Sediment build up in the fuel tank is not a "myth" it is history. Traces of water from condensation inside the tank + sulphur in fuel produce acid that corrodes a steel fuel tank leaving sediment. Low sulphur fuels and plastic tanks mean it is a thing of the past.

Veloplus said that running out of fuel is an offence in Germany - it is in UK too - classed as driving without due care and attention. Not sure that there have ever been any prosecutions but if you caused an accident or blocked the road in a single lane contraflow I'm not so sure that PC Copper would look on it too favourably.

Veloplus said that it doesn't matter if he runs out because he carries a 5-10litre l jerry can. Why on earth would anybody want a stinking can of diesel/petrol in their car? And I wouldn't mind betting that you can't get it from can to tank without spilling some on your boots. Why not just carry the extra 5l in the tank where it belongs and fill up earlier?

Don't know about petrol engines but running out of fuel in a diesel can damage the injectors when they run dry.

I admit that I'm a fuel light wimp! I get very uncomfortable when that bong sounds and the yellow fuel pump appears on the dash. I fill up my Octy as soon as possible after it shows.

Sediment build up in the fuel tank is not a "myth" it is history. Traces of water from condensation inside the tank + sulphur in fuel produce acid that corrodes a steel fuel tank leaving sediment. Low sulphur fuels and plastic tanks mean it is a thing of the past.

Veloplus said that running out of fuel is an offence in Germany - it is in UK too - classed as driving without due care and attention. Not sure that there have ever been any prosecutions but if you caused an accident or blocked the road in a single lane contraflow I'm not so sure that PC Copper would look on it too favourably.

Veloplus said that it doesn't matter if he runs out because he carries a 5-10litre l jerry can. Why on earth would anybody want a stinking can of diesel/petrol in their car? And I wouldn't mind betting that you can't get it from can to tank without spilling some on your boots. Why not just carry the extra 5l in the tank where it belongs and fill up earlier?

Don't know about petrol engines but running out of fuel in a diesel can damage the injectors when they run dry.

I admit that I'm a fuel light wimp! I get very uncomfortable when that bong sounds and the yellow fuel pump appears on the dash. I fill up my Octy as soon as possible after it shows.

When I talked about sediment and water in the tank, I wasn't forgetting that most cars these days have plastic tanks. I was referring to the contamination that can come from the fuel tanks that supply you with fuel when you purchase it in a filling ststion. As far as I am aware most garages still use steel tanks, and as the tanks get older they can leak and rust and that material can be transferred to your car fuel tank, so I don't think it is a thing of the past.

Carrying diesel fuel in the boot is messy and smelly. Who wants to carry a jerry can of diesel in the boot?

I have also heard that running out of fuel can damage injectors. It can also damage Cats if you get a misfire when trying to start. It is also possible with diesel to get an airlock in the supply pipe which will stop fuel coming through to the engine and prevent starting again. All in all, better not to run out.

"Gunk" in the tank was a common problem with my previous car - the lining of the tank degraded over time, and began to float around in the fuel - it clogged filters (not experienced on mine as i never had it that long) which caused the engine to cut out under load.

Personally, if mine gets to quarter full, i fill it.

We've just clocked 2,000 miles today (5 weeks of ownership tomorrow) and on a 300 mile 70mph motorway trip to London, we've averaged 56.4mpg from our 170bhp 4x4 Estate! - very pleased!

Veloplus said that it doesn't matter if he runs out because he carries a 5-10litre l jerry can. Why on earth would anybody want a stinking can of diesel/petrol in their car? And I wouldn't mind betting that you can't get it from can to tank without spilling some on your boots. Why not just carry the extra 5l in the tank where it belongs and fill up earlier?

I use a metal NATO 10 litre jerrycan which does not leak, even if stored on its side. I place the can inside a plastic storage container and have never experienced any leakage issues.

Veloplus said that it doesn't matter if he runs out because he carries a 5-10litre l jerry can. Why on earth would anybody want a stinking can of diesel/petrol in their car? And I wouldn't mind betting that you can't get it from can to tank without spilling some on your boots. Why not just carry the extra 5l in the tank where it belongs and fill up earlier?

I use a metal NATO 10 litre jerrycan which does not leak, even if stored on its side. I place the can inside a plastic storage container and have never experienced any leakage issues.

Ref. running out of fuel.

It can be deemed 'Careless Driving', particularly if on motorway. I know of one case where a vehicle ran out of fuel on an uphill stretch of motorway and couldn't get to the hard shoulder. This caused an accident where two people died. The person who ran out of fuel was prosecuted, and has to live with the fact that they contributed to two deaths!

I have two young children and elderly parents. Several times I have had to do hospital runs and the like without warning. The last thing I would want is to have to go looking for fuel at a time like that, so as soon as I get near 1/4 tank I fill it.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

I use a metal NATO 10 litre jerrycan which does not leak, even if stored on its side. I place the can inside a plastic storage container and have never experienced any leakage issues.

Each to his own I suppose but it seems a whole load of pi$$ing about and I really don't see the point. Maybe that's 'cos I live on the edge of a big city where you are rarely over a mile from a filling station; in fact I just did a quick tally and within 5 minutes of home there are 6 filling stations; extend that to 10 minutes and I lose count!. If I'm on a quarter tank and drive past one where there is no queue I just pull in and fill up. I guess if you live out in the sticks you may want to reduce the number of 20 mile treks to fill up.

Life if too prefictable as it is. With a little planning, it is always possible to find fuel before running dry. I like the challenge of seeing how far I can travel on a tank of fuel. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

There is little in life more exciting/terrifying than driving up the M40 at 11pm, having just passed a services, then looking at your fuel gauge at empty and seeing the miles left showing 5 on the OBC, not knowing any of the areas around the motorway at all, still having over 80 miles to get home and 5 miles to the next junction, and wondering what will happen when you leave the motorway to search for a fuel station that you don't even know exists........ :yes:

Edited 6 June, 201016 yr by Herschel

I drive the same route of about 400km quite often. Sometimes I am fully loaded (5ppl + bags ~ up to 400kg extra weight) sometimes I go alone. I do not see any difference of fuel consumption between empty and loaded car. By filling your tank half only you are only losing your time. On the other hand the difference of acceleration between empty and loaded car is drastic.