APS Racing Products

What is affected when a fuel injection car runs out of gas? How is it bad for the car?

Also, how much gas do you normally have when the fuel light comes on?

Public Comments

1. it's hard on the fuel pump mostly and it also is a great way to get all the debris and scuz floating around in the bottom of the tank into the main fuel system to start plugging the fuel filter and injectors. fuel pumps are cooled by the surrounding fuel and when you're below 1/4 tank it significantly increases wear on the pump. most low fuel lights will come on when the vehicle has approximately a 50 mile range before running out of gas. it's in your best interests to fill your tank when you hit 1/4.
2. The two main things that are bad for a car when you run out of gas is, when you run very low on fuel the fuel pump is uncovered by the fuel and that is what cools the electric motor in the pump. The second is when you run out you start running very lean and the onboard computer tries to compensate for it, but running lean will always cause the engine head temp to be high. The factory sets the light to come on when you have about 2 gal of gas, this is an estimate, and don't trust it. It should get you about 20 miles but be looking for a station.
3. The main reason for really not wanting to run out of fuel is AIR, it sucks air into the pressure pump in the gas tank, to the pump on the Eng. and into the injectors. It will restart but 3 or 5 times and it just might damage the pumps or injectors. Yes, that's another thing the pump in the tank is strong and will suck up almost any water or garbage that may be in the tank. Not to mention that the cranking time after time to restart the Eng. when the gas lines are dry can and will burn up the starter motor. try to keep as close to 1/2 tank if and when you can.