Running your gas to near empty each time = bad?

[Carnoobie]

Is this a myth or actually true? Ive always been told that if you run your gas tank to the low mark, or say red (or just above it) each time that it puts extra strain on your fuel pump and will shorten the life of it?

I forgot who it was but someone said that the less fuel in your tank, the harder the car and fuel pump have to work and its always best to have at least 1/2 a tank in at all times. Meaning fill up when its half full, not 5% or 10% full.

 

[Zaedock]

The fuel pump is cooled by the gas, which could potentially make it last longer.

 

[Carnoobie]

Originally Posted By: Zaedock
The fuel pump is cooled by the gas, which could potentially make it last longer.


The gas cools the fuel pump? I did hear about that but didnt know if it was 100% true or not. So is it true that fuel pumps have to work harder when theres less gas in the tank?

 

[strongt]

I don't think the car or pump have to work harder because the fuel pick is at the bottom of the pump which is the bottom of the tank. But IMO I think the fuel pump is cooled by the fuel it sits in. I would think a cooler running pump would translate into a long running pump. I never run past the 1/4 tank mark my shelf. I've never had the replace a fuel pump.

 

[surfstar]

...he's baaaack...


Try searching. This thread has been asked many times. No need to waste BITOG bandwidth on your latest troll.

 

[Donald]

The fuel pump is mainly cooled by gas going through it rather than sitting in gas. So low is not a problem and even empty is not a problem in many cars, but NOT all. Empty can also mean you walk a ways.

You could probably run a Camry empty every day and no problem, but run an older GM truck or SUV with pump in the tank just once and you are liable to fry it.

Pulling a fuel tank to replace a pump is no fun.

And you do not save anything by letting the tank go to low or empty.

 

[46Harry]

It's a good idea to never let the tank get below 1/4 on fuel injected engines. The fuel pump is submerged in gasoline which cools the pump. When the fuel tank runs low, the pump is only partially submerged which causes the pump to run hotter and keep in mind that there is a fuel return from the engine which dumps heated gas back into the tank which aggrevates the problem.

 

[Carnoobie]

Originally Posted By: strongt
I don't think the car or pump have to work harder because the fuel pick is at the bottom of the pump which is the bottom of the tank. But IMO I think the fuel pump is cooled by the fuel it sits in. I would think a cooler running pump would translate into a long running pump. I never run past the 1/4 tank mark my shelf. I've never had the replace a fuel pump.


I try to stay above 1/4 too, but 1/3 would probably be even better for the pump. Its not worth running on red each time, never know when you might get stuck.

 

[Voltmaster]

Like others said, low tank = more strain on pump because it cools and lubricates it.


So your pump could run out ,

Why would u run it so low every single time? There is no need for it!

 

[Carnoobie]

Originally Posted By: 46Harry
It's a good idea to never let the tank get below 1/4 on fuel injected engines. The fuel pump is submerged in gasoline which cools the pump. When the fuel tank runs low, the pump is only partially submerged which causes the pump to run hotter and keep in mind that there is a fuel return from the engine which dumps heated gas back into the tank which aggrevates the problem.


Interesting, didnt know that. 1/4 seems low, i think having half in at all times is nice for the pump to be happy.

 

[GearheadTool]

Originally Posted By: Carnoobie
Originally Posted By: 46Harry
It's a good idea to never let the tank get below 1/4 on fuel injected engines. The fuel pump is submerged in gasoline which cools the pump. When the fuel tank runs low, the pump is only partially submerged which causes the pump to run hotter and keep in mind that there is a fuel return from the engine which dumps heated gas back into the tank which aggrevates the problem.


Interesting, didnt know that. 1/4 seems low, i think having half in at all times is nice for the pump to be happy.


[censored] FINALLY! NOW we can lay those rumors to rest. THANK YOU!

 

[Carnoobie]

Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Like others said, low tank = more strain on pump because it cools and lubricates it.


So your pump could run out ,

Why would u run it so low every single time? There is no need for it!



I dont run it on low but every one i know does. They run it till it says low or the gas tank or red light come on then fill up. They figure why bother making more trips to the gas station if they dont have to.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: Donald
The fuel pump is mainly cooled by gas going through it rather than sitting in gas.


Not in my experience. The external pump on my off road buggy gets pretty warm.

 

[Falken]

Running low on gas can cause misfires, and on long roundabouts and exits when the fuel sloshes to one side of the tank probably isn't that great for your car.

Also, if there is a traffic jam you'll run out of gas.

I let my car go to a quarter tank before I refill as I don't want to be at the pumps more often than I really need to be.

Edit: also, I think you can pull up water from the bottom of the tank and dirt that may help clog your fuel filter.

 

[surfstar]

STOP MAKING [censored] UP!!!

All of you - there is no evidence proving your claims.

I had a car that never got filled until it was either below 1/4 or the light was on. 346k miles on the factory pump and it still works.

According to you I should have been replacing the fuel pump every month.

ITS A MYTH!

 

[Vikas]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
...he's baaaack...


How can that be? This the first time both him and GHT have made their contributions on the same day!!

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Originally Posted By: surfstar
...he's baaaack...


How can that be? This the first time both him and GHT have made their contributions on the same day!!


And I almost take GHTs post as a troll to carn00bie! (I was assuming GHT was being sarcastic and not sincere)

The end is near! 12/21/12 !!!

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: Falken
Edit: also, I think you can pull up water from the bottom of the tank and dirt that may help clog your fuel filter.


??? The fuel pump always picks up from the bottom of the tank.

 

[bullwinkle]

Depends on how lucky you are-I cooked the pump module on my old company van ('00 GMC Savana 2500 5.7) the FIRST TIME I ran it out of gas-it died within a week!

 

[GearheadTool]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Originally Posted By: surfstar
...he's baaaack...


How can that be? This the first time both him and GHT have made their contributions on the same day!!


And I almost take GHTs post as a troll to carn00bie! (I was assuming GHT was being sarcastic and not sincere)

The end is near! 12/21/12 !!!


Take it as you want, I was getting a little [censored] tired of the insuination.