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Most consistent way to fill tank and monitor tire pressure?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by SuperGLS, Aug 31, 2013.

  1. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

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    At some point I'll have to put gas in my car for the first time.

    I'm interested to hear what techniques people use to fill the tank the most consistent way.

    I'll likely be able to use the same station, though same pump seems like a stretch.

    But what about the fill up itself. Just stop at the click? I'd like to be able to get 600 miles per tank so I'd rather go a bit past the click if possible. But how do you go past the auto shut off and keep it consistent?

    In the past I've always just gone past the auto shut off to the nearest dollar, just so that it was easy to add up in the budget numbers every month. But I don't need to continue that, especially when I'll be using Fuelly as well.

    Thoughts?

    And on the same token, is it a good idea to check tire pressure on each fill up to make sure it's where I like it? Every month? Every few months?
     
    #1 SuperGLS, Aug 31, 2013
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i fill up when the last pip is blinking. i have a localstation i use, but sometimes i get caught away from home. i shut off at the first click. very consistant no matter what pump i use. not concerned with tank mileage, fill ups are so infrequent anyway. when i get a car or new tyres, i monitor them once a week and then slowly spread out the time based on how much pressure they lose. currently, my tyres hardly lose any pressure and i rarely check them.
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 31, 2013
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Why? For more accurate calculation of mpg? Any discrepancies will cancel out over multiple tank fills. And they will be minor.

    Standing there clicking in a bit more, to get it on an even dollar value? You are paying with plastic, right? ;)

    In my experience the main detriment to accurate record keeping is letting anyone else fill the tank. Invariably it's either not filled completely, or they don't record the odometer reading, and/or reset the trip meter (if that's your method). Even that you can recover from: as long you have the quantity of gas put in, you just combine it with the next fill up.

    My 2 cents: pump gas 'till the auto shut-off mechanism kicks in, and you're done. Check tire pressures about once a month, more often if you've got a slow leak, or the weather's getting cooler.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Aug 31, 2013
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  4. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

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    Yeah, for mpg calculations.

    I guess I'll just go to the auto shut off on my first fill up and see where that gets me with my second tank.
     
    #4 SuperGLS, Aug 31, 2013
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  5. Deets

    Deets Junior Member

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    I ignore the blinking fuel lights and only use the odometer reading. I never stop for gas until I hit 560 miles, it never holds more than 10.3 gallons. Knowing I have a 11.5 gallon tank it leaves me a bumper incase of emergency. I always use the same station and round off to the next dollar. I drive very conservatively stopping and starting slowly . I could not be more happy with my Prius!
     
    #5 Deets, Aug 31, 2013
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  6. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

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    So when you are at the 560 mile mark does your trip gauge read about 56-58mpg then?

    My wife has gone 30-40 miles past the blinking light on a couple occasions (not on purpose like I plan to) and she's been fine. And only past 10.5 gallons put in on two occasions.

    According to my owner's manuals both our 2012 and 2013 have 11.9 gallon tanks. So I shouldn't really be concerned going past the blinking light for quite a while.
     
    #6 SuperGLS, Aug 31, 2013
  7. Deets

    Deets Junior Member

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    It's usually 54 to 55. I know its pushing it but I'm always in town and the worst that can happen is it runs out of gas.


    iPhone ? - now Free
     
    #7 Deets, Aug 31, 2013
  8. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    That's a good rule of thumb. There's no point risking splashing gas all over yourself and the car, just to squeeze in a few extra drops.

    You'll develop your own routine - every fill up can be a nuisance, but every few months is too long an interval - but one event that should initiate a check is a change in the weather. When the ambient air pressure changes, so does the relative pressure in the tires.
     
    #8 hyo silver, Sep 2, 2013
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