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Does driving on empty damage your car?

I just bought a new car and I want to keep it in tip-top condition. I was reading about some things to avoid, and a blog said that driving on empty can damage your engine. It didn’t go into detail and I was skeptical. But will driving on an empty tank damage your car?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Treating your
new car
like an investment not only makes your car more reliable, but also can improve the resale value of your car. With that said, driving on empty may damage your car, but it’s highly unlikely.
The only way that driving on empty may damage your car is if you burn out the fuel pump. When fuel isn’t flowing through the fuel pump, it lacks lubrication, which can cause it to fail. A new one can cost anywhere between $200 and $1,000, so make sure to keep your tank filled.
Keep in mind that the chances of this happening are slim. You usually can’t drive long enough to burn out the fuel pump, but it’s enough of a risk to warrant a mention.
As you can see, driving on empty is never a good idea. So if you need some extra cash to fill the tank regularly, save on your next car insurance policy by shopping around with the
Jerry
app.
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