Things I have noticed about my G35.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

well what the hell happened to driving on hot air and coming back on good looks?



DJ

[telcoman]

Telcoman:

Yes, the fuel in your cars gas tank does two things (1) to cool the electric coil winds that turn the fuel pump impeller which pumps the fuel through primary and sometimes secondary fuel filters in to your engine (2) having enough fuel in your gas tank also ensures that your fuel pump does not experience cavitation, which can actually damage the impeller and its flow characteristics over time.

Not filling up your gas tank to as full a mark as possible, can actually reduce the life span of your fuel pump. The fuel pump was designed with a specific pressure target in mind. This target differs from one car to the other. As you use the fuel in your car, the pressure drops in the tank. This drop in pressure usually requires the pump to work harder to meet the car's fuel demand. This raises the external/internal temperature of the electric coils that generate the power to the impeller. Thus, without enough fuel, you can actually burn the fuel pump coils.

While all this is occuring, the impeller is also undergoing a process called cavitation. So, with less gas, you get less cooling of your feul pump electric coils, and more damage being done to the impellers flow charcteristics by shcok waves caused by a drop in fluid pressure from bursting bubbles evaporating, and a faster turning impeller.

Your best bet is to ensure that your gas tank has at least 1/2 tank of gas at anytime. Even the car's manual advices against having low amounts of gas in the gas tank. I rarely ever let my gas tank go below 1/4 tank.

N.B. Note that impeller design and material used in manufacture of an impeller can greatly reduce these effects significantly. This can cost money for high quality materials. Again, Infiniti has to ensure that pumps never overheat and cause a fire. While this rarely happens, theoretically, an overheated pump in the fuel tank, can ignite the vapors above and around it. Rather the coils that drive the impellers are designed to cut off or break from excess heat rather than continue operation and risk setting the vapor in the tank on fire.

I hope this helps. Anyone is free to ask questions or comment as is necessary in a respectful manner and with appropriate decorum.

Jacko3

Thanks for your explaination.I always fill up in the early morning prior to my 50 mile commute. I also fill up at the 1/4 mark but sometimes shortly after the warning light comes on. There is usually 4 gallons left in the 20 gallon tank as it takes 16 gallons to fill up.

Telcoman

[BigWill]

well what the hell happened to driving on hot air and coming back on good looks?



DJ

Sheesh... my good looks left me LOOOONG ago!!