Hello Mabs
I always wait until my fuel light comes on before filling up because I tell myself I'm saving money by delaying it. My sister says I'm damaging my car. Is she right or is this just another motoring myth?
Mabs Answers
You are definitely not the first person to ask this.
Many of us stretch every rand, so waiting until the warning light appears can feel like the sensible thing to do. Every now and then is unlikely to cause immediate damage, but making it a habit isn't ideal..
Your fuel pump relies on petrol or diesel to help keep it cool. Constantly driving with very little fuel can place unnecessary strain on it over time. It also leaves you with very little room for unexpected traffic, road closures or detours.
Rather treat the warning light as exactly that: a reminder to fill up soon, not a target to beat. Keeping at least a quarter of a tank gives you a little more peace of mind and one less thing to worry about when life throws you a surprise.
