located in your fuel tank.
If properly maintained and cared for, fuel pumps should last for the life of your vehicle. One way to help extend the fuel pump’s life is to never let the fuel level go below a quarter tank of gas. Since gas is what cools the fuel pump, the less gas you have the more likely it is the the fuel pump will over heat and cause internal damage reducing the life of the fuel pump. When the tank is empty and new gas is pumped in, it could cause thermal shock to the pump when the cold gas hits the hot fuel pump.
Changing the fuel filter will also help extend the life of the fuel pump. The fuel filters job is to filter small particles out of the gas preventing damage to the injectors. Over time the fuel filter can become clogged, reducing fuel pressure resulting in poor running conditions, and eventually damage to the fuel pump due to excessive back pressure.
However, there are signs that the fuel pump is struggling to do its job. Most common signs of a failing fuel pump are long cranking time before starting and excessive noise coming from the area of the fuel pump. Other signs could be a lack of power, stalling, or the vehicle just not starting.