Posted on 12/19/2025
Holiday trips usually mean long highway miles, heavier loads, and busier traffic than your car sees the rest of the year. If your fuel pump is already weak, that extra stress is often what finally exposes it. A fuel pump that quits on the way to see family can turn a fun drive into a tow bill, so it helps to know the early warning signs before you hit the road. Why Fuel Pumps Tend to Fail on Long Trips Fuel pumps work hardest when the vehicle is under load and the fuel system is hot. Holiday driving often means climbing grades, cruising at higher speeds, and sitting in traffic with a full car. A pump that was “just OK” around town can start to struggle when it has to deliver steady pressure for hours at a time. On top of that, many trips start with a cold-soaked car, then go straight into highway speeds. Heat builds in the fuel tank and pump, especially if the tank is kept near empty. That heat, combined with age, is a big reason pumps often fail far fr ... read more