Why You Shouldn't Run Your Car Low On Gas

[Extreme Dimensions]

Sometimes it’s tempting to try to eke out as many miles from your tank of gas as possible. But you shouldn’t do it. This video showing the innards of a fuel pump will help you understand why.

Your car’s fuel pump sends gasoline from the tank to the engine. It’s a crucial component in getting your car running, but it has a tendency to fail and leave you stuck on the side of the highway—especially if you like to run your car low on gas.

You can see why running a car low on gas might cause problems by looking at YouTuber speedcar99's tear-down of a fuel pump module:




you can see the video and read the rest of the article here!

http://jalopnik.com/why-you-shouldnt...gas-1796273605

[CamaroFred]

Shouldn't this be titled, "Don't run your B-52 bomber run low on fuel over Africa?"

Is James Stewart tapping on the fuel gauge?

[Extreme Dimensions]

haha i barely got that reference and this is mostly for older vehicles but also new ones as well

[SharpOldNo7]

I've got a 1993 F150 with Dual tanks. Front tank runs until it stutters then switch to rear tank and go on. Been doing it 24 years and still have the original pumps. 200K plus on the clock.

[Jrichards73]

Originally Posted by SharpOldNo7

I've got a 1993 F150 with Dual tanks. Front tank runs until it stutters then switch to rear tank and go on. Been doing it 24 years and still have the original pumps. 200K plus on the clock.

That's because its an urban legend... Pumps either at the bottom or drawing from the bottom, so any "sediment" is getting pulled at start up anyways. I've yet to see sediment in a modern plastic tank though. Unless your filling from jugs you gas is filtered, so where is this "sediment" coming from? Pump is cooled by gas going through it as well, so even that's bunk. Fuel pumps go bad sure, but not for either of the two reasons given. My 2 cents....

[RACERJOE1]

I never run either if my vehicles below 1/4 tank knowing that fuel is what cools the pump motor, without enough fuel surround it, it will overheat and fail eventually.

[sspade]

I consistently fill my tank to the brim with 93 and drain it until the fuel mileage reads "Low Range"

[gringo]

Originally Posted by sspade

I consistently fill my tank to the brim with 93 and drain it until the fuel mileage reads "Low Range"

You still have a few gallons left even on low range.

[sspade]

Figured... that's why I believe its still safe to "run the tank to empty" since its not truly empty. I think the most I can recall adding at a fill up was about 17 gallons. And I believe we have 19 gallon tanks...