Your fuel pump is an integral part of your vehicle’s system. If your fuel pump isn’t performing at its best, your vehicle isn’t either. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to care for your fuel pump properly:
Most modern fuel pumps are electrical components that draw fuel from your gas tank to the engine. A fuel pump is the part of your car that tells you how much fuel is in your tank. They’re generally outfitted with filters that remove dirt and particles from your fuel before it’s sent to the engine. Fuel pumps are generally inside or on the fuel tank.
Some drivers make a habit of waiting until their fuel tank is nearly empty before refilling it. As your fuel tank gets closer to empty, your fuel pump may be struggling to draw fuel out of it. What it draws instead is air, which is bad news for your engine. Gasoline helps cool your engine as it works hard, and air causes it to heat up. This can lead to overheating and sometimes damage to both your fuel pump and your engine. If you want to keep your fuel pump and engine healthy, try not to let your fuel level drop below one-fourth empty.
You don’t have to fill up your car with the expensive premium fuel at the gas station (though it is healthier for your vehicle). But you should only fill up at gas stations you know have quality fuel. Stick with top-tier gas from trusted gas stations to ensure your system is getting the healthiest fuel. Top-tier gas stations are more common than those that serve low-quality gas, but you need to know the difference as you choose your go-to gas station.
Here’s another bonus tip: Don’t fill your gas tank up at the same time the gas station’s tanks are being filled up. This helps you avoid the dirt and debris that’s sent through the gas station’s reserves.
Fuel pumps, if kept healthy, last a long time. These rugged components are built to withstand years of work, but they do need replacing eventually. A good rule of thumb is to replace your fuel pump every 100,000 miles, but some last longer than that. Have your mechanic check it more often the further past that 100,000-mile mark your vehicle gets.
The most common cause of fuel pump damage is jellied gasoline. If you let gasoline sit in a tank long enough, it may eventually start to jell, which can gum up your fuel pumps and fuel lines. If you’re not going through a tank of gasoline every two weeks, consider adding an anti-ethanol to your tank to keep this problem from happening.
Make sure you use a trusted mechanic to provide you with the best fuel pump repairs and replacements for the best price. Come into Priority Toyota Hampton, and our team of certified technicians can help you bring your vehicle back to its most efficient state!
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