Is My Car Out of Gas or Dead Battery

Published on: June 4, 2022
Written by Liam Jaxon / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Car starting issues always occur when people are about to leave for work or school. Then they inquired, “Is my Car out of gas or dead battery? As a result, as a vehicle owner, you must know the signs and root causes of the vehicles’ inability to start. Also, you must know the signs your car battery is (almost) dead or not before any accident occurs.

Cars that won’t start often have a faulty battery as the main culprit. So can a completely dead battery be recharged? or how do you know if your car won’t start because of a battery? Here, we’ve provided this list to help you narrow down the possibilities for why your car won’t start, including signs of a dead battery and other potential problems.

Common Reasons Why Your Car Isn’t Running.

Start your workday in the worst possible way by getting in your car and having the vehicle decide that it doesn’t want to get there. These are just a few of the most typical reasons why an automobile won’t start, but there are many more.

Dead Battery

The most likely cause of your car not starting is a dead battery, especially if you haven’t seen any other signs of a problem. You can start a car without a battery, but it’s not a long-term solution. The battery provides the electricity needed to start the car; hence it serves as its primary power source. So it’s essential to know how many watts your car battery has to do the calculations.

Leaving hazard lights or other accessories on will drain your car’s battery, so you won’t be able to start it. To get back on the road, all you’ll need is a little help from the battery. In that case, using a battery with higher cranking amps can help. In short words, a car won’t start 50 percent of the time because of a dead battery.

Failing to Start

There are some sounds that can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your car. If you don’t acknowledge how many amps your car battery is, you can’t identify the problem after hearing the sounds. Have trouble starting your car?

If you turn the key and just hear clicks from the starter rather than the sound of it spinning the flywheel, you’re at risk for a failed start. You may need to replace the starter on your vehicle if this is the case. A starter replacement may be necessary if this is the case.

Poor Alternator 

When you drive, the alternator generates electricity, which it then stores in the battery to ensure that the car can start the next time you need it to. So you need to know how long an alternator takes to charge a battery. If the alternator doesn’t charge properly, your car will not start, and you should get a new one if you keep getting a jumpstart.

Ignition Problems

Turning the key in the ignition creates an electrical route that allows your vehicle to run. The automobile won’t start if a malfunctioning ignition switch blocks that passage, even if the key turns.

Gas Delivery Problems or Out of Gas

Spark, air, and gas are all necessary for a car to function. A blocked fuel filter prevents enough fuel from reaching the engine to keep it running. It is also possible for the gasoline pump to fail, preventing the car from supplying the engine with fuel.

On the other hand, few users inquire that “can running out of gas cause your battery to die?” When your car’s petrol tank is empty, you expect the engine to shut off, but this isn’t always the case. 

Engine splutter, power spikes, and even engine backfires are all symptoms of “fuel hunger,” common in cars. A noticeable decrease in engine power is your signal to take the right shoulder as far away from the road as you can safely go, making your way there quietly and safely.

Dying Battery Signs

There are a slew of possible reasons why a car won’t start. So how do you know if your car won’t start because of a battery? Knowing the possible signs makes you figure out the problem based on the symptoms.

Before Startup	At the Time of Startup	When Driving
Any direction of the key does not turn on any lights, gauges, or electronics.	Before starting, it turns three times or more.	Stopping at traffic lights is a little rough.
Every 3 to 5 days or more, the battery requires a jump start.	Before each change over, the lights or accessories dim.	Power supply failures occur with the radio and/or other gadgets.
Battery dies in 15 to 30 minutes with engine off and radio/accessories functioning.	Difficulty rising after prolonged sitting, especially in cooler weather.	If you’re hauling or traveling up hills, your accessories belt may likely squeak.
If the starter and/or alternator have already died and been replaced.	During or after startup, the accessory belt squeaks.	When the accelerator is pressed, the lights or accessories fade or blink.

What To Do if Your Car Battery is Dead

In the event of a battery problem, you should know what to do. Perhaps your car’s battery was weakened by a scorching summer. You can fix a dead battery on your own if you have a little knowledge and the right tools.

There are three possible outcomes: Jumpstart, jump start failed or change the car oil. The first step is to jumpstart the car to charge the battery. If it can hold a charge, it’ll be fine. In this case, you will need to jumpstart it each time. Or you won’t be able to charge it at all. If the jump start failed, then go to the local mechanic to diagnose the issue. They can help you restart your car and may change the oil.

Out of Gas Signs

The simplest way to ensure a safe and efficient journey is to recognize the warning signals of running out of petrol. It is essential to know what happens when your car runs out of gas, and here are those:

Gaslight

The most common sign of low gas is a dash light. If your automobile’s gas light comes on, it means your car is running short on gas and needs to be refilled soon. These reserves can take a driver up to 25 miles further, allowing them to find a gas station safely.

Warning Noise

Another sign is for the car to start emitting a warning noise after a period if the driver hasn’t filled up the gas tank.

No Start

Gasoline is required to start a car, and it won’t start if there isn’t enough fuel in the tank to ignite and use the starter. As a result, the car must have enough fuel to start and run. To avoid damaging the gasoline pump, cars that run out of gas typically won’t start.

Regular Car Stalls

Once your automobile is running, you may experience stalling due to a lack of fuel. The car’s engine will stall when it begins to run on gas fumes, sometimes even before you get into it! When stalling, check your gas light and your fuel meter to see if the problem is with the gasoline tank or anything else.

What to Do if Your Car Has Out of Gas Signs

The sign of running out of gas is now clear to you. If you face the situation, stop the car safely as soon as possible.

A low-fuel warning light may be flashing on your automobile if it is sputtering and missing when you are driving. Get as far away from vehicles as possible to the road’s shoulder. That way, you avoid overtaxing the fuel pump and allowing debris into the fuel system. Wait until you’re parked before turning off the ignition and using your emergency flashers.

Some gas stations are close enough to walk to with a full gas can. You can also phone your car company, roadside assistance provider, or a local gas station if getting fuel isn’t feasible or safe. The safest place to wait for help if your car is off the road is inside your car.

If you’ve identified the problem and taken action quickly, you’ll be able to start your car and get on your way after filling up with gas. If your automobile won’t start or won’t run smoothly after a few minutes of idling, you should have it towed to a mechanic.

FAQs

1. Can a Dead Battery Drain Your Gas?

If the battery is not fully charged, the fuel injectors may not effectively fill the cylinders. A constant alternator may generate more fuel less than a steady idle. Without it, more gasoline is utilized and lost.

2. What Happens to the Car When the Gas Tank Is Empty?

After running out of fuel, your car shuts off as if you’d just removed the ignition key. Because of so many reasons, the shutdown is extremely dangerous. 

3. Is Low Gas Bad for the Battery?

If the battery is weak, to begin with, simply running out of gas will have no effect. If the battery is weak, to begin with, the extra time it takes for the fuel pump to provide fuel to the engine may be enough to drain it.

4. How Can You Tell if Your Car Won’t Start Because of a Lack of Gas?

When a car is experiencing a “fuel shortage,” the engine will sputter, the power surges will be brief, and the engine may even backfire at times.

5. How Far Can a Car Go With Empty Fuel?

It ranges from 30 to over 100 miles depending on the vehicle. As a result, Your Mechanic warns that these are only estimates based on your driving habits, vehicle condition, and other variables.

Conclusion

There are a slew of possible causes for a car not to start. After reading this, I’m confident that you have a better understanding of the question, “is my car out of gas or dead battery?“ However, recognizing a few prevalent causes can help you in an emergency circumstance. 

Read more:

• A Complete Guide for Corroded Car Battery