There are a lot more car owners than you might think who are content to tempt fate with the level of gas they keep in the tank at any given moment. Does that describe you? If so, Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros wants to talk about why that’s not such a great idea.
Protect Your Car’s Fuel Pump
Your car’s fuel pump is working constantly when the car is running. That’s because it’s pumping gas from the tank through the fuel filter and into the fuel lines, where the gas travels into the engine so it can combust. When the gas levels in the tank are too low too often, that can cause the fuel pump to work harder than it was designed to work. It might also be running hotter than it should because being surrounded by gas usually keeps the fuel pump cooler. Eventually, this wears out the fuel pump, probably a lot sooner than it should.
Keep Sediment Out of the Fuel System
Something else to consider is that there’s a lot of extra stuff in gas. You may not necessarily see it, but there is definitely sediment and particles in the gas that tends to collect in your car’s gas tank. As the gas levels stay low, that sediment is more likely to get picked up by the fuel pump, which sends the gas and the particles to the fuel filter, fuel injectors, and engine.
Avoid Misfires and Engine Damage
The big reason to worry about sediment is what it can mean for your engine. First of all, anything besides gas, air, and spark in the combustion chamber of your car’s engine is a recipe for damage. So it’s important to make sure to keep as much gunk out of there as possible. Second, if there isn’t enough gas in the mix for any reason, that creates misfires, which you hear as knocks and pings. Eventually, that causes damage to the engine.
Keep Yourself Safe
Even if all of the rest of these issues were ones you could ignore, one you really can’t ignore is your own personal safety. If you’re not keeping enough gas in your car’s tank, that leaves you open to possibly getting stranded when your car runs out of gas. That’s a situation where you can’t necessarily predict when and where you’ll run out of gas, and it might not be at the most convenient time.
Trying to give up this bad habit? We’re glad to hear it! And if you want to make sure your fuel system and engine are in tip-top shape, give us a call at Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros in Seaside, CA. We’re always happy to help with all of your auto service needs.