It OK To Drive On Empty?

We have all had those days. Getting to work in the morning was a struggle, as traffic was a nightmare. The day at the office was long and stressful, and somehow, the traffic on the way home seems even worse. And on top of all that, your car’s gas light is on. You decide to drive the rest of the way home on E, enjoy your “me time” and worry about filling up in the morning. But is that really OK for your vehicle? There are a few reasons why it probably isn’t:

This one is the no-brainer. Drive any vehicle for long enough without getting gas, and eventually, it is going to stop running. At that point, you’ll either need a charged and working cell phone to call a tow truck, or you’ll need your walking shoes to march to the nearest service station. Either way, this is an embarrassing, time-consuming problem that is simply best avoided by getting gas when your car needs it.

Your car’s fuel pump is designed to be submerged in gasoline at all times. When you drive on empty, it can cause your fuel pump to misfire or even malfunction. Any auto repair technician will tell you that fuel pump repairs and replacements don’t come cheap, so avoid this by simply keeping a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.

If you suspect long term driving on empty has damaged your fuel pump, or you just want to make sure everything is fine, make an appointment with us. Our team will be happy to check your car for any problems. In the meantime, though, just make sure to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in your car at all times. We know it was a long day, but do yourself a favor and just stop for gas.