The short answer is no. It is not okay to drive on empty. At Interstate Automotive in Eau Claire WI, we recommend that you fill up at either a quarter of a tank or when your low fuel light comes on. That light may cause some concern, but we are here to assure you that there is no issue with your fuel system and that it means you should go fill up your tank. Keeping your tank full and never letting the vehicle run out of gas is the best way to prevent any significant damage to your vehicle. If this happens or a part of your fuel system breaks, we are here to help you get it fixed. Here are some reasons as to why you should never drive on empty.
The Engine Needs It
Unless your vehicle is electric, your engine needs gas to run. Driving on empty is terrible because the engine needs the right mixture of fuel and air to run correctly. Without fuel, there is no combustion, and there is no power. Driving on empty could result in engine damage or even stalling. Full up when the low fuel light comes on to prevent any significant damage to your engine, fuel pump and to prevent being stuck on the side of the road.
Your Fuel Pump Will Thank You
Replacing a fuel pump or an engine will cost you a lot more money than a tank of gas. Your fuel pump could overheat and break if you drive on empty or entirely run out of gas. The fuel system will contain anywhere from one to two gallons of gas before the gas tank itself starts to fill. When you fill this system, the fuel pump gets submerged in gasoline, preventing the pump from overheating or breaking due to friction. The purpose of the fuel pump is to “pump” gas from the tank to the engine. If there is no gas in the tank or no gas submerging it, the pump will not do its job and could break. Save yourself time and money by filling up when the light comes on, at the latest.
Prepare For The Worst
One other recommendation we offer to our customers is to be prepared for the worst. We recommend carrying a backup tank of gas. This will come in handy when the unfortunate happens, and you run out of gas, and there is no gas station around. When that happens, pull over to the side of the road safely, and use the backup tank you packed to fill up enough to get to a gas station.
We hope nothing goes wrong and you keep your tank filled, but if something goes wrong, it is nice to know that a dependable auto repair shop is here for you. We are that shop. Give us a call today for your next appointment.