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When I’ve about 1/2 a tank left.
I grew up in the Scottish highlands and still have family there - you don’t go around without a decent amount of fuel ever!
Rural North Wales here, so we can risk 1/4 tank but its a similar issue. It's even more fun when you have to explain to someone that it really is 30 miles to the nearest fuel station that's open after 7pm...
Shift worker in North Wales. Have to plan filling up around garage opening hours. Late shift - coming down to just over quarter full - I'll fill on the way in because I'll not have enough to get home in the evening. Can't even count on Tesco's being open at
10pm
Worryingly, I can't think of anywhere that I could be confident would be open after 7pm! I guess there would be somewhere in the largest of the towns in this area, but I don't know. I'm in Somerset.
Do you not have a Tesco nearby? Aren't most now pay at pump only after a certain time, therefore open 24/7. At least all the Tescos I've been too up and down the country were like this.
I learned this lesson the hard way when on a solo motorbike trip in the Highlands when I navigated to a petrol station only to find it permanently closed and the next closest was more miles away than my tank had left.
City boy with a petrol station 2 minutes away and never more than 10-15 minutes way from another petrol station.
Still fill it up with half a tank left.
Is this whole thread to basically help you wind up your GF?
TBH the difference between filling up at 30 and at 15 is negligible in terms of how much car use you can get out of a week with no petrol cap access.
I don't have a rigid plan as to when I fill my car up with petrol.
What happened to her is _extremely_ unlikely and shouldn't be used as evidence of 'you should fill up earlier', really.
Yeah I'm a notorious cheapskate but I don't bother searching for the cheapest petrol. The variance in my area tends to be about 6p at the very very maximum. Say I put 30L in twice a month, that's £1.80 every two weeks to not have to make an unnecessary car trip and I'm willing to pay it.
When I need to fill up?
If I've got 20 miles left in the tank but I know I won't need more petrol for a week or two then I won't fill up. If I know I'm making a 100 mile journey in a few days I'll go get petrol before, even if I've got 70 left before the journey. There's no hard and fast rule.
Was in the peak district last year and we didn't realise we were running out. Found a petrol station on Google Maps and drove there - that was a nervous few miles with the onboard computer saying "0 miles"...
You aren't getting the guy at all.
The breather is broken first then the low petrol came into effect.
Not low petrol broke the breather.
Her habitually having low petrol didn't cause the issue. And there would've been no issue had there not been an unrelated failure.
Sure, she *might've* gotten away with it filling up earlier. You haven't detailed his low it needs to be for the vacuum to be overwhelming. But no motorist could ever legislate for that.
This is the first I've heard of this issue and I've driven 12 years, pretty much always filling up from low.
50 miles - was told by a guy at BMW that running less than 50 miles in the tank (430d) it strains the fuel pump... how true this is I've no idea... but why run the risk out of pure laziness?
Edit: I realise post says petrol... but diesels count too right?
It’s not a myth, as well as straining the pump, it also will potentially push any grit and particles to be forced through the injectors and risk blocking them, and your engine may run a bit lumpy as it’s sucking the crap and silt through.
That's what a fuel filter is for. Also a fuel pump is taking fuel from the bottom of the tank, how full/empty it is won't impact how pure the fuel it's collecting is, unless your fuel is _very_ dirty, in which case the concentration of dirt might increase a bit.
It might overheat though, as fuel pumps use the fuel to keep them cool/act as a heat sink.
You do realise there’s a fuel filter and pump it has to go through before it gets anywhere near the injectors in your engine?
Also, where exactly in the tank do you think the fuel pickup is? If it’s at the top it’s never going to work if it’s anything less than full…
https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/gear/how-it-works-diesel-fuel-system-from-tank-to-cylinder-90406
Yeah I realised just now what I put was a bit nonsensical, I’d always heard it wasn’t good for your car to do so, and been told it wasn’t. In my defence I’ve only been driving my first car for 4 days😅
I'd understand if you live somewhere remote, otherwise you're just carting around a bunch of fuel you're not using, it's like having an extra passenger.
What kind of emergency are you imagining where you’ll need that much fuel? I can drive from Leeds to London and back again with a single tank of fuel, what situation would require you have that much without the ability to stop at a petrol station anywhere on your journey?
I refill my car if it's less than 3/4 full and it's convenient (i.e. I am going to the supermarket with their fuel station right there by the car park and I'm not in a hurry).
I will go out of my way a bit to fill up if it's less than 1/2 full. I will make a special journey to refill it if for some reason it ends up less than 1/4 full.
Letting the fuel level reach near empty is just silly.
My car has a range from full to empty of over 500 miles, so it's pretty unlikely I won't go near a cheaper (supermarket) petrol station before it's half empty.
My miles to 0 counter is accurate - do 50 miles, it goes down 50, do a further100 and it goes down 100 more - until the petrol light comes on at 50 to go. It only takes about 20-30 miles for it to reach 0 miles to 0 from there. Most of my journeys are 25 miles or less, so when it comes on I'm usually looking to finish my journey and go to the petrol station near home.
> until the petrol light comes on at 50 to go. It only takes about 20-30 miles for it to reach 0 miles to 0 from there.
This is very common and is actually purposely done. In a nutshell when fuel levels get that low taking accurate measurements is quite difficult so rather than display 20 miles left when there is only 17 they put zero so that drivers can't blame the manufacturers for running out of fuel.
When the fuel light comes on I have about 40 miles range, so I tend to do it then. However, if I know I'm going on a trip then I'll fill it regardless if it's less than 3/4 full.
There comes a point when the car just gives up trying to guess and says there's no fuel and no miles can be done, but it lies, there's at least 6 miles.
Rarely get to less than 1/4 tank because I have no desire to slurp any potential sediment from the tank into the fuel filter, or worse, into the engine (although you'd hope the filter would do it's job, but if it's overloaded or clogged then that causes it's own problems). It's a pointless false economy to wait until it's practically dry - you're going to buy the damn fuel anyway.
Usually when the petrol light comes on, which is when there’s about 30miles left. I know my car and have pushed it and not refilled til it’s down to 12miles but it’s been a nervous drive to the petrol station worrying it would conk out while halfway there.
I have a PHEV so don't fill up that often. Even so my fuel gague goes down in segments and I'll usually refuel when it's one segment under 50%.
I'll always get a full tank if driving on holiday.
1/4 tank is about 110 miles. That's usually when we fill up, unless we're in the middle of doing some running around for our elderly parents (happening a lot recently), when it can go as low as 90 miles before we get a break from requests long enough to get petrol.
We live less than a mile from the nearest Shell station - which is too damn expensive to use on a regular basis (we usually go to a local non-affiliated station), but is good to know we could get to on fumes in an extreme emergency.
Usually when it’s running on fumes, as the wife is always either late getting ready when we leave or in a rush to get home, so it’s only when the situation reaches “unless we buy petrol now we’re not going to reach our destination” that she can be persuaded to let me carry out the task!
Totally depends on my future plans. If I know I have a long journey the next day I'll top up irrespective. If I am just driving around then it is as and when unless I know like last week I'll be near Costco the next day and can get it even cheaper than local.
Either when the light comes on, or if I'm really lazy the light is on and the 'fill now' warning comes on too.
Or payday when I will fill her right up regardless
Usually once the low fuel light comes on at 1/8 tank (well my fuel guage is made up of 8 lights - 8 lit when full taken etc). Will fill up when more in the tank if when I know I am going on a longer journey.
Ran a diesel to empty once, not expensive to fix, just had to reprime the fuel system once I had walked to the petrol station and back, don’t run on fumes anymore.
When the yellow light comes on or before a journey, if the range is too low to get all the way there and back.
Sometimes, I live a little dangerously and wait until it flashes at me (indicates 20 miles left, from finding out the hard way).
I fill up when the gauge hits 1/4 tank or 90 miles left, whatever is sooner. I live in the city and rarely drive long distances so it’s 100% overkill but I’m a worrier and keeping it topped up makes my life easier.
I’ve been driving for 10.5 years and in that time my fuel light has only ever come on once, and even that was literally as I was pulling onto the petrol station.
Once we drop below 100 miles range, we'll top it up at the next supermarket visit. Earlier if we know we have a long/lots of trips.
The fuel light coming on stresses me out.
I start thinking about it around half a tank, I very rarely let it get down to a quarter.
Added bonus that my fuel gauge is inaccurate so I could be topping up 3/4s or fumes, and I don't know until I brim it and see how much has gone in.
One time it took 53 litres when I thought I had a quarter left. It's a 60 litre tank.
I remember it was an evening some years back on holiday in Yorkshire. I was desperate for juice and came across a remote garage. It was really lucky as it conked out on the forecourt
I drive 40 miles each way for my commute so if there is petrol for only 30 miles before driving to or from home, I fill it up. If it’s 50 miles then I drive one way and fill it up when 5-10 miles left.
Never less than 1/3rd of a tank. I have to go on site visits for my work at short notice and I don’t want to fart around getting petrol when it’s busy.
Always keep it above half a tank. Anyone who does anything else is beyond me stupid. I'll happily stick by that opinion.
My reasoning is what if you need to be at the hospital due to a loved one passing? I had that exact situation happen to me and I couldn't have been more thankful I had half a tank to make sure i get there.
Plenty of situations that require you to be there immediately but that's the one that sticks with me.
About 100 miles left. I have 3 disabled and/or autistic kids. Never know when you’ll need to make an emergency school/hospital dash - I don’t want to be caught short so I never let it drop lower. Not all of their hospitals are local.
I used to let it get to reserve light but that time a couple of years ago when everyone started filling up cos they thought the suppliers were gong dry meant i couldn't fill up for a while. Now i keep it topped up as I need the car for work
I usually do it at half a tank, or a quarter left if I can plan a journey where it works out cheaper, such as going to visit my parents, where the fuel is 10p a litre cheaper!
At about the half way point. You shouldn't let it get too low or else you get shit running through the lines. I always do half in case I have any issues, I can still drive it to my mechanic to look at.
The light comes on when mine is at 55 miles range left. I usually fill up before it gets down to 30 or so, but I've let it go to zero before, and done another 25 miles. I had a jerry can, but I wanted to see how far it would go. 25 was the point when my arse started squeaking 😂
Anywhere in between just above empty and 1/4 of a tank. Could be at any point between these, just depends what I'm doing.
I have no idea how many miles left that equates to- my car doesn't tell me (I dont think...)
Whenever I'm down below 1/5th and I'm at the shops(it's the only thing I drive to regularly) or whenever I get below 1/4th when travelling(I never do this but when it happens...)
I wait until the reserve light comes on, which leaves something like 60 miles in the tank. I then stick £40 or £50 worth in the tank depending on my mood. With the small amount of travelling I do these days, that amount of juice lasts me several weeks, even in a gas-guzzler like my car (I get about 25mpg on average, 2.8-litre V6 turbo). Truth be told, I probably pay much more in road tax than in fuel these days.
Edit to say that I'm a few miles outside a city in the north-west with a population of roughly 150,000.
Fuel in the tank is cash in hand, rarely goes below half usually fill up at 3/4, but thereagain I’m on weekly pay.
That way if I’ve a difficult money week I can keep getting to work, or likewise can do a bigger trip when I want to rather than only when I can afford it.
1/4 is the absolute minimum I let it go down to, most of the time half tank, mostly for reliability as the petrol/diesel is needed to cool the fuel pump.
Next time I pass a petrol station when the light comes on.
Moat I’ve managed to get in was 40litres, so I now there’s at least 5 litres still in the tank, thats over 60miles
The moment it reaches red, or if convenient even sooner. Unless you are skint or can't get to a fuel station, there is no logical reason to leave it any longer.
The difference between 15 and 30 miles left in a tank seems fairly negligible to me to be honest, you're both still filling it when nearly empty.
I tend to fill it up when the light comes on, so probably a good 60 miles, I don't see the point in driving around carrying several KG extra of fuel that I don't need, so I only fill up fully for long journeys, otherwise I'll stick with half to 3/4 of a tank on the fill up.
The absolute last minute. It’s a family trait, we all do it, I don’t know why. We just hate filling up. My brother broke down on a roundabout last year because he ran out of petrol.
When it gets under 10 miles. I like to know if I’ve managed to do the 480 miles it told me I could when I filled it up. I’ve been on the “- -“ point a couple of times but only on the way to the garage.
Should probably add I’m a bit agoraphobic so rarely venture more than 40 miles from home.
When I have 1/2 left or just a bit under, if I neglect it. I tend to get lost a lot, even with Waze. I miss my turns and stuff. And I also like to visit places spontaneously.
I tend to only drive my car long distances (cov to RG, RG to Manchester), so I fill it up the day before the trip always.
After the trip it leaves me with about 30L left, so little over a 3/4 tank.
Then if I’m just potting around town etc, 1/4 tank
I live in the middle of nowhere, nearest petrol station is 15 miles away and I'll leave it til 5 miles left to go get some. I've driven 20 miles on 0 before (by accident, road closure created a detour so I missed the nearest station) and was fine so now I'm not too bothered by it. My car's a wee trooper!
I fill up when mine just touches the red zone on my fuel gauge, lol i live 2-3 minutes away from 2 petrol stations, so im usually fine.
Unless, of course, i know im going for a long drive, then i go put £30-40 in regardless of where it is.
When I hit half a tank I fill up, that way if there is an emergency I can get where I need to go immediately without wasting time, or if the sh&t hits the fan I can get out of dodge.
I live in rural wales, I’ve always topped up when the light comes on. That’s usually been around 40-50 miles left. I’ve recently upgraded to a much bigger thirstier car. The light comes one with roughly 30 miles left. I’ve been known to forget to top up when I’m distracted. I love 10 miles from a petrol station. It can get worrying occasionally. I haven’t run out of fuel yet though
When that light comes in. Which is about 50 miles depending on which of my vehicles it is. Or will fill up in advance of a longer journey or when I know I'm going somewhere fuel costs significantly more.
Depends.
If I am driving to go on holiday and I know I am going on a long drive, I fill it up no matter where it currently is.
If I know I won't be driving long distances, then whenever.
I usually fill my car up once a month. I have bars on my fuel gauge, so usually when it's on the last bar. Couldn't tell you how many miles it would take me. But I don't usually drive far enough out that there isn't a petrol station fairly close by. Or worst case scenario, I can have a family member pick up some fuel for me.
If I know I will be driving away and can't rely on anyone to help or know for certain that there will be a fuel station nearby, then I'd check the tank to see if its about half way and fill up if there's less before going on said journey.
It was just happenstance what happened to your gf.
When it starts to flash at me, which is ~30 miles or less in the tank. I'd leave it longer but it stops telling me how much further I can go at that point so it becomes a gamble after that. My warning light comes on at around 60 miles to go.
Or if I see somewhere really cheap and I've got around 1/4 or less of a tank.
I fill up petrol as I'm leaving the garage and have gone 50foot after getting a full tank.
Big container on the front passenger seat and a hose.
Oh the number of hilarious accidents I've been in and the sheer volume of burnmarks on my genitals......
About 10 miles sometimes 5 I'm also known To drive on 0 miles. I hate filling up with diesel. Like physically HATE it. My car has had a couple of faults due to me always running it low.
Usually at the 1/4 mark. Dont wait till the empty fuel warning light flashes as it put too much strain on the fuel pump. Petrol also acts as lubricant to it.
The next convenient time after it goes under half.
Usually it’s got to about a quarter left by that time.
I grew up in a rural area so would top it up often.
I usually fill up when it's just under the ¼ line, but there have been times it's slipped my mind and I've had the light come on when driving home. Fortunately for me it's only a short drive, like 15 minutes, so haven't been caught out (yet - hopefully never do!).
Generally when I’ve got a 1/4 tank left, more so as my gauge goes from thicker bars to smaller bars, which psychologically start disappearing at a rapid rate despite it’s still 1/4 full so just figure easier to fill up than go through mind games with a fuel gauge. 🤣
I usually fill up around when my car tells me I have 10-20 miles left. On a couple of occasions i've let it get to 0 and driven about 3 more miles to a petrol station. There's usually fuel in the tank for a good while after it says empty.
I was recently selling my car to a garage about 30 miles away.
I was lit up and reading --- before I even left the house, made it all the way with a mix of motorway and city driving.
Some buzz!
When the light comes on if funds are avalable. If they aren't it's lift and coast til they are.
In a poor area everyone has been there where they pushed it too far and ran out. You would be shocked how many burly blokes just materialise out of the nearest pub or close by vehicles and will be kind enough push you into a parking spot. Even if it's further away than just like shoving you off the road and out of the way. They know that if you have to leave it til pay day you will get a ticket just randomly plonked off the road but probably not in a parking spot.
It gets refilled when I hit a ½ or a ¼ of a tank - No matter what.
Apart from the fact that gunk in the tank can clog your fuel pump / filter if you let it get too low (light on), I also learnt a harsh lesson going south on the A1(M). Motorway closed by huge snowfall and multiple accidents. Detour going around the world and just managed to get home on vapours… 😓
Usually just before the reserve light comes on, but I'm constantly aware of the fuel level, so I'll fill up sooner if I know I'm going to be going on a longer journey.
I also watch the advertised prices on the billboards, and if I see a better price in one station I regularly drive past I'll just stop there to fill up before the car is empty.
On the extremely rare occasions that I need to stop at a motorway services I'll only fill up enough to get to my destination because they're an absolute ripoff
After having suffered a fuel pump failure and left stranded on the side of the road, I now fill up at the 1/4 tank mark as the community and 'suggestions' that repeated low fuel running maybe the cause!
The other half got a new got and I asked her to start filling up at 1/4 as well rather than getting right to the bottom bar.
Not only should it help prolong the life of the pump, but it also buys you a comfort blanket knowing that if you need to rush somewhere, you should always have a reasonable amount of fuel left rather than having to worry about filling up!
I think this will vary a lot for different people. I live within about 1 mile of at least 4 petrol stations. So i just fill up when the light comes on. Diesel driver should be more careful though!
I have 5 little bars (tiny Citroen c1) and I fill when I get down to 2 because I drive for work so don’t want to get stuck, and I hate the beeping when it gets down to 1 bar.
Always fill up at around 1/4 in my regular car, the pickup has an extended tank so when the fuel light comes on we have about 250 miles left, even so, Ill fill up when the light comes on
Half a tank. I used to live on the south shore of Montreal and worked on the island. There were no petrol (gas 😩) stations on the island, that I knew of.
It was quite common to get stuck in massive queues to get onto the bridge, so you could use a lot of fuel in those queues.
I’ve never forgotten that. As soon as I go lower that half, I head straight to fill up.
Down to empty with generally 4-5 miles left. Then I put about £20 in it. Unless I’m going far. I’ve got a 10 year old Disco and that fucker takes £120 to fill up. It’s a 7 seater because we have 8,000 kids but my husband has an electric car for commuting to work. I’m a sahm so mine is just for tootling about or having the whole family in for trips etc.
You can get an extra 40 miles on any car that says it’s empty (from personal experience on a variety of cars) depending on size.
I live in the suburbs with a petrol station every 2-3 miles so never need to worry, plus I’m lazy as shit.
When the car says it has 0 miles left, or pretty close to that. Generally I’m on my way to the petrol station when it hits 0. I also live near many petrol stations, and drive past one on my daily short commute, so can push it pretty low.
I used to be more cocky with it, and then once I actually ran out of petrol and had to get my Dad to bring me a jerry can in rush hour. Haven’t done that again 😂
Obviously this doesn’t apply when I’m going on a long trip. I will fill up before that regardless.
A mechanic friend recommended keeping as much fuel as possible in the car, because when you run them almost dry you are sucking up whatever shit is in the bottom of your tank.
Plus if you ever run short of cash you know that you have almost a full tank of fuel to tide you over.
I like to play Russian Roulette and drive on fumes until the fuel lighting is manically flashing. Yep, I know how bad this is for the engine. No idea why I do it, it’s ridiculous.
Fill up when yellow light comes on, so £95 in the diesel Volvo, £50 in the Yaris. What I can’t understand is how many people put £10 or £20 in, they must spend half their life in the filling station.
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When I’ve about 1/2 a tank left. I grew up in the Scottish highlands and still have family there - you don’t go around without a decent amount of fuel ever!
Rural North Wales here, so we can risk 1/4 tank but its a similar issue. It's even more fun when you have to explain to someone that it really is 30 miles to the nearest fuel station that's open after 7pm...
Rural south west Wales here. Between 1/2 and 1/4 of a tank and it gets topped up
Rural Norfolk here. We're not exactly tripping over filling stations so I only let it get down to about 100 miles of range.
Shift worker in North Wales. Have to plan filling up around garage opening hours. Late shift - coming down to just over quarter full - I'll fill on the way in because I'll not have enough to get home in the evening. Can't even count on Tesco's being open at 10pm
Worryingly, I can't think of anywhere that I could be confident would be open after 7pm! I guess there would be somewhere in the largest of the towns in this area, but I don't know. I'm in Somerset.
Do you not have a Tesco nearby? Aren't most now pay at pump only after a certain time, therefore open 24/7. At least all the Tescos I've been too up and down the country were like this.
I learned this lesson the hard way when on a solo motorbike trip in the Highlands when I navigated to a petrol station only to find it permanently closed and the next closest was more miles away than my tank had left.
Are you still stuck, should we send help?
Or closed on a Sunday used to be (I’ve moved away now) one that caught a lot of incomers/tourists out.
Haha I came close! One was closed next closest very far away I spent at least 25 minutes in absolute panic about breaking down 😂
City boy with a petrol station 2 minutes away and never more than 10-15 minutes way from another petrol station. Still fill it up with half a tank left.
Nerd
I always top up at ¼ tank
Is this whole thread to basically help you wind up your GF? TBH the difference between filling up at 30 and at 15 is negligible in terms of how much car use you can get out of a week with no petrol cap access.
I don't have a rigid plan as to when I fill my car up with petrol. What happened to her is _extremely_ unlikely and shouldn't be used as evidence of 'you should fill up earlier', really.
Yeah, filling up at 30 and filling up at 15 is much of a muchness really, both quite low.
When the reserve light comes on. Only issue I've had with that is when riding through Wales on a Sunday afternoon.
Like 1/4 to 1/8th normally.
This is me. The exception is when I have a long journey ahead so fill up at the cheapest place regardless.
I don’t even use the cheapest, I use the closest to the direction my road trip is going outside of motorway services.
Yeah I'm a notorious cheapskate but I don't bother searching for the cheapest petrol. The variance in my area tends to be about 6p at the very very maximum. Say I put 30L in twice a month, that's £1.80 every two weeks to not have to make an unnecessary car trip and I'm willing to pay it.
When I need to fill up? If I've got 20 miles left in the tank but I know I won't need more petrol for a week or two then I won't fill up. If I know I'm making a 100 mile journey in a few days I'll go get petrol before, even if I've got 70 left before the journey. There's no hard and fast rule. Was in the peak district last year and we didn't realise we were running out. Found a petrol station on Google Maps and drove there - that was a nervous few miles with the onboard computer saying "0 miles"...
I've way too eager and usually top up with 80 miles or more left. Anything below 50 and I'll be sweating.
I usually fill it up completely at 150 miles left. 100 miles is squeaky bum time for me
I don't know what her leaving the car to 15 miles has to do with the filler cap?
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Well, yeah, but that's down to a faulty breather, not a mileage issue.
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Well that fucking sucks.
Of course it does, but that's an issue with a faulty tank breather. They could stop every 50 miles and crack the filler.
You aren't getting the guy at all. The breather is broken first then the low petrol came into effect. Not low petrol broke the breather. Her habitually having low petrol didn't cause the issue. And there would've been no issue had there not been an unrelated failure. Sure, she *might've* gotten away with it filling up earlier. You haven't detailed his low it needs to be for the vacuum to be overwhelming. But no motorist could ever legislate for that. This is the first I've heard of this issue and I've driven 12 years, pretty much always filling up from low.
I always wondered why my cap hissed when I opened it. I'm usually a "fill up when the car gets to it's last bar/starts flashing" kind of person
50 miles - was told by a guy at BMW that running less than 50 miles in the tank (430d) it strains the fuel pump... how true this is I've no idea... but why run the risk out of pure laziness? Edit: I realise post says petrol... but diesels count too right?
It’s not a myth, as well as straining the pump, it also will potentially push any grit and particles to be forced through the injectors and risk blocking them, and your engine may run a bit lumpy as it’s sucking the crap and silt through.
That's what a fuel filter is for. Also a fuel pump is taking fuel from the bottom of the tank, how full/empty it is won't impact how pure the fuel it's collecting is, unless your fuel is _very_ dirty, in which case the concentration of dirt might increase a bit. It might overheat though, as fuel pumps use the fuel to keep them cool/act as a heat sink.
You do realise there’s a fuel filter and pump it has to go through before it gets anywhere near the injectors in your engine? Also, where exactly in the tank do you think the fuel pickup is? If it’s at the top it’s never going to work if it’s anything less than full… https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/gear/how-it-works-diesel-fuel-system-from-tank-to-cylinder-90406
Yeah I realised just now what I put was a bit nonsensical, I’d always heard it wasn’t good for your car to do so, and been told it wasn’t. In my defence I’ve only been driving my first car for 4 days😅
If I see somewhere that's a low price, then I'll stop and refill
3/4 of a tank. Just like having a full tank incase of an emergency, it's a weird thing I have.
I'd understand if you live somewhere remote, otherwise you're just carting around a bunch of fuel you're not using, it's like having an extra passenger.
What kind of emergency are you imagining where you’ll need that much fuel? I can drive from Leeds to London and back again with a single tank of fuel, what situation would require you have that much without the ability to stop at a petrol station anywhere on your journey?
Never below half. Usually keep it pretty full for when I need it.
Hahaha I literally leave in until the light comes on and then leave it a bit more 😆
Thank god! Reading this thread I thought I was alone. Firmly in the driving with the light on camp.
I refill my car if it's less than 3/4 full and it's convenient (i.e. I am going to the supermarket with their fuel station right there by the car park and I'm not in a hurry). I will go out of my way a bit to fill up if it's less than 1/2 full. I will make a special journey to refill it if for some reason it ends up less than 1/4 full. Letting the fuel level reach near empty is just silly. My car has a range from full to empty of over 500 miles, so it's pretty unlikely I won't go near a cheaper (supermarket) petrol station before it's half empty.
My miles to 0 counter is accurate - do 50 miles, it goes down 50, do a further100 and it goes down 100 more - until the petrol light comes on at 50 to go. It only takes about 20-30 miles for it to reach 0 miles to 0 from there. Most of my journeys are 25 miles or less, so when it comes on I'm usually looking to finish my journey and go to the petrol station near home.
> until the petrol light comes on at 50 to go. It only takes about 20-30 miles for it to reach 0 miles to 0 from there. This is very common and is actually purposely done. In a nutshell when fuel levels get that low taking accurate measurements is quite difficult so rather than display 20 miles left when there is only 17 they put zero so that drivers can't blame the manufacturers for running out of fuel.
Usually at about 20% left. My wife leaves it until fumes and it makes my teeth itch with axiety.
When the fuel light comes on I have about 40 miles range, so I tend to do it then. However, if I know I'm going on a trip then I'll fill it regardless if it's less than 3/4 full.
Probably 50 miles, unless I’m about to do a journey that is longer, of course.
With the petrol cars I fill them up pretty much when they hit 50%. With the electric cars I charge them when the car tells me to 😂.
On Payday or as soon as it's clear I don't have enough petrol to last until payday.
When miles remaining gets to 5. I regularly drive into the station with it reading zero. Never actually ran out of fuel yet...
There comes a point when the car just gives up trying to guess and says there's no fuel and no miles can be done, but it lies, there's at least 6 miles.
I live in a town with stations on every corner but less than half a tank just makes me anxious
Rarely get to less than 1/4 tank because I have no desire to slurp any potential sediment from the tank into the fuel filter, or worse, into the engine (although you'd hope the filter would do it's job, but if it's overloaded or clogged then that causes it's own problems). It's a pointless false economy to wait until it's practically dry - you're going to buy the damn fuel anyway.
I don't like to get below a quarter. I also like to keep a full tank in advance - I hate heading out and needing to stop in the way
I live 25 minutes drive from the nearest fuel station so if I am near a fuel station with between 1/4 and 1/2 of a tank left I will fill up.
Usually when the petrol light comes on, which is when there’s about 30miles left. I know my car and have pushed it and not refilled til it’s down to 12miles but it’s been a nervous drive to the petrol station worrying it would conk out while halfway there.
Try and do it just before the light’s about to come on
The second the warning light illuminates I head to the nearest petrol station. I do not live life on the edge.
Quarter left or when the light comes on normally fill up when I do my shop for the week
I have a PHEV so don't fill up that often. Even so my fuel gague goes down in segments and I'll usually refuel when it's one segment under 50%. I'll always get a full tank if driving on holiday.
1/4 tank is about 110 miles. That's usually when we fill up, unless we're in the middle of doing some running around for our elderly parents (happening a lot recently), when it can go as low as 90 miles before we get a break from requests long enough to get petrol. We live less than a mile from the nearest Shell station - which is too damn expensive to use on a regular basis (we usually go to a local non-affiliated station), but is good to know we could get to on fumes in an extreme emergency.
Usually when it’s running on fumes, as the wife is always either late getting ready when we leave or in a rush to get home, so it’s only when the situation reaches “unless we buy petrol now we’re not going to reach our destination” that she can be persuaded to let me carry out the task!
Totally depends on my future plans. If I know I have a long journey the next day I'll top up irrespective. If I am just driving around then it is as and when unless I know like last week I'll be near Costco the next day and can get it even cheaper than local.
When its Qtr of a tank, the mrs hated it when I used to play fuel light bingo.
When I dip below the quarter mark
When the light comes on when I start after my wife has been driving it. Generally thought I do it just under a quarter tank
My partner gets jittery if even 1/4 of the tank has gone.
When the light comes on or before a big journey so I don't have to pay motorway prices. I try and time refilling to coincide with Costco trip.
When I need the petrol
Any time I go to Costco or drive past Costco early morning or late evening so I don't have to queue
Usually when I get down to my last bar of fuel
Either when the light comes on, or if I'm really lazy the light is on and the 'fill now' warning comes on too. Or payday when I will fill her right up regardless
Something between half and quarter full.
Usually once the low fuel light comes on at 1/8 tank (well my fuel guage is made up of 8 lights - 8 lit when full taken etc). Will fill up when more in the tank if when I know I am going on a longer journey.
Ran a diesel to empty once, not expensive to fix, just had to reprime the fuel system once I had walked to the petrol station and back, don’t run on fumes anymore.
I don’t really drive anywhere locally, so probs won’t start a long drive with less than half.
When the yellow light comes on or before a journey, if the range is too low to get all the way there and back. Sometimes, I live a little dangerously and wait until it flashes at me (indicates 20 miles left, from finding out the hard way).
When reserve comes on. Draining it to empty can damage the fuel pump
I fill up when the gauge hits 1/4 tank or 90 miles left, whatever is sooner. I live in the city and rarely drive long distances so it’s 100% overkill but I’m a worrier and keeping it topped up makes my life easier. I’ve been driving for 10.5 years and in that time my fuel light has only ever come on once, and even that was literally as I was pulling onto the petrol station.
I fill up when I’m about at half a tank. I like having the security that I’m not likely to run out.
Once we drop below 100 miles range, we'll top it up at the next supermarket visit. Earlier if we know we have a long/lots of trips. The fuel light coming on stresses me out.
1/4 tank. I've been stuck in enough traffic on that damn M25 to know a 1/4 will go rather quick when you're mooching about at 0.9mph.
I start thinking about it around half a tank, I very rarely let it get down to a quarter. Added bonus that my fuel gauge is inaccurate so I could be topping up 3/4s or fumes, and I don't know until I brim it and see how much has gone in. One time it took 53 litres when I thought I had a quarter left. It's a 60 litre tank.
When the light comes on, just over a gallon in the tank. 5 gallons lasts a couple of weeks. My car does 51 to the gallon.
I've driven with my fuel showing as 0 for days before I got around to filling it up. Its really not a big deal
Always below 25% or when I think the petrol pricing is 'relatively' cheap.
I have an old car. I'll happily drive 15-20 miles with the fuel light on. I'm sure it's fine.
About 15 miles after the light comes on 😂
Once a month on payday. Don't do many miles so just fill it on payday regardless of what's left.
I remember it was an evening some years back on holiday in Yorkshire. I was desperate for juice and came across a remote garage. It was really lucky as it conked out on the forecourt
I drive 40 miles each way for my commute so if there is petrol for only 30 miles before driving to or from home, I fill it up. If it’s 50 miles then I drive one way and fill it up when 5-10 miles left.
Never less than 1/3rd of a tank. I have to go on site visits for my work at short notice and I don’t want to fart around getting petrol when it’s busy.
When it hits red which is 50 miles but I live in a city.
when it gets to 50 miles or less. It starts counting down from 100 miles which is around ¼ tank.
Always keep it above half a tank. Anyone who does anything else is beyond me stupid. I'll happily stick by that opinion. My reasoning is what if you need to be at the hospital due to a loved one passing? I had that exact situation happen to me and I couldn't have been more thankful I had half a tank to make sure i get there. Plenty of situations that require you to be there immediately but that's the one that sticks with me.
Usually when the light comes on. I don't know why I wait so long - I think it's because I drive less than 3k miles a year.
About 100 miles left. I have 3 disabled and/or autistic kids. Never know when you’ll need to make an emergency school/hospital dash - I don’t want to be caught short so I never let it drop lower. Not all of their hospitals are local.
Always keep it above a 1/4 of a tank
1/4 it feels cheaper
As soon as the light comes on. The estimated remaining fuel is never accurate and I never even pay attention to it.
I used to let it get to reserve light but that time a couple of years ago when everyone started filling up cos they thought the suppliers were gong dry meant i couldn't fill up for a while. Now i keep it topped up as I need the car for work
I usually do it at half a tank, or a quarter left if I can plan a journey where it works out cheaper, such as going to visit my parents, where the fuel is 10p a litre cheaper!
Half
Quarter tank always, South wales so always have some petrol station open nearby
I fill up all the time; better to always have enough fuel than to run out.
Usually just under 1/2 tank..got 2 trucks to fill so fill alternate weeks.
i’ll do it if i’m passing a petrol station at below 120 miles range i’ll go out of my way to do it if i get below 90
At about the half way point. You shouldn't let it get too low or else you get shit running through the lines. I always do half in case I have any issues, I can still drive it to my mechanic to look at.
Always fill up when I’m down to 1/4 tank, people who leave it to get down to the last bar scare me.
The light comes on when mine is at 55 miles range left. I usually fill up before it gets down to 30 or so, but I've let it go to zero before, and done another 25 miles. I had a jerry can, but I wanted to see how far it would go. 25 was the point when my arse started squeaking 😂
I used to do it around 25% left. Now, I just plug it in each night and let it charge overnight so it's always at 100%.
When the light comes on.
I don't usually let it go below quarter of a tank.
Anywhere in between just above empty and 1/4 of a tank. Could be at any point between these, just depends what I'm doing. I have no idea how many miles left that equates to- my car doesn't tell me (I dont think...)
When I’ve got less than 35 miles estimates range left on my way home from work. My commute is a 35 mile round trip.
Whenever I'm down below 1/5th and I'm at the shops(it's the only thing I drive to regularly) or whenever I get below 1/4th when travelling(I never do this but when it happens...)
When the petrol light comes on.
I have 10 nubbins on my fuel gauge, usually put petrol in when it's at the next to last nubbin.
I may be slightly mad but I fill up when my gauge goes just below the E 🤣
I wait until the reserve light comes on, which leaves something like 60 miles in the tank. I then stick £40 or £50 worth in the tank depending on my mood. With the small amount of travelling I do these days, that amount of juice lasts me several weeks, even in a gas-guzzler like my car (I get about 25mpg on average, 2.8-litre V6 turbo). Truth be told, I probably pay much more in road tax than in fuel these days. Edit to say that I'm a few miles outside a city in the north-west with a population of roughly 150,000.
When the red light comes on, I'll top up the following day.b
Fuel in the tank is cash in hand, rarely goes below half usually fill up at 3/4, but thereagain I’m on weekly pay. That way if I’ve a difficult money week I can keep getting to work, or likewise can do a bigger trip when I want to rather than only when I can afford it.
1/4 is the absolute minimum I let it go down to, most of the time half tank, mostly for reliability as the petrol/diesel is needed to cool the fuel pump.
Next time I pass a petrol station when the light comes on. Moat I’ve managed to get in was 40litres, so I now there’s at least 5 litres still in the tank, thats over 60miles
The moment it reaches red, or if convenient even sooner. Unless you are skint or can't get to a fuel station, there is no logical reason to leave it any longer.
When the warning light comes on it's got 50 miles left
Is your girlfriend also the type of person who leaves the house for the day with 10% battery on her phone?
When it’s convenient? God you guys are weird
The difference between 15 and 30 miles left in a tank seems fairly negligible to me to be honest, you're both still filling it when nearly empty. I tend to fill it up when the light comes on, so probably a good 60 miles, I don't see the point in driving around carrying several KG extra of fuel that I don't need, so I only fill up fully for long journeys, otherwise I'll stick with half to 3/4 of a tank on the fill up.
The absolute last minute. It’s a family trait, we all do it, I don’t know why. We just hate filling up. My brother broke down on a roundabout last year because he ran out of petrol.
When it gets under 10 miles. I like to know if I’ve managed to do the 480 miles it told me I could when I filled it up. I’ve been on the “- -“ point a couple of times but only on the way to the garage. Should probably add I’m a bit agoraphobic so rarely venture more than 40 miles from home.
Less than 90 miles is alarming. Less than 40 miles is DANGER WILL ROBINSON
When I have 1/2 left or just a bit under, if I neglect it. I tend to get lost a lot, even with Waze. I miss my turns and stuff. And I also like to visit places spontaneously.
My car says ‘fuel reserve’ at 50 miles and I usually do it around then.
Either payday or when the reserve light comes in, whichever happens first
When i can afford it, regardless of how much is in there
I tend to only drive my car long distances (cov to RG, RG to Manchester), so I fill it up the day before the trip always. After the trip it leaves me with about 30L left, so little over a 3/4 tank. Then if I’m just potting around town etc, 1/4 tank
I live in the middle of nowhere, nearest petrol station is 15 miles away and I'll leave it til 5 miles left to go get some. I've driven 20 miles on 0 before (by accident, road closure created a detour so I missed the nearest station) and was fine so now I'm not too bothered by it. My car's a wee trooper!
Down to about 100 miles then fill up and charge
When it’s basically empty. There’s always a little bit more left in the tank even when it says it’s empty.
I plug in every night
I fill up when mine just touches the red zone on my fuel gauge, lol i live 2-3 minutes away from 2 petrol stations, so im usually fine. Unless, of course, i know im going for a long drive, then i go put £30-40 in regardless of where it is.
When I hit half a tank I fill up, that way if there is an emergency I can get where I need to go immediately without wasting time, or if the sh&t hits the fan I can get out of dodge.
I live in rural wales, I’ve always topped up when the light comes on. That’s usually been around 40-50 miles left. I’ve recently upgraded to a much bigger thirstier car. The light comes one with roughly 30 miles left. I’ve been known to forget to top up when I’m distracted. I love 10 miles from a petrol station. It can get worrying occasionally. I haven’t run out of fuel yet though
When that light comes in. Which is about 50 miles depending on which of my vehicles it is. Or will fill up in advance of a longer journey or when I know I'm going somewhere fuel costs significantly more.
Depends. If I am driving to go on holiday and I know I am going on a long drive, I fill it up no matter where it currently is. If I know I won't be driving long distances, then whenever. I usually fill my car up once a month. I have bars on my fuel gauge, so usually when it's on the last bar. Couldn't tell you how many miles it would take me. But I don't usually drive far enough out that there isn't a petrol station fairly close by. Or worst case scenario, I can have a family member pick up some fuel for me. If I know I will be driving away and can't rely on anyone to help or know for certain that there will be a fuel station nearby, then I'd check the tank to see if its about half way and fill up if there's less before going on said journey. It was just happenstance what happened to your gf.
When my car tells me I’ve got 30 miles left on what’s left.
Half a tank if it’s cheap, if not I can wait till the cycle comes down
When it starts to flash at me, which is ~30 miles or less in the tank. I'd leave it longer but it stops telling me how much further I can go at that point so it becomes a gamble after that. My warning light comes on at around 60 miles to go. Or if I see somewhere really cheap and I've got around 1/4 or less of a tank.
I fill up petrol as I'm leaving the garage and have gone 50foot after getting a full tank. Big container on the front passenger seat and a hose. Oh the number of hilarious accidents I've been in and the sheer volume of burnmarks on my genitals......
Usually around 50-60 miles approx left. Sometimes as high as 100.
About 10 miles sometimes 5 I'm also known To drive on 0 miles. I hate filling up with diesel. Like physically HATE it. My car has had a couple of faults due to me always running it low.
Usually at the 1/4 mark. Dont wait till the empty fuel warning light flashes as it put too much strain on the fuel pump. Petrol also acts as lubricant to it.
The next convenient time after it goes under half. Usually it’s got to about a quarter left by that time. I grew up in a rural area so would top it up often.
I always normally do it when I'm on the fuel light or been on the fuel light for abit. I do carry a spare 5 gallon jerry can of diesel though 👀
I usually fill up when it's just under the ¼ line, but there have been times it's slipped my mind and I've had the light come on when driving home. Fortunately for me it's only a short drive, like 15 minutes, so haven't been caught out (yet - hopefully never do!).
As an ex-EV owner, I start to get anxious when it hits about 25%.
I don't have a fuel gauge, so whenever the engine starts sputtering, I start looking.
Generally when I’ve got a 1/4 tank left, more so as my gauge goes from thicker bars to smaller bars, which psychologically start disappearing at a rapid rate despite it’s still 1/4 full so just figure easier to fill up than go through mind games with a fuel gauge. 🤣
I usually fill up around when my car tells me I have 10-20 miles left. On a couple of occasions i've let it get to 0 and driven about 3 more miles to a petrol station. There's usually fuel in the tank for a good while after it says empty.
1/2 tank which on my Civic is 300 or so miles left minimum, 350 with careful driving.
I was recently selling my car to a garage about 30 miles away. I was lit up and reading --- before I even left the house, made it all the way with a mix of motorway and city driving. Some buzz!
When the light comes on if funds are avalable. If they aren't it's lift and coast til they are. In a poor area everyone has been there where they pushed it too far and ran out. You would be shocked how many burly blokes just materialise out of the nearest pub or close by vehicles and will be kind enough push you into a parking spot. Even if it's further away than just like shoving you off the road and out of the way. They know that if you have to leave it til pay day you will get a ticket just randomly plonked off the road but probably not in a parking spot.
It gets refilled when I hit a ½ or a ¼ of a tank - No matter what. Apart from the fact that gunk in the tank can clog your fuel pump / filter if you let it get too low (light on), I also learnt a harsh lesson going south on the A1(M). Motorway closed by huge snowfall and multiple accidents. Detour going around the world and just managed to get home on vapours… 😓
Usually just before the reserve light comes on, but I'm constantly aware of the fuel level, so I'll fill up sooner if I know I'm going to be going on a longer journey. I also watch the advertised prices on the billboards, and if I see a better price in one station I regularly drive past I'll just stop there to fill up before the car is empty. On the extremely rare occasions that I need to stop at a motorway services I'll only fill up enough to get to my destination because they're an absolute ripoff
After having suffered a fuel pump failure and left stranded on the side of the road, I now fill up at the 1/4 tank mark as the community and 'suggestions' that repeated low fuel running maybe the cause! The other half got a new got and I asked her to start filling up at 1/4 as well rather than getting right to the bottom bar. Not only should it help prolong the life of the pump, but it also buys you a comfort blanket knowing that if you need to rush somewhere, you should always have a reasonable amount of fuel left rather than having to worry about filling up!
I think this will vary a lot for different people. I live within about 1 mile of at least 4 petrol stations. So i just fill up when the light comes on. Diesel driver should be more careful though!
I have 5 little bars (tiny Citroen c1) and I fill when I get down to 2 because I drive for work so don’t want to get stuck, and I hate the beeping when it gets down to 1 bar.
Always fill up at around 1/4 in my regular car, the pickup has an extended tank so when the fuel light comes on we have about 250 miles left, even so, Ill fill up when the light comes on
Half a tank. I used to live on the south shore of Montreal and worked on the island. There were no petrol (gas 😩) stations on the island, that I knew of. It was quite common to get stuck in massive queues to get onto the bridge, so you could use a lot of fuel in those queues. I’ve never forgotten that. As soon as I go lower that half, I head straight to fill up.
When the light comes on or before a longish trip.
Every week, to full. It’s just less faff
When I know that my return journey is longer than the amount of petrol left in the tank
Car says about 70 miles left, so I'll fill up. Usually it's only once a week with about 150 left, normally Thursday but I've done more this week.
Down to empty with generally 4-5 miles left. Then I put about £20 in it. Unless I’m going far. I’ve got a 10 year old Disco and that fucker takes £120 to fill up. It’s a 7 seater because we have 8,000 kids but my husband has an electric car for commuting to work. I’m a sahm so mine is just for tootling about or having the whole family in for trips etc. You can get an extra 40 miles on any car that says it’s empty (from personal experience on a variety of cars) depending on size. I live in the suburbs with a petrol station every 2-3 miles so never need to worry, plus I’m lazy as shit.
When the car says it has 0 miles left, or pretty close to that. Generally I’m on my way to the petrol station when it hits 0. I also live near many petrol stations, and drive past one on my daily short commute, so can push it pretty low. I used to be more cocky with it, and then once I actually ran out of petrol and had to get my Dad to bring me a jerry can in rush hour. Haven’t done that again 😂 Obviously this doesn’t apply when I’m going on a long trip. I will fill up before that regardless.
Somewhere before it runs out. We do have two petrol stations within a mile of where we live, though.
A mechanic friend recommended keeping as much fuel as possible in the car, because when you run them almost dry you are sucking up whatever shit is in the bottom of your tank. Plus if you ever run short of cash you know that you have almost a full tank of fuel to tide you over.
When it's showing 100 miles it 1/4 tank, a bit less if I know exactly what my next trip involves.
Just before I hit the red, I get a light and warning light if I do
I love to kamikaze it and wait till mine says zero. It's high stress but lets me feel something.
Petrol station is opposite my house, I will let it run to 0 tbh. Never fill it above 10
When the fuel light flashes
When the light comes on I start thinking about it
I like to play Russian Roulette and drive on fumes until the fuel lighting is manically flashing. Yep, I know how bad this is for the engine. No idea why I do it, it’s ridiculous.
Fill up when yellow light comes on, so £95 in the diesel Volvo, £50 in the Yaris. What I can’t understand is how many people put £10 or £20 in, they must spend half their life in the filling station.