Drivers risking hefty repairs bill with 'money saving' fuel hack - how to avoid
An increasing number of motorists are letting their tanks run low compared to two years ago, and one in seven say they have run out of fuel in the past 12 months alone.
Breakdown provider Green Flag estimates 10.3 million drivers let their tank get as close to empty as they dare before refuelling.
Another 15 percent of drivers have risked running out of fuel while on a cost saving mission to find a cheaper petrol station.
While this might be a money saving strategy, it could set motorists back financially in the long run.
Regularly driving with low petrol or diesel, or running out of fuel entirely, can lead to engine damage as debris in the fuel tank may clog the pump or filter.
NimbleFins previously reported this could cost up to £1,300 to repair.
In diesel vehicles, running low can also cause the fuel pump to push air through the system instead of fuel. When this happens, the vehicle will shut down and won't restart until the air is purged — a process known as 'bleeding' the fuel system, which can be complex depending on the car.
A sudden loss of power, especially on a busy road or in a remote area, can endanger the driver, passengers, and other road users. If the engine stalls due to fuel depletion, power steering may also fail, making it harder to steer the vehicle out of harm's way.
NimbleFins has reported statistics showing the 10 most common places to break down are all smart motorways where there is no hard shoulder to pull into.
Running out of fuel can raise the cost of your car insurance
Running out of fuel can impact the cost of your car insurance because Highway Code Rule 97 states drivers “should ensure that they have sufficient fuel or charge for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving”. If found liable, a driver could end up with a fine and three points on their licence, pushing the cost of their premium higher when they come to renew.
Katie Lomas, managing director of Green Flag, said: “While drivers are trying to get as much out of their tank as possible, doing so can potentially be damaging to the vehicle and endanger the driver, passengers, and other road users.
“People often overestimate how far they can still drive when a fuel warning light comes on, so it’s probably best to avoid running into the red where possible, especially where petrol stations are few and far between.”
How to avoid running out of fuel
If you think you're close to empty and you're not sure if you'll make it to a petrol station in time, there are a few tactics you can deploy to make your fuel go further:
- Reduce speed
- Accelerate gently
- Maintain a steady speed
- Turn off the air conditioning
- Avoid unnecessary braking
What not to do:
- Speed up when trying to get to a petrol station
- Coast out of gear
What to do if you run out of fuel
Green Flag has put together a list of tips of what to do if you break down or run out of fuel on a motorway or other busy road.
- Pull left as soon as you notice something could be wrong.
- Aim for an emergency phone (located a one mile intervals on motorways and connect you to police)
- Get everyone out of the car on the left side, if safe to do so.
- Don't display red warning triangle if on a busy road, it can be too dangerous to try.
- Call for help.
- Wait near your car for assistance, but safe enough away from traffic and ideally behind a barrier.
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