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Fortunately it was a minor problem.
Yesterday morning I woke to temps around -13 F.
The car started well enough considering, and I drove 3 miles to my first errand.
Then a short ride to my next stop and when I tried to leave - engine won't start!!?

Turns out my low fuel light was just about to come on and apparently the fuel pump sucked in a bit of water from the dregs in the tank, this then froze somewhere in the fuel system.

Lucky for me, the place I was at had a warmed garage they let me push the car into for an hour or so. Then I added 5 gallons plus a bottle of 'Heet' and it started right up. I wonder what Heet does to my fe?

Maybe I'll stop running the tank down so far until it warms up a bit.:D

I've decided on a once every two weeks schedule for the winter months. This will leave me with anywhere from 1/4-1/2 tank.

yeah, in the winter months, around a quarter tank is the minimum before I fill.

For the record, draining the tank down to empty shouldn't really be considered a hypermiling technique. It's more of a side effect.

For the record, draining the tank down to empty shouldn't really be considered a hypermiling technique. It's more of a side effect.

Good point Tim.

For the record, draining the tank down to empty shouldn't really be considered a hypermiling technique. It's more of a side effect.

I like that one hahaha!

I hate to have the low fuel light on when its -10c or lower, so about a 1/4 tank is when I fill up.

Turns out my low fuel light was just about to come on and apparently the fuel pump sucked in a bit of water from the dregs in the tank, this then froze somewhere in the fuel system.

Your fuel pickup is always in the same place at the bottom of the tank, there should be no dregs waiting which can be reached with an empty tank that can't be reached with a full tank.

Always good to have more gas than you think you need in cold weather though. In 1985 I thought i'd froze the line on my 74 Duster, in -15F Wisconsin, so I bought 3 bottles of heet, only to find out the tank was empty and it ran until the heet ran out. Fuel gauge didn't work, but it was a $300 car.

We've got a weekly Saturday errand that takes us right next door to our favourite gas station. Lately I've taken to gassing up weekly, as long as we're there: it's on our way, and saves any possibilty of having to do a mid-week run. The tank is rarely even down to half full, but who cares.

You must be getting non-alcoholic gas to have ice forming in your fuel line. 10% ethanol by volume will dissolve a lot more water than a bottle of HEET in the tank will.

You must be getting non-alcoholic gas to have ice forming in your fuel line. 10% ethanol by volume will dissolve a lot more water than a bottle of HEET in the tank will.

hahhaha, Imagine if they raise that to E20. Even IF you're car is able to handle that amount of alcohol, winter driving becomes THAT much more difficult..maybe a quarter tank still couldn't get him started?

I wish I could run low fuel levels around here, but... if I get stuck in a Cleveland snow bank in 11 F weather, waiting 3 hours for a tow, I'd like to have gas to keep the interior hot 'til I get help.

10% ethanol by volume will dissolve a lot more water than a bottle of HEET in the tank will.

True, if that ethanol doesn't bring a bunch of water with it. Which it can and sometimes does.

-soD

You may not know this but if you run your tank below 1/4 you could be shortening the life of your fuel pump, and they are not cheap. Many new car's fuel pumps are physically located in the fuel tank and are electrically operated. The fuel in the tank keeps them cool. If your level gets too low it will not cool the pump properly and it will run at a higher temp, shortening it's service life.

You may not know this but if you run your tank below 1/4 you could be shortening the life of your fuel pump, and they are not cheap. Many new car's fuel pumps are physically located in the fuel tank and are electrically operated. The fuel in the tank keeps them cool. If your level gets too low it will not cool the pump properly and it will run at a higher temp, shortening it's service life.

This is a myth. The fuel running through the pump is cools the pump. Running the tank low is not a problem.

^

+1

Once someone has made the mistake of running themselves out of gas they certainly will overheat the pump if they continue to attempt to start it and run a dry pump though.

Until bone dry no problem.

Hmm... I have overheated and burnt out submersible pumps with the same external layout while using them to pump out shallow process tanks that did not keep the housing submerged. The pumps lasted awhile, but less than a normal cycle.

I agree with Worthywads that the overheating that occurs while sucking air should be the main concern though.

You also may want to weigh potential fuel system issues involved with stirring up the gunk from the bottom when you refill an empty tank. If your car is pretty new that may not be much of a concern

In case you all aren't exactly right I'm still not going to let my tank fall below 1/4. It is easy preventative maintenance and it is less likely that I would ever end up stuck somewhere with no fuel. Do what ever you want with your own cars though.

my fuel pump went out on my ranger this fall, I don't know if draining the tank dry before refilling is what caused it, but i am going to stop the practice anyhow.

If the casing gets hot, fuel around it will definately help things out. It will act as a heat sink.