Why running on empty is bad for your car's engine - and could end up costing you more than filling up regularly
- Sediment and rubbish in fuel tanks can end up in the fuel filter, harming your car
- It's typically cars older than 10 years that are more susceptible to this happening
- Older cars with steel petrol tanks carry more of a risk than newer plastic tanks
- NRMA claims there's no legitimate reports to suggest E10 fuel is bad for your car
Two motoring experts have revealed the dangers of letting your car's fuel tank get below a quarter full.
Letting your tank get below a quarter full could be causing serious damage to the motor - costing drivers more in the long run for repairs, experts say.
'There are dangers in two ways, one is that the sediment and rubbish that’s in the fuel tank can end up in the fuel filter and that in itself requires some servicing work,' Steve Spalding from the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland told Yahoo 7.
But according to Mr Spalding, the bigger risk is the fuel pump which can be very expensive to fix.
Putting off filling up your car's fuel could be pushing it to breaking point, eventually leading to more costs in damage and repairs
'It could easily cost $500 to $1000 and if you run a fuel pump dry, there’s a fair chance that it won’t be recoverable and then you’ll end up in expensive repair and a tow.'
But Robert Younus from the NRMA says it's typically older model cars that run the risk of damage from not filling up your tank quick enough.
'Cars with steel tanks tend to get more damage, but newer model cars with plastic tanks don't really get damaged,' Robert Younus told Daily Mail Australia.
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As for the theory that E10 fuel is bad for your car, the NRMA says some cars are actually recommended to use the cheaper unleaded petrol, saying cars from 2015 onward usually have a sticker in the fuel cap which says what petrol is best.
Mr Younus said the technology of newer cars is actually helping people get to the service station sooner, by a beeping that comes on when cars get below certain kilometers left in the tank.
'Over the last 10 years the NRMA has seen a massive decrease in out-of-fuel call outs because of the technology in petrol tanks,' Mr Younus said.
Checking the wheel alignment, keeping your load light and inflating tyres correctly are other ways to save the hefty mechanic fees.
The NRMA says some cars are actually meant to use the cheaper unleaded petrol, saying cars from 2015 onward usually have a sticker in the fuel cap which says what petrol is best - and some even recommend to use E10
