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Why Should You Avoid Driving on the Car’s Fuel Reserve?

Posted on the 13 January 2023 by L'Express

Every driver treats their vehicle differently. Some maintain it carefully through regular check-ups, others only go to the mechanic when a serious problem appears on their car. When it comes to refueling, motorists generally have a similar approach: there are those who always keep the tank full and those who wait until the last moment to refuel it. Are you part of the camp that only adds fuel when the reserve light comes on? Bad idea.

Besides the risk of running out of gas far from a gas station, oversaving on fuel can expose your car to serious damage. Here is why it is not advisable to regularly ride in reserve.

Fuel light on – Source: spm

Conduct on reserve: what are the consequences?

At a time when gasoline and diesel prices are constantly rising, many motorists are desperately trying to find alternatives to save money. A common strategy: many drivers tend to fill up the tank when the price of fuel drops slightly. Others avoid filling the tank altogether, preferring to wait for the reserve indicator light to come on. Unfortunately, in both cases, you run the risk of damaging the vehicle’s power circuit.

When the reserve light comes on, it not only signals that you are low on fuel, but it also indicates an increased risk of pump damage. That is, for the engine to work properly, it is necessary to bring a sufficient amount of gasoline or diesel. Be aware that when the fuel tank is empty, it sucks in air, which can cause serious damage to the entire fuel system of the vehicle.

Indeed, even if there is one liter of fuel left in the tank, it suffices to climb a significant slope, for example, for the liquid to overflow into another part of the tank. In addition to sucking in air, you risk premature deterioration of the fuel filter. With a low volume of fuel, the latter is likely to be clogged by an accumulation of debris which settles at the bottom of the tank. Consequently, driving in reserve greatly damages the engine, which risks becoming clogged with gasoline or diesel residues. Not to mention the damage resulting from the condensation of the vehicle.

Put fuel in the car

Putting fuel in the car – Source: spm

Overfilling the tank can also have serious consequences

The opposite approach can also adversely affect the proper functioning of your car. Many drivers are unaware of this, but frequently filling the tank to maximum is also a bad habit. Even more so when you keep filling it up even after the fuel gun clicks to signal the tank is full. You are aware that the tank has a volume greater than the maximum amount of fuel it can contain (it is also called the nominal volume of the tank). This is often a difference of more than 10 liters. However, if you decide to exploit the reservoir to the maximum, you expose yourself to many risks. Indeed, overfilling can cause an overflow: the pressure in an overfilled tank can lead to leaks and cause the fuel to overflow. Keep in mind that the space you so recklessly filled with fuel is a safe space. This is why it is important to respect the “click” when you hear it to avoid filling the tank to the brim. If you ignore it, excess liquid fuel can damage the vapor recovery system, but it can also spill onto the road. This would not only be a waste of gasoline, but it’s also harmful to the environment.

How many kilometers can you drive on the reserve?

When a vehicle’s fuel tank is nearly empty, the reserve warning light illuminates on the dashboard. This means there is only a small amount of fuel left, called reserve, to keep driving. The reserve is usually located at the bottom of the tank and is intended to provide a few extra liters of fuel when needed. The amount of fuel in the reserve varies from vehicle to vehicle, generally ranging from 5 to 8 litres.

The distance you can travel with the reserve depends on several factors such as the capacity of the reserve, the type of fuel and the driving speed. On average, you can travel between 50 and 100 kilometers with the reserve, however this can vary considerably from vehicle to vehicle. It is important to note that the reserve is a backup device and it is important to fill up as soon as possible to avoid running out of gas. To find out the precise distance that you can cover with your vehicle’s reserve, it is recommended that you consult the maintenance booklet or the vehicle’s technical review.

Read also How often should windshield wipers be changed? Never exceed this deadline

Via SPM


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