't get out much anyways so it really don't need filled.

 

I believe you will be find. When I took the wife GX460 in for the fuel pump recall, our dealer filled it up afterwards, I hope the same for you.
Growing up outside of Chicago, we would always add “Heat” to the gas during really cold times, never had a problem. Now I live in the mountains of Colorado and I haven’t had any problems at all, but I normally fill between 1/2 & 1/4 all the time. Fuel is what helps keep the fuel pump cooler, so it’s important to the fuel pumps life.

 

I make it a point to never go below 1/2 full in the winter for this reason.

 

I was raised to keep the tank full for traction in the rear (gas is heavy) and incase you're stranded.

Chevy fuel pumps used to fail frequently and they blamed customers for running them low rather than the quality of product sold.

 

I d add that this is sound advice when storing the vehicle for months at a time. This should include fuel Stable as well in such cases.

 

Lawn mowers and gas power toys this always applies, especially in cold weather regions. Fill it up and put stabilizer.

 

LOL! No they just poured the gas back in the tank if they even had to siphon it out in the 1st place to drop the tank. I was the 3rd Tacoma in line that day for the recall. Advisor told me they have been doing 4 recalls a day since they are able to order the parts from Toyota.

 

When gas tanks were vented to the outdoors the; keep your tank close to full rule might have had some merit. However today I don't think it applies.

 

I do it around the ranch for diesel stuff but never noticed a problem with water in the gas engines.