Lots of folks make the decision every day to drive around a little lower on fuel than they really should. That’s not necessarily a terrible thing, but there are some extremely valid reasons why you shouldn’t do this. Professional Automotive Services has more information for you.
It’s Easy to Damage the Fuel System with Fuel Levels That Are Too Low
The fuel system is one big group of parts that all work together to funnel fuel from the tank to the engine, while keeping that fuel as free of debris as possible. When you’re running the car’s engine while the fuel levels are low, that’s a potential problem starting with the fuel pump. The fuel pump is constantly trying to pull fuel up into the fuel filter, so when there isn’t a lot of fuel around it, the pump runs hotter than it should. As it does anywhere in the car’s engine, heat can be a big problem. From there, you can wind up with more debris in the fuel than usual, clogging the fuel filter, the fuel lines, and even the fuel injectors. All of that can cause damage all along the fuel system.
It’s Even Easier to Damage the Engine
The big problem then becomes what happens to the engine. Because while the fuel system issues are bad enough, debris and unwanted gunk in the engine causes something called misfires. This is when the fuel isn’t combusting properly and you hear that as knocks and pings. Eventually, that causes damage. The other problem is that clogs in fuel lines and the fuel injectors causes less fuel to reach the engine. Again you have misfires, which lead to engine damage.
Your Safety Could Be an Issue as Well
As if the threat to your car weren’t enough, you’ve also got the potential risk to yourself and your passengers. Driving around low on fuel on a consistent basis means that you could run out of gas a lot sooner than you think you might, which ends up stranding you possibly somewhere that isn’t ideal. But the mechanical risks you’re taking could also leave you stranded, even if there is enough gas in the tank still.
Want to make sure that driving around with a low fuel tank hasn’t damaged your car? Profesional Automotive Services in Greenwood, SC can help. Contact us today and we’ll set up an appointment to take a closer look at what’s happening with your car.