Every person feels like they are an expert on their car, and to a certain degree, they are. So, when the low fuel warning light comes on, they keep going. After all, you know how far you can go, right? Well, while you might not run out of fuel, you could inadvertently be causing many other issues. Discover why it's essential to avoid the low fuel light and keep fuel in your car.

Fuel Filter

An engine needs a clean environment to operate. While you may not realize it, when you frequently drive your car with a low fuel level, you can create an unclean environment for the engine. A fuel filter is designed to collect and stop dust, dirt, and other debris from making their way into the engine compartment. 

However, when the fuel level inside the gas tank is low, there is, in turn, more room for the debris to accumulate, and as a result, it becomes easier for the filter to become clogged. Once the filter is clogged, it will be unable to keep the debris outside of your tank as it should, which can contaminate the engine compartment. 

Evaporation

If you've ever felt as though your car went from ¼ of a tank to empty in 0.2 seconds, this idea wasn't just inside your head. A gas tank is designed to be filled with more fuel than air. However, when there is more air inside the tank than fuel, the imbalance can cause the remaining fuel inside the tank to evaporate faster. 

Consequently, your gas mileage rating will drop, and you run the risk of running out of fuel. Always try to keep your fuel level somewhere around the half-mark so that there is more fuel than air. 

Fuel Pump

The fuel pump plays one of the more critical roles in a car's operation because it is responsible for delivering the fuel from your tank to the engine. In many newer cars, the pump rests inside the fuel tank. When your fuel level is low, the pump takes in more air than it does actual fuel. 

As previously mentioned, the engine compartment needs to stay contaminant free. However, when the pump forces air into the engine, it also forces any contaminants found in the tank inside the engine. Maintaining a higher fuel level ensures that more fuel goes through the pump than air. 

Make sure you do everything to keep your vehicle operating efficiently and smoothly. However, in the event of a problem, don't take matters into your own hands. Take your car to a repair professional who can correct the problem and get you back on the road. 

For more help, contact a company like Pearmain's Performance & Auto.