Why the top fuel level bar lasts so long

[why?]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I have a AAA Plus membership and the Yaris is so reliable that since purchasing it the only tangible value I've gotten out of the membership is when I've run out of gas. The intangible value of the peace of mind the membership confers is, to me, worth the cost. For some people, re location, a AAA membership would be a waste of money. I used to live part time in Mammoth Lakes, California. I didn't need a car to get around, but I had my car there anyway. I locked my key in my car. I called AAA and they couldn't help me. The maximum range from a contract station at that time (on my membership) was 50 miles and no contract station existed within 50 miles of Mammoth Lakes. I had to wait until my girlfriend could bring me another key on her next visit from Orange County.

So true. When I was working in florida I lost so many keys I had to call for locksmiths far too many times. At this point I always walk around with at least 3 keys on me. I wouldn't ever get in a car without a valid AAA membership.

Originally Posted by DonM

I don't understand why anyone would want to let their fuel level drop to less than a 1/4 of a tank as I was always under the impression that any crud that may have been accumulated from using "dirty" gas is usually sitting at the bottom of the tank.

I know of 2 people who ran out of gas and a short time later - their fuel pumps died (one of them was a Chev Montana van and the cost to repair the fuel pump was $750.00).

Never using bad gas is the easy way to fix this. Everyone knows what the good gas is in their area, you should keep to it. Where I live, the two best gasses actually help to increase gas mileage as well.

Not to mention if you run the tank lower, none of that crud ever has the chance of building up since it is all used.