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When It Comes to Vehicle Maintenance, Few Issues Generate as Much Debate as the Idea That Driving with the Fuel Light On Can Damage the Fuel Pump. This Theory Is Widely Held, but Is It True?
According to Boris Feldman, a Brazilian engineer and journalist from AutoPapo, a YouTube channel, many drivers worry about this unnecessarily. So, let’s debunk this myth and understand what really happens when driving with a nearly empty tank.
Even today, many believe that keeping the fuel light on can overheat and damage the fuel pump. According to Feldman, this idea is “nonsense.” The popular explanation is that the pump, located inside the tank, is cooled by the liquid around it.
When the fuel level drops below the pump, it would overheat and could burn out. However, Feldman clarifies that this is just a myth. “What cools the fuel pump is the fuel itself passing through it,” the expert states. Therefore, it is not the level of liquid around it, but rather the constant flow of fuel that keeps the pump operating properly.
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Real Risks of Driving on Empty
Although the concern about the fuel pump is unfounded, there are other risks associated with driving on empty. Feldman warns that the real issue is the possibility of pulling impurities from the bottom of the tank.
“If you use it until the very end, pulling the last drops of fuel, gasoline, or ethanol, you might also be pulling that dirt that accumulates at the bottom of the tank,” he explains. These impurities can end up clogging the fuel filter, which may result in engine performance issues and eventually the need to replace the filter or even the pump.
Economy and Efficiency: A Matter of Common Sense
Besides the technical risks, driving with low fuel can be a poor economic choice. Keeping the tank always above a quarter of its capacity not only protects the fuel system but can also help avoid unexpected stops, especially in areas where refueling is not easy.
Feldman suggests that drivers should maintain an adequate amount of fuel in the tank, not only to avoid technical problems but also to ensure a smoother and surprise-free trip.
Myths and Truths: Dispersing Concepts
According to Boris Feldman, the myth that the fuel pump can burn out due to low fuel levels in the tank may stem from a misunderstanding of how fuel injection systems work.
In the past, vehicles with carburetors were more susceptible to problems caused by fuel impurities. However, in modern cars, the injection system is much more robust, and the risk of damage due to impurities is significantly lower.
Ultimately, the truth is that driving with the fuel light on does not cause direct damage to the fuel pump, as long as the tank does not become completely empty. The greater risk lies in the possibility of filter clogging due to accumulated impurities. Therefore, to avoid complications and keep your vehicle in good condition, it is advisable not to let the fuel level reach a critical point frequently.
Do you often drive with the fuel light on or do you prefer to keep a comfortable level of fuel? Have you experienced any issues because of that? Share your experience with us in the comments!
VERDADERodar com pouco combustível diminui sensivelmente a vida útil da bomba de combustível, alguns poderão discordar, porém, depois de tantos anos consertando carros, percebi que em algumas situações a “estatística” fala mais alto que os projetistas. A história se repete, não é porque seu carro possui amortecedores que você vai pegar todos os buracos que encontra pela frente, não é porque o tanque do seu carro possui uma reserva que você andará sempre com pouco combustível. Chegar até a reserva vez ou outra não tem problema, o que estraga a bomba de combustível é viver na reserva, estou falando daquelas pessoas que ficam abastecendo dez ou quinze reais toda vez que ascende a luz indicadora do tanque. A bomba fica alojada dentro do tanque justamente para que o combustível refrigere o pequeno motor elétrico que está contido dentro dela. Para você entender melhor, quando o motorista vira a chave de ignição, assim que as luzes do painel ascendem, a bomba de combustível do seu carro começa a funcionar, e ela não para, fica mandando combustível para o motor esteja ele funcionando ou não, aquilo que o motor não queima é devolvido para o tanque. Como você pode perceber esse pequeno motor elétrico trabalha muito e aquece bastante, é por isso que a bomba precisa de pelo menos ¼ de combustível dentro do tanque para resfria-la. Engana-se quem acha que o retorno do combustível refrigera a bomba, primeiro porque a vazão é pequena e o segundo ponto é que o combustível que retorna para tanque recebe parte da caloria do motor e retorna aquecido para o conjunto da bomba.Além do aquecimento, existem outros vilões dentro do tanque que se aproveitam do nível baixo para estragar sua bomba de combustível, a sujeira acumulada no fundo do tanque entope parcialmente uma pequena peneira que fica na boca da bomba, essa obstrução acaba exigindo mais do motor e com o tempo ele acaba queimando. O último vilão é o combustível adulterado, esse é o mais difícil de brigar, eu já vi de tudo dentro do tanque, água, solvente, corante, álcool anidro, querosene, areia, graxa, entre outros. Alguns destes produtos se misturam ao combustível, outros acabam se separando e indo para o fundo do tanque e, quanto menos combustível tiver, mais significativos serão os danos causados por essas substâncias nocivas a sua bomba e ao seu motor.
Sempre na reserva! Quando os **** de carro não ir muito longe.
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