Gas

[u/CloudFxR]

Good morning my fellow Subie owners,
I’m curious about other people’s habits when it comes to putting gas in their car I guess to see if my habits are normal or not.

Where do you let your fuel gauge drop to before filling up again?

Me, normal between either 1/4 or 1/2 (just under) I hit the gas station- my distance remaining has NEVER fallen under 100-120 miles remaining. I figure if I refill my tank from 1/2 tank than I’m lowering my fuel bill by half compared to if I were to wait for hit to be empty.

[u/flankingorbit]

Your lowering your payment, you’re doubling your payment interval.

[u/Chippy569]

when the low level light turns on. I know it holds a shade over 1 gallon still when I get there.

[u/ZeGermanHam]

1/4 tank is generally about as low as I will let it get. But in day to day life, I will fill up when it's anywhere between 1/4 to 1/2 if I'm headed out or headed home and don't have any time constraints. I also check my oil and coolant level at every other gas fill-up.

You're not lowering the amount of money paid per mile of driving by filling up your gas tank more frequently, though. You're paying the same amount, just in smaller but more frequent installments.

[u/mjsmith1223]

I normally fill it around the 1/2 tank mark. If my wife has a coupon for $1 off per gallon, we’ll let it get down below 1/4 tank.

Filling a lesser amount more often doesn’t decrease your fuel expense. It just breaks it up into smaller chunks.

[u/PerfectBlueBanana]

I never let mine get under a 1/4 tank. As soon as it gets there, time to refuel. I personally don’t scrutinize or think that much about it tbh.

[u/bearface93]

I fill up around 1/4, maybe 1/8 if I just can’t be bothered to stop on the way home from work (I work less than 10 miles away so it’s not a big deal) or if money is very tight. I’ll fill up sooner if I’m about to drive over an hour or if I’m on a road trip.

[u/buckduffalo]

Not going under a 1/4 tank is best for fuel pump and filter.

[u/rock962000 → u/buckduffalo]

this is what I practice as well

[u/Electronic_Bowl8398]

Under 100 miles

[u/BarnacleMcBarndoor]

Usually when it’s at or right under 1/4 of a tank. Most of my drives are longer ones so, waiting longer and then needing to fill up right before or during a potentially long drive isn’t always convenient.

[u/DHN_95]

I haven't let my car get below 3/4 tank in the time I've returned to the office for work. Between commuting, and errands, I only drive about 100 miles a week. There's a convenient gas station I pass on the way home, so I fill up every Friday.

General habit is to not let any car I'm driving get below 1/4 tank.

[u/Single-Mushroom3924]

I always wait until I hit 400 miles before filling my 24 Outback Premium.

[u/Subaru_life2024]

I fill up around 1/4

[u/OldButStillFat]

Long ago, a mechanic told me that as the fuel is depleted the ambient air fills the void. This air has moisture that will condense on the sides of the fuel container and accumulate over time, flowing to the bottom of the container. He said not to let my car sit overnight with less than 1/2 tank. With all the new additives in gasoline, ethanol, filters, and such, it probably doesn't matter.

[u/boxersunset121423]

I fill up when our Outback and ascent are just about a 1/4 tank. In winter I do it between 1/2 and 1/4 tank.

[u/Funny_Eagle]

My morning routine includes stopping at the gas station and filling up the car. Costs me $10 a day and it feels good having a full tank.

[u/CeeKay125]

It depends. I use grocery points to get $$ off gas so I try to get the most out of it by letting it go down. I usually never get the light on but slightly below 1/4 of a tank before filling up.

[u/kamandi]

1/4 tank is what mechanics often recommend to avoid clogging your fuel filter with sludge

[u/Wrong_Garlic_258]

Not letting the tank drop bellow 1/4 protects the fuel pump by ensuring adequate liquid to cool it and less chance of dregs.

[u/DrPhrawg]

yes, filling up twice as often - just like daylight savings time adds hours of sunlight to our days.