Running on Empty
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: July 9, 2008
With the gas prices so high, lots of us seem to be seeing just how far we can drive on empty. Unfortunately it's not always as far we hope and its damaging our cars.
Since the beginning of the year, the Texas Allstate Motor Club reports a 53% increase in the number of drivers running out of gas on highways. Local mechanics say folks may think they're saving money by using every last drop in the tank, but really they're just taking the chance of damaging their fuel pump. A repair that will cost you big money. Nick Carter with Dan's Auto Shop here in Lubbock says, "Down the road it can hurt and fuel pumps, like I said, in the later model cars, are in the tanks and they're expensive. The repairs alone can run anywhere form $100 to $600 and nobody can afford that when they're putting all their money in their gas tank." Experts say if you want to avoid any car problems associated with running low on fuel, all you have to do is fill up when you hit a quarter of a tank.
