[P1et]

Originally Posted by JohnnyDaJackal

I have a question for the Autopian engineers and car guys. I'm wondering what's more beneficial, to keep your gas tank at full (i.e. once you get to half a tank, fill it up again) or to ride the bottom half of your tank (i.e. only fill it up to around 1/2 a tank)???

Ever since I got my new car, one of my peeves is the gas gauge is off, especially at the bottom half, so I usually fill it up once I'm at or around 1/2 a tank. I don't like to chance it since my tank isn't the biggest either. I remember when I first started driving one of neighbors was advising me to always do that because it's bad to run your tank empty because of dirt getting in. I really don't know about the dirt, but I feel it wouldn't be to good on the engine to run it almost dry. Well just a couple nights ago my best friend, who is also the most argumentative person I know, was proposing that it's best to never fill it up to half, because anymore and it's extra weight on the car. I understand what he's saying, but I still feel running it low can cause negative effects to the engine. From what I understand it's good to keep at least 1/4-1/2 a tank in the winter months because of the possibility of gas lines freezing up; but I'm wondering about the other months.

So my question is which is the preferred method and why?

By the way, I've seen your pics on POTN and they are quite impressive!