Is it harmful to run on low gas?
 

I heard his may only pertain to older vehicles, but sometimes I run my Z until the gas light comes on. Is this ok to do?

Cars need gas, put gas in the car to make them drive. Don't worry so much.

i keep at least 1/4 tank in my Z. gas cools down the fuel pump soo better safe than sorry right?

I treat the 1/4 mark as my empty.

That's what I did when I first bought the car. I've let the E light come on 3 times though. The only thing it could possibly harm is the fuel pump though right?

Not the pump but the fuel filter. The gasoline has sediments that settle in the bottom of the tank. This is why it's not good to run the tank too low for fear of picking up those sediments into the filter, and leading to the car starve from not having enough fuel. I normally fuel up at 1/4 if possible.

Well hopefully I didn't cause any harm to my car. I'll make sure to refuel at 1/4th of a tank from now on.

I've let my tank run to 1-2 dots a few times...

This thread makes me worry lol

You didn't cause your car harm by running near empty a few times.

:iagree:

:iagree::bowrofl::roflpuke2:

I wanted to clarify that my reply was only to WARN of the potential problem for running the tank low. It's not meant to scare people into thinking it will happen on a single low tank occasion, sorry for not making it clear.

I run it low quite often probably more then i should but no issues ill let you guys know if it dies one day from low fuel sediment suckup :)

Sounds like you'll need a new motor soon. :stirthepot:

I always....ALWAYS refill my car at _ _ _ mark.

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1318828574

Since we have a 19 gallon tank, and I put in 18.247 gallons last fill up... I'd say thats a bit closer than I wanna get. :rofl2:

This. If anything I just hate hitting that ridiculous fuel cut in a hard right hander :shakes head:

I try and fill up at half so that it gets done by 1/4.

You will not kill the tank or fuel pump running low once in awhile. A habit of running on empty is is no good.

I thought the VDC was on when the car hiccuped in a turn, so I tried to turn it off, only it was already off. The tank was low.

That used to be the case back in the day when fuel was kept in metal-based containers at the gas stations. Those containers would rust, which created the "sediment".

Today, those containers are made out of synthetic materials which do not corrode. You don't really have to worry about particulates in your gas any longer.

agreed.... except in older areas that have older gas stations that may still have the metal tanks. I am always afraid of the gas I am getting when I am filling up in the Kootenay's of BC and through some of the smaller towns!

I always try and fill up at the 1/4 mark as a rule though.

my car like to play tricks on me... it gives me 60 miles, then suddenly drops to 40, and few miles later it shuts off

The reason you want to keep the tank as full as possible is to reduce the chance of water condensation over time from the air in the tank. Full tank = less air volume = less water to condensate. Whether this is a real problem and how long it would take for enough water to build up to make a difference is open to debate.

You won't pick up sediment at the bottom of yout tank because the pump suction line is at the bottom. That statement would be valid if there was a suction line at the top of the tankt rather than the bottom. I ran out of gas with 2 led's on and the car woudn't start up (started going up a long hill....so embarassing lol). Also a reminder!!! If your car shuts off at that low of fuel and it doesn't fire up when starting it, push the button again to turn it off, othewise it will keep trying to start itself and you will burn up the injectors.

I was about to make this point... also if you get water too far into the line it technically can freeze at low temps and cause starting problems... this is only if you run it really low though... most of the time the water will dilute in small amounts and run through fine.

Soon people are going to be afraid to get gas period with all these if's

Too many if's, not enough unsubstantiated internet facts... :shakes head:

:iagree:

While i do admit not all cars are made perfect, but comeone this is a $40k vehicle running it until one led light on the gas gauge isnt going to do anything to it IMO.

Shame.... I do the opposite. I fill up immediately after one led light goes out. no point risking it.

:bowrofl:

I run it till the light comes on. Several times till it said I had zero left after a sharp corner. Haven't felt the fuel starvation thing but I've got a born on date of 7/11/11. I hope they fixed it.

I've always run my cars to empty. Habit I picked up from my dad who did the same. Last sports car was 42 years old and no sediment or rust in the tank. Personally, not going to change. I also make it a point not to go to gas stations that don't sell a lot of gas as they tend to have more sediment and moisture in thier tanks.

Behind every pump is a filter element that is changed on a monthly or bi monthly basis. I had asked a guy who was filling up at every pump at 4 a.m. what he was doing. He told me he was checking calibration on the pumps and asked him how often they are serviced and that was the response he gave me. Just a fyi :D

I've had a few close calls running near empty. Certain gas station I try and avoid. I try and go to the same station to fill up every time. I honestly don't know if the all gasoline from different brands come from the same place or not, but I don't like mixing brands if possible.

My wife likes to fill up at above 1/4 but that's because she gets lost alot:icon18:

Just put 19.1 gallons in my Z.

Nice Job! No old fuel left in her!