Low Fuel Warning: Is It Bad to Run A Car on Low Fuel?
You know the feeling…Your gas gauge has just lit up giving you a low fuel warning. Can you make it to the pump in time?
It happens to all of us at one time or another. Sometimes life gets busy and you forget how low your fuel has become, but driving on E is never good. Besides the fear of running out of gas on the side of the road, there are other serious factors to consider.
Does Running Out of Gas Damage Fuel Injectors?
Running out of gas can play havoc with your fuel delivery system. For example, if you’re driving a late model vehicle, then most certainly it is equipped with an electric fuel pump that fits in your gas tank.
This fuel pump uses gasoline in two ways, to cool and lubricate itself. With far less fuel to work with, the fuel pump cannot form these critical functions. That means it could overheat and fail.
We don’t have to tell you how expensive a fix that is! Worse, during the process of overheating, the fuel pump sheds debris that will get into your vehicle’s fuel system.
Almost all cars have fuel filters designed to catch debris before it gets to the fuel injectors. However, if your gas is extremely low and your fuel pump has no fuel to work with, debris will clog up the fuel filter.
Even if your fuel pump remains undamaged, it’s still possible that it will suck debris and sediment that’s gathered at the bottom of the gasoline tank into the fuel line.
That will clog the fuel filter, or worse, clog the fuel injectors. And even though you’ve now found a gas station and filled your tank, it will be difficult to re-start your car, and difficult to keep it running.
While a new fuel filter is generally an inexpensive fix, replacing or repairing clogged fuel injectors is not. You’re looking a tow AND a costly repair!
But let’s say you’re spared this travesty and no sediment or debris gets into your fuel line. There is the strong possibility that your fuel pump is drawing from an empty tank.
That means you’ll need to bleed the line before the car will start and run properly.
Don’t Trust the “Miles to Empty” Reading
Most late model cars will tell you how many miles you have left before your vehicle runs out of gas. Remember, this is an approximation based on the level of gas left and your fuel efficiency.
Fuel efficiency is based on your driving habits and your driving situation. So the reading can be misleading. If you’re stuck in traffic, you’ll consume more gas than driving on the highway.
An Ounce of Prevention is the Best Approach
Spare yourself the inconvenience—at the least—of frantically looking for the nearest gas station and paying a higher price.
And, at the worst, spare yourself the possibility of costly car repairs that could easily have been avoided with a fill up.
Instead, to avoid a low fueling warning light, always keep your vehicle at least one quarter full. That will at least give your fuel delivery system something to work with.
And really, just make it a habit to make a quick stop and fill up. That’s the easiest solution to a potentially pesky problem!
When you’re ready to buy a new or used vehicle, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping folks just like you for 60+ years find the vehicle that fits their budget and lifestyle!
It happens to all of us at one time or another. Sometimes life gets busy and you forget how low your fuel has become, but driving on E is never good. Besides the fear of running out of gas on the side of the road, there are other serious factors to consider.
Does Running Out of Gas Damage Fuel Injectors?
Running out of gas can play havoc with your fuel delivery system. For example, if you’re driving a late model vehicle, then most certainly it is equipped with an electric fuel pump that fits in your gas tank.
This fuel pump uses gasoline in two ways, to cool and lubricate itself. With far less fuel to work with, the fuel pump cannot form these critical functions. That means it could overheat and fail.
We don’t have to tell you how expensive a fix that is! Worse, during the process of overheating, the fuel pump sheds debris that will get into your vehicle’s fuel system.
Almost all cars have fuel filters designed to catch debris before it gets to the fuel injectors. However, if your gas is extremely low and your fuel pump has no fuel to work with, debris will clog up the fuel filter.
Even if your fuel pump remains undamaged, it’s still possible that it will suck debris and sediment that’s gathered at the bottom of the gasoline tank into the fuel line.
That will clog the fuel filter, or worse, clog the fuel injectors. And even though you’ve now found a gas station and filled your tank, it will be difficult to re-start your car, and difficult to keep it running.
While a new fuel filter is generally an inexpensive fix, replacing or repairing clogged fuel injectors is not. You’re looking a tow AND a costly repair!
But let’s say you’re spared this travesty and no sediment or debris gets into your fuel line. There is the strong possibility that your fuel pump is drawing from an empty tank.
That means you’ll need to bleed the line before the car will start and run properly.
Don’t Trust the “Miles to Empty” Reading
Most late model cars will tell you how many miles you have left before your vehicle runs out of gas. Remember, this is an approximation based on the level of gas left and your fuel efficiency.
Fuel efficiency is based on your driving habits and your driving situation. So the reading can be misleading. If you’re stuck in traffic, you’ll consume more gas than driving on the highway.
An Ounce of Prevention is the Best Approach
Spare yourself the inconvenience—at the least—of frantically looking for the nearest gas station and paying a higher price.
And, at the worst, spare yourself the possibility of costly car repairs that could easily have been avoided with a fill up.
Instead, to avoid a low fueling warning light, always keep your vehicle at least one quarter full. That will at least give your fuel delivery system something to work with.
And really, just make it a habit to make a quick stop and fill up. That’s the easiest solution to a potentially pesky problem!
When you’re ready to buy a new or used vehicle, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been helping folks just like you for 60+ years find the vehicle that fits their budget and lifestyle!
