A fuel pump is an essential component in a car that forces gasoline into the car's engine. An electric pump is usually installed on the inside of the fuel tank. It builds up pressure in the fuel lines and automatically pushes the gas into the engine. Priming the pump helps clean out the fuel lines so that your car continues to run efficiently. Most electric fuel pumps do not need to be primed as they do this automatically. However, if you find that your car seems to be starting to die or you feel that your fuel line is clogged, doing a prime by hand is a simple matter.
Park your car and turn it off. Let it sit for a few hours so that the engine will cool down. Put on a pair of protective gloves and lift the car's hood. Locate the fuel tank and look inside to find the fuel pump.
Flip the switch that is located on the pump line to "prime" it and let it run. You should hear a humming sound. When the process is finished, turn the switch off. Clean up your area and any excess fuel. Close the hood.
Wash your hands and test the car. If it is still not running smoothly, you may need to run the prime again to finish clearing any clogs. If necessary, bleed the entire line and add more fuel.
