UK drivers warned to fill tanks 'as full as possible' before Wednesday
Motorists have been advised to keep their petrol and diesel tanks as "full as possible" this Wednesday, as temperatures are expected to reach up to 24C from Wednesday to Sunday, peaking at 27C on Friday. According to experts at 1dot, approximately 1-2 per cent of petrol and diesel fuel could evaporate in extreme heat.
Specialists from All on the Wrist Auto and Diesel Repair warned: "Excessive heat can lead to increased evaporation of diesel fuel, potentially causing vapor lock and reduced engine efficiency." They added: "Additionally, engine oil may become less viscous in hot conditions, potentially compromising its protective properties."
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Hence, drivers are being encouraged to keep their fuel tanks as full as possible, reports Birmingham Live. However, amid the rising temperatures across the UK, online reports have falsely claimed that filling up during a heatwave could result in petrol tanks exploding.
These fake posts, circulating on Facebook and Whatsapp, wrongly assert that five cars have exploded in the past week due to owners filling their tanks to the limit.
The RAC has debunked these claims as nothing more than a social media hoax. In response to the rumours, RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis stated: "There is no truth in this."
He reassured motorists by saying: "All fuel systems on passenger vehicles are designed to cope with any expansion of fuel, or vapour coming from the fuel. There is no risk of explosion from filling up a fuel tank fully and drivers should have no concerns in doing so.
"We'd recommend people avoid the temptation to share misinformation like this via social media." Mr Dennis advised motorists to fill their tanks to the brim when possible, particularly before embarking on prolonged trips.
However, as temperatures soar, he warned that it's crucial to adopt preventative measures against typical summertime issues.
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