Driving constantly with a nearly empty fuel tank can accelerate wear on the fuel pump, auto expert Dmitry Slavnov warned. Many drivers put off refueling until the low-fuel warning light comes on, but that habit is unsafe for the car, he said, according to infohub.kz.
The expert explained that the fuel pump sits directly inside the tank and is cooled during operation by the fuel passing through it. When very little gasoline remains, the pump's operating conditions worsen: it can overheat and its service life can be shortened.
Slavnov cites an unusual hum from the rear of the car after the engine starts as one sign of a worn unit. At the same time, relying on that symptom alone is not advisable — the pump can fail without any clear warning.
There is another problem as well. Over time, various contaminants can accumulate at the bottom of the fuel tank. When gasoline is at a minimum, the likelihood of them entering the fuel system increases. This puts additional strain on the fuel pump and other components of the fuel delivery system.
Occasionally driving with the warning light on does not by itself mean a passenger car will immediately break down: modern models are designed to operate at low fuel levels. The problem is the constant habit of driving on a nearly empty tank, so it is better not to put off refueling until the last liters.
Earlier, Kursiv Auto reported that Kazakhstan proposed compensating car owners for vehicle repairs caused by poor-quality gasoline.