Mazda 3 Petrol Range

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2078 posts

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#1337983 6-Jul-2015 16:11

CitizenErased:
lxsw20: You also want to avoid filling the tank filter up with crap from the bottom of the tank.

So many people say this, but it makes no sense. The fuel pump always draws from the bottom of the tank, so if there's any sediment in your fuel, it's going to get caught in the filter no matter what the level in the tank.

It is probably the crap floating on the top of the fuel you want to avoid.

CitizenErased

207 posts

Master Geek

#1338064 6-Jul-2015 17:51

graemeh:
CitizenErased:
lxsw20: You also want to avoid filling the tank filter up with crap from the bottom of the tank.

So many people say this, but it makes no sense. The fuel pump always draws from the bottom of the tank, so if there's any sediment in your fuel, it's going to get caught in the filter no matter what the level in the tank.

It is probably the crap floating on the top of the fuel you want to avoid.

Unless you've got a really old car with a rusting steel tank, what sort of crap would you expect to be floating around in there?

lxsw20

3552 posts

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#1338067 6-Jul-2015 18:17

What ever crap ends up in the fuel from it's original refining to the tank. Clearly a lot here think it isn't a big deal, but I personally would not run it under quarter if you can avoid it.

CitizenErased

207 posts

Master Geek

#1338069 6-Jul-2015 18:30

lxsw20: What ever crap ends up in the fuel from it's original refining to the tank. Clearly a lot here think it isn't a big deal, but I personally would not run it under quarter if you can avoid it.

There shouldn't be any crap in the fuel when you pump it into your car. There's even a filter in the pump you use at the service station. Do you expect to find "crap" in a new container of engine oil as well? Of course not. It should be crystal clear.

mattwnz

20146 posts

Uber Geek

#1338071 6-Jul-2015 18:35

CitizenErased:
lxsw20: What ever crap ends up in the fuel from it's original refining to the tank. Clearly a lot here think it isn't a big deal, but I personally would not run it under quarter if you can avoid it.

There shouldn't be any crap in the fuel when you pump it into your car. There's even a filter in the pump you use at the service station. Do you expect to find "crap" in a new container of engine oil as well? Of course not. It should be crystal clear.

You will always get a bit of crap in here over time, because just the process of opening the fuel cap, and moving the nozzle in, there is the risk of dust and dirt blowing in.

Lurch

1061 posts

Uber Geek

#1338122 6-Jul-2015 20:04

The old myth of crap in the gas tank, this started back years ago when cars were being produced with no rust protection and sediment would build up in the tank from rust. But that was a long time ago, the modern car since the 80's hasn't had that issue.

Modern fuel pumps usually pull the petrol from the bottom of the tank, so even if there is any sediment in there it would still be getting it with a full tank. Many modern fuel pumps have a protective sock cover that catches any sediment and then the engine has another fuel filter to as a just in case.

Besides most petrol tanks are plastic now.

Besides when you drive around what do you think liquid does? It sloshes around mixing it up.

Jase2985

13459 posts

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#1338124 6-Jul-2015 20:06

Lurch: Besides when you drive around what do you think liquid does? It sloshes around mixing it up.

and also washes the sock as it sloshes around so even if some does stick to the sock it will get sloshed around and fall off anyways.

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rendezvous

194 posts

Master Geek

#1338145 6-Jul-2015 20:34

The range display is based on historic usage as well. I have a Falcon, and if I fill it after driving around town it might say 600Km. If I fill it after a couple of tanks of highway driving, it displays over 700Km. I don't know how far back it looks to calculate the range.

alasta

6703 posts

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#1338178 6-Jul-2015 22:12

lxsw20: What ever crap ends up in the fuel from it's original refining to the tank. Clearly a lot here think it isn't a big deal, but I personally would not run it under quarter if you can avoid it.

I prefer to have at least quarter of a tank at all times anyway in case of a civil emergency. I also tend to only fill up with enough fuel to last about three or four weeks as I've heard that petrol can become stale and lose efficiency over time, although I'm not sure how much truth there is in that.

mattwnz

20146 posts

Uber Geek

#1338190 6-Jul-2015 23:14

alasta:
lxsw20: What ever crap ends up in the fuel from it's original refining to the tank. Clearly a lot here think it isn't a big deal, but I personally would not run it under quarter if you can avoid it.

I've heard that petrol can become stale and lose efficiency over time, although I'm not sure how much truth there is in that.

That sounds like one of those urban myths. Has Mythbusters done a story on it?

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

#1338203 7-Jul-2015 01:23

If it sits for a ages it might become stale... like months and months

I can fill my tank and it'll only last me 2 weeks max.. and that's a 95ltr tank! I wish I could fill for 3-4 weeks!

Jase2985

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#1338215 7-Jul-2015 06:46

alasta: I prefer to have at least quarter of a tank at all times anyway in case of a civil emergency. I also tend to only fill up with enough fuel to last about three or four weeks as I've heard that petrol can become stale and lose efficiency over time, although I'm not sure how much truth there is in that.

lol, 6 months to a year will reduce the octane rating of the petrol slightly. Your petrol is stored in what is essentially a closed container so this evaporation process is a lot lot slower than if the container were open to the air.

THink of how long your petrol can with fuel for the lawnmower lasts. i fill mine maybe once a year and the lawnmower still runs fine. If it went off as much as some think then how does the mower still run?

Also had a car sit for over a year with about 1/2 a tank in it and it still ran fine.

lots of urban myths out there.

alasta

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#1338257 7-Jul-2015 08:33

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like I can save myself a bit of time by filling right up each time.

linw

2849 posts

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#1338304 7-Jul-2015 09:18

I don't think stale petrol is an urban myth as we had problems starting our two stroke outboard motor on our trailer sailor if we didn't renew the petrol after some months (used the motor very little to get to and from the jetty for racing so tank could last ages before emptying). The more volatile components would evaporate off. Makes sense to me.

It may not noticeably affect a car with all its electronic tuning features coupled with better spark production. In fact, we had been known to tip the old petrol into a car!

jonb

1771 posts

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#1338317 7-Jul-2015 09:47

What does the trip computer show for average fuel consumption when you are driving? In my new Polo it also shows average fuel consumption since last refuel.

Do you have an efficient driving style?

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