Drivers urged to ditch 'risky' petrol station tip that could lead to breakdowns - 'Crucial to avoid'
Drivers are being warned of letting their fuel levels drop too low
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Experts are urging motorists to avoid making a "little-known" mistake with their petrol or diesel cars or they could risk having their cars break down.
The latest data from RAC Fuel Watch shows that the average price of petrol has fallen to 142.28p per litre - one of the lowest levels since the start of the year.
Similarly, diesel prices have also fallen to 147.13p, with the RAC forecasting that the price of petrol, diesel and premium fuels should continue to fall in the near future.
While prices are falling, many are still concerned about the fuel costs, and some will leave it as long as they can before they visit the filling station.
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Car breakdowns are likely if drivers allow their fuel levels to get too low
GETTYThis can have a huge impact on the health of the engine by starving it of fuel to save on their fuel costs, especially if they are running on empty trying to find the cheapest prices.
Motoring experts from BigWantsYourCar.com said drivers could be causing "serious" damage to their vehicles by not filling up before they are almost empty.
They added: "Driving your car on an almost empty tank isn’t just risky—it’s a guaranteed way to wear out your fuel pump prematurely. The fuel in your tank cools the pump, and without it, the pump can overheat and fail.
"It's crucial to avoid running your car down to the last drop. Consistently driving on near-empty can cause real damage, especially in diesel vehicles, where the fuel lubricates essential components like the pump and injectors."
This could be especially on the motorway when people are embarking on longer journeys as they want to avoid the expensive costs seen at filling stations along their route.
RAC Fuel Watch highlights how petrol is almost 24p more expensive at a motorway service area compared to a normal fuel station, while diesel is 25.8p more expensive.
These services consistently inflate prices as they are often the last hope for motorists looking to fill up on a long journey and have a guaranteed captive audience.
When fuel prices were at their highest, record-breaking levels in the summer of 2022, some motorway service stations charged as much as £2.50 per litre of fuel.
At the time, the average 55-litre family car would have needed to fork out £137.50, while the average 80-litre tank inside a standard van would have cost motorists £200.
The experts added that allowing their fuel level to drop too low could lead to a breakdown, which could have a huge impact on their future travel plans, especially over the upcoming bank holiday weekend.
They also highlighted how the cost of replacing a fuel pump is far higher than the "minor inconvenience" of keeping their tank at least "a quarter full".
According to the AA, recovery agents attended more than 10,500 breakdowns where AA members had run out of fuel or electric battery charge, with many of these being on motorways or fast-moving roads in 2022.
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Motorway service stations can be more than 25p more expensive per litre
Scrap Car ComparisonThe spokesperson concluded, saying: "The habit of driving until your tank is empty can result in more than just an unexpected stop. It could cause long-term damage to your vehicle and leave you with a hefty repair bill.
"Maintaining a healthy fuel level isn’t just about avoiding the inconvenience of running out of petrol—it's about protecting your vehicle from costly repairs. Keeping your tank at least a quarter full is a small effort with big rewards."
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