What is the main purpose of the fuel pump?

The primary purpose of the fuel pump is to deliver fuel to the engine, ensuring that the engine receives the necessary amount of fuel for combustion. This process is vital for the engine's operation, as a consistent and adequate fuel supply contributes to efficient fuel atomization and combustion within the engine's cylinders. The fuel pump works by pushing fuel from the fuel tank through the fuel lines and into the fuel injectors or the carburetor, depending on the engine design.

While filtering contaminants, regulating fuel pressure, and adjusting the air-fuel ratio are important functions in the fuel system, they are not the main functions of the fuel pump itself. The fuel filter typically handles contaminant removal, the fuel pressure regulator manages the fuel pressure, and components like the engine control unit (ECU) or carburetor control the air-fuel ratio. Hence, the correct answer emphasizes the fuel pump's essential role in transporting fuel to the engine for proper combustion and function.