Have you ever been out on the road and had your gas light come on, alerting you that your fuel is low? What's your typical response? Do you pull over to the nearest gas station to fill up, or do you ride the situation out until you're almost running on fumes? Toyota of Clermont is here with car care advice regarding your fueling tactics - check it out.
Did you know that it's actually harmful to your car to let the fuel level get too low? Believe it or not, it's recommended that you keep your gas tank at least half full at all times as part of your routine car care. (We say that's all well and good, but in reality, just try to at least keep the gaslight from coming on.) Here are a few reasons you don't want to coast around on E all day:
- It can damage your fuel pump. Your fuel pump is responsible for sending fuel into your Clermont Toyota's engine, where it's ignited to get things (and keep things) up and running. The fuel pump is submerged in fuel to keep it cool and lubricated. When the fuel levels get too low and consistently stay that way, you're actually running the risk of your car's fuel pump overheating and eventually, burning out. This is an expensive car care repair that you don't want to deal with, trust us.
- It can cause engine misfiring. If your car is low on fuel, you also run the risk of your fuel pump starting to pull in air. This can cause engine misfiring, which feels like your car is jerking or stalling out. It can also do damage to your engine in general if it continues over time.
- It can clog your fuel filter. Your car's gas tank will start to collect dirt and debris over time - that's pretty normal. As long as you have gas in it, the dirt and debris will sink to the bottom of the tank and stay out of the way. However, if there's not enough fuel, the fuel pump may start to pull in some of this dirt and debris, which can clog your fuel filter. This prevents gasoline from getting to your Clermont Toyota's engine, which can cause performance issues.
Your best bet is to try to stay fueled up at all times. However, we know that it can slip your mind and before you know it, the needle is on E again. What do you do if you run out of fuel altogether? Check out these tips from the Toyota of Clermont car care experts.
- When your car is about to run out of fuel - and we're talking completely run out - it will start to splutter and stall and feel like it's going to die. This is your final warning to get off the roads before it's too late. Don't panic, but do try to get over to the side of the road so you can park in a safe place. Turn your hazards on and call for help - you can either call a friend to bring you a few gallons of gas in a can or call for emergency roadside assistance.
- If you can't make it off the road, however, then you're in a dangerous situation. You're at risk of another car hitting you so your best bet is to dial 911 for police assistance. They can help you get your car out of harm's way or at least wait with you until the tow truck or roadside assistance arrives.
Have questions or need tips when it comes to routine car care? Call us today! We're open at Toyota of Clermont seven days a week. You can reach us at (352) 404-7001.
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