We’ve all been there – the weather is rotten and you’ve been fighting traffic all day. There’s no diesel station in sight and the “low fuel” light is illuminating a cautionary red/yellow. There’s no question, you have to fuel your coach soon. However, there are several considerations today’s coach owner is faced with when filling up. Educating yourself and developing some good habits early can prevent inconvenient and costly scenarios in the future.
What exactly does that little illuminated light mean? The fuel tank of your motorhome is equipped with a fuel sender alarm. This alarm alerts you, via the dash gauge, of the amount of fuel that is left in your tank. The fuel sender alarm has a probe. The probe is adjusted at the factory and covered with sealant. The purpose of the probe is to determine the volume of liquid in your fuel tank. When the quantity of fuel touching the probe reaches a low level, the low fuel light will illuminate on the dash. This warning means that the tank contains approximately 1/8 of a tank of fuel.
When your coach is being fueled, the pump is drawing from below-ground storage. By the time this liquid enters your coach, the fuel has picked up normal dirt and grime within the underground container. A natural build-up of this waste accumulates at the bottom of your tank. It’s important to remember that running the coach to the bottom of the fuel reserve means that the system will also begin to draw from this dirt and grime. Bringing the foreign substances up through the fuel filtering system will wreak havoc on your coach’s filtering process. Therefore, you should always keep a steady watch on the fuel gauge and never allow it to register below 1/4 capacity.
“It's always best for motorhome owners to utilize fuel stations that cater to large vehicles (truck stops).”
There are other reasons to keep excess fuel in your tank. In the course of normal driving, the fuel will slosh about the tank as the coach turns corners and climbs hills. If you have an already low reading on the probe, these movements can cause the coach to stall in an “out of fuel” mode.
Your generator will not run you out of fuel. The generator in your coach has a built-in warning system that shuts down operation when the fuel tank reaches below 1/4 full.
Over a period of time your coach can collect a small amount of water in the tank. Condensation may occur as the coach is driven from a cold to very hot climate or while fueling in heavy rain. Once water collects in the bottom of the fuel filter, the “water in fuel” light will trip and illuminate on your dash.
If a large amount of water accumulates in your tank, there is a drain plug under the tank that enables the tank to be drained.
“Educating yourself and developing some good habits early can prevent inconvenient and costly scenarios in the future.”
If you run out of fuel, water has entered the system, or the fuel filter becomes plugged, pull safely off the road and contact a towing company to transport your coach to a qualified repair facility. Your owner’s manual instructs you on the type of fuel to put in your coach. To prevent costly repairs, do not attempt to put regular fuel in a diesel coach; and do not put diesel fuel in a gasoline coach. Furthermore, it is important that coach owners be aware of whether their coaches have one fuel-fill, or dual fuel-fill access.
It’s always best for motorhome owners to utilize fuel stations that cater to large vehicles (truck stops). This will save the headache of having to jockey your coach around small service islands designed for cars. Truck stops are generally located on the outer edges of towns and cities. Do not risk getting stuck in the middle of a busy, unfamiliar city with an illuminated low fuel light. It’s best to plan where you’re going to refuel before making reservations for dinner.
“What exactly does that little illuminated light mean? The fuel tank of your motorhome is equipped with a fuel sender alarm. This alarm alerts you, via the dash gauge, of the amount of fuel that is left in your tank.”
Before entering any fuel station, determine that there will be ample room to enter and exit. Any necessary maneuvering is going to require wide turns. Be aware of the height of covered areas to prevent contact with the coach’s roof. Likewise, before exiting the station, do a thorough inspection of your surroundings to ensure a safe departure.
In addition to affording your competent maneuvering capability, truck stops are known for selling a reputable quality of fuel. Older, small out-of-the-way establishments are more likely to have older underground tanks containing excessive dirt, grime and/or water in the fuel supply. If possible, it’s always best to avoid these stations.
“Check your owner's manual for the fuel filter... schedule.”
A pair of soft leather gloves is a must when fueling your motorhome. Store the gloves in an outside service center location. Never bring diesel-soaked material into your coach. The ground around fueling stations can become oily and grimy. Keep a pair of slip-on shoes, with good traction, stored next to your fueling gloves.
If the fuel cap feels pressurized upon removal, the fuel vent tube may have become plugged by some type of insect. (NOTE: If your coach has been stored for a any length of time, you should check the vent for blockage.) It is not uncommon for insects to plug the vent tube. If the tank appears to be pressurized, the vent tube may be blocked. To inspect the vent tube, check on the roadside of the fuel tank, near the bottom.
“If your coach has been stored for any length of time, you should check the vent for blockage.”
Always check your owner’s manual for the fuel filter maintenance schedule. In the interim, carry a spare fuel filter. Note that some coaches may require two fuel filters: a primary and secondary. In that instance, carrying two spare fuel filters will be necessary.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s a small, inconspicuous warning instrument, but your coach’s low fuel light is very important. By simply keeping a close tab on your fuel gauge and maintaining an adequate fuel level, you’ll avoid most of these inconvenient and costly situations. |
