Question about Running out of gas..

[DanTMWTMP]

Yesterday, I ran out of gas in the freeway (wasn't going to pay the 20cent premium from the coastal La Jolla areas).

How bad is this for the engine? I've heard that running low on the tank is bad for the engine and the fuel injector. (particles in bottom of tank goes into engine..etc).

That advice sounds logically correct to me, so I should be more careful right?

Now, since that I did run out of gas, what proactive measures can I take right now to prevent further damage? Should I get one of those STP fuel injector cleaners or any other additives to "undo" the "damage" I may have done?

I'm going in for a 15k dealer service this weekend (I want to keep all receipts for all dealer services so when I sell my car later, I can legitimately say that the car has been well maintained and dealer serviced at certain mileages). Should I bring this issue up so they can take a look at it?

My car is still relatively new at 15k miles, but I want to be proactive about this instead of reactive and paying huge repair bills later down the road.

TIA!

EDIT: Btw, this is a 07 Mazda 3 2.3

EDIT2: from now on, i'm filling up everytime i even remotely reach 1/4 tank or hit the light.
Just as long as there are shells around, hehe.

 

[OS]

well there is a fuel filter

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

I'm such a noob in cars, heh.

Does the filter need to be replaced? Will those STP branded additives help in any way for a car w/ 15k miles?

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

and the fuel pump. fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the gas tank so you risk burning out the pump if you run too low on gas enough times. my sister did it once.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

I'm such a noob in cars, heh.

Does the filter need to be replaced? Will those STP branded additives help in any way for a car w/ 15k miles?

i wouldn't worry about that aspect, the filter is in the tank in a lot of cars and costs alot to replace.

it's obviously not good to run it empty, but it's not catastrophic either.

i do think you should reconsider the saving .20/gal, ~$3/tank when this sort of thing leaves you stranded and thinking about how to fix it after the fact.

if your car still runs fine now i wouldn't worry about it.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

and the fuel pump. fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the gas tank so you risk burning out the pump if you run too low on gas enough times. my sister did it once.

What actions can I take now to "fix" any damage I may have instilled on the pump?
I will talk to the dealer about this when I turn it in for the 15k service.

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

I'm such a noob in cars, heh.

Does the filter need to be replaced? Will those STP branded additives help in any way for a car w/ 15k miles?

i wouldn't worry about that aspect, the filter is in the tank in a lot of cars and costs alot to replace.

it's obviously not good to run it empty, but it's not catastrophic either.

i do think you should reconsider the saving .20/gal, ~$3/tank when this sort of thing leaves you stranded and thinking about how to fix it after the fact.

if your car still runs fine now i wouldn't worry about it.

definitely. From now on, as soon as I see the light, I'm filling up regardless.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

and the fuel pump. fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the gas tank so you risk burning out the pump if you run too low on gas enough times. my sister did it once.

I agree. I don't understand people who never fill their tank, or always run it down to E before filling up.

Lots of people swear they routinely drive below 1/4 tank and have put over 100,000 miles on the car and never fill the tank. Neat. The fact remains that the fuel pump is cooled by fuel. It gets hotter when not submerged in fuel. Excessive heat shortens the life of electric motors. How much it shortens its life is the question.

Frankly, putting in 5 gallons to go from E to 1/3 of a tank costs the same as it does to put 5 gallons in to go from 2/3 of a tank to full. If you keep the tank closer to full than empty, you don't have to worry about running out of gas, and depending on climate you won't have to worry about condensation forming in your gas tank and freezing in your fuel line.

 

[jagec]

You know, if you don't like the prices in an area, you *can* put in only as much gas as you need to get to a cheaper service station. There's no law that says you have to fill your tank 100% every time you stop.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: jagec
You know, if you don't like the prices in an area, you *can* put in only as much gas as you need to get to a cheaper service station. There's no law that says you have to fill your tank 100% every time you stop.

i think that's kind of a waste of time though.
with that approach, not only do you only save less now, maybe only a buck or whatever now, and you also waste another 10 minutes finding and filling another gas station.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
(particles in bottom of tank goes into engine..etc).

Your fuel pump is in the bottom of the tank so it's sucking up all that gunk all the time anyways, that's why you have a fuel filter.

 

[996GT2]

If the fuel pump is at the bottom of the fuel tank anyway then why would it matter if someone allowed the gas to dip to the "E" before filling up? The pump would still be submerged in gasoline unless there was virtually NO gas left...right?

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
If the fuel pump is at the bottom of the engine anyway then why would it matter if someone allowed the gas to dip to the "E" before filling up? The pump would still be submerged in gasoline unless there was virtually NO gas left...right?

The fuel pump isn't near the engine. It's in the fuel tank, and it doesn't lay on the bottom of the tank, it's usually standing up inside it, with the pickup at the bottom of the tank. At 1/4 tank and below, the electric motor of the fuel pump is usually no longer submerged in fuel.

 

[Arkaign]

My mechanic buddy told me something I've used as a golden rule for the past decade :

"A quarter tank is empty "

This attitude keeps gives you the best chance of running clean fuel, not to mention you're much less likely to run out of gas in an emergency situation (no fuel available, unexpected emergency trip, etc)

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: 996GT2
If the fuel pump is at the bottom of the engine anyway then why would it matter if someone allowed the gas to dip to the "E" before filling up? The pump would still be submerged in gasoline unless there was virtually NO gas left...right?

The fuel pump isn't near the engine. It's in the fuel tank, and it doesn't lay on the bottom of the tank, it's usually standing up inside it, with the pickup at the bottom of the tank. At 1/4 tank and below, the electric motor of the fuel pump is usually no longer submerged in fuel.

Oops I meant fuel tank instead of engine...mb

But I see your point anyway

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

and the fuel pump. fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the gas tank so you risk burning out the pump if you run too low on gas enough times. my sister did it once.

+1

I ran mine low once, fried the pump but the Camaro pumps are notorious for going out anyway.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: jagec
You know, if you don't like the prices in an area, you *can* put in only as much gas as you need to get to a cheaper service station. There's no law that says you have to fill your tank 100% every time you stop.

i think that's kind of a waste of time though.
with that approach, not only do you only save less now, maybe only a buck or whatever now, and you also waste another 10 minutes finding and filling another gas station.

20 cents extra now gets you a 30-mile additional range, and probably doesn't take longer than a couple of minutes.

As for "finding" another station...I can't speak to your situation, but here in Seattle they're usually in plain sight. I can't imagine that what I proposed would take any more than five minutes compared to a normal fill-up, and would save $.20*(size of tank-1 gallon) compared to filling up at the first station you encounter.

Besides, I wrote that response to the OP, a man who is willing to run the tank dry to save that 20 cents a gallon. Do you think he'll begrudge the five minutes to find cheaper gas? Myself, I usually plan ahead and fill at stations that I know are competitive and don't cut their fuel with water.

 

[Jeff7181]

Speaking of cutting fuel with water...

Since alcohol will combine with both petroleum and water, would it be easier for gas stations to water down E85?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

and the fuel pump. fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the gas tank so you risk burning out the pump if you run too low on gas enough times. my sister did it once.

+1

I ran mine low once, fried the pump but the Camaro pumps are notorious for going out anyway.

So you're a camaro guy

Hey, a question, as I'm not all that experienced with real high-end tuner/track cars.

A few years back, actually probably in '98/'99 I had a friend who had a completely insane late 80s Camaro. The trunk/hatch area had an extra battery, fuel cells(?), and other crap in it. When he got in, before he could start the car, he had to flip this red switch and wait a few seconds, during which we'd hear a soft whirring noise. When he started the thing, he'd then have to wait a few more seconds for the idle to settle, but MAN that thing was fast. It would break traction even @ 80+mph without touching the clutch. Had high 8 second 1/4 tickets from Ennis.

Anyway, any clue to what all that crap in the back was?

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

and the fuel pump. fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the gas tank so you risk burning out the pump if you run too low on gas enough times. my sister did it once.

+1

I ran mine low once, fried the pump but the Camaro pumps are notorious for going out anyway.

So you're a camaro guy

Hey, a question, as I'm not all that experienced with real high-end tuner/track cars.

A few years back, actually probably in '98/'99 I had a friend who had a completely insane late 80s Camaro. The trunk/hatch area had an extra battery, fuel cells(?), and other crap in it. When he got in, before he could start the car, he had to flip this red switch and wait a few seconds, during which we'd hear a soft whirring noise. When he started the thing, he'd then have to wait a few more seconds for the idle to settle, but MAN that thing was fast. It would break traction even @ 80+mph without touching the clutch. Had high 8 second 1/4 tickets from Ennis.

Anyway, any clue to what all that crap in the back was?

Kill switch and fuel cell probably. The whining was the pump priming and building pressure.

Mine is in my sig and it's similar though not AS fast as your buddies but it is deafeningly loud and I have to wait for it to whine before I can start it too.

 

[mrblotto]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: jagec
You know, if you don't like the prices in an area, you *can* put in only as much gas as you need to get to a cheaper service station. There's no law that says you have to fill your tank 100% every time you stop.

i think that's kind of a waste of time though.
with that approach, not only do you only save less now, maybe only a buck or whatever now, and you also waste another 10 minutes finding and filling another gas station.

I would say running out of gas/sitting on the side of the road/waiting for a ride/tow truck/walking to the nearest station/buying a $10 small gas can would take A LOT longer than 10 mins .......stop and put in a couple bucks.......meh

Edit: and I did not know about the fuel 'cooling' the pump. Good thing to know, thanx!

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Speaking of cutting fuel with water...

Since alcohol will combine with both petroleum and water, would it be easier for gas stations to water down E85?

I would guess that it would, considering that "HEET" is basically methanol. Certainly they could get away with much more water in their E85 than in their gasoline.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
(particles in bottom of tank goes into engine..etc).

Your fuel pump is in the bottom of the tank so it's sucking up all that gunk all the time anyways, that's why you have a fuel filter.

Not to mention that most tanks are plastic now, anyway, so you don't have as much problem with rust and sediment when your car gets older.

 

[thomsbrain]

Ran the tank pretty low on my old Accord countless times. Fuel pump was still good after 220K+ miles.

But to the OP's actual question: You do not need to do anything to your car. Just fill it up and drive it. If you're really worried, fill it up with Chevron. Just try not to make a habit of it. It's like grinding the gears on a manual transmission. Once won't affect anything, but do it all the time and it will catch up to you.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Gillbot

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: OS
well there is a fuel filter

and the fuel pump. fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the gas tank so you risk burning out the pump if you run too low on gas enough times. my sister did it once.

+1

I ran mine low once, fried the pump but the Camaro pumps are notorious for going out anyway.

So you're a camaro guy

Hey, a question, as I'm not all that experienced with real high-end tuner/track cars.

A few years back, actually probably in '98/'99 I had a friend who had a completely insane late 80s Camaro. The trunk/hatch area had an extra battery, fuel cells(?), and other crap in it. When he got in, before he could start the car, he had to flip this red switch and wait a few seconds, during which we'd hear a soft whirring noise. When he started the thing, he'd then have to wait a few more seconds for the idle to settle, but MAN that thing was fast. It would break traction even @ 80+mph without touching the clutch. Had high 8 second 1/4 tickets from Ennis.

Anyway, any clue to what all that crap in the back was?

Kill switch and fuel cell probably. The whining was the pump priming and building pressure.

Mine is in my sig and it's similar though not AS fast as your buddies but it is deafeningly loud and I have to wait for it to whine before I can start it too.

Sweet Thanks for explaining that, been bugging me off and on for years. The guy moved to FL panhandle, and AFAIK, is involved with racing there (Pocono Beach Performance or some such). Maybe I'll run across him someday, he went by the name 'Spider Master Wu'.

 

[Gillbot]

here's mine:
http://video.ls1tech.com/searc...-891f-a6bbe6b04249.htm