[oneformo]

What I have heard and seems to make more sense is that fuel is used to cool the fuel pump.

The pump is usually located inside the fuel tank on modern vehicles and submerged in the fuel. The fuel is used to cool the pump during operation. When running low, the pump is exposed to air, runs hotter and may possibly overheat and be damaged.

[fweespeech]

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/dispelling-two-pesky-ca...

> The good news is that the "low fuel" light comes on when there's anywhere from 1 to 2 gallons left, which is plenty to keep the pump safe.

Yeah, but you pretty much have to be under 1 gallon for it to be an issue.

Similarly, for what the OP mentioned:

> But modern fuel pumps have a protective screen or porous sock-like cover that catches any contaminants before they enter the fuel system. And those small bits that might get through would normally be caught by a second filter closer to the engine.

The location requires a filter to avoid that problem, regardless of fuel level. xD

[oneformo]

> Yeah, but you pretty much have to be under 1 gallon for it to be an issue.

> Even the simple act of driving with a low amount of fuel in your tank can damage your fuel pump...

I agree, driving up to fuel reserve shouldn't be a problem but I wouldn't use the reserve all that often.

Most gas tanks are pretty wide and flat and fuel pumps tend to be built "vertically", so 1 gallon fuel left of 14-16 gal will not cover/cool all that much surface area of the fuel pump.

http://www.motorcarmall.com/avoid-fuel-pump-failure

[fweespeech]

Yeah but up to the fuel reserve is the level which was under discussion by the OP (which kicks on the light in most cars).

> Most gas tanks are pretty wide and flat and fuel pumps tend to be built "vertically", so 1 gallon fuel left of 14-16 gal will not cover/cool all that much surface area of the fuel pump.

Its intended to operate safely and efficiently at a level equal to or above the fuel reserve.

If it didn't, they would fail frequently in many cars as most people drive it pretty close to E regularly and you'd have in warranty repairs.

[oneformo]

Don't want to be pedantic but the article was discussing how far you can "drive on empty" and parent post stated that the warning over driving on reserve in said article is FUD spread by mechanics.

The stated reason may be wrong but it's not advisable to often drive below reserve (on hot days, in many modern cars).

As I stated before, I agree with you that driving up to fuel reserve is usually fine but I would not routinely drive on reserve.

The article disclaimer we are discussing:

> That said, driving on empty can also do damage to your vehicle. If you do run out of gas, you can do damage to your catalytic converter, which may then need to be repaired or replaced. Even the simple act of driving with a low amount of fuel in your tank can damage your fuel pump...

[fweespeech]

I don't know about you but I don't hit the reserve until I'm actually slightly past E.

[fnj]

My car happens to have no in-tank fuel pump. In fact it has no pump per se at all. The injection pump mounted on the engine sucks fuel all the way from the tank.