Running on E: The Risks of Driving with a Low Fuel Tank

Running on E: The Risks of Driving with a Low Fuel Tank

We’ve all been guilty of letting our fuel tank get drastically low before refilling. Mostly it’s because we’re short on time and stopping at a gas station just isn’t part of the plan. We also know that even though the gas light comes on, we still have a couple more gallons left and can press our luck a little bit.

Yet, there are important facts to be aware of when you decide the roll the dice and pass the gas station.

Filter Clog

Yes, you have a couple gallons of gas in your tank when your light comes on and car manufacturers do this for good reason – you shouldn’t depend on that fuel to drive your car.

Virtually all gas comes with slight impurities and after years of use it adds up, slowly settling in the bottom of the tank. Once you start driving beyond your normal fuel window, you risk sending that sediment through your fuel pump and your filter, which can become blocked. This can rob your car of performance, harm your fuel pump and cause a costly repair to unclog the filter.

Fuel Pump Failure

The fuel pump is responsible for pushing the gas from your tank to the engine where it is used. The pump needs to keep lubricated and depends on the gas in your line for this reason. Without it, a pump can overheat and fail, triggering another costly repair. The good news is that this is easily avoidable by keeping ample fuel in your tank.

Running Out of Gas

The most obvious result of driving your car well beyond your normal fuel window is that you run out of gas. This is not only embarrassing but extremely time consuming if you have to walk to get gas or wait for a tow.

Running out of gas can also be dangerous, particularly in harsh weather conditions or depending on your location. It’s entirely possible to run out of gas on the side of a highway or in the middle of an intersection.

In short, it’s just not worth rolling the dice and driving much longer after your fuel light comes on. It’s just not worth the harm to your car, the cost of the repairs or the proposition of actually running out of gas. Stay safe, protect your investment and plan ahead to avoid these issues.

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