Many car owners are familiar with all the things that make their cars unique from interested little noises to how long their car will run when the fuel gauge reads empty. But what happens when you over estimate just how much gas you really have? We can all agree that running out of gas is an unwelcome annoyance but what you may not be aware of is that running out of gas can also cause damage to your car. Your vehicle is made up of a series of components that are designed to flow gas to the engine in a flawless motion. When you run out of fuel these same components can become damaged very easily. Our latest blog outlines how a car acts when it runs out of gas.
Car Will Stall While Driving
No fuel equals no power and your vehicle with shut down and you won’t be able to restart it until you fill it up with fuel. A stalled vehicle can be dangerous for a number of reasons including literally leaving you a sitting duck and increasing your chances of being involved in an accident.
Brake Pedal is Hard to Push Down
Your breaks and steering will feel heavy and take longer to respond. Your brakes use hydraulics to transfer power from the brake pedal to the brake pads when you push down on them. When you run out of gas and your engine stops working the hydraulics shut off which means you will have to use your leg to push down harder in order to stop the car from moving. The same goes for your power steering. If you have tried to turn the wheel of your vehicle when your car is turned off you already know how difficult a task this is to achieve.
Fuel Pump Could Go Bad
Your fuel pump literally sits inside your fuel tank and pumps gas to the engine. Your fuel pump needs gas for two important reasons, to stay cool and to provide lubrication. When your gas tank is empty, you fuel pump can overheat and seize up leading to costly repairs or replacement of your fuel pump. To extend the life of your fuel pump make sure you never let the gas tank drop below ¼ full.
Clogged Fuel Injector Symptoms
Pollution and other impurities can leave a film of sediment that collects at the bottom of your gas tank. Your fuel filter is designed to filter out these impurities so that don’t end up in your engine. When your fuel drops to a low level, these pollutants and impurities can travel through your fuel lines and clog your fuel injectors potentially causing extensive damage.
What to Do if You Run Out of Gas
Pull over and stay as calm as possible: Look for a safe place to pull over where you won’t have to worry about being hit by another vehicle. The breakdown lane or a wide shoulder along the side of the road are two perfect examples.
Turn on your hazard lights: Hazard lights help warn other drivers that you are there and waiting for assistance. Turn them on as soon as you pull over especially if you are unable to move your car out of the flow of traffic.
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