Why Carry All of That Diesel Around???

[ftm1776]

Are there any negatives regarding keeping the fuel tank level low? say about 5 gallons???

My 1991 MK2 tank is plastic, so no rust issue. There is a water separator, in which I have never detected any water. The fuel filter has a water trap from which I have never drained any water.

I figure why carry that extra 70 or so pounds of fuel???

I'm at 46 mpg(US) and would like to break 50 mpg one of these days.

Next step will be to turn the full-load adjusting screw out a little and see if that helps.

Comments on the fuel load issue, please.

[vanbcguy]

Not really any issue on these vehicles. There's no in-tank pump to cool which would be the only other thing besides what you have listed above.

[ORCoaster]

Even though the VW is fairly light I am not sure you will see a big difference with the 70 lbs missing.  Does it cut your mileage to have an adult passenger with you on a ride?  Depending on the person I would say you are double or triple that much weight.  I have two tanks in my car, one diesel the other WVO and draining the WVO does not change the miles per gallon at all.  Now if you live at the top of a hill and you carry weight it will cost you but you should gain that back on the way down.  At least in theory. 

I wouldn't like the pain it takes to stop and fill it all the time.  That sort of depends on your normal drive per day and the station that you buy from but the stations with the volume prices are always a long wait around here.

2 cents no charge.

[TimpanogosSlim]

in theory it could take on more moisture from the air when it is near empty but that shouldn't be a big deal

[ftm1776]

I cut my backpacking weight slowly, ounce by ounce from 50 pounds to 25 pounds. Amazing how those grams add up....just one more straw !!!
Yeah, I sure would like to have my current engine in a Rabbit body.....some day???

Outside of the hassle, I'm glad to hear that it shouldn't do any harm. I have been known to keep a few 5 gallons cans of fuel at hand and add as needed, so I usually buy a "tank full" at the pump anyway.

[ftm1776]

My goal...............

VW Rabbit diesel powered trike !!!!! A suppose one could get rid of another wheel !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmZ1lCtgTzg

[TimpanogosSlim]

My goal...............

VW Rabbit diesel powered trike !!!!! A suppose one could get rid of another wheel !!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmZ1lCtgTzg

Golly, it looks as though he's got the whole drivetrain of a rabbit behind the seat there.

I wonder if that's a manual or automatic transmission? I think i would be tempted to go automatic on a trike.

I think for stability sake he should move the front wheel out further, and the operator seat lower.

And add a turbo. you know, to make it quiet.

[ftm1776]

And the radiator under the fuel tank.....with the electric fan in place !!!!!

[TylerDurden]

My understanding is extra weight makes a difference in just about all modes except steady on the flats.

Aero/speed is the big loss though, so the question is sorta 50mpg at what speed... 55-60mpg is not that hard to achieve on Canadian roads limited to 80kph (US gal).

I often consider getting the AC working on my '86 to allow keeping the windows up in the summer, to reduce aero drag. Keeping cool is nice too.

[Jetmugg]

Moon disks, chop the top, lengthen and streamline the nose, rear wheel skirts, fab a "boat tail" fairing for the rear, use LRR tires pumped up to 80 psi....

pretty soon you'll spend all of your time at ecomodder.com

Steve.

[bajacalal]

The biggest downside I see with driving around on only 5 gallons of fuel is that it leaves you unprepared in case of a minor problem. A few years ago there was blackout that knocked out power in a huge chunk of southern California and Arizona. People were running out of fuel all over the place just trying to get home because most gas stations don't have backup generators. And that wasn't even 24 hours the power was out, nothing like some of the storms on the east coast where the power has been out for days. Of course you can get pretty far with a VW diesel on 5 gallons of fuel but a less more common scenario would be needing to fill up but being in a small town where the only station selling diesel is priced at $0.50/gallon more than everywhere else. I try not to let the fuel tank go below 1/4 for these reasons and I try to take advantage of cheaper stations and fill up completely when I have the opportunity of being near one. The price difference can be huge and the cheaper places seem to have better quality anyway, being that they sell a lot of diesel and turn it over fast.

[CRSMP5]

My intown cars i tend to do $20 at a time... But full for road trips... Else if like this past ffall, went from sept to april with no stops at station

[ftm1776]

I try not to let the fuel tank go below 1/4 for these reasons and I try to take advantage of cheaper stations and fill up completely when I have the opportunity of being near one. The price difference can be huge and the cheaper places seem to have better quality anyway, being that they sell a lot of diesel and turn it over fast.

Now there's a thought.......low in the tank but always shopping for cheap fuel.....I'll go with that !!!

Keeping acceleration to a minimum, freeway speed at 50-55 mph and drive like I have no brakes !!!!

While doing this I make every effort to keep out of other drivers way !!!!

[shorttimer]

A hard thought to process for most folks, is that mileage starts with aerodynamics. Just a few small aero enhancements will easily get you over 50mpg. There's over 100 things listed, on Ecomodder to help you with that. Give it a try & tell us how well it works.

[TimpanogosSlim]

Why do you keep all those seats and upholstery in your car? Let your passengers bring their own!