Is it bad for fuel pump to drive when fuel warning light turns on

[atifkm]

Is it bad for fuel pump, if i fuel the car more often close when the fuel light turned on. Does it make any harm to pump or unless the car, stops without any fuel. Just heard from somewhere and need to take your opinion.
thanks.

[JasonA]

I don't know. Why risk it? Just fill up when you get to 1/4 tank. There's no sense in running the tank so low. What if you're on the interstate and there's a wreck that has the place gridlocked for hours? No sense in running out of fuel just sitting there.

[Dave's]

Not that I know but everything I've read or heard suggests it's best to keep it half to a quarter full or so. Most fuel pumps are in the tank and apparently use the fuel as cooling. Prolonged running near empty may shorten pump life.

[bigkat91]

^^^+++++1

[Slaander]

if you not complete run out gas, you should not be worry it, but if you complete run out gas that might, since the air will goes into the gas line, and will take a while to get the pump working again.

[Sharp]

No. In my experience, the light turns on with fuel to spare. As new as these cars are, your pump should be fine.

However, in much older cars, it is a good idea to keep the tank at least 1/4 full. Anything less can result in sediment/rust clogging up your fuel filter, which may or may not be a huge pain, depending on where the filter is at.

In a gas car, running out of gas is not much more than an embarrassing ordeal. Simply add more and go. No real harm. However, in a diesel, you have to bleed the fuel system.

Regardless, I believe its a great idea to avoid ever seeing that light. Not because it could damage your car, but because why would you want to run the risk of drying up and being stranded on the side of the road?

[mikered30]

Fuel does cool the pump. When gas was over $4 a gallon last year, people would push the limits on how much fuel was left in the tank looking for the cheapest gas prices. Needless to say, fuel pumps burned up after continuous tanks of low fuel. Also, sediment in the tank settles to the bottom and has the potential to clog the screen and filter. The filter is in the tank and is a PITA to change.

[JasonA]

I do agree that "sediment" problems today are much less severe than they used to be. The gas you get from a modern fuel station is pretty dadgum clean, and most fuel tanks today are poly, not metal, so there are no rust issues.

I think the fuel filter/strainer on these cars is pretty easy to change. You just lift the back seat and there's an access door in the bottom of the car, to get to the fuel pump. You don't have to lower the gas tank at all. I thought that was pretty smart design.

[atifkm]

So the conclusion appears that try to avoid drive at end.
I think i will not go for cleaning fuel filter, even though it may
be simple, just not to have any bad experiment.

So as a part of the same tread, my question is "what are the benefits of keeping minimum half tank in winter." (let assume no sediments issue).

[Sharp]

Originally Posted by atifkm

So as a part of the same tread, my question is "what are the benefits of keeping minimum half tank in winter." (let assume no sediments issue).

Only 2 benefits....

1) More weight over the rear tires, aids in grip, helps keep the back end from sliding around too much.

2) If for whatever reason your car becomes stuck, trapped, etc, you still have plenty of fuel to run the engine and heater, so you dont freeze to death.

[mikered30]

^^ Very good idea to keep half a tank in winter. Minimizes condensation formation and in the case you get stuck in a ditch or the road freezes shut in traffic, or the power goes out in your home, you could have power.

[atifkm]

Great to know the background.
Is the condensation issue also a problem in starting the car in winter.

[JasonA]

Originally Posted by atifkm

Great to know the background.
Is the condensation issue also a problem in starting the car in winter.

Could be. Any time you get condensation in the tank, it's going to get washed down by the fuel sloshing around and will end up near the bottom of your tank, because water is heavier than fuel. So as stuff sloshes around, some of that water could eventually get picked up by the fuel pump and cause starting problems. Folks used to use a product marketed as a fuel line antifreeze (really just alcohol) to "remove" water from a fuel system. I'd just use that if you have occasional problems. I've lived in some cold climes before, and haven't had any winter starting issues related to water in the fuel.

[atifkm]

thanks all for sharing great information.