“Running on fumes” is dangerous for your car. Here is why.
The unprecedented rise in gas prices this year has caused the fact that more and more car owners try to push away the next visit to the gas station as much as possible.
Unfortunately, this attempt to save money only has a psychological effect. And a very questionable one. The gas prices don’t seem to drop miraculously overnight in the observable future. One way or another, you will have to fuel your car anyway. But the damage that regular “running on fumes” may cause will eventually cost you a lot.
In this article, we shall discuss why driving your car on empty is dangerous for you and your passengers, which parts mostly suffer from insufficient fueling, and what you can do to avoid the risks.
When does your car start running on empty?
“Running on empty” or “running on fumes” does not exactly mean that there is no gasoline in the tank at all. Your vehicle will start telling you that the tank is empty when the fuel level reaches the reserve level, which is normally around 10-15% of its overall capacity.
However, it still does not mean that even if you see the “low fuel” indicator on the dashboard, you can keep on driving as there is still plenty of fuel in the tank.
The lack of fuel causes severe damage to a whole number of parts in your car that are lubricated with gasoline. Without it, these parts start to overheat, get damaged by friction, and eventually fail, causing you unforeseen repair costs and losses.
Why running on fumes is dangerous?
There is more than one reason to avoid driving on empty. The first one is the damage to a fuel pump that we have already mentioned before. Except for the wear and tear caused by the lack of gasoline and lubrication, it is supposed to provide, low fuel levels can cause the dirt and debris that get collected on the bottom of your tank to get into the fuel pump.
Not only do those contaminants clog the pump and damage it, but they also significantly decrease the amount of gas that your engine gets. It can potentially lead to even more extensive damage and costly repairs in the future.
In the end, running on fumes may turn out much more expensive than fueling your car regularly, even considering the current gas prices.
Last but not least, the lack of fuel may eventually force you to stop in the middle of the road, seek help in an unfamiliar area, or even cause an accident. If it happens, don’t panic, do your best to place a car in a safe place where it will not impede the traffic, and turn on the hazard warning lights.
Here at OHS Body Shop, we provide a 27/7 towing service and assistance that will allow you to stay safe and get out of this unpleasant situation.
Do you want to learn more about driving safety tips and make sure that your vehicle is in perfect condition? Contact OHS Body Shop today and visit one of our branches located all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson.
Here you will find a team of professionals, certified parts, and services that will help you make your driving experience most safe and most comfortable, get a routine check-up or urgent repairs and save a lot of time, money, and effort on your car’s maintenance.
