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I remember learning to drive in the 80's some old timers would tell me don't run on low tank because it sucks dirt from the bottom, and don't fill up at a gas station when the tanker is there because you will be sucking the station's dirt from the bottom of their tank.
Don't know if it's true or not?
Modern tanks are plastic, so you won't have rust or anything in there. And the fuel pumps themselves have a sock like mesh on them to catch any debris. If anything gets past that, they get caught in the fuel filter.
^^^ THIS. The bearings in the pump are lubricated by the gas in the tank.
I think it has more to do with lubricating the rubber vanes of the impeller than bearings. If there is no liquid present the rubber is dragging against plastic which heats/distorts/warps the impeller and in turn puts strain on the structural integrity of the pump. The bearings could go in this case. A warped impeller is more likely as it bogs the pump down in efficiency rendering it useless. If the vanes stick you will burn a spot in the armature of the pump and kill it.
I can't recall ever seeing bearings immersed in gasoline for cooling. Metal sparks; that and gas don't mix.
You can never run out of gas in your tank. All vehicles will keep from 1 to 2 gallons in the tank to make sure the pump stays lubricated. You cannot use that 1 to 2 gallons, your car will stall out when the fuel reaches that level. It is a self preservation feature on all cars with the fuel pump in the tank.
When your car stops running because gas is so low that it's no longer getting to the engine it doesnt really matter if there are still a few gallons in the tank as its gas you cant use so you are in fact out of usable gas.
You can never run out of gas in your tank. All vehicles will keep from 1 to 2 gallons in the tank to make sure the pump stays lubricated. You cannot use that 1 to 2 gallons, your car will stall out when the fuel reaches that level. It is a self preservation feature on all cars with the fuel pump in the tank.
What good is that 1-2 gallons when you're sitting on the side of the road? The point is that you shouldn't let your tank run on the light.
I remember learning to drive in the 80's some old timers would tell me don't run on low tank because it sucks dirt from the bottom, and don't fill up at a gas station when the tanker is there because you will be sucking the station's dirt from the bottom of their tank.
Don't know if it's true or not?
The first part, that's what the fuel filter is for. So long as you change it when you're supposed to, it's not so much of an issue.
The second part, maybe in days of old, but modern fuel pumps are filtered, as well.
just a comment on my experience...I often ran/run cars down to the gas light on condition and drive another 5-20 miles. I've never replaced a fuel pump since maybe a '56 Chevy (and that didn't have a warning light) ...and seldom if ever fuel filters, nor had sludge stop me. Of course it depends on the car and Lady luck. I guess I've been fortunate.
BTW. I don't doubt there are situations where it isn't good for the car...oh, yeah, I did run out of gas once.
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