It can be easy to forget that your car is running low on fuel, but you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge – especially if you’re driving somewhere unfamiliar and don’t know where your nearest petrol stations are.
Whether you’re hanging on to fill up at your favourite (or cheapest) fuel station or just haven’t noticed you’re running low, here’s why you should always make sure to fill up when your tank is nearly empty.
Running out of fuel can be dangerous – especially on busy roads
If you run out of fuel on a motorway, you might end up blocking traffic if there’s no hard shoulder. Even if there is somewhere for you to pull over, breaking down at the side of a busy road is never safe.
It can clog your fuel filter
Older cars might have debris at the bottom of the fuel tank that gets sucked into the filter when you’re running on empty. Though this shouldn’t damage your engine, it might clog the fuel filter, which means you might need to clean or even replace it!
It may take longer than normal to restart your car
When you run out of fuel, your engine will pull air in. Some cars might need this air bleeding out before you’ll be able to start your car again. Most cars will start again, but it might take a couple of attempts before you’re back on the move.
You could even get fined for careless driving
There have even been instances where people have been fined and given points for careless driving when they’ve run out of fuel needlessly and their car is in a dangerous place. So, make sure you don’t join them.
Why not download a fuel station finder app?
You can download the Petrol Prices app for your phone, and you’ll always be able to check where your nearest fuel station is, as well as how much your fuel will cost. That way, there won’t be any excuse for running out.
Want to find out how much our black box car insurance could save you? Get a quote today!
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