We all know your wallet takes a swift kick every time you have to pull up to a pump, but it turns out running on low could send you reeling financially even more. Without enough fuel, your car's fuel pump will be sucking on hot air, wearing it out well before it's time.
Gasoline is a coolant for the electric fuel-pump motor in your car. When the tank is near empty a lot of the existing air will be sucked in, creating heat, and breaking down the fuel pump. The cost for repairs can hover around a couple hundred dollars, much more than the fuel you still need anyway.
To prevent those costly repairs, it's suggested you keep your gas tank about the ¼ mark and always fill up before a long trip where you can get stuck in traffic resulting in a longer trip than expected. Also, don't heavily rely on those tools that tell you how many miles you have left on your tank. They can change dramatically depending on how you drive. The last 50 miles you're expecting can hit 10 pretty quick when you're hitting the gas.
It's tough to find the right moment to fill up and the gamble of waiting until the next town for cheaper gas rarely pays off. Turns out it only hurts your wallet—and car—even more when you push your gas meter to the limit.
