So yes, if you do run your car on empty, this is not going to be good for your fuel pump, and there are mechanical and thermal reasons for this. Fuel Pump: The Fuel Pump depends on fuel to provide lubrication and cooling. With inadequate fuel in the tank, a pump’s internal parts — like the motor and impeller — run with excess heat and friction, increasing wear. Research from the Automotive Research Centers indicates that stranding the poor thing even once can shorten a fuel pump’s life by as much as 30% — particularly in vehicles with high mileage.
Some electric fuel pumps, like ones that are found in most cars and trucks, are designed to work submerged in fuel. When the tank is empty or almost empty, the pump runs dry, raising its temperature. The overheating could cause irreversible damage that may be sustained when the pump motor windings or bearings operate in low-fuel conditions over an extended period of time as noted in a 2021 report by AAA, which Adobe Stock photo shows can occur in as little as 10 minutes.
Having less fuel also means that an increasing amount of debris (which always settles at the bottom of the fuel tank) is sucked in the fuel pump. These contaminants, including rust particles and sediment, can cause clogs in the pump or its strainer. In a case study by Bosch, pumps subject to sediment build-up showed performance drops between 20-40%, significantly dropping fuel pressure and causing engine misfires or stalls.
“Fuel starvation is a great way to destroy a pump in short order,” said John Davis, an automotive engineer. One of the simplest preventative measures to avoid pump failure is keeping the fuel tank above a quarter full at all times. Regular maintenance and inspection of the fuel system is recommended by many manufacturers, including Kemso, to ensure long pump life.
Driving on empty can also cause damage to other parts of the fuel system. Debris entering the system can cause a clogged fuel filter or restricted fuel line which makes the Fuel Pump work harder, further increasing the risk of overheating and failure. Replacement parts can run an average of $150-$300, and a new fuel pump installation can run more than $500 in parts and labor.
In some cases, running out of fuel can set certain diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) such as P0087 (low fuel pressure). Usually these alerts indicate damage to the fuel pump or other components in the fuel delivery system. You can perform a pressure test with a fuel pressure gauge usually between 40-70 PSI in most vehicles to confirm if the Fuel Pump has been damaged from running dry.
A good quality Fuel Pump, like those supplied by Kemso, can last longer and damage less from a moment of low-fuel conditions. To learn more about Fuel Pumps that are designed to be tough and dependable, check out Fuel Pump.