Why you shouldn’t drive when low on fuel

Most of us are guilty of risking a car journey when we are low on fuel, however I bet know one knows the dangers it can cause to the health of your car.

According to the Daily Mail around 827,000 UK Drivers break down every year due to running out of fuel, which is ridiculously high for something that can be avoided so easily. Men are the biggest culprits, on average tending to believe that their car has enough fuel for another 32 miles while being on the red light, with women being more cautious believing they can drive another 24 miles when on the red light.

Ray Sparrow, a mechanic of 40 years told the Daily Mail ‘Running out can cause a lot more damage to diesel engines. The bills can run into thousands. That may be good news for a garage, not for the driver. You may just get away with it, but you’ll be causing expensive problems down the line.’

He continued saying ‘Without getting too technical, the seals, pumps and injectors in a diesel engines can be damaged by the engine drawing just on air, rather than a rich, oily mix of diesel and lubricant. There’s no point in saving £20 today, to have to spend £2,000 tomorrow.’

‘Petrol engines fare a little better running on empty, and are less likely to suffer severe damage. But there is little to be complacent about — even if you do have petrol in the boot, or get some from a garage, you may find the car still won’t start.’

So there you have it, a reason why you should never drive when you are low on fuel, plus you don’t want to be walking to the nearest petrol station in the great British weather.