Consequences of Continuing to Drive with an Empty Fuel Tank?
2 Answers
Power will decrease, and steering and brake assist will be lost. Hazards: "In the last few minutes before the car runs out of fuel and stalls, you may feel a drop in power and lack of strength. The vehicle's power output will become inconsistent, and then the car may jerk or shake a couple of times. If you continue driving until completely out of fuel, steering power and brake power may be lost, and eventually, the vehicle will stall completely. After the car stalls due to running out of fuel, steering and brake assist will disappear. Solution: If the vehicle runs out of fuel, you can pull over and seek roadside assistance to resolve the issue. Typically, after stalling, the vehicle will begin to coast, and the speed will not drop too quickly, giving you enough time to pull over to the side of the road. Be cautious with braking, as applying the brakes may bring you to a stop very quickly.
When my car starts to indicate low fuel, if I ignore it and continue driving, the car may suddenly lose power and come to a complete stop. Stopping in the middle of the road, especially on busy streets, can easily lead to rear-end collisions—how dangerous! Even worse, the engine's fuel pump can overheat and get damaged due to lack of fuel for cooling, and repairs could cost several hundred dollars. Additionally, staying stranded can drain the battery, making it impossible to start even when help arrives, wasting both time and money. I've seen cases where owners tried to save money by not filling up, only to end up with doubled costs for towing and repairs. So, it's best to develop a habit of refueling when the gauge shows a quarter tank left—avoiding such troubles can also extend your car's lifespan.
