Filling up ... full tank vs half tank

Ebe_Scrooge

LandyAndy wrote: »

Generally thought that below 40 mph = open a window, over 40 mph = use the aircon.

That actually sounds pretty reasonable approach. I know it's a balancing act between the effect of drag with a window open, or the extra load imposed by an air-con compressor and what-not.

puddy

i didnt think that headlights used petrol energy?

Strider590

puddy wrote: »

i didnt think that headlights used petrol energy?

Of course they do, why else do so many people drive around on parking lights? :rotfl:

Unless of course they're lowering their light output to fool Nazi bombers?


Seriously folks.......... There's NO reason not to have your damn lights on!!!!! :mad:

wolvoman

puddy wrote: »

i didnt think that headlights used petrol energy?

Fairy dust??

Ebe_Scrooge

wolvoman wrote: »

Fairy dust??

Exactly !

Yep, all the electricity in a car comes from burning petrol. OK, headlights may again be drifting into the realms of "so small as to be insignificant". I don't want to start an argument over that :-)

But I do remember many years ago I had a friend who, for some reason, kept the rear screen demister constantly on. When I explained, she took to only using it when necessary, and reckoned that she noticed a ( small but noticable ) difference in fuel consumption over the course of a couple of weeks. Most cars these days seem to have a timer that turns the demister off automatically after about 10 - 15 minutes, I reckon that's why.

Strider590

^^ Not so much fuel consumption, but more likely to result in a dead battery when you least expect it, due to reduced charging current.

Ebe_Scrooge

Strider590 wrote: »

^^ Not so much fuel consumption, but more likely to result in a dead battery when you least expect it, due to reduced charging current.

Ah, very good point. Of course, you tend to use the demister more in winter, when lots of other electrical stuff is being used as well, plus the battery is working harder than normal with colder starts, plus not receiving as much charge ......... Perfectly logical when you put it like that :-)

Pee

Thanks for this useful post. I was having the very same discussion with my boyfriend. I'm of the fill up at Sainsbury's persuasion and he likes to run it quarter full to avoid extra weight but does have a boot packed with stuff - mainly tools so lots needed on a daily basis, but some I think might not be!

Kilty_2

Is it just me that finds their engine seems to run better when the tank is full as opposed to running about on fumes and topping up £10 at a time?

I found this with various cars I've driven in the past.

[Deleted User]

These days I only half fill the tank which is 25 litres and then I don't fill again until the warning light comes on. I only fill up when I'm passing a station, I don't make special trips to fill up. The only times I do fill the tank right up to the top is when I going on a long drive which will use it up.

As my car is parked on the road at night, I've heard stories of people going around at night cutting fuel pipes on cars and stealing their fuel. By not having loads of fuel on board I'm reducing my financial loss if this ever happens to me.

Also by filling up more often I'm getting fresher fuel rather than having stale fuel sitting in my tank for longer!

And I can get 30-40 miles easily once the low fuel warning light comes on so not likely to get stuck somewhere with an empty tank.