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Why won’t my car start after getting gas?

I was driving around on an empty tank for a bit before stopping for gas, but now I can’t get my car to start after I filled up my tank. Why wouldn’t it start after getting gas?

avatar
Abbey Orzech · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! I hope you weren’t stuck at the gas station for too long. There could be a few different reasons why your car wouldn’t start after
getting gas
:
  • Stuck EVAP (evaporative emission control) purge control valve. If the EVAP purge control valve is stuck open, the combustion chambers will have too much fuel, making it difficult for your engine to turn over.
  • Clogged fuel filter. Your fuel filter stops debris from getting into your engine, but over time the filter could become clogged with this debris and dirt.
  • Damaged fuel pump. If fuel levels get too low, your car’s fuel pump can be damaged. This will likely be accompanied by other signs of damage, though, so if this is the first you’re noticing, it may not be your fuel pump.
  • Dead battery. It could just be that your car battery died. If you do end up
    jumping the battery
    , make sure you’re not near any fuel pump when you do it so no stray sparks end up where they shouldn’t (and explode the place).
It can be very frustrating and stressful to be left with a car that won’t start. If that does happen, though, it is helpful to have roadside assistance so someone can come to help you!
Jerry
can help you find a car insurance policy with roadside assistance, on top of being able to save you $800+ a year on your
car insurance
.
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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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