{"id":21767,"date":"2024-11-08T02:54:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T10:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"\/wp-site\/?p=21767"},"modified":"2025-01-16T09:08:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T17:08:53","slug":"how-do-you-start-your-car-after-running-out-of-gas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerry.ai\/car-help\/how-do-you-start-your-car-after-running-out-of-gas\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Restart Your Car After it Runs Out of Gas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Question:<\/strong> How do I restart my car if it runs out of gas?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Answer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step to safely restarting your car after it runs out of gas is to allow the new fuel to get into the car\u2019s system, then prime the fuel system before attempting to start the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help ensure that you don\u2019t damage your engine during this process, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Ensure your safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before doing anything, make sure your car is in a safe location. If you\u2019re on a busy road, stay aware of your surroundings and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If possible, move the car to the side of the road to avoid any potential accidents. Ideally, you\u2019ll be able to find a level location to park your car, as this can help the fuel pump more effectively draw gas from the tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Add fuel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re in a safe location, add as much fuel as possible to your gas tank. While around a gallon may be enough to get your system up and running again in some vehicles, others require more fuel to ensure the pump mechanism can actually reach and circulate the fuel\u2014especially if you can\u2019t find level ground to park on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Turn the ignition to the \u201cOn\u201d position<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Turn your car\u2019s ignition to the \u201cOn\u201d position without starting the engine. This step allows the pump to begin moving fuel from the tank to the engine. Depending on your make and model, you may hear a humming or buzzing noise from the fuel pump as it primes the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Allow the fuel system to prime<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaving your vehicle in the \u201cOn\u201d position for three to five seconds allows your fuel injectors to pump fuel to where it needs to be. It also helps remove any air that may have entered the lines when you ran out of gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some cars do this automatically when you turn the ignition to the \u201cOn\u201d position, while others may require you to turn the key back to the \u201cOff’ position and then back \u201cOn\u201d several times. To be on the safe side, we recommend turning your car on, off and back on again at least three or four times before attempting to start the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Tip:<\/span>Don\u2019t rely on just the fuel system to do the priming. You can press the accelerator a few times to help push fuel through the system. This is especially important if your vehicle does not have a fuel-injected engine.<\/span><\/div>
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Step 5: Start the engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After priming the fuel system, attempt to start the engine. If your car doesn\u2019t start immediately, don\u2019t continuously crank the engine, as this can drain the battery and cause damage. Instead, wait a few seconds and try again. It might take a few attempts before the engine turns over, and the engine may cough a bit, but it should start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/span>Running out of gas may cause your vehicle to trip the breaker designed to stop fuel flow and prevent fires during car accidents. This is especially true in modern cars. If your car won\u2019t start after running out of gas and refilling the tank, press the fuel pump reset button\u2014check your owner\u2019s manual for its location.<\/span><\/div>
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Step 6: Check for warning lights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the engine starts running, check your dashboard for any warning lights. If you see a check engine light or any other indicators, it\u2019s a good idea to have your car checked by a mechanic to ensure there\u2019s no underlying issue caused by running out of gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 7: Head to your nearest gas station<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, drive to the nearest gas station and fill your tank completely. Running out of gas or consistently keeping your fuel levels low can cause debris from the bottom of your tank to enter the fuel system, which can lead to clogs and other issues. Keeping your tank full helps to avoid these problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By following these steps, you can safely restart your car after running out of gas and avoid potential damage to your engine. Remember, it\u2019s always a good practice to keep an eye on your fuel gauge and refill before it gets too low to prevent running out of gas in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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