Contenu
In 2006, AAA estimated that around 116,000 motorists were left stranded on the side of the road because they ran out of gas. The risks of an empty fuel tank are more than just an inconvenience --- they can also potentially damage your vehicle. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a car running out of gas is the easiest way to protect your car, as well as to ensure a safe and efficient journey.
Gas Light
The most common symptom of your car running out of gas is the indicator on the dash that illuminates. Depending on the model of your vehicle, the light illuminates to indicate low gas levels, as well as to let the driver know that the car is now running on gas reserves. These reserves will carry a driver for as much as 25 additional miles, a safety precaution to allow the driver to find a gas station. In some other vehicles, after the light has been illuminated for some time and the driver still hasnt filled up the tank, the car begins to a warning noise to let the driver know that there isnt much fuel left.
Wont Start
Cars require a certain level of gas to turn on the engine. In situations where the tank doesnt have enough gas to combust and use the starter, the car will fail to turn the engine on as a precautionary measure. During the starting of the engine, the engine uses fuel at the highest rate and therefore must have enough fuel in the tank to ensure the car starts and keeps running. A car that runs out of gas during operation has the potential to burn out the fuel pump, which is why cars often wont turn on when theyre low on gas.
Car Stalls Regularly
If you do manage to get your car started despite having minimal fuel in your tank, theres still a chance that the car will start stalling. As the engine begins to run on gas fumes, the cars engine will begin to stall as you drive or sometimes just after the car starts. However, in some cases, stalling will also suggest that theres another problem with the car, so check your gas light and the fuel meter to see if the fuel tank is actually the problem.
