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ByErin Kayata
Updated: Jul. 14, 2024
Peter Gudella/Shutterstock
Keeping this much gas in the tank can help prevent damage and extend the life of your car.
Nothing is more annoying when you’re cruising on a road trip or commuting to work and realize something urgent: you need gas. Between the time it takes to fill up, the cost of the gas, and just the general inconvenience, you might be wondering whether you can just cruise a little bit longer without stopping. Maybe not so much, according to experts who say there’s actually an ideal amount of gas to keep in your tank, which is one of many ways you can help extend the life of your vehicle.
For starters, it’s important to understand how your gas tank works. In your gas tank is a fuel pump, says Bill Evans, who’s worked with cars for over 30 years and is now manager of J & E Auto Body in Clark, New Jersey. This pump runs from the gas tank to the motor, supplying fuel. As the pump runs, it heats up—but when it’s submerged in gas, the fuel acts as a coolant to stop the pump from overheating. If you’re running on less than a quarter tank of gas, the pump will overheat and end up failing sooner than it should. What’s more, driving around on empty can cause condensation in the walls of your gas tank, diluting your fuel, and causing rust, according to Richard Reina, a product training director at CARiD.com.
You may still feel driving on empty gives you more fuel for your buck. But, in addition to increasing the potential of longterm damage to your car, driving on empty actually hurts your gas mileage. “If you’re driving around on empty, the fuel pump is going to start picking up everything on the bottom of the tank,” Evans says. This includes sediment from dirty gas and tank condensation. Not only can this damage your fuel pump and motor, but it actually makes your gas mileage worse. “As long as you have a quarter tank of gas, your gas mileage is going to stay as optimal as it could,” Evans said. “The filter isn’t getting hot. The motor isn’t working as hard. That all helps on your gas mileage.If you’re keeping a quarter a tank of gas or more in the car, you’ll prolong the life of the fuel system parts.”
So there you have it—maybe it’s time to break your habit of using the last drops of the final gallon of fuel to roll to the gas station. And while you’re at it, focus on breaking these other habits that are shortening the life of your car.
Originally Published: April 29, 2020
Author
Erin Kayata
Erin Kayata joined Reader’s Digest as an assistant staff writer in March 2019, coming from the Stamford Advocate where she covered education. Prior to this, she was part of a two-year Hearst fellowship program where she covered crime and education in suburban Connecticut. She graduated from Emerson College and spent part of her undergraduate care...
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