Petrol and diesel drivers have been warned they must fill up their cars when the fuel gauge shows 50 miles left in the tank, to avoid being caught out on the road
Millions of motorists who have fuel gauges have been warned to take action when it shows 50 miles remaining in the tank. Petrol and diesel drivers have been cautioned over how to fill up their tanks as they run the risk of being stranded.
Gordon Wallis, a fuel expert at Your NRG, explained: “When your fuel gauge hits 50 miles left, consider refuelling. This allows plenty of time to find the best fuel prices, rather than being rushed into a decision as your tank nears empty.
“Running out of fuel completely can damage the fuel pump itself, especially if it runs dry as it can be a costly fix. It’s generally best to maintain at least a quarter tank of fuel to avoid these risks.” This comes after UK drivers were warned over ‘avoiding’ road instead of having to follow new rule.
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Gordon added: “Focusing on maintaining a healthy fuel level, rather than constantly topping up or running on fumes, is a more practical approach to fuel efficiency. By keeping your tank at least a quarter full, you can avoid any risks associated with low fuel levels and get rid of any potential efficiency drawbacks from a full tank.”
You may feel anxious whilst watching the price climb higher and higher on the fuel pump, but filling the tank up completely is the most efficient way to save money in the long run. AA President Edmund King previously said: “There can be some genuine reasons for running out of fuel such as a faulty gauge or undetected fuel leak.”
“On occasions cars may get stuck in jams for hours due to bad winter weather or miles of disruption leading to Channel ports which could result in running out of fuel. Hence we advise to always have at least one quarter of a tank of fuel.”
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It might appear to be a brilliant notion to wait until your petrol tank is completely empty before topping it up, but this can cause some serious damage, reports Birmingham Live.
If your petrol tank is empty, your vehicle’s fuel pump will attempt to draw up what little petrol remains at the bottom of the tank, along with dirt, debris, and particles.
This blocks up the fuel filter, which eventually leads to fuel pump assembly failure. It is better to refill when you have a little under a quarter of a tank left in your fuel tank. Plus, you wouldn’t want to get stuck in the middle of the road with the nearest petrol station being miles away!