since we are on the topic of running fuel down, i have been told by a few people that you shouldn't run gas down below a 1/4 of a tank b/c it is hard on the fuel pump, mainly b/c of the ability of the fuel pump to grab air.

Is this true or just an urban ledgend?

 

Actually, I had to look it up, thought it was a 24 gallon tank. Sorry to dissappoint.

Back to the topic now please.

Diehardchevy - My tank is ran down till the low fuel light comes on every time and the pump is running fine still. The way I heard the story was that when the fuel gets real low the pump isn't cooled effectively by the fuel because it gets hotter from being circulated more often. I've never seen any pumps die from the gas being ran down low, not saying it doesn't happen though. It sounds feasible.

 

And people wonder why fuel pumps go out on newer vehicles...
In auto class last year we replaced many of them on late model cars, and the customers admitted to running the tanks down past the low fuel light on every tank.
I still do it, but grab gas as soon as the light comes on.

 

Good info. I also get gas pretty much as soon as the light comes on. Mac has stated that I have 5 gallons left when the light comes on so that's a pretty good amount of gas.

The cars you replace pumps on alot, how big a tank do they have usually? They might not have the "reserve" that our relatively big tanks have and burn the pumps up quicker because of it.

 

hell my low fuel light comes on right after i fill up it has a mind of its own

 

Mine comes on with about 4-5 gallons left.

 

I've heard this preached on another forum. I took the advice, espcially since I had the fuel pump replaced under warranty and fill up at 1/4. If nothing else, it's a little easier on the wallet.

 

This is kind of strange, but the low fuel in my duramax truck waits a lot longer before coming on. When I see low fuel in my truck, I have at most two gallons left. I've heard others report the same thing, and some have ran out trying to run it for a while with the light on. The low fuel light in the diesel means STOP THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE DIESEL FUEL.

 

I had 2 fuel pumps replaced under warranty. I always ran my tank down to the last drop until the mechanic told me it wasn't a good idea. Now I fill up at 1/4 tank and haven't had any problems in the last 40,000 miles.

 

I agree at not letting it run out. My notification comes on at 1/8th mark. I've run 20 miles past that. Have never put more than 21.5 gallons in. I get 16.5-17mpg regularly, go about 350-360 miles on 21 gallons. I've heard the lecture about not letting it get too low as the fuel pump doesn't properly cool when level gets too low thus shortening it's life.