Is it harmful to run on low gas?

NickBaragona · 10-16-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

I treat the 1/4 mark as my empty.

That's what I did when I first bought the car. I've let the E light come on 3 times though. The only thing it could possibly harm is the fuel pump though right?

Trips · 10-16-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickBaragona

That's what I did when I first bought the car. I've let the E light come on 3 times though. The only thing it could possibly harm is the fuel pump though right?

Not the pump but the fuel filter. The gasoline has sediments that settle in the bottom of the tank. This is why it's not good to run the tank too low for fear of picking up those sediments into the filter, and leading to the car starve from not having enough fuel. I normally fuel up at 1/4 if possible.

cheshirecat · 10-17-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

Not the pump but the fuel filter. The gasoline has sediments that settle in the bottom of the tank. This is why it's not good to run the tank too low for fear of picking up those sediments into the filter, and leading to the car starve from not having enough fuel. I normally fuel up at 1/4 if possible.

That used to be the case back in the day when fuel was kept in metal-based containers at the gas stations. Those containers would rust, which created the "sediment".

Today, those containers are made out of synthetic materials which do not corrode. You don't really have to worry about particulates in your gas any longer.

wheee! · 10-17-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

That used to be the case back in the day when fuel was kept in metal-based containers at the gas stations. Those containers would rust, which created the "sediment".

Today, those containers are made out of synthetic materials which do not corrode. You don't really have to worry about particulates in your gas any longer.

agreed.... except in older areas that have older gas stations that may still have the metal tanks. I am always afraid of the gas I am getting when I am filling up in the Kootenay's of BC and through some of the smaller towns!

I always try and fill up at the 1/4 mark as a rule though.