Newbie curious about filling gas tank

[cruisinTX]

I've done a search about this and found a few threads but none that really addressed my curiosity about the best or easiest way to fill the tank as full as you dare to get it without dumping gas into the charcoal canister. Yesterday, I took a small diameter but long funnel with me and managed to get an additional 0.8gal in the tank after being pretty careful about doing a couple of short trickles beyond the initial auto shut off of the pump. It only took a few minutes and I stopped when the gas would no longer gurgle below the vents. In order to avoid having fuel start running over from expansion due to heat, I took off immediately to burn a little off the top just as I do on my two wheelers. This is something I have done for years on the bikes, but only when traveling in order to increase tank range. If I am just riding locally or filling up for a ride the next day, I leave some expansion space.

Based on another thread, I noted the difference in fuel mileage due to that 0.8gal can be significant: 170 miles using 4.87 gal = 34.91 mpg vs. 170 miles using 5.67 gal = 29.98mpg. telling me calculating fuel mileage can vary greatly depending on how diligent you are about getting the tank full as opposed to stopping when the pump first shuts itself off.

What are your methods for increasing tank range

how do you get consistency in fill ups

how do you get consistency in calculating mileage

I'm not terribly concerned about getting the kind of mileage I'm used to on bikes (45 to 50mpg) but use that information as an indicator of something else being wrong. I'm also used to getting around 200 or more miles on a tank. That seems to be well beyond what a Spyder can do. Most of the time that is not a big deal, but sometimes in the areas I like to travel, less than that can raise the pucker factor on finding fuel.

 

[JayBros]

I try to hold the nozzle at the same place, about 1/2 - 3/4" below the top baffle (where the gas blows back). Personally I think you're over thinking the problem when the solution is to fuel up early. Do you really want to risk running out over .2 or .3 gal? As you put mileage on your Spyder you are going to get stuff in the bottom of the tank. Do you want to get that into your fuel filter? Your mpg per tank is going to depend on how you play with the loud handle. If you drive like a robot your mileage will be consistent; if you have fun it will vary. Why worry about variation, have fun!

 

[Easy Rider]

I try to hold the nozzle at the same place, about 1/2 - 3/4" below the top baffle (where the gas blows back). Personally I think you're over thinking the problem .......................

+1

Cramming more fuel into the tank DOES NOT result in better "fuel mileage". It can result in more miles until the next fillup but that does not equate to better miles per gallon.

I personally think it can be dangerous to you and the machine if you encounter an unusual circumstance.......like a defective pump nozzle or a significant distraction at the instant that you MUST shut it off or have a major overflow.

The perceived "reward" does not justify the risk, in my opinion.
Every motorcycle users manual I have ever read cautions not to over-fill.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

GAS TANK FILLING

:welcome:.....#1., it's in your best interests to let US know what Spyder you have , especially if you are asking questions...... ALL Spyders are not the same ....... so what Spyder is very important ..... I took the time to search your other posts to find out What you have .... a 2014 Rt :clap:.....good choice I have that one also :yes:......... Now to answer your query .... The RT's in the new 1330 frame , can safely be filled to just below the BRIM ( where you can see it )..... BRP reconfigured the EVAP ( charcoal canister ) system..... Now the gas tank CAN"T dump gas into the canister, because the gas can't get to the canister ( unless you overturn :yikes: your Spyder ) ..... earlier Spyder's did have this problem but the 14 & up RT's don't ....... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Chupaca]

Here's the thing....

If you got the spyder for fuel economy....:lecturef_smilie: if you got it for the enjoyment then don't sweat the mpg's ill up when you stop and stop when the light comes on and life will be wonderful...:thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I know I'm going against the grain on this one. But I like to jam as much fuel into my 2008 RS as I can get. It has bailed me out on long trips through western states more than once. But don't do it if you still have the Evap canister. It can be dangerous.

If you still have the evap canister in an 08-13 Spyder then you want to quit filling as soon as the nozzle clicks off. Resist the urge to 'Top Off'. Any more fuel and you risk hazard.

If you have removed the evap canister then you can fill the tank until it runs over (just a bit of exaggeration for effect here folks). I get at least 1/2 gallon more in the tank doing it this way. That's a minimum of 15 more miles down the road. Believe me. It can't hurt!

 

[Bob Denman]

Mike is right... :clap:. The 1330s were redesigned, and the evaporative canister sits up underneath your passengers grab-rail. Dumping fuel into it is about as impossible as it can be. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

I've done a search about this and found a few threads but none that really addressed my curiosity about the best or easiest way to fill the tank as full as you dare to get it without dumping gas into the charcoal canister. Yesterday, I took a small diameter but long funnel with me and managed to get an additional 0.8gal in the tank after being pretty careful about doing a couple of short trickles beyond the initial auto shut off of the pump. It only took a few minutes and I stopped when the gas would no longer gurgle below the vents. In order to avoid having fuel start running over from expansion due to heat, I took off immediately to burn a little off the top just as I do on my two wheelers. This is something I have done for years on the bikes, but only when traveling in order to increase tank range. If I am just riding locally or filling up for a ride the next day, I leave some expansion space.

Based on another thread, I noted the difference in fuel mileage due to that 0.8gal can be significant: 170 miles using 4.87 gal = 34.91 mpg vs. 170 miles using 5.67 gal = 29.98mpg. telling me calculating fuel mileage can vary greatly depending on how diligent you are about getting the tank full as opposed to stopping when the pump first shuts itself off.

What are your methods for increasing tank range

how do you get consistency in fill ups

how do you get consistency in calculating mileage

I'm not terribly concerned about getting the kind of mileage I'm used to on bikes (45 to 50mpg) but use that information as an indicator of something else being wrong. I'm also used to getting around 200 or more miles on a tank. That seems to be well beyond what a Spyder can do. Most of the time that is not a big deal, but sometimes in the areas I like to travel, less than that can raise the pucker factor on finding fuel.

Fill to the same level each and every time. I fill to the ring, let it settle, fill to the ring once more and then done.

Calculate the numbers the same way each time. Miles driven/gallons used. I zero one trip meter at each fill. The gauge (either digital or analog) is not a good indicator of miles left.

MPG is just a number with many variables and carrying this out to many decimals is not as accurate as you think. The important thing--IMO--get to know your machine and fill before you run out of gas. As Clint would say--a man has to know his limitations.

I am still happy with measuring gallons put in at one decimal. (5.2) rounded, and calculating the mpg as (39) rounded to the nearest actual mile.

Over five spyders and 140,000 miles--I do get the "average" suggested per machine. 29-31 on the 998 and 39-41 on the 1330.

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING--your mileage may vary. :yes:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FILLING TO THE MAX & mpg's

AK is spot on ..... annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd knowing your MPG's is a good idea for another reason ..... if you know your Average and it changes drastically .....SOMETHING IS WRONG :yikes: .... and needs to be addressed BEFORE aomething worse happens .... jmho .... Mike:thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FILLING TO THE MAX & mpg's

AK is spot on about knowing your MPG average ...annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd there is another reason .. if your MPG's change drastically ....SOMETHING IS WRONG :yikes:...... a major change in MPG's is early warning that something needs to checked BEFORE serious damage can be done ..........jmho .....Mike :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

AK is spot on ..... annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd knowing your MPG's is a good idea for another reason ..... if you know your Average and it changes drastically .....SOMETHING IS WRONG :yikes: .... and needs to be addressed BEFORE aomething worse happens .... jmho .... Mike:thumbup:

:agree: Good point about "changes" in mileage. :bowdown:

 

[slick999]

2014 RTL,fill it to the brim,more miles to the tank not more MPG.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

how do you get consistency in calculating mileage

Simply put, you don't. That's why I started this thread: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?109153-Guess-when-I-used-Premium-vs-Regular

 

[majorra]

Why You Should Not Top Off the Fuel Tank

Just Google for [FONT=&quot]why you should not top off the fuel tank. Hopefully you won't after that. There must be better ways to ensure you don't run out of gas...[/FONT]

 

[wyliec]

AK is spot on about knowing your MPG average ...annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd there is another reason .. if your MPG's change drastically ....SOMETHING IS WRONG :yikes:...... a major change in MPG's is early warning that something needs to checked BEFORE serious damage can be done ..........jmho .....Mike :thumbup:

Mike,

I agree with your posts 9 & 10; but, isn't that something that will show up in the seat of your pants, typically reduced acceleration? I guess I'm just a little lazy, and only checked my mileage twice since owning my 2008, and both times was in 2009.

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Place nozzle in the fill hole, squeeze the handle so gas can dispense, when full, remove nozzle. Repeat as necessary, (when your fuel gage says so) Quite simple really....Why in the world would you feel the need to re-invent the wheel? Is an extra quart or pint gonna make or break the ride?:sour:

 

[KX5062]

Place nozzle in the fill hole, squeeze the handle so gas can dispense, when full, remove nozzle. Repeat as necessary, (when your fuel gage says so) Quite simple really....Why in the world would you feel the need to re-invent the wheel? Is an extra quart or pint gonna make or break the ride?:sour:

Except, with the RT (at least mine and others from what I've read here), the gas nozzle shuts off before the tank is full. On mine when it shuts off, I know I can get another gallon or more of gas in the tank without it overflowing. It takes time and lot of patience to get it "full", especially with the Commiefornia approved nozzle condoms. If I remove the nozzle when it shuts off, the gauge shows anywhere from one to two bars from the full mark.

Out here in the Western Desert areas that extra gallon or two makes a HUGE difference in fuel range and butt pucker between gas stops, which can be as much as 200 miles or more depending on routes.

 

[cruisinTX]

Except, with the RT (at least mine and others from what I've read here), the gas nozzle shuts off before the tank is full. On mine when it shuts off, I know I can get another gallon or more of gas in the tank without it overflowing. It takes time and lot of patience to get it "full", especially with the Commiefornia approved nozzle condoms. If I remove the nozzle when it shuts off, the gauge shows anywhere from one to two bars from the full mark.

Out here in the Western Desert areas that extra gallon or two makes a HUGE difference in fuel range and butt pucker between gas stops, which can be as much as 200 miles or more depending on routes.

finally, someone who comprehended what I was getting at instead of being insulting. thank you.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

INSULTING POSTS ETC.

finally, someone who comprehended what I was getting at instead of being insulting. thank you.

Seriously !!!! :yikes:....... if you felt my post #4. was insulting, or I didn't understand your questions ...... Well then here's a News Flash !!! .... welcome to my .." IGNORE LIST " .... Love ...Mike :thumbup:

 

[Mazo EMS2]

So are we to believe that people stuff the nozzle all the way in and then think the tank is full when the auto shut off stops the pump? Come on guys, we all "top off" our vehicles by pulling the nozzle back a bit to get a bit more in the tank. Why do you treat the bike any different? You've been pumping gas since you learned how to drive, just because it's a Spyder, it doesn't change the game.:banghead: