Why You Should Never Let Your Car Run on Empty
It happens to us all the time—we're driving along our regular commute when we see the gas gauge light come on. We mentally judge just how long we believe we have left until our car breaks down on the side of the road. And then we continue driving until we just barely reach that point.
Why is this a bad thing, you ask? There are multiple reasons. Read on to find out why you should fill up your vehicle before the gas light comes on.
The Gas Gauge Isn't Always Accurate
The precision of your car’s gauge depends on a variety of factors, including your driving style and the vehicle’s fuel economy. Consider the gauge as more of an estimate—rather than an exact measurement—of how far you can make it on a low tank of gas.
It Can Cause Irreparable Damage
According to Consumer Reports, the gas in your vehicle "acts like a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor, so when you run very low, this allows the pump to suck in air, which creates heat and can cause the fuel pump to wear prematurely and potentially fail."
Driving too low on gas may also cause damage to your car's catalytic converter. If you have to get a repair, you could be set back hundreds of dollars (much more expensive than if you had simply filled up your tank when you needed to).
Your Car May Truly Run Out of Gas
If this happens, you are well and truly stuck. What if you are on the side of the interstate in the nighttime? You run the risk of accidentally being hit by another motorist. And what if you find yourself stranded in a deserted area? Or a potentially dangerous area? It's always best to have your gas tank properly filled to avoid any risky situations.
So, what can you do to stay on top of keeping your tank safely filled?
- Keep your gas tank no less than 1/4 full (ideally, you would fill it up at 1/2 a tank).
- Use foresight before heading out on a road trip and fill up your tank before leaving. (If you hit traffic on the way, you won't run the risk of getting too low on fuel.)
- Don’t rely on the gas light to come on. Instead, fill up before the light has time to come on.
With these tips, you should be able to drive your car without ever having to worry about running the gas too low. Remember that prevention is easier than the cost and hassle of repairs!