How to Use Reserve Fuel When the Car Runs Out of Gas?
3 Answers
Only vehicles equipped with primary and secondary fuel tanks can utilize a reserve fuel tank. Regular cars do not have a reserve fuel tank; in such cases, you can contact your insurance company for fuel delivery. Relevant information: 1. Fuel tank function: In addition to storing fuel, the fuel tank in a hydraulic system also serves to dissipate heat, separate air bubbles from the oil, and settle impurities. The fuel tank is equipped with many auxiliary components, such as coolers, heaters, air filters, and liquid level gauges. 2. Precautions: Try not to wait until the fuel gauge lights up with a yellow warning indicating low fuel before refueling. This is because the oil pump may not operate smoothly, potentially damaging the oil pump and also inconveniencing your travel plans.
I've driven quite a few cars and noticed that many classic cars have a reserve fuel switch, usually located next to the accelerator pedal or under the steering wheel. Sometimes it's a small lever, other times a button. When the fuel gauge hits empty, you need to find a safe spot to pull over, turn off the engine, then reach down and flip that switch until you hear a click—that means the few liters of fuel stored at the bottom of the tank are now accessible. Don't expect the reserve fuel to get you far; it's usually just enough for 20-30 kilometers, barely sufficient to reach a gas station. Remember to reset the switch after refueling, otherwise your fuel gauge readings will be off. Modern cars have replaced this with automatic displays—the dashboard now tells you exactly how many kilometers you can still drive.
Last time I drove my friend's Jeep, it ran out of gas halfway. He taught me how to find the reserve fuel switch. That thing is usually a small red lever near the driver's left foot - flip it to connect to the reserve fuel line. Some older trucks require using a key to turn it, located right next to the steering wheel. This reserve fuel is actually just a small amount stored at the bottom of the tank that normally can't be accessed. After starting, you need to gently press the accelerator - no hard acceleration, fuel efficiency is key. As a reminder, if you keep driving after exhausting the reserve, you might damage the fuel pump, and repairs can be quite troublesome.
