gas tank question

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Oct 8, 2013 | 12:55 PM

breadstick

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gas tank question

My 2003 F-150 is mainly a work truck. I drive my motorcycle when I can (gas mileage) and my car when I can't ride the bike. My truck is basically a work truck for when I need to haul stuff and things like that. I still drive it about every other week to work or some place to keep things lubricated and things. My question is how much gas should I keep in the truck. At this rate, I don't drive the truck enough to empty the tank quickly. I don't want the gas to go bad in the tank, but I don't want the tank to rust (which I've heard can happen if it's not driven for a while with a not full tank).

For a situation where I don't drive the truck daily, how much gas should I keep in the tank? Should I keep it full, around half, or below?

Oct 8, 2013 | 04:27 PM

blupupher

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From: Katy, Republic of Texas

Keep it above half and add Sta-bil fuel stabilizer (use the blue Marine Formula if you have e-10 fuel).
Just guess about how much fuel you have in it now then add the correct amount of Sta-Bil, then when you fill up, add more for however much you fill up with.

I would take a nice long drive every 6 months or so to use 1/4 of the tank if you have not driven much.

Oct 8, 2013 | 04:36 PM

breadstick

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Thanks for the advice. I don't run e-10, so I'll pick some sta-bil up this weekend.

Oct 8, 2013 | 07:28 PM

Club Wagon

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Know by '05 the F150 had plastic tanks, when did FORD switch from steel to plastic?

It's EZ enough to check & see. You might not need to worry about tank rusting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by breadstick

My 2003 F-150 is mainly a work truck. I don't want the gas to go bad in the tank, but I don't want the tank to rust (which I've heard can happen if it's not driven for a while with a not full tank).

Oct 8, 2013 | 08:06 PM

breadstick

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Club Wagon

Know by '05 the F150 had plastic tanks, when did FORD switch from steel to plastic?

It's EZ enough to check & see. You might not need to worry about tank rusting.

Sweet. I didn't know they had plastic tanks. I'll crawl under it this weekend and see. Thanks for the suggestion.

Oct 8, 2013 | 09:30 PM

Club Wagon

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Note that letting old stale ethanol gas sit for extended time can still result in bacterial/chemical breakdown & corrosion of in tank fuel pump, filter, gauge sender, nasty smelling stuff thru injectors, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by breadstick

Sweet. I didn't know they had plastic tanks. I'll crawl under it this weekend and see. Thanks for the suggestion.

Also note that the ethanol in gas usually absorbs normal amounts of condensation, virtually ending the need for Dry Gas in Winter. Alcohol readily absorbs moisture.

Would be good to pin down which year FORD started the plastic F150 gas tanks.

Oct 10, 2013 | 02:51 AM

wickedklown83

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From: Washington County, Penna

Well we can rule out 2002 and earlier.. my 2002 came with factory steel(the one about the service recall) and got replaced with steel(after several coats of primer and paint)