Is It Bad To Drive On Empty?
We are guilty of it - you’ve had a bad day at work, traffic is a mess, and the last thing you want to do is stop for gas. So instead, you keep driving, despite the fact that you are running on empty. You can get to the gas station tomorrow, right? While it is OK to do this every once in a while, when you drive on empty you can actually damage your vehicle. The pros at Total Auto Care in North Branch, MN, explain what driving on empty can cause.
You Could Run Out Of Gas
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you drive on empty, eventually your car is going to run out of gas. At that point, you are either calling a tow truck or you are going to have to get walking to the nearest service station. Modern vehicles are equipped with all kinds of indicators that let you know you are low on fuel, so only ignoring them will cause you to run out of gas.
Your Engine Needs Gas To Run Well
Your engine needs gas, air, and electricity to run. When you drive on empty, your spark plugs have no fuel to ignite, and will begin to misfire. In the short term, this won’t cause much damage to the engine but continuing to drive on empty will eventually cause problems. In addition to engine misfires, you could also burn out your spark plugs, or worse, lock up your engine.
Your Fuel System Could Be Damaged
When you drive on empty, you place both your fuel filter and your fuel pump in jeopardy. Driving on empty causes the sediment in your gas tank to be stirred up, and this can overload your fuel filter. When that happens, sediment can enter your engine and cause all kinds of damage. Your fuel pump needs gas as well. Without being submerged in fuel, the pump can quickly overheat and fail, requiring expensive repairs.So, yes, we have all driven on empty before for any number of reasons, but Total Auto Care in North Branch, MN, urges you to not make this a habit. Not only could you run out of gas, but you could be causing serious harm to your engine and fuel line as well. If you drive on empty often, bring your car in and we’d be happy to inspect your engine and fuel line for potential damage. Make an appointment today!