News

06

Why You Shouldn’t Drive on an Empty Gas Tank

posted on 2/6/2019 7:39:25 AM
You’ve probably been told at some point in your driving career to not drive your car while the gas tank is on empty, but did you know why that is? This recommendation is more than just an old wives’ tale—you can damage your car by ignoring that gas light for too long.Driving with no Gas
 
First, you should understand what your fuel light indicator really means. When you hear the familiar “ding” that accompanies your fuel light, your fuel tank has reached “reserve” levels, or around 10-15% capacity. It is possible to calculate how long that will last using your car’s average range, but we would advise against it, just to be safe. Avoid doing the math if you know you are the type of person to risk it and drive on empty anyway.
 
One reason it’s not advisable to drive on an empty tank is the potential damage to your fuel pump. The fuel pump is responsible for transporting gasoline from the tank to the engine, and it depends on that same gasoline to stay lubricated and avoid overheating. Overheating any part in your vehicle is never a good thing—fuel pump included. Running on a low gas tank can cause overheating of the fuel pump and premature failure. Replacing your fuel pump is a costly and preventable repair.
 
Another part you risk damaging is your fuel filter, which keeps harmful sediments and dirt from getting into your engine. Naturally, sediments sink to the bottom of your fuel tank, so running on empty means your filter could be getting clogged with dirty fuel. Your fuel filter may even become completely blocked in some cases.
 
The most obvious risk you take when ignoring your fuel light is, of course, running out of fuel. Not only is getting stranded embarrassing, but it can also be dangerous in severe weather and costly when you end up needing a tow to the nearest gas station.
 
So, while it may be tempting to wait until a more convenient time when your fuel light comes on, you should do your car a favor and fill up as soon as possible.
Categories: Auto Repair 101 | View Count: (130) | Return

Related

Visit Our Shop

BIGTEX Tires & Offroad

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (281) 548-1111
Fax:
Address: 23901 Eastex Freeway
Kingwood, TX 77339
Powered by Net Driven
Login

Best Tire & Auto Repair Shop in Kingwood, TX!

Tires Kingwood, TX
Searching for new tires in Kingwood, TX? BIGTEX Tires & Offroad in Kingwood, TX has you covered! Browse our tire inventory for quality tires, at affordable prices! We understand that buying new tires can be overwhelming. Let us help you choose from our large selection of tires. We feature tires that fit your needs and budget from top quality brands, such as Michelin®, BFGoodrich®, Uniroyal®, Cooper, and more.

Auto Repair Kingwood, TX
We are a full-service preventive maintenance and auto repair center in the Kingwood, TX area. Our experts have the knowledge to service and repair even the most challenging auto problems on all makes and models of domestic and import vehicles. We use the latest technology to assess the situation and offer you alternatives. Get your car back on the road with BIGTEX Tires & Offroad in Kingwood, TX today!