Running On Empty Can Damage Fuel Pumps

April 27, 2011 5:47 PM

(Photo Illustration by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images)

BOSTON (CBS) – With gas near or even ‘past’ $4 per gallon, a lot of people are letting their tanks run dry, which can damage their cars in the process.

John Paul from AAA of Southern New England said that in the last sixty days, they’ve responded to more people running out of gas than they’ve seen in a long time.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Carl Stevens reports.

He said that with gas so high, people are trying to squeeze out the last drop, and they’re burning out their fuel pumps in the process. That fix isn’t cheap.

“The old days with a ’64 Chevy of a $25 fuel pump are gone. Today we can see fuel pump costs in the $500 to $800 range,” said Paul.

So, it can cost a lot in the end if you spend too much time driving around, looking for cheaper gas.

emom

Damaging the fuel pump is not the only cost,, the tow, the wasted time, just the agravation of it all is a total waste,,,,, I try to keep at least a 1/4 tank in my van,,, and then get to the station as soon as possible… I always keep a $20 IN THE CAR for emergencies…. car repairs are extremely expensive……
Cynic

Well if the arab nation would stop bending the US over on oil prices and all these fake speculations then we wouldnt have to pay 4 dollars or 5 dollars a gallon. There is no reason why the price is this high, King Al Saud probably needs another palace and he is collecting his income on us poor americans
Buddy

How true Cynic. Your right no need for $4 dollar a gallon gas. Not to worry though Obama’s energy secretary said the following in his 2008 interview….

During an interview with the Wall Street Journal in September of 2008, Steven Chu said that gas taxes should slowly be increased over the next 15 years in order to force people to turn to alternative energy sources. Chu also says, “Somehow, we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to levels in Europe.”

Well where getting there very fast.
emom

HHMMM interesting,,, If OBAMA wants the usa to head towards more of an energy efficiant country,,, then WHY not make any and all products that are designed to save energy less expensive … Lets start with the cars,,,, they are so expensive,, truely not everyone can afford them.. Next to save enen more resources,,, why not outfit homes with their own solar panels, better heating systems and give them bigger rebates for doing change overs,, A solar panel on a roof for an averge home is well over $15,000.00 maybe more like double that..Start building the wind farms.. and start by use bio fuel.,,, seems to be catching on, but sadly it cost alot….. yeah whe are moving in the wrong direction compare to other countries,,,,, and if this president even cares about the american folks, he would do something to HELP rather than HURT us finacially,,,,,, raise the gas tax sure why the heck not,,, our governor has raised all the rest of the taxes great more oatmeal and pb & j …
Check it out

ITS AMERICA DOING THIS TO THE CITIZENS, NO ONE ELSE! If you think otherwise, sorry you dont see what the underlying truth is here.