If you follow this 1/4 fuel tank rule it'll save you a lot of money in repairs in the long term

Published on May 23, 2026 at 11:40 AM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson

Last updated on May 23, 2026 at 11:40 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by Mason Jones

If you follow this 1/4 fuel tank rule it'll save you a lot of money in repairs in the long term

We all want to save money where we can when it comes to our cars – so you need to know this 1/4 fuel tank rule, because it’ll save you big bucks on repairs.

We’ll often only head to the gas station when we think our car is about to completely run out.

After all, we’ll often prioritize convenience above all else.

But doing this can have negative ramifications for your vehicle – that’s where the 1/4 fuel tank rule comes into play.

Here’s how the 1/4 fuel tank rule works

Here’s essentially what the 1/4 fuel tank rule is.

Should you see your fuel gauge hit 1/4, you should head over to the gas station and fill up.

That’s it – it’s really that simple.

But here’s why such a basic tip can save you a ton of cash in the long run.

Constantly driving around with your fuel light on can risk causing serious damage to the car’s fuel pump.

Pumps need a certain amount of fuel in the tank to stay cool during normal operation.

Should the tank run too low, the pump stands at risk of overheating.

And regular overheating can lead to permanent damage, which could cost you $500 for a replacement.

This isn’t the only risk that comes with letting fuel run too low.

Leaving a fuel tank empty can also leave it at risk of moisture build-ups.

Nobody wants to leave their tank at risk of corrosion, do they?

Because there’s less fuel in the tank, there’s a lot of extra space which is taken up by air.

This air contains water vapor, which when mixed with any remaining gas, can cause it to work less efficiently.

The 1/4 rule is especially pertinent if you’re driving around in a car made before the 1990s.

These vehicles would most likely have a fuel tank made of metal, and those are particularly at risk of rust should water vapor have its way.

There are plenty of money saving tips out there for drivers

With how expensive things have gotten for drivers, it’s no wonder the internet is full of tips and tricks to save cash.

For young drivers looking to shave a couple of hundred off their insurance bills, there are a whole host of suggestions.

There are some tricks that you wouldn’t even think of making an impact – like removing one common car accessory to improve fuel efficiency.

The AAA has plenty of ensuring drivers get the most miles out of each gallon.

“Drivers [should] check and maintain the air pressure in their tires. Under inflated tires can impact how a vehicle performs, including: decreased gas mileage, increased stopping distance, and decreasing the tires ability to grip the road,” David Bennett, AAA’s senior repair manager, told Supercar Blondie.

“Use fuel that is designated as Top Tier. Fuel with that designation includes detergents that AAA’s research found keeps engines nineteen times cleaner than non Top Tier designated fuels, which impacts engine performance and gas mileage.

“Overall, it’s less expensive to properly maintain your vehicle that it is to repair the vehicle.”

If you do your due diligence and find some credible sources online, you can save money in a whole range of ways.

Following stints at LadBible, The Sun, The New York Post, and the Daily Mail, Ben joined the team full-time in February 2025. In his role as Senior Content Writer, his sparkling copy, the ability to sniff out a good story at 100 paces, and a GSOH quickly led to him becoming an integral and invaluable member of the writing staff.