mm767cap

AMEN! You guys are braver than I. I have read a few things that suggest running out of gas in a hybrid is a BAD idea. Fact or fiction, I'm sure not going to test out the theory on mine!

dkidwell

I ran out of gas once when I was a teenager. I didn't like it. Now I fill up at 1/2 a tank.

One exception would be on a long trip and then I might go to 1/4 tank, but never below that.

hyperme

I always stretch it out as long as possible. I've run out of gas 2 or 3 times since I started driving. Once with the hybrid, that's how I know how large the tank is. Oh, and I've not had any problems with it since then.

jimmyc13

^ Why would you stretch out fill-ups as long as possible? I have 156K on my current car and I think I've only seen the light come on 4 times in the 7 years I've owned it. I never let it go below 1/4 or 1/8 of a tank.

Bob259

Hate to keep bringing this up, but on newer vehicles with the in tank fuel pumps they also use the fuel as a coolant for the pmp motor. By continually running it to almost empty you are putting a strain your pump motor that will shorten it's life.

DJTIMMYD

I don't think anyoone wants to purposely do damage to their car. My whole thing is why sell a car with a fuel tank rating of 11.9 gallons when the gauge only reflects 9 gallons or so? I understand having a reserve but 3 gallons is too much IMO.

Trexus

Got gas at Chevron today and filled my tank with 9.321 gallons of gas. I know I should fill up the tank when it's at least the half-way mark. So far my CT is getting better gas mileage as time goes by...

midcow3

Bob259,

It is very interesting that you have mentioned a couple of times that the fuel is used a a coolant for the pump motor. I am interested in researching and learning more about this. Can you point me toward where I might learn more.

Thanks,

MidCow3

Bob259

I'll dig for some other tech bulletins I have somewhere, but here it is from Wikipedia

As engines moved away from carburetors and towards fuel injection, mechanical fuel pumps were replaced with electric fuel pumps, because fuel injection systems operate more efficiently at higher fuel pressures (40-60psi) than mechanical diaphragm pumps can generate. Electric fuel pumps are generally located in the fuel tank, in order to use the fuel in the tank to cool the pump and to ensure a steady supply of fuel.

Whole article can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_pump

lexuslover

when does the light come on? i drove down to just below the 1/8 marker and the light was still NOT on. i got too scared and filled up anyway and only got 8.3 gal.

on my two gas trips so far, i've filled 7.6 and 8.3

i'm used to waiting for the light to come on around 1/8th in the other cars, but the needle was getting pretty close to E and still wasn't coming on. i'll have to test it out more i guess.

andrewa

Does that mean that you need to leave a gallon of fuel in the tank for it to remain cool? In other words, it's still bad if you don't "run out" of fuel but come close to it.

midcow3

A little over compensation Eh! Running out of gas must have left an indelible mark ... because 1/2 tank is nowhere close to EMPTY I guess you go to the gas station often in your CT

Bob259

I would guess that would depend on tank design and location by the auto manufactures.

dkidwell

Not really, about every 8-10 days. Retirement is great.

jimmyc13

Ha ha ha!