Getting gas isn’t a lot of fun, that’s for sure. And in colder weather, it’s even less fun. That could make you want to avoid getting gas when you should, but Brown Automotive Repair wants you to know why waiting too long to get gas is a bad idea.
The Mileage Estimate Is Just a Guess
Lots of cars either display a mileage estimate when the tank gets low or the manufacturer tells you in the owner’s manual that you can drive a certain number of miles once the gas light comes on. The problem is that gas mileage is an incredibly variable measurement, and that’s just a guess. There’s no guarantee that once you see the gas light you can drive 25 miles or some other arbitrary number of miles. You have to be proactive before you see the light.
You Can Damage the Fuel System
You might not realize this but having enough gas in the tank helps to keep the entire fuel system working properly. That’s because gas has sediment and impurities that are more likely to get pulled into the fuel pump when gas levels are lower. That can also cause problems in the fuel filter and in the fuel injectors, all of which you want to avoid damaging.
You Can Damage the Engine
Running around low on gas starves your car’s engine, too. That means that the engine needs and expects a certain amount of fuel in order to run, but it doesn’t get it. That throws off the fuel to air ratio and causes misfires. Eventually, misfires cause damage in the engine. Keeping gas in the tank helps to reduce the likelihood of that happening, which is important.
Your Own Safety Is a Concern, Too
There’s also your own safety to consider, along with the safety of your passengers, as well. When you get in the habit of letting your gas levels stay lower, you run the risk of running out of gas when you’re nowhere near a gas station. Depending on where you drive and the times of day that you drive, it can be even more crucial that you avoid the possibility of running out of gas.
Need to find out what’s going on with your car’s engine or fuel system after you’ve run around low on gas? Let Brown Automotive Repair in Trussville, AL help. Contact us today and set up an appointment so we can let you know what’s going on.