tiger lily   10 #1 Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) Evening,  Could any mechanics answer me a simple question please? as I've heard different stories on this subject.  If I let my fuel gauge get down to near the reserve light then fill the car back up,does this cause long term damage to my car? Eg: sending all the rubbish through the fuel filter/pump and clogging the engine up?  Should a certain amount of petrol be left I the tank before filling up again? I never actually let the light come up but it gets near. I drive a Vauxhall corsa petrol 1.4  Any advice would be great thanks Edited July 24, 2015 by tiger lily Unfinished post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
mickw   10 #2 Posted July 24, 2015 Fuel filters catch most of the debris.  You usually have a good few litres in the tank when the light comes on so I wouldn't worry.  I always have waited till my tank is nearly empty before filling up, just don't let it run out completely or that will drag rubbish into the filter ( if theres any present) and clog the filter.  Hope this helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Rimrunner   10 #3 Posted July 24, 2015 not a mechanic but when you are driving about and your petrol is sloshing around in your tank while diving on Sheffields super flat roads im sure any crap will be nicely mixing up with your fuel, i think the fuel filter will be doing a fine job so dont worry. I drive a corsa and only fill up when the light goes on and ive had no problems with it for the last five years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tiger lily   10 #4 Posted July 24, 2015 Thank you for the advice,I never let it get past the red box on the gauge,but wasn't sure if that would be classed as running on empty? Glad you've mentioned you have a corsa like myself and have never had problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
poppet2 Â Â 13 #5 Posted July 24, 2015 Never run out of petrol. I did this a few times, then the car started kangaroo jumping all over the place because the rubbish made it's way through the fuel filter. Expensive job to get all the crap out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Dardandec   32 #6 Posted July 24, 2015 Modern cars are filtered to death now anyway through the sender unit and the fuel filter, running it low wont cause any problems, not if the filter is changed at the recommended service intervals, but as poppet has said don't run it out completely or to the point where its misfiring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tiger lily   10 #7 Posted July 24, 2015 I'd never run it down completely,if I think the lights going to come on I go straight up the petrol station. My car has a full service every 12 months which should hopefully keep on top of things.  Thanks again for everyone who has posted,it's put my mind at ease ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
stimpy   10 #8 Posted July 24, 2015 In modern cars this isnt a worry anymore as they have plastic tanks and filters that are way more efficient than "days gone by".  Even running out of fuel isnt an issue. Just change the filter and away you go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...