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Author Topic: Running whilst low on fuel  (Read 3908 times)

Offline richtung

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Running whilst low on fuel
« on: May 03, 2011, 10:15:14 pm »
Evening guys,

Just wanted peoples opinion / technical know how on whether long term damage can be caused by driving whilst the car is low on fuel?
some people say that all bits of crap is sucked into the fuel lines when the fuel level is low, some people say the fuel is taken from the bottom of the fuel tank anyway so makes no difference.

I normally wait til the fuel warning symbol flashes before filling up - anyone wait til say quarter of a tank before filling up or like me, fill up when the warning comes up?

Thanks

Rich
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Offline Megy_ED30

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2011, 10:54:51 pm »
Still new to Golf V ownership so cant really say with this car, but I always tried to fill before it got so the warnings came on.  I had 5 miles showing on my range indicator the other day, so filled up putting 38 litres in which got me wondering what size the tank is, was amazed to read it has a 55 litre tank, so the 5 miles was a bit off.

Anyway, as far as doing damage, I dont think its really possible, as you say, the fuel is taken from the bottom of the tank, plus it goes through filters on its way to the engine anyway. Will probably get told I am wrong in my opinion later though.
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Offline rich83

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2011, 10:56:09 pm »
I dont get the "crap in the bottom of the tank" argument. The car has a fuel filter so i can see it being an issue!
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Offline PDT

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2011, 10:58:51 pm »
Modern cars have plastic tanks so theres very little buildup of anything in the bottom of the tank other than fuel.

I remember when I worked for ford, we removed a fuel tank from a mk4 escort RST and chopped it in half, the bottom of the tank was full of corrosion and all sorts of stuff you woukdnt want in your fuel lines.
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Offline Top Cat

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2011, 10:59:32 pm »
It will be fine running it as low as you dare, if there was going to be problems all the Scottish members on here would have reported by now.  :evilgrin: ( hides behind couch ).  :star:
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Offline PDT

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2011, 11:03:05 pm »
 :signLOL:

Topcat is about to lose a fair few of his 9 lives.
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Offline rich83

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2011, 11:03:18 pm »
^^ TC...  :notworthy:
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Offline hoggj

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2011, 12:05:37 am »
 LoL, i know some friend's down south that are tighter than a crabs ass..... and that's water tight ?
« Last Edit: May 04, 2011, 03:30:55 am by hoggj »
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Offline Richn83

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2011, 09:27:14 am »
Its only a problem when you run out! as said above even when the computer says 5 miles or zero range the car never takes 50 litres into its 55 litre tank so I guess there is a fair amount of wiggle room and tolerance as with everything VW do...
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Offline johnhol78

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2011, 09:47:23 am »
Quote from: Richn83 on May 04, 2011, 09:27:14 am
Its only a problem when you run out! as said above even when the computer says 5 miles or zero range the car never takes 50 litres into its 55 litre tank so I guess there is a fair amount of wiggle room and tolerance as with everything VW do...

I forgot to fill up last nigth when I got home and again this morning so had 15 miles on the gauge and had 25 miles to do....managed to eek out 41mpg to work and had 0 when I stuck in£5 of NORMAL..ARRGGHHHH...V-Power fill up at lunchtime.
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Offline MJR

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2011, 09:58:09 am »
Quote from: Top Cat on May 03, 2011, 10:59:32 pm
It will be fine running it as low as you dare, if there was going to be problems all the Scottish members on here would have reported by now.  :evilgrin: ( hides behind couch ).  :star:

 :surprised: And here was me thinking your a nice fella  :stupid:

   :fighting:

I was running on fumes yesterday lol
On way home from physio session, had 17miles to go and 10miles fuel left according to display. I still made it  :P
and when I filled up at Shell garage I could only get 52 litres into the tank, so obviously still had a coupleof litres left in tank.
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Offline craigy123

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Re: Running whilst low on fuel
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2011, 10:19:56 am »
Quote from: Top Cat on May 03, 2011, 10:59:32 pm
It will be fine running it as low as you dare, if there was going to be problems all the Scottish members on here would have reported by now.  :evilgrin: ( hides behind couch ).  :star:

Disgusting chat Mr TC!!!! It's all just a vicious rumour, we are actually much more flash with the cash than those tight buggers south of that border..............
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