My husband says that it can ruin my car. That I should never let it get past a quarter of a tank. Does it mess up my engine? Or is he just bull shyting me? And if it does, what exactly does it do to my engine?
2006-12-11 05:43:52 · 12 answers · asked by amyvnsn 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You should try not to let the level get below a1/4. It won't ruin your engine but it will shorten the life of your fuel pump. With a tank mounted fuel pump (which most modern cars have) the fuel in the tank works as a coolant for the electric pump. Heat and electric motors do not mix. combine a hot electric motor with cold fuel getting poures on it it greatly reduces the life of the pump. In my shop most fuel pump failures happen right after the tank is run low and then filled especially on a cold day
2006-12-11 09:51:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will not hurt your engine at all. What it can do is shorten the life of your fuel pump by causing it to overheat. It sits in your gas tank and is cooled by the gas around it, when you drop the level too much it causes more heat and more wear.
Besides that you have a better chance of condensation in the tank during cold weather when your fuel level is lower so it's a good idea to gas up more often and keep it above 1/4 tank.
On a side note the pump is always picking up gas from the bottom of the tank so letting it get lower will not let it pick up stuff that has settled. It also has a strainer to keep it from picking up even small stuff like sand.
2006-12-11 13:53:42 · answer #2 · answered by Mark D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well since the fuel pump is on the bottom of most cars it will be fine. Like stated earlier just be carefull if you live in a cold climate because the fuel system could freeze if left too low. As far as the engine no it wont do a thing. Like I said the fuel pump is normaly on the bottom of the tank so these people that say it will pick up sediments and rust are crazy. It is always pumping what is lowest all the time.
2006-12-11 21:38:25 · answer #3 · answered by rwings8215 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There should already be some system that
- keeps the pump from picking up air when there's no more gas and
- leaves a bit of gas mixed with sediment at the bottom of the tank rather than picking it up.
If either doesn't work you risk trouble. Modern injection systems can be rather high pressure. I would not like to have too much oxygen INSIDE the pipes, mixing with gas vapors.
OTOH, a 1/4 tankful is too much as addeed safety. 5-10 % of capacity is sufficient. Just go for a fill as soon as the tank indicator redlines. Designers have put the redline there for that reason.
2006-12-11 14:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by Nomore Replies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't hurt your engine at all in warm weather. The problem is leaving your tank run down in freezing weather. The space in your tank ( over the gas ) tends to cause condensation. The water from the condensation will sink below the gas, and freeze in your fuel line. Your engine then can't get any fuel at all.
2006-12-11 14:00:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it won't hurt your car unless you continually run it out of gas. It's just some people's personal preference not to let it get that low. On occasion, it's even good to run all the gas out of the car. It burns up all the excess junk in there. But only on a very rare occassion. A couple times a year is too often.
2006-12-11 13:48:26 · answer #6 · answered by Brandon T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No that is the worst thing you can do to your fuel system. You should never let your tank get much below 1/4 tank because when you fill up at gass stations there is rust and other types of debris that gets pumped into your tank. When you run it dry your fuel pump sucks up all that debris and can clog you fuel filter, pump or fuel lines. I also never recommend going to a gas station that has a gas tanker filling its pumps because when they fill up the pumps is stirrs up the sedament at the bottom of the tanks.
2006-12-11 14:00:49 · answer #7 · answered by beerman0028 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not a good thing to do since there is probably some gunk in the bottom of the tank. That's why I usually put some STP gas treatment in my tank every year. It helps keep the fuel lines and injectors clean.
2006-12-11 14:09:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your husband is right. It will mess up your fuel filter. This is due to the fact that sometimes when you let your tank get completely empty...your fuel filter will dry out and when you finally fill up again...the filter is so dry it will get the gas to clog up within the filter, which is preventing your gas from rotating to the engine.
Also try to keep your car well fueled and oiled up. Not having enough oil in your engine, will cause your engine to lock-up. It pays to learn alot about your car. My husband taught me that rule.
So when it comes to cars....LISTEN TO YOUR HUSBAND.
2006-12-11 14:06:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's ok - just dont do it in the winter.
You should have at least 20% gas in your tank at all times in the cold.
2006-12-11 13:47:10 · answer #10 · answered by mnial 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋