When do you fill your tank?

"ki-ki-ki-kia" (nforsythe)
02/13/2014 at 10:59 • Filed to: None

Waiting for my class to start today the teacher and an older student (this is community college) were discussing when they fill up there tank. They are by far the farthest from car people that you could ever meet so I was wondering when you guys fill up. It varies in my case. Often around town I am bad and wait until about an 1/8 of a tank but on longer trips I fill up right after 1/4 of a tank.

On a side note as I write this I just had 5 students say they think cars should be banned for everything but long distance trips (600 miles plus in their opinion). I really took the wrong class...

DISCUSSION (83)

Tom McParland > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:01

Between 1/8 and 1/4

spanfucker retire bitch > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:02

Most times I wait until I hit around a 1/4 tank. However, during the winter (and especially this one with how nasty it's been) I try and fill up at or just under the 1/2 tank mark. Last thing I want is to be stuck somewhere with no gas and no heat.

ncasolowork2 > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:03

When gas prices are about to go up. We're on a cycle right now. It's at $3.50 sinks to ~$3.10. When one station goes up the one nearest my house is the last to go up. So I fill up there before it goes back to $3.50. Since I can go ~2 weeks without filling up it varies where my tank is. Otherwise I usually get down to 2 gallons or less.

ki-ki-ki-kia > spanfucker retire bitch
02/13/2014 at 11:05

Definitely! Luckily being in Florida I don't have that issue except during hurricane season. Than I am a bit more cautious.

The Compromiser > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:06

I have a light. If im not travelling far it lets me know when I'm Too Stupid to live.

Sn210 > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:06

When I had my civic it was easy to tell because they fuel gauge is a line of dots. At 4 dots youre getting low and at 2 dots the warning light came on, so I'd fill up anywhere between there.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:06

When the light comes on which means about 75 more miles on the tank. Or I'll early fill it if the weather is good, but going to be worse later.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:06

I treat 1/4 tank like its empty, but I drive in places that might not have another driver for a few hours so that 1/4 is for keeping me warm while I am stuck in a snow bank. Canada problems.

Agrajag > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:08

Usually around a 1/4.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:09

In my Passat, I used to wait until the light came on (and then some), unless I was on a highway with limited stops, or a new area where I didn't know where the next fill up would be. In my Saturn, I'm not sure if the gas light works, OR how accurate the gas gauge is, so just under 1/4 usually, though driving uphill or downhill can change the position of the needle quite a bit.

Both of these are irrespective of external temperature.

And punch those fucking hippies in their patchouli holes.

ki-ki-ki-kia > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
02/13/2014 at 11:09

Same my mileage thing says 30 miles when the gas light goes on but from experience I made that gas light last a week (easily 60-70 miles). College problems.

ddavidn > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:10

I try not to let this happen:

Kinja'd!!!

But it does sometimes. Usually I fill halfway when I get down to one gallon, or fill all the way up on the first payday of the month...

crowmolly > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:10

1/4.

With in-tank fuel pumps the fuel cools the pump. You do not want to always run it down to the light and then fill. That is how you end up replacing pumps in short order. I did 3 for a buddy before I asked him WTF was going on.

ki-ki-ki-kia > vdub_nut: scooter snob
02/13/2014 at 11:11

And punch those fucking hippies in their patchouli holes

This may be the most accurate description of this class. I largely regret taking it.

camaroboy68ss > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:13

I always fill at a quarter tank. I had day where I had a nice drive on some twisty roads with a little less than a quarter tank and with the gas sloshing around it actually got my fuel pump warm and to start making noise. The only thing that keeps the pump cool is being submerged in gas and loses that submersen at 1/4 tank. Plus I don't want to replace my pump.big pain dropping the tank. Have to pull the rear end out.

$kaycog > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:14

About the 1/2 mark. That way it doesn't cost as much to fill 'er up.

ki-ki-ki-kia > ddavidn
02/13/2014 at 11:15

I am guilty of having this happen once or twice.

Casper > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:15

It depends how much I'm driving the vehicle. My motorcycle I try to top off at half a tank, the BRZ we just fill when the light comes on since we are car pooling a lot in it. My Z I keep about half full all the time because I liked the weight distribution, but that will be changing with the engine swap.

Tell those idiots that they are what is wrong with the country and that their level of ignorance/stupidity shouldn't be allowed to consume our oxygen.

Nibbles > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:15

I have a 14 gallon tank. Light comes on at 4 gallons left. That works

48 Spoons > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:15

Usually around the time the light comes on. I fill up about once a month so its usually when the light comes on as I don't pay that much attention to it otherwise, at least not until auto-x starts back up.

ki-ki-ki-kia > crowmolly
02/13/2014 at 11:16

This actually makes sense.

Hoccy > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:17

Since gas prices go up at noon each Monday and then go back down through the week, I usually fill each Sunday or monday morning. Doesn't matter how much I have left on my tank, because I really don't want to run out in the middle of the week..

crowmolly > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:17

Well, the pumps are *supposed* to be adequately cooled by the fuel passing through them, so if your car is running they are *supposed* to be fine.

I can bear witness that it is not always the case.

RazoE > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:17

Always at 1/4, no exceptions. I don't want to run my fuel pump dry and burn it up.

wabbastang > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:19

When the light comes on, which on my 40 gallon tank is fairly early at about 9 gallons left or 150 miles. I've had cars in the past that wouldn't even see 150 miles on a full tank, so seems like plenty of notice and can just pick up fuel whenever it's convenient at that point.

What I don't do is spend my time driving all over to find the lowest possible station. It doesn't seem to make any sense to go out the way to save $.05 or $.10/gallon when you use even a single gallon of fuel to get there, but it's funny how many people do. Now if you commute past the same stations every day and get an idea of who's lowest, fine, stop there, but it's crazy how often people tell me about how far they will go to save $.10. Often times it's the same people that will at that point only put in $15 at a time because the prices might be going down - LOL. Good math there.

ddavidn > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:19

I've had it happen about once a month for the last three months... Pretty nerve-wracking to be sitting in traffic on the freeway while it blinks. Made it to a station every time, though...

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:19

My wife prefers to tempt fate each time with how long she can drive with the light on. Nucking Futs in my opinion.

Dusty Ventures > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:22

Your picture makes me twitchy

Harris Lue > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:26

Well... I went until it was sputtering a few weeks ago... Bad Idea...

wabbastang > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:33

I think we should talk about cheap gas vs "name brand" while we're at it too. Yes it all comes from the same place, and yes there is a difference in that the additives put in by the different brands alters things. I know people who work for big and little petroleum at different levels, some say buy cheap it's all the same, some advocate the benefits of the higher end.

Regardless - REAL WORLD DATA! My wife had an e36 328 for a few years, 4 tanks of Safeway would yield 21mpg, 4 tanks of Chevron/76 etc would give 25. That experience repeated when we tried it with our e46. Every time. My sister has 2 Sienna vans - One fills at Costco and had the whole fuel system replaced after 3 years and a second set of injectors 3 years later, and gets 2-3 mpg less than her other that always fills at Chevron (yes it was an experiment derived by owning 2 of the same cars). So I don't care what anyone says, and there would be a difference trying this with an old Corolla or carbureted car versus an E46 BMW, but a consistent 20% drop in mileage isn't going to be made up paying 5% less per gallon.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:33

That's depends on my mood.

Normally i put fuel when it's show 1/4-1/6 of the tank left.

But sometimes i push the car waaaaaaaaaaaay below that, ala clarkson's bingo game.

ki-ki-ki-kia > Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
02/13/2014 at 11:35

It was a scary scary week but it had to happen

ki-ki-ki-kia > Dusty Ventures
02/13/2014 at 11:35

me too. me too

Korea Miéville > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:36

I inherited my dad's habit of waiting until the very last possible moment to gas up. I think he got a perverse thrill out of seeing how low he could go without running out. I don't know if this is true, but I've always heard (I think I heard this on Car Talk as well) that you shouldn't let the tank get too low because you get to the sediment at the bottom of the tank and it will clog your fuel filter.

bhardoin > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:38

I try to keep at least 75 -100 miles worth in the tank. Nothing ruins one of those "gotta get out and drive" moments like having to stop to fill up.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:38

Once on a trip I tested the range estimate on my truck. There are at least 10 bonus miles on it. When the range said 50 miles to E, I was 60 miles away from the gas station that I was aiming for. In the middle of nowhere. I made it, but there couldn't have been much for fuel left as I put 26+ gallons in a 26 gallon tank.

Usually fill up much before that, around 1/4 tank in the car though I frequently don't fill the truck until the light comes on.

ki-ki-ki-kia > Korea Miéville
02/13/2014 at 11:38

That is true along with the possibility of condensation build up leading to water in the tank. Also as has been noted in replies you can overheat the fuel pump.

oldirtybootz > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:39

"I just had 5 students say they think cars should be banned for everything but long distance trips"

Kinja'd!!!

But to your question, I fill up twice a week, usually Thurs/Fri and Sun/Mon. I do a lot of exploring on the weekends so I burn through that Friday fill up. I usually wait until 1/8 to 1/4 of a tank to fill it.

Meatcoma > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:40

click it to 40.00, it makes figuring out you only have enough for a burrito bowl without the chips from Chipotle left in your bank account.

ki-ki-ki-kia > wabbastang
02/13/2014 at 11:40

This would make for an interesting discussion. Maybe you should post one. If not I will later.

About your post however I have noticed that if I use shell I get slightly better than the Sams Club gas however we cant be to sure as I have been known to occasionally drive quite spirited.

Takuro Spirit > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:44

If its cold out I coincide my pit stops for when its going to be warm out, or when my car is warm inside. Usually around 1/4 tank.

During the summer I YOLO it till it's near 1/8th tank. Not sure if the Camry has a gas light.....

ki-ki-ki-kia > Meatcoma
02/13/2014 at 11:44

You sir deserve an award. That is true thinking

Leadbull > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:45

When the light comes on...

ki-ki-ki-kia > oldirtybootz
02/13/2014 at 11:45

"I just had 5 students say they think cars should be banned for everything but long distance trips"

Kinja'd!!!

We should start a new country just for car lovers. No import tax on vehicles and no smog regulations. The whole OPPO community could join!

ki-ki-ki-kia > Takuro Spirit
02/13/2014 at 11:47

During the summer I YOLO it till it's near 1/8th tank. Not sure if the Camry has a gas light.....

How exactly do you YOLO it in a Camry... It must be pretty grounded to the ground.

DollaMoneyAve > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:49

I treat half a tank as if it's on "empty." I like knowing I can get the hell out of dodge without having to stop for gas. Also, it's better for the car for a couple reasons that others have probably already mentioned.

911e46z06 > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:49

Usually around 1/2, but I never let it get under 1/4. When I was maybe 12, I was riding with my mom, who just runs it down to empty, and we broke down. When we got to the shop, the mechanic said that she'd burned out her fuel pump by running the tank down too low too often. That shit stuck with me, and now I'm paranoid about it.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:49

I have a digital fuel gauge that is kind of... Quirky, so I fill it at one or two bars left, which usually means 1/10th of the tank left. Thanks Honda

SubiSanchez > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:53

I'll usually fill right when the fuel light comes on and I normally pump $30 at a time unless I just got paid or I'm going on a long trip for which I'll pump the tank full.

Z_Stig > ddavidn
02/13/2014 at 11:54

I once drove 30 miles up Highway 1 going to Monterrey with the Range flashing "—- MLS"

At the top of crests and hills in the road, I would turn the car off, and coast down the hill. Freakin' nerve-wracking.

ddavidn > Z_Stig
02/13/2014 at 11:55

Oh so I can go 30 miles after it says that? Good to know! ;)

Jayhawk Jake > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:56

When the meter empties, or when it's on the last bar and getting gas is convenient

Kinja'd!!!

Each 'bar' is nearly a gallon of fuel (12 gallon tank, 12 bars). Usually when I get down to 1 or 2 I switch the MPG display (upper right) to Range and watch it. If it gets to 30 miles or less it stops showing numbers and just says 'Low', that's when I find a gas station immediately.

The WB > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 11:59

There is a country like this. Oklahoma.

The WB > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:02

When I am around town, I fill up as soon before light comes on (about 1/8th tank, short sweep gauge) and brim it. I have never put a partial tank of gas in my car.

If I know I'm going anywhere farther than 30 miles, it gets filled at 1/4 tank.

When I worked in the field it would get filled at 1/2 tank as soon as the nearest town population dropped below 5,000, because you never knew when you'd be 60 miles from a gas station.

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:03

Once again, I'm the outlier! I normally gas up every other time I drive one of my cars or so. Of course, I walk to work, so I don't drive very often, but two of my cars are older (and one doesn't have the stock fuel pump or sensors any more), so I don't fully trust the gas gauge. This has meant getting 2-3 gallons at a time, but that's ok because (1) it never gets too cold here in SF and (2) the gas station is 2 blocks from my house.

I also will admit to being slightly amused when there is a line of cars and people don't get behind the Continental, thinking I will be forever. (It actually only holds about 15-20 gallons in any event.) Then I get 3 gallons and am gone way before the guy/gal in the Corolla/Camry/Juke/whatever.

wabbastang > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:04

I have no authorship, and as my burner key doesn't seem to work my account's only active so long as Chrome doesn't lose it...So I'm not overly inclined to ask for it :P

That is funny, seems akin to the Top Gear clip where the Prius got 17mpg around the track and the M3 was 19 following it.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > wabbastang
02/13/2014 at 12:06

I've noticed that too. The best is the people waiting in line for 1-2 cent cheaper gas. Flip them a quarter and tell them they're MAKING money, it blows their mind.

wabbastang > ddavidn
02/13/2014 at 12:06

Wife? Is that you posting here??

HOW CAN I CONVINCE YOU ZERO MILES IS NOT HOW YOU KNOW ITS TIME FOR GAS

Frosted > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:07

Normally when I'm at either 1/2 full or 1/4 full. I don't why but I don't like having stuff empty. My laptop and phone are pretty much always plugged in so they have 100% charge and I try to keep my car with a full tank as often as possible.

Brian, The Life of > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:10

Usually right after my default display goes for average MPG to "50 miles remaining" range indicator.

472CID > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:13

200miles (~1/2), I don't trust my fuel gauge at all.

It's a "Porch-uh" > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:15

On a side note as I write this I just had 5 students say they think cars should be banned for everything but long distance trips (600 miles plus in their opinion).

Assuming they're all concerned about the polar bears, see if any of them eat beef. The beef industry does much more damage to the environment than cars. I justify my M5 with beef offsets.

And if you eat beef and drive a vehicle that gets 6mpg, I don't judge. 'Merica.

I'm just tired of cars getting all the blame for the environment.

ddavidn > wabbastang
02/13/2014 at 12:17

Sorry hun. One of your car geek friends confirmed it for me.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:18

I usually fill up at the end of the week or when I'm notified that there's low fuel, which sets in at around 2 gallons left in the tank. I'm usually driving with a feather foot when I fuel up on the low fuel light, and when I get around to it I've discovered there's 1 1/2 gallon left in the car.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:26

I fill at around 1/8th and always fully fill up so I can calculate mpg.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 12:31

Normally when my "Miles Remaining" in the dashboard is between 50-75 miles. My work commute is typically 52 miles round trip so if I have to detour 75 miles left is pushing it.

this is about and 1/8-1/4 of a tank btw.

ki-ki-ki-kia > It's a "Porch-uh"
02/13/2014 at 12:35

And if you eat beef and drive a vehicle that gets 6mpg, I don't judge. 'Merica.

This! I will use this next week.

ki-ki-ki-kia > The WB
02/13/2014 at 12:37

Which is under US regulations meaning no importation of certain vehicles.

ki-ki-ki-kia > Leadbull
02/13/2014 at 12:38

haha

Kinja'd!!!

Big Bubba Ray > crowmolly
02/13/2014 at 13:02

This. I fill up at a 1/4 tank as well, never less.

My mom is terrible about filling up her tank and she will only fill it up $10 at a time. She had 4 fuel pumps in 2 years and could never figure out why she kept having to get them replaced. My dad ended up telling her that if she didn't keep gas in her tank, he simply wouldn't let her drive. He was fed up with paying $1,500 a year to get new fuel pumps for her car.

Z_Stig > ddavidn
02/13/2014 at 13:10

Has there ever been a better time to say YMMV?

LOL

ddavidn > Z_Stig
02/13/2014 at 13:11

HA! Nope.

Justino6969 > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 13:24

When I have around a quarter tank left i'll fill up on the way home, which is about an 1/8th tank by the time I get to the station.

John > ki-ki-ki-kia
02/13/2014 at 13:42

I usually fill my Mustang about every 4-6 days since I have a long commute. I try to run it down to about 3 gallons remaining or so, which typically nets me 350-400 miles. If I time everything right and do the speed limit all week, I can fill up on Sunday evening and make it last until Friday on the return trip home. I use 93 octane, which has been a solid $3.50-$3.55 the entire time I've owned the car. Since price never changes, I have two regular gas stations I go to every week. It's nice to get to know the people and have a friendly conversation here and there rather than wasting time hunting down cheaper fuel.