Miata Mailing List: July 1996, Message #90
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   From: dans@dmscomp.com (Dan Scolnick)
Subject: Re: 1/2 gal left
   Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 23:00:44 -0400

>'90 Miatas hold 11.9 gallons.
>
>How come I "ran out of gas" with 1/2 gallon left?  I suppose the gas pump
>could be off, but I think the major-brand stations would keep their pumps
>calibrated to better than 4% tolerance.

They better be far better calibrated than 4%.  It is possible that it was
off though i think it unlikely that you got MORE gas than you paid for.



>Could I have that much water and
>gunk in the bottom of my tank?

If you did, not any more.


> Actually, I guess it would be floating on top.

Nope, now it's in your pumps and filters.


>

>Is there anything I can or should do about this?

Change the filters immediately!


Mike, this is another 'religion' type thing, like how high to rev your
engine before the oil warms up enough, or break in advice.

In all of my motor vehicles, I fill the tank up to the top every time and
run it down to the bottom.

1.  This limits the amount of time per mile the system is exposed to the outside
2.  A full tank of gas is less likely to develop condensation. In cold and
damp weather moisture condenses on the exposed metal on the inside of the
gas tank.  A full tank doesn't have this exposure.
3.  Running the tank down all the way prevents the gunk and sediments from
building up to a huge dose.

If you run your tank low often, i'd at least change the fuel filter.  If
your car spent it's life never below 1/2 tank, i'd be more concerned

/^\dan



>--
>Michael J. Abbott			mja@sgi.com
>Silicon Graphics Computer Systems	Mountain View, California
>  Leave only footprints.  Take only pictures.  Kill only time.
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