`Running on Empty ?
#1
11-30-2007 | 07:18 AM
`Running on Empty ?
[align=center]
[/align][align=center]Why You Shouldn't Run On Empty[/align][align=center]
[/align][align=center]- Fill me `up -[/align][align=center]LOL[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Please post above `if your agree with the below[/align][align=center]statement, or that you don't agree[/align][align=center][:-]
Have you ever heard someone say, "It seems like I’m always running on fumes, but I just can’t afford to fill it up." Think again, warns the Car Care Council. Maybe you can’t afford NOT to keep the tank at least half full. There’s a risk in running on empty. [/align][align=center][/align][align=center]The reason: on fuel injected vehicles the fuel pump, mounted inside the gas tank, is cooled by the gasoline that surrounds it. Insufficient gas in the tank can allow the pump to overheat.
Further, if the fuel filter is dirty the pump works harder to move the gasoline from the tank to the engine. More work, more amperage, more heat and more wear on the fuel pump.
The bad news is that in hot weather, when gasoline returns to the tank from the hot engine (these systems continuously recirculate fuel between the tank and the engine) its cooling capability is diminished, further shortening the life of the pump. Replacing a fuel pump on the typical car can cost $500 or more.
All of this adds up to two valuable bits of advice: gas up when the gauge shows half full and change the fuel filter every 10,000 – 20,000 miles.
Reason #2 not to run near empty, of course, is to reduce the danger of running out of gas. How can you be sure you won’t be stalled in traffic with the engine running and the gauge on "E"?
Reason #3 is to prevent contamination from getting into the gas line. Whatever moisture or sediment may be in the tank is more likely to be drawn into the system when the tank is nearly empty. That can cause the engine to run poorly or stall out completely.
[:-][/align][align=center]MEMBERS[/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center]Post your thoughts/comments[/align]
[/align][align=center]Why You Shouldn't Run On Empty[/align][align=center][/align][align=center]- Fill me `up -[/align][align=center]LOL[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center]Please post above `if your agree with the below[/align][align=center]statement, or that you don't agree[/align][align=center][:-]Have you ever heard someone say, "It seems like I’m always running on fumes, but I just can’t afford to fill it up." Think again, warns the Car Care Council. Maybe you can’t afford NOT to keep the tank at least half full. There’s a risk in running on empty. [/align][align=center][/align][align=center]The reason: on fuel injected vehicles the fuel pump, mounted inside the gas tank, is cooled by the gasoline that surrounds it. Insufficient gas in the tank can allow the pump to overheat.
Further, if the fuel filter is dirty the pump works harder to move the gasoline from the tank to the engine. More work, more amperage, more heat and more wear on the fuel pump.
The bad news is that in hot weather, when gasoline returns to the tank from the hot engine (these systems continuously recirculate fuel between the tank and the engine) its cooling capability is diminished, further shortening the life of the pump. Replacing a fuel pump on the typical car can cost $500 or more.
All of this adds up to two valuable bits of advice: gas up when the gauge shows half full and change the fuel filter every 10,000 – 20,000 miles.
Reason #2 not to run near empty, of course, is to reduce the danger of running out of gas. How can you be sure you won’t be stalled in traffic with the engine running and the gauge on "E"?
Reason #3 is to prevent contamination from getting into the gas line. Whatever moisture or sediment may be in the tank is more likely to be drawn into the system when the tank is nearly empty. That can cause the engine to run poorly or stall out completely.
[:-][/align][align=center]MEMBERS[/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center]Post your thoughts/comments[/align]
#2
11-30-2007 | 07:26 AM
RE: `Running on Empty ?
TIRES
Bonus Topic for your Holiday's
Pressure
Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!
Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a tire dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Rotation
Regularly rotating your vehicle's tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle's owners manual has a specific recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 6,000 miles.
Tread
Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.
Pressure
Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!
Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a tire dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Rotation
Regularly rotating your vehicle's tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle's owners manual has a specific recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 6,000 miles.
Tread
Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.
#3
11-30-2007 | 07:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 337
From:
RE: `Running on Empty ?
I have heard and agree with all the facts against running on empty.My dad always taught me that it was better to have more gas in the tank to prevent dirt,moisture,etc from causing problems,even before we had electric fuel pumps and injection. He also said that especially in winter,the more weight in the car,the better it will handle in snow.
The other reason is you never know when you might have to suddenly leave to go somewhere(lets say a family member was in an accident) you won't have to waste precious time stopping to fill up.My wife lets her car run almost to empty,and sometimes it really bugs me if we are going out somewhere and are kind of in a hurry,and then have to stop for gas yet,especially if we are going to eat,and I am starving to begin with.
The other reason is you never know when you might have to suddenly leave to go somewhere(lets say a family member was in an accident) you won't have to waste precious time stopping to fill up.My wife lets her car run almost to empty,and sometimes it really bugs me if we are going out somewhere and are kind of in a hurry,and then have to stop for gas yet,especially if we are going to eat,and I am starving to begin with.
#5
11-30-2007 | 02:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,283
From: Latrobe, Pennsylvania
RE: `Running on Empty ?
I agree... sometimes, on road trips, I will keep it on full.. but usually, after that... it's on 1/2 or below, not to mention that gasoline weighs roughly the same as JP8, 6.7 pounds per gallon... half tank on the 00-05 monte's has about 6 gallons left... versus 17 gallons full... 7 lbs x 11 gallons = 77 EXTRA pounds for your car to tug around when street racing = not any help...
BUT Space you are very correct... keeping the fuel pump cooled will aid in performance, and prevent you from having to drop your tank and change the pump down the road :-)
BUT Space you are very correct... keeping the fuel pump cooled will aid in performance, and prevent you from having to drop your tank and change the pump down the road :-)
#6
11-30-2007 | 02:56 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,576
From: wouldnt u like to know
RE: `Running on Empty ?
yeah i wont run my car on less then 1/4 tank. i have enough problems without having to deal with that lol..
plus who needs to be sucking the bottom crud off the tank into your fuel system to begin with? i think its just better to leave the tank half full instead of half empty LOL
plus who needs to be sucking the bottom crud off the tank into your fuel system to begin with? i think its just better to leave the tank half full instead of half empty LOL
#8
11-30-2007 | 06:33 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,482
From: Southwestern OH
RE: `Running on Empty ?
My g/f has no clue what it means to stop and put gas in the car. (must be why her car is having issues that I can't seem to resolve?)
So do you think since she's been driving my car oh about 5 weeks now she's taken better care of it then she does her own car? (I'm not feeling too good about this one)
One thing about the dirt in the tank. All fuel pumps have a pre-screen filter on them to help seperate water out of gas as well as filter out dirt. Dirt & fuel pumps = $$$$ for new pump. This screen (one called a sock) has been used in fuel tanks for well over 50 years now.
So do you think since she's been driving my car oh about 5 weeks now she's taken better care of it then she does her own car? (I'm not feeling too good about this one)
One thing about the dirt in the tank. All fuel pumps have a pre-screen filter on them to help seperate water out of gas as well as filter out dirt. Dirt & fuel pumps = $$$$ for new pump. This screen (one called a sock) has been used in fuel tanks for well over 50 years now.
#9
12-01-2007 | 12:25 PM
RE: `Running on Empty ?
GASOLINE TIPS
[:-]
Many people believe that “premium” gas is the best gas. Not true. Premium simply means “premium price” for higher octane. Octane is a simple measurement for a gasoline’s ability to resist engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders.
Most gas stations offer three octane grades: regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). The ratings must be posted on bright yellow stickers on each gasoline pump. The misnomer about octane is that the higher the rating, the better or more smoothly your car will run. In fact, premium gas can be bad for your engine if it was not designed to run at a high-octane level.
Although it may seem that the term “premium” or “high octane” implies that more energy is available, premium gas does not produce more energy than regular or mid-grade fuel. The octane grades are designed to accommodate engines with different compression ratios. High compression engines, found in most performance cars, require a fuel that burns efficiently at a higher temperature. That’s what premium fuel does, it burns hot under high compression. In a normal engine, premium fuel does not burn completely, resulting in excess carbon build-up and carbon fouling of the spark plugs. The end result is a less efficient engine that requires tune-ups more frequently. Oh, yeah, did I mention it also wastes money?$$$$$$$$$
The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane fuel is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. This happens to a small percentage of cars. Check your owner’s manual to determine the right octane level for your car. Regular octane is recommended for most cars. However, some cars with high compression engines, like sports cars and certain luxury cars, need mid-grade or premium gasoline to prevent knock.
Many people believe that “premium” gas is the best gas. Not true. Premium simply means “premium price” for higher octane. Octane is a simple measurement for a gasoline’s ability to resist engine knock, a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders.
Most gas stations offer three octane grades: regular (usually 87 octane), mid-grade (usually 89 octane) and premium (usually 92 or 93). The ratings must be posted on bright yellow stickers on each gasoline pump. The misnomer about octane is that the higher the rating, the better or more smoothly your car will run. In fact, premium gas can be bad for your engine if it was not designed to run at a high-octane level.
Although it may seem that the term “premium” or “high octane” implies that more energy is available, premium gas does not produce more energy than regular or mid-grade fuel. The octane grades are designed to accommodate engines with different compression ratios. High compression engines, found in most performance cars, require a fuel that burns efficiently at a higher temperature. That’s what premium fuel does, it burns hot under high compression. In a normal engine, premium fuel does not burn completely, resulting in excess carbon build-up and carbon fouling of the spark plugs. The end result is a less efficient engine that requires tune-ups more frequently. Oh, yeah, did I mention it also wastes money?$$$$$$$$$
The only time you might need to switch to a higher octane fuel is if your car engine knocks when you use the recommended fuel. This happens to a small percentage of cars. Check your owner’s manual to determine the right octane level for your car. Regular octane is recommended for most cars. However, some cars with high compression engines, like sports cars and certain luxury cars, need mid-grade or premium gasoline to prevent knock.
Peace/Out
#10
12-01-2007 | 03:04 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 605
From: Calgary
RE: `Running on Empty ?
yea i've been down this road before. but with a POS ford escort i owned when i was 16. it ran great till i let it get down to almost empty the first week i had it. ended up losing power, stalling, etc. etc. etc. take care of your fuel pump.
another thing i do now is every oil change i throw in a bottle of injector cleaner. gotta keep it running smooth
another thing i do now is every oil change i throw in a bottle of injector cleaner. gotta keep it running smooth