Gas on Empty?

[EmperorIQ]

My friends tell me that it is bad to drive your car on empty, and that it is recommended to refill when you're half way gone. They said "i don't know, its something like it'll make yoru engine bad, or like, i don't know, make you have less gas mileage in teh future." haha, i dont' see the reason in worrying about whether or not your gas tank is on empty (well i would fill it up of course, but i won't freak out and say my car is going to break down)

so what's yoru take? can you provide me with some information to
1) help me see the light of things
or
2) help me prove to my friends that they are wrong.

thanks!

 

[bradruth]

"i don't know, its something like it'll make yoru engine bad, or like, i don't know, make you have less gas mileage in teh future."

This is the argument you're up against? You win by default.

 

[Corporate Thug]

my dad always fills up when he gets halfway too, i dont know why though

 

[Chaotic42]

Well, I'm not a carologist, but it seems like all of the various water, bits of crap, and other impurities would settle to the bottom of the tank. On a full tank, they make up like 1% of your tank. On an almost empty tank, it would be 50%.

It's like drinking from a big sink of water with eggs and bits of food at the bottom. You're better off if it's full.

If the water is .5" above the crap, it's probably gross.

 

[EmperorIQ]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Well, I'm not a carologist, but it seems like all of the various water, bits of crap, and other impurities would settle to the bottom of the tank. On a full tank, they make up like 1% of your tank. On an almost empty tank, it would be 50%.

It's like drinking from a big sink of water with eggs and bits of food at the bottom. You're better off if it's full.

If the water is .5" above the crap, it's probably gross.

better argument, damn, this must mean i lost. . . .

bradruth: yea, i didn't assume i win by default, but that was really the argument. We just stopped talking about it..

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Well, I'm not a carologist, but it seems like all of the various water, bits of crap, and other impurities would settle to the bottom of the tank. On a full tank, they make up like 1% of your tank. On an almost empty tank, it would be 50%.

It's like drinking from a big sink of water with eggs and bits of food at the bottom. You're better off if it's full.

If the water is .5" above the crap, it's probably gross.

better argument, damn, this must mean i lost. . . .

bradruth: yea, i didn't assume i win by default, but that was really the argument. We just stopped talking about it..

That's the theory, but for one.. that's what your fuel filter is for.

two, isnt the fuel pickup on the bottom of all fuel tanks? You're going to be sucking stuff thats floating around on the bottom up anyway....

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Eli
That's the theory, but for one.. that's what your fuel filter is for.

two, isnt the fuel pickup on the bottom of all fuel tanks? You're going to be sucking stuff thats floating around on the bottom up anyway....

I have no idea. Like I said, I'm no carologist.

 

[AvesPKS]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Well, I'm not a carologist, but it seems like all of the various water, bits of crap, and other impurities would settle to the bottom of the tank. On a full tank, they make up like 1% of your tank. On an almost empty tank, it would be 50%.

It's like drinking from a big sink of water with eggs and bits of food at the bottom. You're better off if it's full.

If the water is .5" above the crap, it's probably gross.

better argument, damn, this must mean i lost. . . .

bradruth: yea, i didn't assume i win by default, but that was really the argument. We just stopped talking about it..

That's the theory, but for one.. that's what your fuel filter is for.

two, isnt the fuel pickup on the bottom of all fuel tanks? You're going to be sucking stuff thats floating around on the bottom up anyway....

I was going to mention something about the fuel coming out of the bottom of the gas tank, but I wasn't sure, because I'm no "carologist" either.

 

[EmperorIQ]

is carologist a term? gonna go google, i'll edit with answer!

it exists!!!

wow, this post right here, is really stupid
1) google before asking a question is a rule of thumb

2) i posted about what i'm gonna google,

3) i posted an answer that everyone probably knows,

i'm so sorry!carologist

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ
is carologist a term? gonna go google, i'll edit with answer!

*Smacks forehead*

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ
is carologist a term? gonna go google, i'll edit with answer!

it exists!!!

wow, this post right here, is really stupid
1) google before asking a question is a rule of thumb

2) i posted about what i'm gonna google,

3) i posted an answer that everyone probably knows,

Well, I'm no Englishician either.

 

[Chiboy]

is Englishician a term? gonna go google, i'll edit with answer!

it doesnt exist!!!

 

[The Stigenator]

that's why you have a fuel filter and you got to change it periodically.. so you have good clean gas.

 

[BadNewsBears]

UHHH NO. Thats the bigeest load of BS if heard in a while. And I should know considering I build engines for my income. Run it dry it wont hurt nuffin. It will just sputter a bit, cant hurt.
respeckicustoms.com

 

[Taggart]

I've read that the fuel acts as a coolant for the gas pump in your car. Staying below half a tank on a regular basis will shorten the life of your gas pump, or might cause it to burn out on you.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Taggart
I've read that the fuel acts as a coolant for the gas pump in your car. Staying below half a tank on a regular basis will shorten the life of your gas pump, or might cause it to burn out on you.

Is this post real?


LMAO!

 

[BadNewsBears]

No gas wont act as a coolant. In newer cars its just a electric motor, older cars with mech pumps, its bolted on the block, and enigne heat will be thermaly transfered to it.

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Taggart
I've read that the fuel acts as a coolant for the gas pump in your car. Staying below half a tank on a regular basis will shorten the life of your gas pump, or might cause it to burn out on you.

Is this post real?


LMAO!

I'm being serious. I've heard this from mechanics too!

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Taggart

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Taggart
I've read that the fuel acts as a coolant for the gas pump in your car. Staying below half a tank on a regular basis will shorten the life of your gas pump, or might cause it to burn out on you.

Is this post real?


LMAO!

I'm being serious. I've heard this from mechanics too!

It's true, but only on certain cars...

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Taggart

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Taggart
I've read that the fuel acts as a coolant for the gas pump in your car. Staying below half a tank on a regular basis will shorten the life of your gas pump, or might cause it to burn out on you.

Is this post real?


LMAO!

I'm being serious. I've heard this from mechanics too!

Yeah, those are some swell mechanics...

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Taggart

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Taggart
I've read that the fuel acts as a coolant for the gas pump in your car. Staying below half a tank on a regular basis will shorten the life of your gas pump, or might cause it to burn out on you.

Is this post real?


LMAO!

I'm being serious. I've heard this from mechanics too!

It's true, but only on certain cars...

Which ones?

 

[BadNewsBears]

NONE New style cars have electronic fuel pumps sitting in the tank usually, sometimes on top, and the ambient temp will be the same as the gasoline. DONE END OF DISC

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: Munchies
NONE New style cars have electronic fuel pumps sitting in the tank usually, sometimes on top, and the ambient temp will be the same as the gasoline. DONE END OF DISC

So you're saying running on fumes has NO risk other than you're car stalling?

 

[BadNewsBears]

Correct, I have torn done hundreds of engines, my own that I have run out of gas in many many times before an there has been no damage.

 

[TwoBills]

It's about the condensation build up in the tank, after you shut it down (mainly in the winter). 1/2 tank of gas gives less room for condensation to build up, and more gas to mix with to burn off. A little denatured alcohol helps the gas mix with the water.