THE FABIA CLUB

admin

As promised this is the 2nd of ?? threads.
k_ajay - this is esp. for you. If you have stumbled upon this thread please don't quit before giving it a good read.

Actually there is no danger here. It was just to attract the not so inquisitive minds. Before I start to write why we should not drive around with empty tank - let me explain a few things.

Air contains moisture. Hot air contains more moisture than cold air. So when air cools it relases moisture.

Understanding the Fs (Fuel flow). The fuel first goes into the fuel tank. Tank is mostly located under the rear seat (Jazz has it under the front seat). It can be of plastic or metal. I don't remember the type in our Fabias. I recall that it was white in color so it could be plastic. The fuel tank has a pump called fuel pump. This is an electrical pump and is monitored by the ECU. Older cars had a mechanical pump. This pump pushes the fuel into the fuel line towards the main engine block. But before the fuel enters the main block there is a filter called fuel filter which removes the impurities from the fuel. Chances are that the fuel pump may have it's own filter too. Get this - fuel filter is much cheaper than fuel pump. Fuel filter needs to be replaced regularly for clean supply of fuel to the engine.

What happens when fuel is low in the fuel tank. Low fuel means more air. More air means more moisture which corrodes the metal tank. The water drops from the moisture is itself an impurity for the fuel. Moreover the impurity sits at the bottom of the tank, if the level of fuel is low these impurities will be picked by the pump and will choke both the filters.

So don't drive around with the 'low fuel warning light' on. Ajay - if you have read this I can now be sure that your next call will not be becuase of no fuel in your car Smile

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Robin

vivek_dave · Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Posts: 8 Location: India

Just want to confirm that 'low fuel warning light' is the indicator when only 7 liter (As per the manual) petrol is left or it is something else.

If it is the same light then also should we avoid running car for long?

admin · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:40 pm Post subject:

vivek_dave · Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Posts: 8 Location: India

Thanks Robin

Will try to maintain that level although rising petrol prices are making it difficult. Sad

k_ajay

admin · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:56 am Post subject:

^^ But whenever you call at night I make it a point not to miss it. For I feel it could be an S.O.S call Smile

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Robin

k_ajay · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:37 pm Post subject:

admin · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:30 pm Post subject:

While it is important not have a dry fuel tank, it is equally important not to fill it till the brim. Reason is simple - fuel expands with rise in temperature. There should be enough space for it to expand. I go by the auto-cut of the nozzle. Bunk attendents have a tendency to keep filling till the fuel almost spills.

For the reason of expansion - if you fill early morning you get more energy from your fuel for the same price.
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Robin