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lifesaver1 Rookie Author Missouri Posts:81 Points:14,515 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 12:15:47 PM Ignore lifesaver1 Report Abuse It is cheaper driving with a lower fuel level in the tank due to a weight od 6.3 pounds per gallon. Common sense tells you to make sure you have enough for your trip, and being in a rural area, that often means if its not local, then I will have to fuel anyways. I generally keep less than 5 gallons on board. On a 24 gallon tank, add 1.5 gallons of unusable fuel, and you have around 160 pounds of weight, versus 30. If you believe the garbage that topping off saves you money, weigh your car when it is parked, then weigh it before you drive again. want to compare the difference in adding an extra 100 pounds of weight to your vehicle overtime. While sometimes reducing the weight of the vehicle can sometimes be difficult, this only requires conscience. Its like buying groceries, i don't buy 80 loaves of bread because my cabinets hold it. I only buy what I use, its fresher that way.

lifesaver1

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Missouri

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Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 12:15:47 PM

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It is cheaper driving with a lower fuel level in the tank due to a weight od 6.3 pounds per gallon. Common sense tells you to make sure you have enough for your trip, and being in a rural area, that often means if its not local, then I will have to fuel anyways. I generally keep less than 5 gallons on board. On a 24 gallon tank, add 1.5 gallons of unusable fuel, and you have around 160 pounds of weight, versus 30. If you believe the garbage that topping off saves you money, weigh your car when it is parked, then weigh it before you drive again. want to compare the difference in adding an extra 100 pounds of weight to your vehicle overtime. While sometimes reducing the weight of the vehicle can sometimes be difficult, this only requires conscience. Its like buying groceries, i don't buy 80 loaves of bread because my cabinets hold it. I only buy what I use, its fresher that way.

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OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,045 Points:2,447,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2011 7:54:41 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse weight is one factor. However, with emptiness in the tank, gasoline can slosh around more and that causes a lot to vaporize and leave the tank. So there's an inefficiency in not having a full tank. Overall, if you actually calculate your mileage with a full tank, and then again running with a lower amount, you will find that you get better mileage with the full tank.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2011 7:26:42 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse You will probably notice at some point in time that extra weight added to the Rear of a front wheel drive vehicle will cause more of a traction problem,any weight added behind the rearwheel center axis tends to shift weight off the front drive wheels toward the rear of that vehicle. The same is true for a rear wheel drive vec.except that weight then adds traction to the rear driving wheels,also tends to lighten the front steering weight. Changing the weight balance is similiar to the old teeter/tottor effect(childrens playground). I'm sure you have seen this effect many times but probably never gave a thought about it. Trucks that have a large amount load weight far back near the tailgate(behind the axle line) causes the trucks front end to rise up high (less weight being carried on the F.. wheels. Might have seen a trailer loaded heavily with Too much weight behind the T.. axle,which causes the pulled trailer tongue to raise the towing trucks rear area upward,This causes a problem known as DUCK Tailing=(Wobble). The trailer being towed squirms/wobbles from side to side,making it dangerous to get up to a decent speed. These vehicles are not necessarily totaly over loaded,but just often loaded improper with too much in the wrong places for transporting safely. Often this effect can happen with a pick-up load low inflated rear tires can enhence this affect if not corrected. The weight of fuel is minor compared,to passengers,trunk,or about any normal things hauled,but liquids do weigh a lot to transport.Talking 50-100# of fuel weight difference over how many Starts Offs,Go Pedel Pushes <------< < < These are what make the difference.Remember the70#Kid who rode on the bicycle handlebars,Sorry bumbed a two wheel ride home. LOL
Metal_Slug Veteran Author Los Angeles Posts:445 Points:275,940 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2011 2:33:22 AM Ignore Metal_Slug Report Abuse Yeah, not worth it.
wokeupdead Rookie Author West Virginia Posts:8 Points:1,450 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2011 7:05:59 PM Ignore wokeupdead Report Abuse Keep it full. The weight will average out over the use of fuel in the tank. It also cools the fuel pump.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,560 Points:1,544,375 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2011 5:53:57 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse In the winter you probably get better traction with the weight of a full gas tank. I don't think your going to get better gas mileage by keeping less in the tank.
gobux10 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,174 Points:679,960 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2011 10:32:58 AM Ignore gobux10 Report Abuse weight matters. Of course you can go to extremes. Rally cars do not have paint on them. Instead they use decals. Saves over 11 lbs by avoiding the paint.
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 9, 2011 6:48:18 AM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse Probably doesn't matter on a sunny day,that evapo thing works harder then, also they took the heavy lead out of gas a long time ago,and some vehicles have tilted fueltanks,that helps because the gas wants to flow foward down hill all the time,fowardward is 98% of driving,so that helps. I saw two dumptrucks on the grocerystore parkinglot,a woman drove one,I bet it was a 4 cyl.though.sounded like it.Probably gets good mileage...
bmoreira Veteran Author Toronto Posts:392 Points:383,010 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2011 7:05:19 PM Ignore bmoreira Report Abuse noted
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,725 Points:1,033,730 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2011 5:05:57 PM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse Your extra trips to the gas station probably offset whatever fraction of a mile per gallon you gain with this strategy.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,788 Points:2,895,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2011 10:40:14 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse You are spouting nothing buy myth. It doesn't matter if you have one gallon or twenty gallons in the vehicle the milage will basically be the same.
tattoo666TX Champion Author Texas Posts:2,567 Points:344,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2011 8:10:19 AM Ignore tattoo666TX Report Abuse How much is in the tank will not effect it as much as what you have in the back seat and trunk. These days it seems like many people have a few hundred extra pounds of crap in their cars for nothing.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,045 Points:2,447,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2011 7:52:18 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I wouldn't bother with weighing. If a person really wants to know, test it out, calculating gas mileage both ways. I've done this before and found that better mileage is achieved with the tank is more full. But don't take my word for it. Test it yourself.
gobux10 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,174 Points:679,960 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Dec 8, 2011 7:23:18 AM Ignore gobux10 Report Abuse must like going to the gas stations a lot?
ebink315 Veteran Author Wisconsin Posts:266 Points:212,725 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2011 3:37:03 PM Ignore ebink315 Report Abuse Hmm I would get a job closer to home and walk before I cared that much about the price of gas lol
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2011 12:18:21 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse I can work it like this; If my tank is at least 1/2 full,and not counting the last gal.before being empty,I can go 250-270 miles adverage on that much fuel. I usually need to stretch my body and make several necessity runs after driving those miles,so I fill up then,no extra stopping wasting time. What savings is gained is usually in stop/go driving rather than steady adverage hiway speeds,but often that occurs,one can't keep the fuel tank full anyway,but I see a noticable savings when the weight drops after the first 1/2 tank is used up more-so again on the last 1/2 tank amount if traffic becomes stop/slow/go. The weight difference on long hauls steady hiway speed makes little difference (50-60 lbs. fuel if tires are inflated proper,cruise is used,level terrain,calm days. lol
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,908 Points:2,055,805 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2011 7:44:46 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Splitting hairs but interesting theory.
gobux10 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,174 Points:679,960 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2011 7:06:32 AM Ignore gobux10 Report Abuse always fill tank full
musclesmagee Rookie Author Orlando Posts:58 Points:2,600 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Oct 13, 2010 1:57:04 PM Ignore musclesmagee Report Abuse having less gas in your tank makes your car lighter which gives it better mpg and better performance, but also having a small amount of gas in your car is bad because water from condensation gets in it and also it evaporates faster since it can heat up faster. which is why you usually have less gas in your car when you start it up after it has been sitting outside in the hot sun
streetcars Champion Author Toledo Posts:12,264 Points:2,606,640 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Oct 2, 2010 3:05:16 PM Ignore streetcars Report Abuse Don't think a few hundred pounds will make that mutch difference on milage.
Weaslespit Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,910 Points:312,420 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2010 4:56:37 PM Ignore Weaslespit Report Abuse A car will not notice the difference by following this trivial suggestion. You will get the same mpg. Weight is not nearly as an important variable as it used to be. If you could save 500#'s, you might see a small difference... 100#'s? Not a chance.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,908 Points:2,055,805 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2010 9:09:36 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse The driver losing weight can work to one's advantage.
ghz All-Star Author Dallas Posts:703 Points:174,965 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2010 11:48:43 PM Ignore ghz Report Abuse Is FUEL cost the only concern? What is your time worth? Wear and tear on the starter, battery, bearings (at low oil pressure on start) and electrical accessories. In my 7500# diesel one ton truck, I would waste more fuel making frequent stops. Empty or full, my mileage is the same... Want to save 100#s of unnecessary weight, go on a diet! That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,022 Points:1,671,095 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2010 12:25:34 PM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse At 11 PM Monday night I had to go to my Mother's house as my Step-dad was deathly ill. No time to fuel and I by alcohol-free fuel. if I didn't keep my tank full I would have had to wait until morning or buy ethanol. Life is not always convenient, so I'll still keep my tank at least half full.
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,024,050 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2010 11:40:12 AM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse It probably makes some affect on mileage, but I would rather have a full tank and not spend as much time stopping to fill up with a few gallons at a time.
stickyvalves Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,275 Points:1,557,720 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2010 10:08:49 AM Ignore stickyvalves Report Abuse Not worried about fuel weight.
bluenvoy Champion Author Nashville Posts:14,969 Points:1,876,665 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2010 9:41:30 AM Ignore bluenvoy Report Abuse I'd rather have fuel then to be walking because I only drive on empty.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,045 Points:2,447,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2010 7:50:11 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse If you're worried about the weight of the vehicle, the way to solve this is to get a smaller vehicle.
djliberty All-Star Author Chicago Posts:966 Points:317,310 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2010 1:18:40 AM Ignore djliberty Report Abuse i used to think the weight mattered, but as other people here have pointed out there are different costs including your time. will have to look into this aerosolization and keeping fuel pump cool
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,908 Points:2,055,805 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 27, 2010 9:43:13 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Seems a bit onerous to me.
stickyvalves Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,275 Points:1,557,720 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 9:29:05 AM Ignore stickyvalves Report Abuse Keep the tank full.
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,513 Points:2,024,050 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 7:47:05 AM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse I do not like spending alot of time at the gas stations. If I only have 5 galllons on board, I would have to stop more often.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,045 Points:2,447,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 7:40:10 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse Not necessarily true. If the gasoline has room in the tank to slosh around more, then it allows gasoline to aerosol and evaporate out of the tank without even being burned. So obviously, a less than full tank would provide less weight, and possibly better gas mileage, but there is a limit to this as you approach a point where you're wasting gasoline more than you're saving from the lower weight.
eddie31370 Champion Author Scranton Posts:1,731 Points:339,440 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 6:29:19 AM Ignore eddie31370 Report Abuse only fill up when going on a trip. My 2007 F-150 5.4l goes two weeks of everyday driving on $30....roughly 240 miles
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,725 Points:1,581,450 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 1:05:59 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse When my tank gets to 1/4, I fill up. I rather not stop for fuel any more than needed.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,908 Points:2,055,805 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 8:35:35 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse And then there's the matter of fuel shortages and closed pumps.
DasAuto92 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,449 Points:175,645 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Sep 5, 2010 5:08:11 PM Ignore DasAuto92 Report Abuse Hmmm, fill up once @ $60.00 and with the weight of car and gas in tank you will increase your mileage. Less is not always good.Besides i like to have more time for myself than stopping for 10 minutes and putting in $10.00 at a time 5 times.Its refreshing to know my tank is full when i need to get to point A and back without stopping.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,533 Points:2,836,290 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2010 8:11:11 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse The mpg savings is so low that it isn't worth the inconvenience of having to fill up more often. My fuel gauge gets down to 1/4 tank and I fill up.
ekelly7 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:18,291 Points:3,528,700 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: Sep 4, 2010 8:05:33 AM Ignore ekelly7 Report Abuse 1/4 and up
Bus936 Champion Author Lexington Posts:16,444 Points:3,220,005 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 11:53:45 PM Ignore Bus936 Report Abuse I don't let my vehicles get below 1/2 tank of gas.
jes Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:16,165 Points:3,352,475 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 5:22:05 PM Ignore jes Report Abuse When my vehicle gets down to around 1/4 tank, I fill up. Period.
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,634 Points:1,703,135 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 11:05:20 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse I try to never let any of my tanks get below 1/2 of a tank.
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,022 Points:1,671,095 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:48:06 AM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse Another fuel pump consideration is ethanol. Neither I, or four mechanics I know, have replaced a fuel pump in a vehicle where the owner does not let the tank get below 1/4 OR run ethanol.
ekelly7 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:18,291 Points:3,528,700 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:41:25 AM Ignore ekelly7 Report Abuse $975 for the last fuel pump in the '97 cadillac, that includes the tow.
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,022 Points:1,671,095 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2010 10:45:01 PM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse Your fuel in the tank cools the fuel pump. Never let your tank get below 1/4. Considering the cost of having a fuel pump replaced your savings would be penny-wise and dollar-foolish.