2007-03-07 09:35:18 · 11 answers · asked by InAMoment 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
It's a good idea to always have at least a 1/4 tank of gas. You never know when you may have an emergency and need to get somewhere and not have the time to pump the gas. Physics tell you that you have more room for condensation, true. However, the gas for the most part has alcohol in it which will combine with the water and will be ran through you're engine. Your fuel pick-up is near the bottom of the tank, so it's going to pick up the same garbage whether the tank is full or empty. The fuel pump in the tank will use the fuel as a heat sink to cool the pump, but I don't know how much of a factor that is, it would depend on the duty cycle of the pump.
You're going to use the gas anyway, so why not have it already in the tank just to be safer and not having the stress of trying to find a station when you are low?
2007-03-07 10:15:21 · answer #1 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
During cool weather water will condense on the interior of your tank and it can lead to rust. As long as you do not leave it at 1/4 as a constant condition it is not really a problem.
The other thing is that it is nice to know you always have enough gas to get someplace, and keeping it over 1/4 tank helps that
2007-03-07 09:41:20 · answer #2 · answered by startrektosnewenterpriselovethem 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's good to have a full tank in the winter to get you some extra weight in the car that can give you more traction, but I don't think you can actually hurt the car if you don't have a lot of gas.
2007-03-07 09:42:16 · answer #3 · answered by Christian 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a newer vehicle that has an in-tank electric fuel pump, when you run below ~1/4 tank, the pump is no longer submerged in fuel. The problem is that the fuel in the tank acts as a heat sink for the pump, so when the pump is not submerged it will run hot and shorten its life.
2007-03-07 09:41:21 · answer #4 · answered by boogie_4wheel 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It won't automatically damage your car, but it can gradually.
At the bottom of the tank there is sludge from the gas (there is no way to stop this from occurring, unless of course you don't use gas) If you are under 1/4 of a tank, the sludge starts going into the engine and the engine can't handle the thickness of it, ruining parts.
2007-03-07 09:41:32 · answer #5 · answered by Mako 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't know if it really hurts your car,I have had people tell me that if you leave your fuel level low it can cause condensation to form inside your fuel tank,especially in humid climates or cold weather.I have done what you are talking about several times and never had a problem.
2007-03-07 09:42:20 · answer #6 · answered by melvin-miller@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the lower your fuel level, the more fuel tank surface is available for condensation to collect. over a period of time you will accumulate an excessive amount of water, leading to poor performance, and possible icing up of your fuel line or filter. and you risk injector problems, not cheap. fill up when ever you get down to half, if you don't drive every day keep it full.
2007-03-07 09:49:09 · answer #7 · answered by splaz57 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't hurt it. Why would anyone design a car that had some function that you are never supposed to use and then never tell consumers about it anywhere.. ? Such a part or system would surely be recalled and would end up costing the manufactuer lots of money.
2007-03-07 09:41:46 · answer #8 · answered by Louis G 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
At the very worst you will have to replace your fuel filter sooner than expected, but its a cheap part.
2007-03-07 09:42:24 · answer #9 · answered by Ty19 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey love it really wont hurt,just dont run out of gas because you might have to walk it will not burn out fuel pump
2007-03-07 09:39:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋