What sound does a car make when out of gas? Does it cough and sputter as shown in movies or does it come to an abrupt stop? If you have ever experienced this situation, then you know the answer. But if you don’t know what it feels like to be stranded on a roadside with a car that has no fuel, then read this:

When a car runs out of gas, it halts and typically does not make any specific sound. However, coughing and sputtering sounds, turning on the “E” light near the steering wheel, and jerky movements due to intermittent power losses are some signs that the car is on the verge of running out of gas.

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This article is about the A to Z story of a car from low fuel situations to what happens when it runs out of fuel.

Here’s a summary table before I proceed:

Do All Cars Make Coughing Sounds When Out of Gas?

In this section, I will be eliminating the myths of dramatic coughing and sputtering sounds produced by a car when out of gas as shown in movies and television shows. It would have been true for old cars but not for modern vehicles.

Modern vehicles have advanced fuel systems to prevent such events from happening. These fuel systems are designed to provide a consistent flow of fuel to the engine. So the engine runs smoothly as long as there is some gasoline in the tank. And when this fuel comes to an end the car halts.

However, You might be wondering “why coughing and sputtering sound is associated with running out of gas?” Well this concept is usually associated with old cars that had carbureted engines. When the car was low on gasoline, carbureted engines were unable to effectively mix air and fuel, causing them to sputter and stall.

Fuel Shortage in a Car (What Happens When a Car Runs Out of Fuel?)

When your car is low on fuel, a light showing “E” begins to blink near the steering wheel. It is an indicator that the remaining fuel is only enough for a few miles and you should start looking for a gas station.

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However, if you continue to drive, your car slowly begins to die. The steering wheel and brakes no longer function properly and your car will stop eventually. If there is no gas station near you, then either you need to call a towing company or you have to trust your muscles in jogging your car until you find one to fill your gas tank.

But this is not the only thing you should be worrying about. When low on fuel, the engine will draw dirt and debris from the tank in order to keep things going. These contaminants can have serious effects on the engine. They can damage the pump, filters, and the injector.

The mechanic will have to clean everything thoroughly or if your car is old, he might ask to replace the pump or injector. Hence, a car low on fuel can be tough on your pockets so it is always safe to keep the fuel in check. Keeping a small fuel-filled tank in the car when driving in areas that do not have gas stations in reach is also helpful.

Signs a Car Is Running Out Of Gas

How to know your car is low on fuel? One indicator is the blinking “E” sign and the other indicators include audible sounds produced by the car to alert you about fuel shortage. Some of these audibles are:

• Sputtering Engine: When low on fuel, the engine will produce sputtering sounds. This is because of the mixing of air and dust with fuel that is putting the engine under stress and causing it to sputter. It can also damage the car engine.
• Jerky Movements: When extremely low on fuel, the car experiences jerky movements. It happens because the fuel remaining is insufficient to power the car. Thus leading to intermittent power losses.
• Whining Fuel Pump: When only a few drops of fuel is left, the fuel tank emits a high-pitched whining sound. It is an indication of draining the last drops of fuel.
• Hollow Engine Noise: This sound is due to air being sucked into the fuel pipes. Drivers have reported hearing hollow or echoing noise before the engine stalls completely.
• Complete Engine Stall: The engine will stop when the tank is completely empty. No power, no noise production, just a stationary car.

Effects Of an Empty Tank

A car with an empty tank is at risk of extensive damage. The following are some of the consequences of an empty tank on the fuel system, catalytic converters, engines, and electric motors.

Damage to the Fuel System

Running a car when fuel levels are low can damage the fuel system.

• Fuel Pump: An empty fuel tank will cause the pump to overheat as pumps rely on fuel for cooling and lubrication. There are chances of pump failure as it has to work hard to draw fuel from the nearly empty tank.
• Filters: Filter clogging is usually seen when fuel levels are low. Dirt and sediments present at the bottom of the fuel tank are drawn into the fuel system in an attempt to keep the car running. This causes the filters to clog, which results in reduced efficiency of the engine.
• Fuel Injectors: Dirt and debris from the tank can also block the fuel injectors. It can affect their ability to deliver fuel effectively or potential failure in cases of complete blockage.

Catalytic Converter Stress

Shortage of fuel can cause unburned fuel to enter the exhaust system. This can result in overheating or failure of the catalytic converter.

Damage to Electric Motor

Fuel is essential for lubricating and cooling the electric motor and when there is not enough fuel to perform this job, the electric motor can get damaged.

Engine Damage

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In extreme cases, running out of fuel can damage your engine. The engine starts to make a “knocking” sound when fuel is low. This sound is an indication of air and fuel mixing that can damage the engine with time.

What Happens When You Try to Start A Car With No Gas

Standing on a roadside with no gas in your car? Well here are a few things that can happen if you try to start the car without refilling the tank first:

• Engine Cranking: On pressing the start button, the car motor will try engaging the engine to initiate the combustion process. This will produce a cranking sound and the car will crank even if there is no fuel in the tank.
• Fuel Delivery Issues: As the engine cranks, the fuel pump will try to pull fuel from the gas container. But if the tank is empty, there is no fuel to deliver to the engine.
• Ignition and combustion failure: The combustion process can not start without fuel. It is likely that you will hear the starter motor cranking the engine but there won’t be any signs of ignition.
• Wear and tear: Repeatedly trying to start the car without fuel can lead to wear and tear of its parts that are continuously trying to turn on the car but lack of fuel is not letting them succeed.
• Check engine light: If something goes wrong with the car while trying to start it with no fuel, the check engine light turns on. It is an alert for malfunction in the vehicle.
• Unusual Sound Production: Unusual sounds such as whining sounds can be heard when trying hard to start a no-fuel car. The whining sound is from the fuel pump attempting to draw fuel.
• Battery drainage: Without refilling the tank, your car will not start. And continuous tries will only make the situation worse by draining the car battery and failing the car systems.

Other Strange Sounds and What They Indicate

Let’s discuss some other strange sounds produced by the car and what they mean

• High-pitched squealing sound: When applying the brakes, if you hear a high-pitched squealing sound then it means your brake pads have worn down to an extent that the metal indicator is making contact with the brake rotor. This sound is concerning and ignoring it means further damage to the braking system.
• Grinding Gears: If you hear a grinding noise while shifting gears (especially in manual transmission) then it means the clutch is not working properly.
• Hissing sound: A hissing sound under the hood can indicate vacuum leak. Vacuum leaks occur when there is a breach in the vacuum system. If unattended, it can affect the engine performance and fuel efficiency.
• Knocking or pinging sound: A persistent knocking or pinging sound means there is an issue with the combustion process. This problem can arise due to the usage of low-quality fuel, poor engine time, or incorrect spark plugs.
• Roaring tires: If the tires are roaring then the trouble is with them. Uneven tire wear, misalignment, or worn wheel bearings can lead to increased friction and noise that cause excessive road noises. Ignoring them can mean compromising your car control which can have serious consequences.

Tips To Avoid Running Out Of Gas

Here are some tips to avoid running out of gas:

• Immediately refill the tank when the “E” sign is on: If you see the “E” sign ON near the steering wheel, then refill the tank immediately at the first station you see in your route.
• Monitor the gauge: One thing that can save you from facing a fuel situation is by daily monitoring your fuel gauge. You should know your car’s daily fuel consumption so that you have a generalized idea of how much fuel you need daily or how far you can go with the fuel you have.
• The Quarter Tank rule: Refilling the tank every time the fuel gauge reaches the quarter tank can save you from out-of-gas trouble. It gives you ample time to find a gas station in time.
• Extra tank for emergency fuels: Keep extra fuel in the car when going on long drives or while driving in areas that do not have gas stations in reach. Although it is a temporary solution, it can save you from gas emergencies.
• Use maps to know about stations on the route: When going somewhere, utilize Google Maps to know about fuel stations on the route. This will help you acknowledge the nearest gas station.

FAQs

What Should I Do if My Car Runs Out of Gas in Traffic?

If your car runs out of gas in traffic then quickly turn on your car’s hazard lights. Hazard lights are also known as flashers or emergency lights that flash on and off in amber or red colors. They are used to warn other drivers that there is something wrong with your vehicle. Moreover, they are not powered by the engine or fuel supply and will work even if your car is out of fuel.

Can Running Out of Gas Affect the Car’s Computer System?

Running out of gas typically does not affect a car’s computer system. However, issues like engine misfires and overheating can have an effect on the car’s computer. But this is a secondary problem to solve. Your main concern should be refilling your tank to get your car started.

Is It Safe To Keep Driving With the Low Fuel Warning Light On?

No, it is not safe to drive when the fuel levels are low and warning lights are on. Warning lights indicate that your fuel levels are extremely low and you will damage your car’s engine if you continue to drive.

Conclusion

Running out of gas can cause a lot of inconveniences but taking preventive measures can save you from trouble. The automobile industry is making innovative inventions day after day to minimize dramatic sound production in modern vehicles when the fuel is low.

However, these sounds may arise while driving old cars. Hence, It is essential to take notice of the visual indicators like low fuel warning lights on your dashboard to avoid running out of gas. It not only ensures a safe and uninterrupted ride home but also saves your car from unwanted wear and tear.

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