In view of the current fuel prices, it is understandable if you put off refueling for as long as possible. But: It is not advisable to drive the tank completely empty, says Johannes Kautenburger, automotive expert at the expert organization KÜS.
As long as there’s still a drop of fuel in the tank, you don’t have to worry about the engine. The situation is different when the last bit of petrol or diesel is gone. Because the fuel is not only there to be burned, it also cools the engine and also lubricates the injection and fuel pumps. The service life is significantly reduced by running dry. If things go really badly, an immediate complete breakdown is even possible. Refueling alone is usually not enough, and an expensive spare part is sometimes required. Anyone who is stranded with an empty tank must of course first refuel and start the engine, depending on the engine. This may take some time and several attempts as the fuel system must first bleed itself. In the case of diesel vehicles, a special venting process may even have to be initiated. It is therefore best to refuel early – then you can be flexible about the time and not so dependent on the current fuel prices. You should only rely on the indication of the remaining range in the on-board computer to a limited extent . From the point at which the reserve lamp lights up, you can still drive dozens of kilometers with most makes. But the ads are far from being so precise that you could actually use them as a guide. Therefore, at the end of the fuel reserve, the range is often not given down to the last kilometer, but instead is replaced by flashing dashes. The manufacturers want to prevent the driver from calculating the trip to the gas station with the very last drop. (SPX)
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