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What happens if your car runs out of gas?

I almost ran out of gas when I was driving home the other day. Thankfully I made it to the gas station in time, but I’ve never been that low on gas before and I hope there isn’t any damage to my car. What happens if your car runs out of gas?

avatar
Payton Ternus · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Running out of gas can be nerve-wracking, I’m glad you got home safely!
To be a responsible car owner, it’s important to stay on top of things like
car insurance
, oil changes, and having enough gas in the tank. There are a number of things that can happen when your car runs out of gas from your perspective behind the wheel—and in the internal mechanisms.
When your car runs out of gas, the engine will start to sputter, backfire, or have intermittent power surges. There will be a loss of power, which includes the loss of hydraulic power in your steering and brake systems. Worst case scenario—the fuel pump could be damaged and need a costly replacement.
Car repairs can easily get expensive, but you can save hundreds on your car insurance with the
Jerry
 app. Jerry compares quotes from over 50 trusted insurance providers to find the best savings on the market. You’ll get the real deal—on average, Jerry users save $887 per year on car insurance premiums!
MORE:
How to choose the best gasoline or fuel for your car
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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