415 miles today!

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Why do you feel the need to post in bold large font?

If you want to run your tank near empty, so be it. I do know that the pick up line is at the bottom, but that does not automatically mean that any sediments will be sucked right in. Furthermore, the fuel pump is in the tank and is cooled and lubricated by the gas, so by letting your gas levels lower, you take away its lubrication. This can damage it. So, even if you don't believe in the sediment reason, it's still bad to run your tank near empty, unless you don't mind replacing your fuel pump more often than it normally needs to be.

[nookandcrannycar]

I guess I must have gotten a 'Wednesday' fuel pump . I almost always take my tank as close to empty as possible before filling up. The original fuel pump still works, and I'm still getting over 40 MPG combined.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I guess I must have gotten a 'Wednesday' fuel pump . I almost always take my tank as close to empty as possible before filling up. The original fuel pump still works, and I'm still getting over 40 MPG combined.

That's good that you're getting 40 mpg averages. For some reason, my car really hates this winter blend crap, and my average went down to ~36. Doesn't help that I have the wrong size exhaust piping and 43.5lb tire/wheel combo. When ever I do any city driving, I'll watch my average go down, lower, and lower, and lower...

But yeah, I have no clue how much shorter running your tank near empty will do to your fuel pump's life. May not see it until ~150k miles or somewhere near there.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

When ever I do any city driving, I'll watch my average go down, lower, and lower, and lower...

....and the same in horrible traffic on I-80...

May not see it until ~150k miles or somewhere near there.

I have 239k miles on my Yaris .

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

....and the same in horrible traffic on I-80...



I have 239k miles on my Yaris .

Gotta time your travel if you'll be on I-80.

Congrats on reaching that milestone on your Yaris.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/124376/w...-for-your-car/

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto...-wallet-1.aspx

http://tankonempty.com/viewstory/71

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...-running-dumb/

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=59901


All those links either talk about debris at the bottom, lubricating the fuel pump, or other negative things about running your tank near empty.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

http://www.caradvice.com.au/124376/w...-for-your-car/

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto...-wallet-1.aspx

http://tankonempty.com/viewstory/71

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...-running-dumb/

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=59901


All those links either talk about debris at the bottom, lubricating the fuel pump, or other negative things about running your tank near empty.

I'm sure you're right. I'm normally paranoid about possible problems/issues, but this is just one i won't follow. I've always had the same mindset re when to fill up and I don't want to change. Also, when I start to miss the normal 'benchmarks' for my fuel bars, I try to drive even more economically re habits to make up for the lag. In the comments on your first link and on your third link, a fair number of people posted who (like me) run their tank low and have done this on all the cars they've owned and have never had a fuel filter fail.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I'm sure you're right. I'm normally paranoid about possible problems/issues, but this is just one i won't follow. I've always had the same mindset re when to fill up and I don't want to change. Also, when I start to miss the normal 'benchmarks' for my fuel bars, I try to drive even more economically re habits to make up for the lag. In the comments on your first link and on your third link, a fair number of people posted who (like me) run their tank low and have done this on all the cars they've owned and have never had a fuel filter fail.

Some people are lucky, and others aren't, which is why I didn't just link specific posts, but rather the whole threads of those links. I would rather take precautionary measures to prevent unneeded parts repairs/replacements, however. I'm not going to push people to do (or not do) things to their cars, as it is their choice. I simply just try to help people and possibly save them money and/or headaches down the line.

I have many friends who run their cars to near empty, and almost all of their cars have noticeable diminished performance and mpg's, so as for me, I'll stick to not running below "1/4" tank as it's been working for me

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Some people are lucky, and others aren't, which is why I didn't just link specific posts, but rather the whole threads of those links. I would rather take precautionary measures to prevent unneeded parts repairs/replacements, however. I'm not going to push people to do (or not do) things to their cars, as it is their choice. I simply just try to help people and possibly save them money and/or headaches down the line.

I have many friends who run their cars to near empty, and almost all of their cars have noticeable diminished performance and mpg's, so as for me, I'll stick to not running below "1/4" tank as it's been working for me

Oh, I wasn't trying to convince you to change . I think one reason I do my fill ups the way I do is that if I'm 'falling behind' on my MPG goal as the tank starts its last 3/8 or 1/4, then I have more time and miles to improve my habits so that I have the best chance of staying over 40 combined....but as you correctly stated, it's personal preference...each person has a way that works best for him or her.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Oh, I wasn't trying to convince you to change . I think one reason I do my fill ups the way I do is that if I'm 'falling behind' on my MPG goal as the tank starts its last 3/8 or 1/4, then I have more time and miles to improve my habits so that I have the best chance of staying over 40 combined....but as you correctly stated, it's personal preference...each person has a way that works best for him or her.

Yeah, I know you weren't trying to convince me. I was just throwing that statement out there just for the record. I know how you feel about mpg goals. That's why I set my Scan Gauge to read lower than what I'm actually getting to make me feel bad.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

And before I head off to bed, just a few more links (it is mentioned in one that debris at the bottom is debated, again, not going to purposely leave that link out).

http://www.live5news.com/story/14635...us-bad-for-car

http://www.ridelust.com/top-10-every...in-their-cars/

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...be-costly.html

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7160717_ef...g-out-gas.html


Again, personal preference. I don't see any benefits of running the tank to empty, but that's just me.

[UberSilver]

Drove to Reno again. This time with the AC on both ways. Did not make it on one tank!

422 miles and 11.46 gallons.

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by UberSilver

Drove to Reno again. This time with the AC on both ways. Did not make it on one tank!

422 miles and 11.46 gallons.

OMG time to get a new car, that's only 36.823734 mpg!

Seriously, it's cooking hot in the Southwest right now, isn't it?
That is great, especially with the AC on the whole time

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by UberSilver

Drove to Reno again. This time with the AC on both ways. Did not make it on one tank!

422 miles and 11.46 gallons.

In late summer or early fall I plan to do some mountain driving. It will be interesting to see what my MPG in such areas will turn out to be. It's pretty flat here...which makes higher MPG readings easier.

[screenprintr]

Have you noticed your car bogging down with the Air on?

[UberSilver]

Originally Posted by screenprintr

Have you noticed your car bogging down with the Air on?

Did not notice any, but I keep it in third on the up hill climes, as I dont like it when its bouncing in and out of 4th.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by screenprintr

Have you noticed your car bogging down with the Air on?

When the AC is on in my car, I can definitely notice a power loss.

[Hershey]

Happy with this for now . It'll likely drop tomorrow with 3 in the car , groceries , rain soaked roads , and a few steep hills to deal with . Predict 39.2 for calculated gas mileage and Eco-Meter will show 39.4 . 38+ is nothing to scoff .