(WYMT) – With fuel prices high, some drivers may be waiting until their tank is nearly empty before refueling. Buddy Turner, owner of Turner Brothers Car Care in Hazard, said that habit can lead to expensive repairs.
“I know right now times are hard and everything’s expensive. But the the best amount of gas you can keep in there above a quarter of a tank, it would really help you,” Turner said.
Turner said most gauges leave drivers about 10 to 15 miles of range once the warning light comes on, depending on the vehicle. Running on fumes can leave a driver stranded.
“When that light comes on, it’s best to start looking for a gas station. When gas gets low in a vehicle, it starts pulling up sediment from the bottom of the tank. And a lot of times that’ll cause you problems,” Turner said.
Turner said fuel acts as a coolant for a vehicle’s fuel pump. Running the tank too low too often can cause the pump to overheat.
“That tank being low on fuel would eventually cause you to have to buy a fuel pump. So it’s a lot better to keep fuel in that,” Turner said. “Some fuel pumps are $600 and then you’re looking anywhere from $100 to $200 of labor to change them.”
Turner recommends changing driving habits, such as checking tire pressure, getting spark plug tune-ups and easing off the accelerator to save money instead of running the tank low.
“I say every time you stomp it down, it cost you a dollar. So, slow acceleration is a lot better than just pushing it down,” Turner said.
Turner recommends drivers should fill up once they reach a quarter to half a tank rather than waiting for the warning light.
“It doesn’t cost any more to keep it from a half a tank to full as it does from empty to a half a tank. So once you fill it up, when it gets to a half a tank or three quarters, stop and put gas in it. And it’ll it’ll save you that issue,” Turner said.
Turner also recommends buying gas early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler for optimal fuel density.