Why should you keep the gas tank filled?

Keeping gas in your tank does much more than you think. A full tank reduces condensation that keeps water out of your fuel system.

[lonelybikr]

Condensation is the main reason I keep my tank full. Specifically since the introduction of ethanol to fuel. I don't want that water in my fuel system rotting it from the inside. I tend to keep my vehicles for 10 years plus.

[holdshortrunway]

I do NOT think I want to keep my fuel pump under the water level as you stated. I will keep my pump under the fuel level !

[ExAnimoPortugal]

Scotty Kilmer has also been saying for a long time you should always fill the tank, especially if the car is stored for a long time. Add fuel stabilizer if the car is in storage for more than three months.

[stoundingresults]

Keep it over half a tank so you don't get snookered like when they hacked the colonial pipeline. A full tank is insurance.

[CrunchyTire]

You're an adult when you "Fill it" every trip to the gas station. Not like the old days of $5 here, $10 there with your broke azz

[readmore]

I had a 1995 F-150 work truck with 2 tanks. I would run the main tank down to 1/8 of a tank and the 2nd tank dry....(for fun)..switching back to the main in stride on the Fwy's. Never had a problem...Calif has the most restrictions on gas on our planet.

[Sci-Mon]

It’s also more cost and time effective to just fill up your tank. That way you’re not stopping to get gas as often. I know gas is high right now, but you’re gonna have to get gas eventually. Might as well just do it all at once.

[SMart]

In addition to keeping a good fuel level in the tank, once a year I run a can of dry gas through. I doesn’t take a lot of condensation to wreck havoc on a modern fuel system.

[chrislareau]

We don't worry about that here in southern Texas. I've NEVER kept a full tank in 40 years of driving and have NEVER had problems.

[Rm-nojr]

Thanks for the explanation. I have a vw Tiguan 1.5tsi. When the tank is full, it accelerates smoothly and quickly. Then the lower the tank the jerkier the acceleration. When the tank is below half, the car is not that responsive. Why?

[TechCrazy]

I also switched to non-ethanol. Its a little pricey but the vehicle runs so smooth and get better mileage. Ethanol gas should be banned!

[Yaroslav_Tselovanskyi]

it's important to cool down the pump in the wintertime 😂

[hunterhippensteel]

Also a full tank provides better traction due to more weight

[MotoWorld]

"you wanna keep the pump under the water" Yea, you have a condensation problem for sure! :)

[gwine]

It may just be my imagination, but I always feel that my car does not handle as well when it is low on gas. Maybe something to do with weight distribution?

[HouseCallAutoRepair]

The fuel pump is COOLED by the fuel. The more of the pump under/in the fuel, the better the cooling.
Here, in the USA, we have 10% Ethenol, so condensation is not a problem as the alcohol absorbs the condensation, UNLESS IT SITS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.
Keeping you tank full reduces RUST inside the tank. Your EVAP takes care of moisture, if it works correctly.
The fuel lubricates and keeps the pump cool.
Fuel level concerns are mostly myth, except for EVAP functions, rust, and storage, unless you always fill via a dirty gas can!

[Sci-Mon]

The only damage that can occur is if you let your car sit for a long time without much gas in the tank and if you continuously run your car on less than a quarter tank. Other than that there really is no damage. Condensation issues take more than just a few weeks to cause any sort of permanent damage.

[pacific]

After seeing this video, I quickly subscribed…thanks for the tip!

[imdjc]

Should you have to use the car in a state of emergency....hopefully NOT the case...but wouldn't it make more sense to be ready than to struggle unnecessarily and later regret? And if you still can't come to grips with common sense of it all, consider any fleet lineup of vehicles. They're not only maintained vehicles, but for the most part, they are filled up after each shift. It's usually the Mickey Mouse companies that have no policy in place and as a result, each person would rather blame someone else and probably fight about it too.

[infinityjif]

I fill my tank when I run it down to the backside of E and the yellowish light illuminates which I ignore for a couple more miles, hey what the heck, I'll get gas tomorrow, I'm trying to make it home, I never had a fuel pump fail on me