Getting better gas mileage when I don't fill up all the way?
#1
Getting better gas mileage when I don't fill up all the way?
Last week I decided to put just 8.3 gallons in my '95 Ranger and I got a little over 200 miles. This morning I filled up and I had exactly a gallon and a half left in the tank. That seems great, but here's why I'm concerned. Whenever I fill up which is a full 16.5 gallons I usually fill up again at either 340-350 miles and at that point I always have between half a gallon to a full gallon of gas left in the tank.
Why is this? If my math is correct then shouldn't I be seeing 400 miles or more to a full tank? I always get gas at Sheetz and drive using the same pattern/routine after each fill up. My truck is a 2.3L automatic BTW.
Why is this? If my math is correct then shouldn't I be seeing 400 miles or more to a full tank? I always get gas at Sheetz and drive using the same pattern/routine after each fill up. My truck is a 2.3L automatic BTW.
#3
Back to the original question. Your math is probably correct but your numbers are not accurate. Your not filling up a bone dry tank with 8.3 gallons. Also when your gauge says empty you should still have a bit of gas in the tank.
What I do is fill up all the way, then take and divide miles/gallons. This will give you a much more accurate number. I have a small notebook in the truck and I keep track of all my fill ups in it. If you do it this way you MUST fill the tank up all the way or it wont work.
BTW 8 gallons of gas is about 65 lbs, not enough weight to make a difference.
#4
The owners manual says 400 pounds per 1 mpg. If it was 100 lbs per 1 mph, I would get about 2 mpg when I haul dirt in the summer.
Back to the original question. Your math is probably correct but your numbers are not accurate. Your not filling up a bone dry tank with 8.3 gallons. Also when your gauge says empty you should still have a bit of gas in the tank.
What I do is fill up all the way, then take and divide miles/gallons. This will give you a much more accurate number. I have a small notebook in the truck and I keep track of all my fill ups in it. If you do it this way you MUST fill the tank up all the way or it wont work.
BTW 8 gallons of gas is about 65 lbs, not enough weight to make a difference.
Back to the original question. Your math is probably correct but your numbers are not accurate. Your not filling up a bone dry tank with 8.3 gallons. Also when your gauge says empty you should still have a bit of gas in the tank.
What I do is fill up all the way, then take and divide miles/gallons. This will give you a much more accurate number. I have a small notebook in the truck and I keep track of all my fill ups in it. If you do it this way you MUST fill the tank up all the way or it wont work.
BTW 8 gallons of gas is about 65 lbs, not enough weight to make a difference.
#5
I need to point out two things for you. I was bone dry when I put in the 8.3 gallons as I drove my truck over 20 miles after the fuel light came on. I did this purposely to see how far the 8.3 gallons could get me. Second, when I fill up, I average 21-22 mpg highway and 18-19 city (winter gas). Which is pretty awful if you ask me for a 2.3L 4 cylinder pick-up with 112HP. This whole deal still doesn't add up.
#7
#8
#10
#11
you dont, you get the same. The reason you have a discrepancy in your numbers is because your basing your math on an assumption. When your gas light comes on you should have about a gallon left in your tank, then you have a "reserve" also. the only really way to test your mileage is to fill up all the way and the divide the gallons by miles.
#12
#13
fill up the tank to the top..burn some say a 1/2 tank then fill up and divide the miles by the gallons u put in to fill it again= mpg's (like others have said)...
but to really find out how many miles you can get out of a tank (different question) you would have to fill to the top then run until you completely are out of fuel and the engine stops.... something you might not want to do as it puts a strain on the fuel pump and the fuel filter ...
having said that some people just gotta know and that's ok too lol
personally i don't like to let the tank get below a 1/4 .. it has a potential to churn up too much junk in the bottom of the tank...
but to really find out how many miles you can get out of a tank (different question) you would have to fill to the top then run until you completely are out of fuel and the engine stops.... something you might not want to do as it puts a strain on the fuel pump and the fuel filter ...
having said that some people just gotta know and that's ok too lol
personally i don't like to let the tank get below a 1/4 .. it has a potential to churn up too much junk in the bottom of the tank...
#14
Gas weighs about 8 pounds a gallon. We have a 22 gallon tank. 22 gallons times 8 pounds equals 176 pounds. Do you notice a drop in mileage when you have someone in the passenger seat?
Last edited by malydeen; 03-17-2008 at 05:47 PM.
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