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The tank light is on and the tank is full. The engine malfunction light is on: causes and consequences

Car breakdown is annoying. A breakdown will become unexpected if the car is not monitored and the warnings are not heeded. One of them is a light bulb check engine". How to understand what the problem is, what it indicates and what to do if it catches fire.

Button assignment

The dashboard in a car is a way for the driver to control the level of gasoline, oil, engine operation or other components of the car that guarantee comfortable and quiet driving on the road.

Modern cars are equipped with an indicator necessary for the convenience and comfort of the driver. If earlier an engine malfunction had to be found only visually or by carefully listening to work, today a special light bulb is working. It was created for the convenience of monitoring the condition of the engine. Ideally, it should light up only when the engine is started and go out after a couple of seconds.

If the light does not go out or lights up while driving, then you should think about malfunctions in the operation of the main component of the car.

How serious can the reasons be?

Each signal on the car panel is an indicator that the driver must be attentive. When the check engine light comes on, there are several reasons.

  1. A common cause is gasoline. Due to the additives that unscrupulous manufacturers use in gasoline, the engine does not work properly, it becomes clogged. You should change the fuel or refuel at another gas station, and everything works correctly.
  2. Faulty candles.
  3. Broken ignition coil.
  4. A triggered oxygen sensor (lambda probe).
  5. Broken exhaust catalyst.
  6. Incorrect operation of high voltage conductors.
  7. Injector failure.
  8. Fuel pump or fuel filter.

It is worth starting the check with the fuel tank cap. If it is not tightened to the end or defects appear on it, then the light indicates the engine is not working properly.

Each of the reasons is not very terrible, but requires immediate elimination. If you do not pay attention in time and do not diagnose the malfunction, you can lead to a complete breakdown of the engine and the incapacity of the machine.

The engine is serious, but it is not necessary that the work requires overhaul or engine replacement. The work of the masters is important in any issue of diagnosing and repairing the engine. But, if the reason is candles, then the replacement is carried out independently and quickly, without the involvement of craftsmen.

What to do if the light is on

If you see that the check engine light does not light up as it should (does not go out after starting the engine or lights up while driving), then you should stop to diagnose the car. You can do this not immediately, but it is necessary. Remember, if it lights up, this is the reason to either go to the service station for diagnostics, or check the engine for faults.

The first thing you can do when the light comes on is to stop and listen to how the engine is running: is it troiting, is there any extraneous noise or knocking. If you hear extraneous sounds, then they indicate the cause of the breakdown to an experienced driver. If the cause of the breakdown is not clear to you, the direct road is to the nearest service station.

If the reason for the light bulb to come on is low-quality fuel (this can be determined after diagnostics, after excluding other causes), then the service masters will tell you that it is worth changing the type of fuel poured into the car or the place where you are used to refueling.

They also conduct a visual inspection of the engine for cracks, bumps, leaks. If you yourself find a breakdown, then according to the reason, repairs are also carried out.

  • oxygen sensor. It is worth replacing it yourself, following the operating instructions for a car of a particular brand. If the replacement is not made in time, then there will be an excessive consumption of fuel and the catalyst may break, the replacement of which will be much more expensive.
  • A leaky fuel tank is the cause of air getting inside, which means overspending. It is worth either replacing the cover or achieving tightness with gaskets.
  • Candles. This is the main element that guarantees the ignition of the fuel mixture. If they do not work correctly, then the car will refuse to work at all. Replacing spark plugs is not difficult if you are already an experienced driver. You can change either only the candle that has already worked out its own, or all at once, in order to surely avoid malfunctions in the car. In the store it is worth buying a set of candles specifically for your car. If you are not sure that you will buy the right option and be able to change it, then go to the service station, where the necessary parts are already there and the specialists will be able to replace quickly and affordably. In the issue of candles, it is worth remembering that old-style cars need to be replaced every 20,000 km, and if the car is new, then on the same candles it can travel up to 150,000 km. If you change the candles on time according to the requirements technical operation your car, then you can avoid catalytic converter failure and improve engine performance.
  • Replacing the mass air flow sensor. This part regulates the amount of air that is needed for rapid ignition. When it is faulty, then this is excessive fuel consumption, an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaust, poor acceleration, and a decrease in engine power. Most often, the breakdown is associated with an incorrectly installed air filter or the filter has already expired. When it comes to changing the sensor, the costs are related to the price of the sensor itself, but the replacement service in the service is not so expensive, because it does not require a lot of time and is simple in technology. Regular replacement of the filter is a guarantee of long-term operation of the sensor.

Nuances in the operation of the "Check engine" light bulb

The check engine light on the instrument panel appeared in the early 90s. but then the work of the sensor was aimed only at controlling the operation of the carburetor. That is, the lamp lights up when:

Today, the work of the light bulb is much wider. There are no longer carburetors in new-style cars. Replaced with injectors. It is in connection with this novelty in the car that the light bulb shows not only the wrong mixture. Thanks to her, the driver learns about:

  • Interruptions in work;
  • Ignition problems;
  • Bad shifting and more.

See what else a burning check engine light may indicate (video)

Outcome

Thus, thanks to such a light on the panel, you can control almost every element of the engine, its condition and performance.

The check engine light on the driver's panel is a status indicator. If it does not burn according to the rules, then you should pay attention to this and go for diagnostics. Timely elimination of breakdowns is a guarantee of safety and comfort on the road. Attentiveness to your car will exclude breakage at the most inopportune moment.

Of course, drivers most often do not allow the gasoline light in the car to light up, which warns of a low fuel level in the tank. This warning indicates that it is time to refuel the car. But should we immediately go to the gas station and fill up the car as soon as possible? How much time do we have before the car runs out of gas or diesel fuel? Here is a detailed table for many car models, which reveals in detail information about how much fuel remains in the tank after driving. dashboard a low petrol or diesel fuel warning appears.

The table published below is an approximate value for a particular car model. Please note that the data is given for cars produced until 2015 inclusive. Also keep in mind that some values ​​in the table may differ slightly from the actual figures.

But on average, the following values ​​\u200b\u200bare obtained: cars, after the fuel level light in the tank lights up, they can still drive about 50 kilometers, while SUVs and crossovers, which, as a rule, have an increased volume of fuel tanks, can drive about another 150 kilometers with the fuel light on.

Does this mean that car owners can, when a low fuel warning appears on the dashboard, not rush to fill up? Of course not. Especially if you are in an unfamiliar area and have no idea how far the next one will be.

That is, despite the fact that in any car the fuel tank has a certain reserve of fuel, after the lamp is on, signaling a low fuel level in the tank, you should fill up your car as soon as possible and next time do not allow this warning to appear again. Always keep the fuel level in the tank until the fuel light comes on on the dashboard.

Is it dangerous to drive with low fuel in the tank?


Many do not know, but in addition to the risk of running out of fuel if the low fuel warning is ignored, there are a number of problems that any car owner who often drives on an empty tank can face.

For example, frequent trips on an empty tank can prematurely bring the catalyst into exhaust system out of order, which will have to be repaired or purchased new, which is associated with huge cash outlays.

Including frequent trips with a low level of fuel in the tank can damage the fuel pump. The fact is that the fuel that we fill at gas stations is actually not clean (especially in Russia) and it contains various pollution fractions that settle at the bottom of the tank. When the fuel level is low, we run the risk that such sediment can enter the fuel system through the fuel pump. Especially, . It is at this point that particles of sediment from the tank can enter the fuel pump. With normal fuel levels, this risk of contamination of the fuel system is minimal.

So if you don’t want to ruin yours, then refuel your car regularly and on time, without bringing the fuel level to low values ​​\u200b\u200bthat lead to a burning lamp on the dashboard.

Is the range on the vehicle's on-board computer accurate?

Many car owners often rely on the readings of the on-board computer. vehicle, which shows you the possible power reserve. Therefore, some drivers bring the car to a low fuel level, relying on the on-board computer indicator, believing that the specified range is true.


Also, many drivers, when a warning about a low fuel level appears, immediately look at the readings of the on-board computer in order to find out how much more the car can drive on the fuel that is left in the tank (power reserve).

But, unfortunately, the range is not accurate, as it is only based on the averages of your past road movements.

The fact is that the car's electronics will not be able to show you the true range, since it cannot take into account your current driving conditions in real time, which affect the consumption of gasoline or diesel fuel.

For example, if you were driving down the highway before the warning light appeared on the dashboard warning you of a low fuel level in the car tank, and now you are stuck in a traffic jam, the range displayed on on-board computer, is actually incorrect, since this figure is calculated when driving on the highway, where fuel consumption is actually much less than in heavy traffic in the city.

So don't count on a low fuel warning to keep you going for a very long time.

So how much fuel is left in the tank from the moment the fuel light comes on, and how many miles can you still drive before it runs out of fuel?


If the answer to the first question can still be quite simple, then how much further distance you can drive on an empty tank after the fuel lamp on the dashboard of the car lights up is definitely very difficult to say, since it depends on real consumption fuel of your car at a certain point in time.

And consumption depends on many factors, ranging from your driving style and weather conditions, as well as ending with the rubber installed on the car and the road surface.

We have already, which disclosed in detail information about the power reserve on an empty tank. .

The same article complements the previous one, and also expands useful information for car enthusiasts.

Here is a detailed car model table that shows you in detail how much fuel is left in the tank in your car after the low fuel warning light comes on on the dashboard. Also from the table you will find out how many distances on average you can drive after an empty tank warning.

Table of the remaining fuel in the tank after the lamp on the dashboard lights up

(by brand and model)

brand Model

The amount of fuel

which remains

in the tank after

after the appearance

burning light bulb

Power reserve

with an empty tank

and burning

light bulbs

Ford F-150 1/16 tank 55-130 km
Chevrolet silverado no data 40 km
Ram 1500 14 liters 100-140 km
Toyota Camry 12 liters 105-145 km
Toyota Corolla 9 liters 95-135 km
Nissan Teana 14 liters 130-180 km
Honda Accord 12 liters 110-150 km
Honda CR-V 10 liters 100-125 km
Honda Civic 9 liters 95-130 km
Ford Fusion 1/16 tank 55-130 km
Ford Escape 1/16 tank 55-130 km
Toyota RAV4 10 liters 90-120 km
Hyundai Elantra no data 50 km
Jeep Cherokee 14 liters 105-150 km
Chevrolet cruze 9 liters 90-135 km
Ford Focus 1/16 tank 55-130 km
Hyundai i40 no data 65 km
Jeep Wrangler 13 liters 75-95 km
Chevrolet Malibu 9 liters 80-115 km
Jeep Grand Cherokee 14 liters 105-145 km
brand Model

The amount of fuel

which remains

in the tank after

after the appearance

burning light bulb

Power reserve

with an empty tank

and burning

light bulbs

Toyota Tacoma 14 liters 105-145 km
Subaru Forester 12 liters 100-135 km
Kia Optima no data 50 km
Toyota Highlander 13 liters 95-115 km
Toyota Sienna 14 liters 85-120 km
Subaru Outback 12 liters 105-135 km
Volkswagen Jetta 8 liters 90-135 km
Honda Pilot 11 liters 70-100 km
Ford Mustang 1/16 tank 55-130 km
Ford edge 1/16 tank 55-130 km
Kia Soul no data 50 km
Toyota Tundra 18 liters 95-115 km
Hyundai Santa Fe no data 65 km
Kia Sorento no data 65 km
Toyota Prius 7 liters 120-130 km
Ford transit 1/16 tank 55-130 km
Mazda 3 10 liters 110-150 km
Mazda CX-5 12 liters 105-145 km
GMC Terrain no data 80 km
Jeep Patriot 9 liters 75-95 km

Yes, sometimes we can find ourselves in a situation where we can’t refuel our car on time. In this case, in any case, sooner or later a warning will appear on the tidy that gasoline or diesel will soon run out.


We advise you not to ignore this vehicle electronics warning. But there is no need to panic. You still have time to find a gas station to fill up your car. Thanks to this table, you can roughly find out how much fuel you have in the tank, as well as how much the car's driving range is after the appearance of a lamp signaling a low fuel level in the tank.

Should I worry if the instrument panel lights up control lamp low fuel level, how much more can you drive and how to save gasoline? We answer in order.

An indication of the need to refuel is usually accompanied by a single beep. Hear this "ding" - start counting.

It would seem, what is there to talk about? Reserve information in fuel tank should be in the owner's manual for the vehicle. Or even simpler: the trip computer warns of low fuel levels and tells you how far you can drive before refueling. Not always. Others, instead of specific numbers, issue only dashes, forcing them to panic even more.

However, the authors of instructions often limit themselves to general words. For example, "The low fuel warning light comes on when the fuel tank is nearly empty." This is a quote from the user manuals Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio. It even contains an element of drama: "The depletion of the fuel supply can endanger the people in the car." Scary…

Low fuel light on

If you have to travel out of town, just in case, keep a small canister of fuel in the trunk. Check that it closes tightly. It is more convenient when it is completed with a watering can for refueling. As in this illustration, for example.

Meanwhile, “drying out” is bad: you can find a lot of unpleasant adventures both for yourself and for the car. For example, burn the fuel pump, which will not have enough cooling. In addition, it will begin to pick up the dirt that is in the tank of any car with high mileage. Lean mixture can damage catalytic converter. When the engine is running on high revs, and it ceases to receive fuel mixture(for example, in a long turn), this can lead to detonation and subsequent repairs. If it takes place in a mountainous area, there is a risk of not overcoming the climb. And in general, any forced stop far from civilization is unsafe. In winter, you can simply freeze, being afraid to leave the car. Think fiction? Alas, it happens. And not only in Siberia and the Far East, but even in the central zone of Russia.

To reduce fuel consumption, turn off the air conditioner. This is a very greedy unit.

In fact, both Solaris and Rio have not so little in reserve: 7-8 liters, as the owners of such cars say. So, maybe it is worth giving such figures, having previously checked? For the concern, this is quite a feasible task. Or from the user manual new Hyundai Solaris, which is about to appear on Russian market, this horror has already been removed? It will be interesting to check when we get to know him.

Similar exercises are found in the instructions of three bestsellers - Renault Logan, Renault Duster, Lada Largus. As a carbon copy: "If the lamp lights up and does not go out, it is urgent to fill the tank with fuel." At the same time, the manual of the related Renault Sandero clearly states - "from the moment the warning light first lights up, you can drive another 50 km."

In the instructions for Lada Vesta there is a mention of a control lamp, and more should be said in the appropriate section, but the link leads nowhere. There is not even such a section as "Vehicle Operation". There are "Introduction", "Driving", "Leaving" and " Practical Tips". On the contrary, Lada 4 × 4 has specific data (see the table). Same with Chevrolet Niva. It looks like a legacy of the Soviet era. But the Japanese and Europeans (Germans and Czechs) are just as accurate.

Leave the Power mode until better times. Switch to Eco Mode, avoid sudden acceleration and deceleration.

How much gas is in the tank when the light comes on

As you can see, in order to find the answer to the question of how much and how far you can go “on a light bulb”, I studied the operating instructions for the most popular cars in Russia. The data was summarized in a table. Conclusion: the minimum supply of fuel that automakers provide us is 5 liters, in most cases - about 7 liters. This should be enough for at least 90 kilometers when driving on a country road in a B-class car. So it’s not worth panicking when you see a low fuel lamp on or a written warning that the tank is almost empty - unless, of course, you are in the tundra or desert. Get to the gas station.

To find out where the nearest one is, look at the navigator map by turning on POI and filtering by gas station. No navigator - stop to use your smartphone or tablet. A short break won't hurt. Of course, it is better to find a network gas station with quality gasoline, but if there is no guarantee that such a one is nearby, it is better not to risk it and refuel at the first one - minimally. When you get to a decent one - fill it up full tank and dilute fuel of questionable quality. And wait a couple of seconds after turning on the ignition before starting the engine: let the pump pick up normal gasoline.

A common feature of champions in efficiency (among them is the Volkswagen XL1, which consumes only a liter of fuel per 100 kilometers) is impeccable streamlining.

We crawl, hobble in the darkness...

How to get to the gas station? Close windows to improve aerodynamics and turn off air conditioning if possible ( air conditioner- a serious energy consumer). Turning off the music is pointless, it won't eat much. Leave the headlights on too - otherwise you will save on safety, what you can’t do, no matter what happens. You need to move as evenly as possible, without sudden acceleration and braking, in top gear, at a speed of about 80 km / h (not in settlements). Our editor in 2008 went to St. Petersburg and back on one tank driving a 170-horsepower Volvo.

Cruise control is a good tool for saving fuel. You just need to learn how to use it correctly.

To maintain a certain speed in the middle of the last century, cruise control was invented, it is also a tempomat, which most cars have today. Cars with new automatic boxes gears are, in principle, more economical than cars with mechanics - they change gears according to a certain algorithm, and not randomly, and are trained primarily to save fuel. But also in modern cars mobiles with MCP (for example, Lada Vesta) built-in "gear shift prompts" (the term of AVTOVAZ). And even in the ancient Zhiguli there is an econometer that suggests the optimal driving mode. And in foreign cars latest generation, as a rule, you can select the appropriate mode of operation of the power unit by pressing the Eco button. Use the maximum available tools. If you can, check the tire pressure and bring it up to the prescribed pressure (data available on reverse side fuel filler flap or on a sign in the doorway). Are you traveling, do you have a box on the roof and a trailer on the tail? To get to the gas station, get rid of both, pick up when the fuel is full.

But in general, we wish you never to see the fuel reserve light on, always fill the tank under the cork, and if you sometimes go out of town, keep at least a five-liter canister with a built-in watering can in the trunk. It is inexpensive, 500 rubles, does not take up much space. If it closes tightly, hermetically - it does not even smell. We do not recommend carrying plastic bottles with gasoline: they are more dangerous than canisters. And the car burns to the ground in a couple of minutes.

And lastly, the instruction manuals are an interesting read. I advise.

Page from the manual operation Lada 4 × 4 (ex-"Niva"). Everything is clear and very clear.

How much gas is left in the tank when the light comes on

brand, model Fuel reserve as indicated in the owner's manual Notes
Hyundai SolarisNo data, "the warning lamp comes on when the fuel tank is almost empty."According to users, Solaris has at least 7 liters in reserve, which should be enough for 100 km on a country road.
Kia RioSimilarlySimilarly
Volkswagen Polo"Constantly on when there is fuel left in the tank for about 80 km."And here, according to users, the reserve is 7-8 liters, not less than 100 km.
Skoda Rapid"The warning light comes on when there is approximately less than 7 liters of fuel left in the tank"Rapid has several options. power units. But even in the most powerful version of the reserve should be enough for more than 100 km.
Renault DusterThere is no data, "if the lamp lights up and does not go out, it is urgent to fill the tank with fuel."According to the owners, a reserve of at least 7 liters (often referred to as 8 liters) should be enough for 90 km.
Renault LoganSimilarlyReserve - about 5 liters, should be enough for 90 km.
Lada LargusSimilarlySimilarly
Renault Sandero“From the moment the warning light comes on for the first time, you can drive another 50 km.”In fact, the reserve in the tank is at least 5 liters, perhaps 7.
Lada GrantaNo data, "lights up amber when refueling is required to avoid engine interruptions."The owners claim that the reserve is about 8 liters. More than 100 km way!
Lada KalinaSimilarlySimilarly
Lada VestaNo data, the corresponding item in the instruction manual could not be found.The reserve is 7–8 liters, also for 100 km or more.
Lada XRAY“From the moment the signal light comes on for the first time, you will be able to drive about 50 km.”The reserve in the tank is 6–7 liters of fuel. Like the Renault Sandero.
Lada 4×4"Illuminates orange when there is less than 4-6.5 liters left in the fuel tank."Niva, that is, Lada 4 × 4, is not the most economical car. The minimum consumption, according to passport data, is 9.1 liters. per 100 km. In total, you have less than 90 km in stock. Alas.
Chevrolet NivaSimilarlySimilarly
Toyota Camry"Indicates that approximately 10.5 liters of fuel or less is left."Such a reserve should be enough for another 100 km!
Toyota RAV4"Indicates that the remaining fuel is 9.0 liters or less."The minimum fuel consumption on the highway version with a 2.0-liter engine is 6.3 liters per 100 km. But do not flatter yourself and take risks. Refuel as soon as possible.

To inform the driver about the amount of fuel in the car tank, a fuel level indicator is installed on the dashboard. By itself, it is not particularly noticeable and, in order to exclude the possibility full flow gasoline or diesel fuel, there is an additional warning light on the dashboard, indicated by a schematic representation of a gas station.

When the light comes on, the light informs that there is critically little gasoline in the tank and it will be enough to cover a short distance. The fuel level warning light is made so that the driver notices in advance that there is not enough fuel in the tank and drove to the gas station.

The signal light can be considered a useful addition to the fuel gauge. The fact is that the sensor readings are not always accurate, there are certain errors (due to the configuration of the tank, the position of the car and a number of other factors). Therefore, the sensor can show an “empty” tank when it is ¼ or 1/5 full, depending on the volume of the tank (and this is 10-15 liters). This can be confusing for the driver, because the gauge needle shows "0" both at 10 liters and at 1 liter of gasoline in the tank.

TYPES OF INDICATOR, PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

On cars with carburetor systems, the signal lamp was powered from a potentiometric fuel level sensor, that is, the sensor and the lamp are connected. The principle of operation is very simple - when a certain level of gasoline is reached, the potentiometer slider connected to the float closes the lamp power contacts. At first, the contacts close intermittently (the splashing of gasoline in the tank affects), so the indicator flashes, but with greater fuel consumption, the lamp contacts become permanently closed.

In modern cars with injection system power sensor and indicator are separated. The signal lamp is powered by its own sensor mounted on the pump housing. The main element of the signal lamp sensor is a thermistor placed in a metal bulb. The principle of operation of the "lamp-sensor" circuit is based on a change in the resistance of the thermistor due to temperature.

Everything works like this: voltage is applied to the thermistor, which causes it to heat up. The fuel acts as a coolant for it, it removes heat, maintaining the temperature of the sensor. If the gasoline level drops below this sensor, the temperature of the thermistor will rise, which leads to a change in its resistance. As a result of the change in resistance, the lamp lights up.

The indicator built on the basis of a thermistor is good because it is not connected to the fuel level sensor and works independently of it. This makes it possible to notice a decrease in the fuel level even when the fuel gauge is not working.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU GO WITH A LIGHT LIGHT

Now about how much gasoline remains in the tank if the lamp lights up and how long it lasts. This indicator differs for different models. On average, automakers set a reserve per 100 km of travel. That is, the light comes on if there are from 5 to 10 liters left in the tank, depending on the model. But this does not mean that after the signal lamp lights up, the driver will travel 100 km. The distance that can be driven on a reserve of gasoline is affected by driving style, features road conditions, engine load, etc. That is, one driver will drive 80-90 km on reserve, and the second will only be enough for 30-40 km. Therefore, you should not hope that you will drive a long distance on the remaining fuel in the tank. When the indicator lights up, you should immediately head towards the gas station.

HOW TO RIDE IF THE GASOLINE LIGHT IS ON

It happens that the light on the dashboard lights up, and you still need to drive a considerable distance to the gas station. And in this case, measures should be taken to ensure that the reserve is enough before refueling.

For this you need:

  1. Choose a path with a minimum number of stops. Keep in mind that 5 liters of gasoline is not enough to start the car and get to the gas station. You need at least 10 liters so that the pump can fully pump the power system and ensure a stable supply of fuel. If there is less gasoline, then the fuel pump will “drive” air due to a lack of gasoline, because of which the engine will not be able to work stably.
  2. Choose a speed mode at which gasoline consumption is minimal (70-80 km / h).
  3. Reduce the load on the on-board network, leaving only the necessary electrical equipment on.
  4. Close the windows, park behind the truck on the track, this will reduce air resistance to a minimum.

These measures will allow you to drive a greater distance on the remaining fuel.

WHAT IS A LOW AMOUNT OF GASOLINE

Note that it is better not to allow the amount of gasoline to decrease to the level when the warning light comes on. If for carburetor cars a small amount of fuel does not have any negative consequences, except for the likelihood of an unexpected cessation of movement and a “walk” with a canister to a gas station, then this phenomenon is dangerous in injection cars.

The problem is that the fuel pump in such machines is placed in the tank and the fuel for it is the coolant. If there is not enough gasoline, then due to overheating, the pump motor may fail. The "snatching" of air by the pump also does not bring anything good.

Another problem is that at a low level, the fuel pump pumps fuel "from the bottom" of the tank, where rubbish and dirt accumulate. This leads to clogging of the fuel inlet filter, causing the pump to work under increased load, which increases the likelihood of failure.

A clear belief has taken root in the automotive environment - driving with a small amount of fuel in the tank, when the minimum fuel lamp has already lit up, is harmful to the car. This is evidenced by the driver's rumor, this is indicated by the instructions for the operation of cars. At the same time, there is no direct dependence, they say, once I drove with a burning lamp and everything broke down, and this seriously complicates the conversation on this topic - it is not known for certain what affects what and what leads to. There are only observations and theoretical experience. But we still tried to analyze the situation and understand how harmful it is to drive on a burning fuel light. For this, let's consider the most popular arguments and confirmations used by supporters of this point of view.

Fuel pump overheating

In modern injection cars, submersible pumps are used, they sink into the tank and “live” among gasoline. it does not just lie there, but is located in a special fuel module, which, among other things, includes a plastic drip cup, fuel level and much more. The fuel pump itself is located inside this entire structure; during operation, it generates heat, which means it must be cooled. The fuel pump does not have additional systems that remove heat (in general, this is a rather simple design), so cooling is done by gasoline - both by what passes through the pump itself and by what floats around in the tank. If there is little fuel in the tank, then heat dissipation deteriorates, the pump overheats, can be deformed and jammed. Due to the increased temperature, the windings can collapse, the electrical connectors can melt, in general, there is little pleasant.

This is the most popular point of view regarding the dangers of driving on a light bulb, and it is quite logical. True, for some reason it is not taken into account that even when there is little fuel in the tank, the gasoline pump does not work “dry”, it still pumps gasoline through itself. As soon as the gas runs out, the engine stalls, the pump stops working - it turns out a kind of protection from a fool. Is there enough cooling for passing gasoline? Purely theoretically - yes, because the gas pump is not a very powerful unit and does not emit much heat during operation. We managed to find a couple of experiments on the Internet that confirm this point of view. But they, of course, were carried out under sterile conditions, no one measured the temperature in the tank.

Dirt and water at the bottom of the gas tank

At whatever gas stations we refuel, with an increase in mileage, particles of various impurities and water accumulate at the bottom of the gas tank, which forms in the gas tank in the form of condensate. This is an indisputable fact (in a good way, the tank needs to be cleaned periodically), but there is an opinion that when there is not enough gasoline in the tank, the concentration of “harmful substances” increases and the likelihood of filter clogging increases. A clogged filter does not pass fuel well, the pump is unstable and breaks, and the water can go further along fuel system and lead to breakdowns, and even.

Dirt in the gas tank. Photo - drive

On the one hand, it sounds logical, but on the other hand, the design of the fuel intake is designed in such a way that it always takes gasoline at the very bottom of the tank, and since “harmful substances” are heavier than fuel, they will still accumulate from below, no matter how much gasoline is in the tank It was. Clogged fuel module filters are certainly a problem, but it's not very clear how it is related exactly to an empty tank and driving on a light bulb. In addition, deposits appear with time and mileage, but no one says that a burning lamp is harmful only to used cars; new ones are also not recommended to drive to the last.

Air entry

Another theory says that with a low fuel level the fuel pump intermittently "grabs" air, and this harms his work, he is poorly lubricated and rubs “dry” and breaks.

It is also logical and also not all clear. The presence of an anti-drain glass allows you to smooth out fluctuations in the fuel in the tank during turns, accelerations and braking, the gasoline pump can start to grab air only when the fuel is almost over, but the pump will not work for a long time in this mode, if there is no fuel, the engine will stall, and a large there shouldn't be any harm.

Here are the main three reasons that are given as a justification for the harm of driving with low fuel levels. Each of them has a healthy grain, but none of them allows you to fully theoretically substantiate the problems that can arise from an empty tank. Meanwhile, the opinion of drivers and recommendations of manufacturers still do not arise out of the blue- a very large empirical experience has already been accumulated in order to notice the connection between a low fuel level and the failure of a gasoline pump.

Not one-time cases, but statistics say that those who constantly drive with an empty tank are more prone to pump failure. This is especially noticeable on cars with, their owners usually do not refuel a lot, they only need gasoline to start - according to statistics, the gas pump on such cars lives less. It is hardly worth ignoring such statistics.

At the same time, of course, everything is individual - cars are operated in different conditions, gas pumps have a different design, fuel quality is also different, so it’s impossible to say for sure that for all cars the consequences of driving are equally negative and lead to the same consequences - someone will break already after the first “bulb”, and someone drives all his life without problems, pouring 5-10 liters into the tank, simply because the gas pump is very hardy or so the cards lay down.

One thing is certain - a low level of fuel in the tank will definitely not prolong the life of a car, and if you still refuel, then why not just do it more often. You will not lose anything (after all, you still pay for fuel), but in which case you will extend the life of the fuel pump. Isn't such reasoning enough to get rid of the habit of driving "on a light bulb"?