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How low do you let your fuel get before you fuel up?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by T-Rex266, Nov 9, 2014.

  1. Nov 9, 2014 at 7:04 PM
    #1
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 [OP] Elon approved Staff Member

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    For me, generally when there's a quarter tank left...if the weather is expected to be freezing temps with snow, I always make sure I'm filled up the night before....allegedly, this helps prevents the fuel tank freezing the fuel.

    --I use mid grade, Shell only on all fill-ups.
     
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  2. Nov 9, 2014 at 8:03 PM
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    andrew

    andrew where's the beer?

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    Once upon a time, I would always fill up at just about under half back when I had a car and a '94 ranger, but now that I have a tundra I think it's always near when the gas light is on.
     
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  3. Nov 9, 2014 at 8:35 PM
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    Agent_Nalgas

    Agent_Nalgas New Member

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    3" Front lift only, powdercoated beadlocks, plasti-dip emblem, BFG muds, KN dropin filter, horn mod, short antennae, black powdercoated exhaust tip from 2014 Tundra
    Depends, every couple months I'll do a full tank of premium with a bottle of cleaner.
     
  4. Nov 9, 2014 at 8:43 PM
    #4
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    I thought that the reason was to keep condensation from freezing in the tank. I wonder if that idea still applies, given the way the fuel systems are sealed up these days to prevent evaporative emissions.
     
  5. Nov 9, 2014 at 9:06 PM
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    andrew

    andrew where's the beer?

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    I doubt it matters now, especially if you drive frequently. I've heard of people leaving full tanks of gas in boats when winterized, but not vehicles since they are driven so much that the amount of water in them is pretty non existent. I lived in Germany for a few years where it got in the -F and never saw any issues.
     
  6. Nov 9, 2014 at 9:35 PM
    #6
    Relentless

    Relentless Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    I tend to all the way to the fuel light and sometimes a bit past. I've pushed my vehicles to a gallon in the tank with a well calibrated scangauge2. The Tundra however my largest fill up was a bit over 21 gallons so that's still nearly 5 gallons left in the tank.
     
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  7. Nov 9, 2014 at 10:26 PM
    #7
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Well I let it hit the light and typically drive it to and from work then to the store then forget to fill up and go to and from work again before filling up. My largest fill up was 24.7. Never had a problem.

    Our tanks are 26.4 gal (I think) so I still had 1.7 gal to spare.
     
  8. Nov 10, 2014 at 4:18 AM
    #8
    tibadoe

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    Usually I fill up when gauge reads half a tank.
     
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  9. Nov 10, 2014 at 4:00 PM
    #9
    bakersTRD

    bakersTRD New Member

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    I try to fill up when it hits 1/2 tank
     
  10. Nov 10, 2014 at 4:47 PM
    #10
    Dilsky

    Dilsky Toyota Brand *****

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    I usually wait till it is in between 1/4 to empty, although like Sean said in the winter time it's always good to have a full tank either for freezing and or just getting stranded in a snow storm or accident.

    The other exception is when I head north. I use my truck for work and gas can jump by up to $0.30 a litre from Edmonton to Fort McMurray, so i usually fill up at a couple favourite gas stations on the way up and then try to make it to the Mac and back without paying $1.50 a litre.
     
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  11. Nov 10, 2014 at 5:06 PM
    #11
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 [OP] Elon approved Staff Member

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    I'm sure the filter catches things, but I would be timid of letting it get that low in fear of future mechanical issues.
     
  12. Nov 10, 2014 at 6:48 PM
    #12
    Mike

    Mike Tread lightly.

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    yep bank account is running low from it..
    Always fill up at 1/4 tank two main reasons..

    One... Keeps the fuel pump under fuel so the pump doesnt heat up( fuel is used as insulation) as if exposed to vapor (runs hotter shorting its life) .. My tacoma has 262,000 on the same oem pump it came with...

    Two... When you go past 1/4 the evap system works harder recovering vapors in the tank.... Why Evap cans go bad alot of times... Also the evap system has to pressure up the tank alot more other reason why also gas caps go bad too much pressure from the evap system when low or little fuel in the tank..


    One more thing... 10% methanol in most states with that fuel mixture or higher no matter the grade of fuel.. Methanol is a water magnet.. Also it does have a freeze point i want to say around 15 degrees. With that in mind and in cold climates keep the fuel tank full to keep the air/water out of your tank when in very cold temps... when you have a lower the tank of fuel is more air/vapor in the tank more likely water will form..


    For the the brand guys out there.. Shell, exxon, bp, or who ever you use.... I got news for you fuel is fuel.... I have been in the petro business and i got news for you even shell and all them dont know if it there fuel or not in there tanks station or terminal..... There are 20 plus oil refinery's on your pipleline trust me you dont know who's crap is who's... Only difference is at the terminal where( we the big trucks fill up so we can offload to the station) they might add some stuff to it but basic man FUEL IS FUEL.... I have seen shell gas pulled off of Bp.....
     
  13. Nov 17, 2014 at 10:35 PM
    #13
    jsundin

    jsundin New Member

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    Summertime I worry less. Wintertime, if there's snow coming I keep it full as I can. 10 gallons means 80 more pounds of pressure on back. Just a like a bag or two of sand in the bed to help with traction.
     
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  14. Nov 18, 2014 at 3:32 PM
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    Patriot

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    Half tank, I top off. Especially tonight 18 degrees here in western NC.
     
  15. Nov 18, 2014 at 5:32 PM
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    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    I try to fill up between 1/2 and 1/4... I feel the gauge moves quick on these trucks so I like to be prepared. Plus all the other stuff guys said up there^^^
     
  16. Nov 20, 2014 at 1:04 PM
    #16
    robie56

    robie56 New Member

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    I fill my truck once a week no matter how much fuel I have in the tank, I usually average about 200 miles a week.
     
  17. Dec 12, 2014 at 3:56 PM
    #17
    DNK

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    We fill up between half and quarter of a tank, never below a quarter tank
     
  18. Dec 12, 2014 at 3:59 PM
    #18
    ODSteve

    ODSteve New Member

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    I do not know how true this is my low fuel light came on that I had 17 miles left when I filled up and only took 20 gallon someone told me that they do that on purpose so your fuel pump stayed submerged.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2014
  19. Dec 13, 2014 at 5:41 AM
    #19
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    I used to run it as low as I can. At one time, I put as much as 24 gal. Tundra has 5.5 gal reserve, so I never had an issue.

    Nowadays, I usually fill up somewhere between 1/4 tank and empty. I need to get a flux capacitor. :D
     
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  20. Dec 13, 2014 at 10:36 AM
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    ODSteve

    ODSteve New Member

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    Correction I had agood typo 17 miles not 70 i changed it.
     
  21. Dec 13, 2014 at 4:14 PM
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    FunkinTundra

    FunkinTundra New Member

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    Sometime after the light comes on:) usually about 19-22 gallons....that's if I fill up. Usually just toss 40 or so in every 2 weeks.
     
  22. Dec 13, 2014 at 8:29 PM
    #22
    Relentless

    Relentless Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    22.87 gallons today. Lowest I've pushed it. I went to the fuel light and probably another 30 miles of in town driving
     
  23. Dec 15, 2014 at 2:24 PM
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    EdwinHallett

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    All I can say right now is that I am glad the gas prices are where they are. I average about 11.9 mpg in the city.
     
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  24. Jan 8, 2015 at 2:27 PM
    #24
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 [OP] Elon approved Staff Member

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    Kind of off topic, but how accurate do you all feel the screen layout of the MPG is?
     
  25. Jan 8, 2015 at 3:48 PM
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    George14

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    I fill up between 1/4-1/2 tank especially tonight it to get aroun zero
     
  26. Jan 8, 2015 at 3:58 PM
    #26
    Relentless

    Relentless Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    I've found mine to be off about .25 to .5mpg
     
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  27. Feb 3, 2015 at 8:54 AM
    #27
    Chrisboy

    Chrisboy New Member

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    Almost always when the warning light is on. Never had issues with the range sensor. Seems to be accurate. Furthest that I have pushed it was 7kms to go
     
  28. Aug 30, 2019 at 4:04 AM
    #28
    Rex Kramer

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    I don't like it to get low enough that $20 doesn't make it full again.
     
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  29. Aug 30, 2019 at 4:11 AM
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    prerunnerseth

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    1/4 Tank. Dont like to ever be in the situation where I'm in a hurry and have to stop for gas because its empty.
     
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  30. Aug 30, 2019 at 4:26 AM
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    Kerch71

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    Damn, that's some incredibly helpful info. Much appreciated! :thumbsup:
     
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