Recommendation to help prevent sediment, rust and condensation issues in fuel tank...

[OrangeStreak]

Liked this article which gives insight on the above. Seemed to be technically sound and covered by persons highly experienced in this area.
This Is How Much Gas You Should Keep in Your Tank (msn.com)

I feel that of 1st importance is to use a top tier gas brand (I primarily use Chevron and have had excellent experience with it) with a minimum of 87 Octane which is mandated by Ford for the 5g Rangers.
TOP TIER™ Gasoline Brands (toptiergas.com)

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[VTRanger]

I find it annoying how soon the low fuel alert comes on compared to my other vehicles but maybe it's a good thing.

I put in some 89 octane yesterday for the heck of it. My MPG seems awful lately with the extra weight in the back, long warm ups, and using 4X4.

 

[AdamHarris]

Keep it filled up. When you get to 1/2 a tank, fill er up again. Enjoy your truck. The end.

 

[Doc]

Keep it filled up. When you get to 1/2 a tank, fill er up again. Enjoy your truck. The end.

Good Advice !

 

[OrangeStreak]

Keep it filled up. When you get to 1/2 a tank, fill er up again. Enjoy your truck. The end.

I agree that 1/4 to 1/2 is a good rule of thumb for fill-ups. One reason I don't like to get below these levels is if you are stranded somewhere unexpectedly or get into an urgent situation where you need more gas than normally anticipated and no stations are available

 

[OrangeStreak]

I find it annoying how soon the low fuel alert comes on compared to my other vehicles but maybe it's a good thing.

I put in some 89 octane yesterday for the heck of it. My MPG seems awful lately with the extra weight in the back, long warm ups, and using 4X4.

I'm not happy with my mpg's either. The best so far of mainly normal city driving is 17.6. My target is to get to and maintain an average of 20 in the city

 

[TomC]

Too bad the folks that determined the size of our gas tanks didn't read this. Fortunately, or not, my bladder capacity has matched our fuel tanks.

 

[VTRanger]

Too bad the folks that determined the size of our gas tanks didn't read this. Fortunately, or not, my bladder capacity has matched our fuel tanks.

Same, constantly filling up and I only commute a short distance to work each day.

 

[Dgc333]

The recommendation to keep at least 1/4 of a tank of fuel to cool the fuel pump is an old wives tail. As long as the pump is moving fuel the pump is getting all the cooling it needs.

I go to the gas station as seldom as possible so for the past 50 years I typically only get gas when I am at 1/8th of a tank. I have never had an issue with condensation or sediment. My first vehicle with an in tank electric fuel pump was in 1985 and since then I have only had one pump failure and that was on an 89 Shelby Daytona that failed in the late 90s.

IMHO, fretting over when you should fill your tank is a lot of nonsense.

 

[OrangeStreak]

Same, constantly filling up and I only commute a short distance to work each day.

Just checked the EPA: 20 city / 24 highway / 22 combined city/hwy. Maybe my mpg is not that far off considering that EPA evidently tests at sea level under ideal conditions. But some other 5g members have done a lot better...

 

[Blmpkn]

The linked article is nothing but a clickbait/sensationalist/fear mongering combo.

Don't worry about it and drive your truck.

 

[Jmarler]

My father in law always wait till its almost empty before filling up and then just recently he ran out of gas lol. Had to walk like 4 miles to the gas station.

 

[OrangeStreak]

My father in law always wait till its almost empty before filling up and then just recently he ran out of gas lol. Had to walk like 4 miles to the gas station.

That's a tough lesson and hard on shoe leather! When I was in HS, ran out of gas on a cold winter night in the mountains and it was a rough time getting out of there. Hasn't happened since, so keeping a least a 1/4 tank in at all times can help prevent this

 

[Jmarler]

That's a tough lesson and hard on shoe leather! When I was in HS, ran out of gas on a cold winter night in the mountains and it was a rough time getting out of there. Hasn't happened since, so keeping a least a 1/4 tank in at all times can help prevent this

Yeah I don't like to go below that. I thought I was going to run out of gas one time because my brother insisted on stopping at a turnpike gas station instead of going somewhere closer. Made it though but was running on fumes.

 

[mailbox4449]

The recommendation to keep at least 1/4 of a tank of fuel to cool the fuel pump is an old wives tail. As long as the pump is moving fuel the pump is getting all the cooling it needs.

I go to the gas station as seldom as possible so for the past 50 years I typically only get gas when I am at 1/8th of a tank. I have never had an issue with condensation or sediment. My first vehicle with an in tank electric fuel pump was in 1985 and since then I have only had one pump failure and that was on an 89 Shelby Daytona that failed in the late 90s.

IMHO, fretting over when you should fill your tank is a lot of nonsense.

Agree. Could be 1/8 tank and your pump is good. As long as there is actual fluid in the tank, you will not harm the fuel pump. But a dry tank....that's not good. The pump needs fluid to run properly. No fluid...and it will burn out. And that's a different headache

As far as keeping water/condensation out:

If you live in the upper 48 and experience cold weather, put a bottle of Heat into your full tank in the fall...and maybe once more in the dead of winter. The alcohol in the Heat will absorb/dissipate the water in your tank. If you have water in your tank/lines, and if its cold enough....THEY WILL FREEZE (I KNOW FIRST HAND).

Ever since my father-in-law (experienced mechanic) knew this happened to me, it has become an annual joke and pilgrimage to get a couple bottles of HEAT late summer/early fall and put it in for the last 25 years Still get crap from the old fart to this day.

He also mentioned this to me. You can put the Heat in, use premium gas, store it in the garage, etc. But the gas station that you filled up from can ALSO be the culprit of getting water/condensation, wrong type fuel in to your vehicle. Don't forget those gas station tanks are buried in the ground. They get condensation in there too, deliveries sometimes get mixed up in wrong tanks, tanks don't get filled too often, sediment in those tanks get stirred, etc. That's also one of the reasons for the added alcohol in those tanks as well.

And before all you guys that say "alcohol" is not good for my engine....IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT that is more beneficial than detrimental to those that live in colder climates. I'm sure this forum has some Canadian Ranger riders that can attest to this.?

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