Running on Empty
One of the worst things you can do is run your car on an empty or near empty tank. Keep your gasoline tank relatively full at all times. Not so full that you must visit the gasoline station every hour, but also not so low that the level falls below 1/4.
FUEL GAUGE NEARING EMPTY
There are four good reasons for this:
- If the engine is run when the gasoline tank is almost empty, sediment from the bottom of the tank is pumped through the fuel system where it clogs fuel filters, carburetor jets, or fuel injector tips; it may even be burned inside the engine. The sediments may include rust if the interior of the fuel tank is susceptible to corrosion from condensed water that arrives through humid air.
- Moisture accumulates on the inside portion of the gas tank that surrounds the airspace above the gasoline. Air enters through the vent in the filler cap and temperature changes (cooling) cause any moisture to condense inside the tank on available surfaces. The water condensate is not combustible and ends up at the bottom of the tank since water is heavier than gasoline. In very cold weather, the water could turn into ice crystals and clog fuel lines. A full tank of gasoline would minimize the condensation surfaces and entry of water into the fuel tank.
- If traveling in unfamiliar territory and the distance between gas stations turns out to be great, you will minimize the chances of literally running out of gasoline and being stranded if you keep the tank full.
- Many cars today have fuel injected engines that are operated by an electric fuel pump rather than the traditional mechanical fuel pump. These electric fuel pumps will be damaged if they are allowed to run while dry (that is, no fuel actually being pumped). Also, if a fuel injected diesel engine runs out of fuel, air enters the mechanical, high pressure, injection pump and the engine stops. The engine may not restart even after refueling the car.
