We have all been guilty of it at some point or another – you had a long day and your gas tank is almost empty. Surely you can make it home and back out in the morning without stopping for gas right now, right? You might think when you drive on empty it is no big deal, so long as you make it to the gas station before the car dies. The experts at Del Hatt Automotive in Poughkeepsie, NY, know that when you drive on empty, you are gambling with your engine’s health.
Your Fuel Filter Will Suffer
Your car’s fuel filter serves to keep harmful sediment and debris from entering your engine with the gas in your tank. When you let the gas tank get too empty, that debris can rise to the top and overload your fuel filter. If that filter fails, the debris has free reign to run through your engine, damaging delicate parts.
The Fuel Pump Will Have Issues, Too
Since your fuel pump is normally submerged in the gasoline you pump into your car, it doesn’t function properly when that gas is absent. When you drive on empty, the fuel pump can overheat, which can cause damage to your entire fuel line system.
Your Engine Needs Fuel To Survive
The engine in your car needs three things to run – fuel, air, and electricity. When the spark plugs fire, they ignite the fuel in the engine, causing it to run. When you run without gas, the spark plugs are essentially firing at nothing, and this can cause major damage to the engine over time.
You Could Be Stranded
We saved the most obvious for last – if you drive on empty and gamble with how long you can go before getting gas, you could find yourself stranded on the side of the road. As elementary as it sounds, cars just don’t run without gas. If you let yours run out, you’ve only got a few options – call AAA, call a tow truck, or grab a gas can and get walking. When the alternative is just stopping for gas in time, none of these sound all that appealing.
At Del Hatt Automotive in Poughkeepsie, NY, we understand the aversion to stopping for gas after a long day. But know that when you drive on empty, you could be causing major damage to your vehicle. If you drive on empty often and aren’t sure if your engine and fuel line are in good health, the experts at Del Hatt Automotive would be happy to inspect your vehicle and suggest any service or repair needed. Don’t drive on empty, but if you do, make an appointment today!