You may ‘know your car’, or so the meme goes, but did you know that running your vehicle really low on fuel is actually bad for its health? Honda Malaysia has published a short video detailing why that is the case.
Firstly, running close to the ‘E’ end of the gauge is bad for your car’s fuel pump because it will not receive the lubrication it requires. As with most constantly moving mechanical parts, prolonged operation in this state will lead to premature wear and possible breakdown, and the same applies to the fuel pump.
Another reason to keep your fuel tank sufficiently filled is that it will prevent the fuel pump and engine picking up contaminants that have settled at the bottom of the tank over time. Running low on fuel frequently leads to a higher chance of the settled sludge being picked up into the rest of the fuel system, subsequently damaging the engine.
Running a vehicle low on fuel could also lead to its system pumping air instead, and long-term exposure to air will also cause issues to the fuel pump and other components that require fuel to function. If you’re really pushing the limits of your fuel range, your vehicle may well run out of fuel at a truly inconvenient time, such as on a highway or when going through busy intersections, which could be dangerous.
Last but not least, don’t you think it would be a far less stressful experience if your vehicle has sufficient fuel at all times? You will have a clearer head for avoiding and getting around any eventualities that may be encountered on the road, thus making for a safer time in your vehicle. You’ll need fuel sooner or later, so you may as well have the peace of mind of having enough in your tank. Stay fuelled up, and stay safe.
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I drove a 2015 Honda City. Been in the situation where my range were showing only – – – km(after 0km it will show that) as i couldn’t find any petrol station plus it’s already midnight, there’s one but all of its pump are out of order. So i just drive slowly on the left lane, ready to pull over just in case as my house are like 7-8km away so i thought i could just make it home and out of the blue, the range suddenly showing i have 110km left. Made it home and vow myself not to be in that anxious & worrying situation again.
Converting to electric is safer, no such fluid flow related nonsense.
I’ll convert when all the petrol stations in malaysia has the charger. imagine going to some back water state in my 200k electric car with a pitiful mileage and 75% of the way i ran out of juice. in that state no one can help you.
“hey man u need fuel?”
“no i need electricity”
lol
when I drive a Proton Saga, E is enough to travel 50km agak²
Does Honda want to cover up their fuel pump issue?
It not just honda but all cars are the same. Think logic insufficient fuel the motor turn faster since it pumps just air thus damage the pump. One more item, an empty tank can easily explode because of gas accumulated in the tank.
Almost empty tank means the car handle better and use less fuel due to being lighter
irrelevant to the topic, but yes i agree & it’s true hahahahhaha
“contaminants that have settled at the bottom of the tank over time”
this makes me wonder.. is it possible to clean the car petrol tank, like how we do with our house water tank? if we can, how often and where can we do this?
As much as I’m curious about this, can all that was said in the article be proven in say a video? It just feels like all theory talk.
This is true. Do not use until E… the pump is exposed to heat without the help from the petrol for cooling…
Please advise if its suitable to change from manual transmission to auto transmission well I’m using Proton Waja manual a lot of people say it will cause harm to the car because manual and auto cars have different specs and system on it
You’re aware, that this is a big and quite expensive job? My opinion: Better sell it and buy one with an auto gearbox.
Aren’t all the arguments about dirt being sucked into the engine made irrelevant by the fuel filter all cars come with?
There is a thing called fuel pump inside the fuel tank which could be damaged. It is quite expensive and need more work and time to replace.
My car has a good old fuel gauge.
I drive till the needle hits E.
When I fill up, there’s still 1/3 left.
I thought the fuel pump always takes fuel from the bottom of the tank so that you don’t need a mechanism to vary the intake level of fuel from the tank to the fuel pump based on how much fuel is in the tank.
So if it constantly takes from the bottom should not be any build up of contaminants.
The fuel pump is situated at the top
There is also the fuel filter which honda charges a bomb to replace
There is also constant pressure which maintains constant fuel delivery, the only time air (actually its petrol fumes)can go into the fuel system is when it’s almost completely empty not first light of E.
This article is hvery confusing, it sounds almost like Honda’s fuel system is the same as the kerosine night light.
Honda best the best
Honda, please define low on fuel. Is it when the low light flicks, almost empty or totally empty?
If it is really detrimental as mentioned, why just don’t make a mechanism to trigger refueling once the fuel reach to the unhealthy level as you mention FFS.
Don’t believe! I smell cover up even manual not said any!! Pls don’t confuse people. Tq
I call my wife an empty head for letting the car low on fuel. She call me ’empty pocket’.
Bull crap from Honda there should not be any issue at all. Fuel pump issue need to be fixed period
This is simply not true
this thing is well known for decades especially when fuel injection became mainstream as they require electric fuel pumps which are dependant on the fuel to cool ..just make sure to fill up once it shows quarter tank as you never wanna be low on fuel incase of emergencies..
There’s one more reason to not want to dry the tank. The amount of fuel vapour to air in the tank will become closer to ideal for combustion. When you fill up, this air has to rush out. So it becomes even more important to avoid any source of spark (especially atatic electricity) near the filler cap.
Once in a while is fine right? i mean u need to exercise what ever it is they use to measure fuel quantity. i mean what if, let say they use a mechanical float type, and the float is stuck in full? sure if they use capacitance or ultrasonic type it’ll be fine. but those are pricey.
anyway i assume it is the same with fuel injected motorcycles.
By the time the car pump in the contaminants from the bottom of the tank, you will most probably unable to make it to the next petrol station. So the final reason, inconveniently stranded, override all other reasons
This is silly, if, and I mean IF you had contaminate laden fuel in the bottom of the tank… Where do we think a fuel pump picks up fuel all the time? Also, when you refuel it would disturb the sediment…or whatever they want to call it. Last.. the moving part the stator/pump assembly is cooled and lubed by the fuel inside the pump and it’s sealed bearings not outside the pump. This is a old and false issue.. now the fuel tank at the gas station….that is a different story.
Can’t you make both fuel and Electric systems both included in the cars so that when the
fuel is exhausting you can use the other. So that
You can continue your journey without
worry. This only a suggeston.