Trying to get the best fuel consumption out of a
single tank of fuel is a good habit, but allowing the fuel level in your
tank to reach alarmingly low levels isn't a very good idea.
We've
all done it, run our cars till the fuel tank was practically empty.
Most of the time it's because our work schedules don't permit us to stop
as frequently as we'd like at our usual petrol station. Sometimes it's
because we are on a tight budget and want that full tank of fuel to last
for ever.Whatever the case, allowing your car to run until the tank is
practically empty will not only cause performance issues but will cost
you dearly in the long run.
http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/452675_JLR_685-20130918-205513-940.jpg">
http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/452675_JLR_685-20130918-205513-940.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6991" title="As sophisticated as modern day cars are, they aren't idiot proof" alt="" height="420" width="630">As sophisticated as modern day cars are, they aren't idiot proofModern
day cars have their fuel pumps fitted in the middle of the petrol tank.
A fuel pump's function is to pump fuel out of the tank and into the
fuel line. The reason the pump is fitted right in the middle is so that
it's kept cool by the petrol inside the tank.
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http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/532462_66988bmh-P6-7.MINI-TANK-20130918-205514-878.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6992" title="Fuel tank of a standard MINI" alt="" height="625" width="630">Fuel tank of a standard MINIWhen
the petrol level inside the tank reduces to a very low level, the pump
doesn't receive sufficient cooling and as a result begins to heat up.
What makes matters worse is at this point the pump is not only pumping
petrol but air as well and as such is working overtime. Prolonged
exposure to such situations will cause excessive wear and tear on the
fuel pump and force it to give up the ghost prematurely. There aren't
any warning signs for the impending demise of a worn out fuel pump. One
day it will be working fine then the next, your car just won't start.
Besides issues with the fuel pump, continuously subjecting your
engine to fuel starvation will cost you a hefty repair bill in the long
run. Petrol, no matter how premium it might be, will have a certain
amount of sediment in it. Wether it's improper mixing or just because of
a lacklustre storage facility, when pumping fuel, this sediment will
eventually make its way into your fuel tank. Though this maybe a very
small volume at first, overtime there will be a continuous build up
inside the tank.
http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/452643_JLR_680-20130918-205512-726.jpg">
http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/452643_JLR_680-20130918-205512-726.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6993" title="Most fuels do carry a very small amount of sediment" alt="" height="420" width="630">Most fuels do carry a very small amount of sedimentAllowing
your fuel tank to reach very low levels will cause this sediment and
other residue to be pumped into the fuel system. It will eventually make
its way through your entire fuel system and in to your engine. It can
cause a lot of problems such as clogging up your fuel line, clogging the
fuel injectors or worse. It is even said that it could make its way
into your engine and cause a number of performance issues.
So each time you decide to allow the needle on your fuel gauge to dip
to E, ask yourself if it's really going to be worth the risk in the
long run. Most experts will tell you to always keep the tank half full.
The moment the needle reaches the half way mark, its time to visit the
petrol station. While this is a good tip to keep in mind, sometimes it
isn't always easy to keep doing this. So, as long as you constantly have
at least a 1/4 tank of petrol in your fuel tank, you shouldn't need to
worry about clogged injectors.
http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/700184_130613toy-2-20130918-205513-303.jpg">
http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/MotorTraderMalaysia/700184_130613toy-2-20130918-205513-303.jpg" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6994" title="Look after your car and your car will look after you" alt="" height="420" width="630">Look after your car and your car will look after youThe
best way to keep your car running like clockwork is to adhere to the
manufacturer's recommended service intervals and always insist on using
genuine parts. Look after your car and your car will end up looking
after you for a considerable number of years.
