Car Wont Start After Getting Gas – How To Fix This Problem?

Published on: 11 February 2023 Last Updated on: 04 September 2024
car wont start after getting gas

Imagine you are in the middle of a long highway, and your car stops working suddenly. There are no towns in sight for hundreds of miles, so there are no pumps and garages either. However, you still have gas in your tank. Do you know why your car wont start after getting gas?

If you wish to prevent such a dreary situation, you must learn the answers to this aforementioned question. Here, I have listed several reasons why this might happen and what you must do to avoid them.

Why Car Wont Start After Getting Gas?

The primary reasons why your car won’t start after getting gas on the engine can vary from person to person. However, for most vehicle owners, these are the most commonly associated reasons:

1. The Battery Is Dead Or Corroded

The Battery Is Dead Or Corroded
Image Source: repairsmith-prod-wordpress.s3.amazonaws.com

If you don’t see your car running even after you hit the gas, then the car battery is the most common problem that most people face. There is a high chance that your car battery has got depleted over time or its battery terminals have corroded.

As a car driver, you should know that all car batteries have a life of three to five years. There are various ways why your car battery might deplete fast. This includes leaving the headlights on when not driving.

To test this, try charging the battery somehow and testing the alternator together at 12v.

2. The Alternator Is Damaged

The Alternator Is Damaged
Image Source: themotorguy.com

In the previous point, I explained how the battery could be the source of all your troubles. In the end, I explained charging the battery and alternator at 12v.

If you see your battery start functioning properly but still won’t start your car, then you know whom to blame.

For the uninitiated, the alternator is the machine that charges up the battery as the car is running. If it’s damaged, your battery will never be fully charged and will discharge pretty quickly.

Therefore, always keep a multimeter in hand to check the status of your alternator. Use it to test the alternator in two ways. If the readings are lower than these readings, then change your alternator:

  • When the engine is off: If the multimeter reading is less than 12v, it’s faulty.
  • When the engine is on: If the multimeter reading does not increase more than 12v, it’s faulty.

3. The Fuel Filter Is Clogged

The Fuel Filter Is Clogged
Image Source: themotorguy.com

The fuel filter is a car part that is responsible for filtering out contaminants in the fuel reaching the engine. This mainly includes solid particulates like dirt and other debris.

However, since the fuel filter traps all the dirt, it can get clogged with particulates over time. You can understand this by gauging the efficacy of your car. If its mileage and performance decrease suddenly over time, then your filter is clogged.

Therefore, a good practice is to clear out and clean your fuel filter every 25,000 miles.

4. The Fuel Pump Is Defective

The Fuel Pump Is Defective
Image Source: mechanicbase.com

The fuel pump is one of the most important machines that help turn your car. The fuel pump helps in pumping your engine full of fuel from your fuel tank. Therefore, if your car is not starting, it could be that the engine is not getting any fuel due to a damaged fuel pump.

Your car’s fuel pump can get damaged over time due to the heat of the car engine, which is always situated close to it. If you think your fuel pump is at fault here, then you can start by checking its pressure using a fuel gauge.

This is another pretty common reason as to why your car wont start after getting gas.

5. There Are Defects In The Starter Motor/Circuit

There Are Defects In The Starter Motor/Circuit
Image Source: sontianmotor.com

The starter motor or circuit is responsible for turning or revving your engine. Therefore, whenever you press the ignition button, the starter turns your engine, which in turn makes your car accelerate. 

Therefore, if your car is not starting even though it has gas, your starter motor can be at fault here. This can happen because it may have a solenoid. On the other hand, it can be because of a faulty ignition switch as well.

If this is the case, then you need to get a mechanic to repair it. Repairing the starter motor can cost up to $360.

6. There Is Not Enough Spark

There Is Not Enough Spark
Image Source: speednik.com

If you have a petrol engine, then your car will definitely have spark plugs inside. These plugs are responsible for igniting the oil in the engine, which then helps it run.

If you notice your engine misfiring a lot when starting up, then your spark plugs are to blame. Getting them changed based on the recommendations of the car manual.

How To Fix This Issue?

How To Fix This Issue?

If your car struggles to start after putting gas in, then there is an issue with the parts explained above. Therefore, to fix this issue and get your car and yourself back on track, there is a pretty simple fix. This is what you need to do, in a step-by-step fashion, as described below:

1. First, try starting the car engine and again until it starts working.

2. Next, you can try opening the car hood and checking all the wires attached to the car battery. If you see any of the fires disconnected, try connecting them (only if you know how to).

Apart from doing these two actions, there is nothing much that you can do. If you see your car remain still after performing these two actions, then you need to contact the nearest garage or mechanic around you.

If you are stranded in the middle of a road or on a highway, then you should keep the numbers of various garages and mechanics handy. A call to a mechanic or garage will solve your problem quickly if you can’t tow it to the closest one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

People ask lots of questions regarding why their car wont start after getting gas. Here are my answers to their questions:

Q1. Why Does My Car Sputtering After Getting Gas?

Ans: There can be two reasons why your car sputters after getting gas on it. The two reasons are:

Your EVAP control valve is damaged.
You are using the incorrect fuel for your engine or a low-quality one.

Q2. Can Bad Gas Make My Car Not Start?

Ans: Bad gas refers to the residual fuel in your engine that has not burnt completely. Over time, this gas can get stuck to the motor and the fuel pump. If this happens, then your car will not function properly.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why your car wont start after getting gas. These reasons include damaged batteries, starters, fuel pumps, spark plugs, and fuel filters. The only solution to this problem is to have any broken parts fixed. Therefore, to keep it working at its best, have your automobile checked out and serviced on a regular basis.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Auto Repair

Top 10 Signs You Might Need Auto Repair Services

Is your car having difficulty starting up? Is it chugging and blowing out smoke? Which kind of problem can you do yourself and which ones should alert you it's time to visit a mechanic ship? Knowing when to get your car checked by auto repair services can make it cheaper for you. After all, if you put it off, the damage might take a turn for the worse and make you spend more. Take note that automotive repair costs United States drivers $50 billion a year, so if you want to save as much money as possible, you need to care for your car properly. Here are ten signs your car needs a tune-up: 1. Check Engine Light is On: A check engine light isn't a cause for concern when it's lit--a flashing one is a major indicator of a problem. It could mean that there's something wrong within any components and systems monitored by your car's computer. However, as long as the light is on, you must have the engine checked sometime soon. If you want to know more about scheduled Subaru maintenance, you can read more here. Otherwise, when an engine-like symbol glows in your dash, you need to get the engine checked as soon as possible. It might be an issue with the emissions system, which can give serious damage to your catalytic converter. 2. Smoke Out of the Hood: Vehicles must never have any type of smoke coming out from under their hood. If you see this, it's a sure sign of overheating. This can give serious damage to your car's engine if you continue driving without addressing the issue. Look at the dash and make sure to check the temperature gauge on a regular basis. Make sure that it isn't giving way for whatever reason. It's important that you pull over when you're driving since it allows you to let it cool down and call an automotive repair service for assistance. Another reason is that you're leaking coolant liquids from the radiator, hose, or gasket. This is especially true when the white smoke comes from the car's engine compartment. 3. Transmission Issues: When you're driving, take note of the way your car operates in a normal situation. Ask yourself these questions: Is it difficult for the car to achieve speed? Does it surge or give off odd sounds when operating? If you answer yes to these questions, you need to get car repair services. Without professional service repairs, you could get into an accident while on the road. This creates a dangerous situation for you and your kids. There might be a recurring transmission problem with your vehicle. Taking it to an automotive repair shop fixes the problem with the use of the latest technologies available. It's necessary for you to do this as soon as you can to avoid spending more in the future. 4. Excessive Smoke and Noise from Exhaust: Pay attention to the sounds your car makes when you're driving. The type of noise you hear will dictate the kind of possible problem. For example, if you hear hissing sounds from the exhaust, it's possible that its manifold or pipe has a crack. Chugging noises can mean that the exhaust system has a blockage. Meanwhile, rattling sounds underneath your car can mean that the exhaust system is suffering from misalignment. These sounds are good indicators that it’s time to change the exhaust system you can visit goblackops.com.au as they provide high-performance systems at reliable prices. As for excessive smoke, one possible reason is that you have an oil leak, especially when a burning smell accompanies it. In cold winter months, you might notice that there's more white smoke when you first start your car. This isn't a cause for alarm because it's only water vapor coming out of the exhaust system--they'll disappear once the temperature of the engine increases. But when you're driving and see too much smoke from the exhaust, it's best to go to a repair shop first. The same is true if you check your car's bumper area and notice a black residue near the area of the exhaust pipe. 5. Gas Mileage Decreases: If your car experiences a sudden drop in its gas mileage, you need to schedule routine maintenance as soon as you can. This could mean that you'll need to fill up its gas tank more often. The reason why this is urgent is due to the fact that you want to save as much money as possible for the gas, especially now that a barrel of oil is at $70. One of the main reasons behind this might be a bad fuel injector or a dirty fuel filter. It might also mean that there's a problem with the spark plugs. Either way, it requires your utmost attention and the help of professionals. 6. Difficulty Starting Vehicle: When getting into trips, do you find it difficult to make your vehicle startup? If your answer is yes, then it might be a good time for you to visit a repair shop for a tune-up. You need to do this as soon as possible especially when you're having a difficult time turning over right when you're trying to make it start. Another possible reason is that you're trying to start it while the engine is hot from the outside weather. It's related to the car's fuel, especially since a hot engine makes it harder for fuel to circulate because of the blocking vapor. In a worst-case scenario, the car won't even start. Remember, even after you shut the engine, it will still get hot for a short while. During this time, water vapor will spread around, obstructing the engine from circulating fuel. 7. Excessive Leaks: Noises and leaks are two of the most common problems for 2017 car models. You need to take your car to the nearest mechanic if it has major leaks underneath. If you're checking for leaks, the most common location is toward the car's front, where you might see different-colored liquids. If the liquid is bright green, it's the coolant leaking. Otherwise, dark red or brown liquids can either be transmission oil, brake fluid, or engine oil. But if it's only plain water, don't worry--it's the normal result of the air conditioner running during warm summer months. 8. Signs of Rust: When you see rust on your car, you need to remove it fast regardless of whether you do it on your own or let professionals help you. When left alone, a single rust spot can grow fast and cause a structural problem if it reaches a certain size. Deal with it fast since most states will never pass inspections if they have rust holes in the body. It's especially needed if you bought a secondhand car. It doesn't matter if the spot is small or it's located in an unimportant part of the car body. You need to eliminate it as soon as you see it. To do this in an effective manner, you need to understand the most problematic areas in your car as well as the methods you need to address the problem. 9. Vehicle Shakes or Jumps : When you experience this, it's a sign of a performance issue. It might be a good time for you to take your car for a tune-up. Take it for a test drive on a shop or make an appointment so you don't end up stalling in a place you'd rather not be in. Always remember that a driving experience should be free from shaking or jumping. After all, the probable cause of this problem is within the car's engine. It might be due to clogged fuel lines or filters, as well as bad spark plugs. Again, you need to fix this problem as soon as possible since it hinders your vehicle's acceleration most of the time. It might even give out in the most unpleasant situations, like merging onto a highway while fast-going vehicles are behind you. You can prevent it by changing the oil regularly as well as replacing the belts at certain intervals. 10. Squealing When Turning: Experiencing this while driving is another good reason to visit an auto shop and get a tune-up for your car. It's possible that some of the important fluids your car needs are approaching dangerously low levels that need urgent refills. Another reason for the squeals is that the car might have a leak, meaning that replacing the liquids isn't a definite way to fix your problem. Aside from squealing, your vehicle might emit a jerking feeling when you're shifting. It's especially noticeable when you're shifting into drive. If this happens, you might need to get a new transmission filter and liquid to fix this problem. Failing to do this early, you might need to spend more money on a new transmission system. Discover More Auto Repair Tips Today: With these auto repair tips, you'll know when you have to bring your car in for a checkup. It's always safer to hire professionals when getting a tune-up or when it's time to replace old car parts. But don't stop here. There are more great car service tips for you to discover. Visit us today and read some of our other guides to ensure you drive safely, like this post about the safety of self-driving cars. Read Also : 5 Signs Your Car Needs A Tune-Up There Is A Pothole Problem In America – How To Protect Your Car From Damage? 5 Ways To Avoid The Rip Off While Buying A Used Car

READ MOREDetails
How To Prepare For Massachusetts Car Shipping

How To Prepare For Massachusetts Car Shipping

Once you’ve decided to make a change, be that taking a long trip, moving across several states, or opening up car sales to places far away rather than just local, it can be difficult to plan things out.  Naturally, something like car shipping is a way to make things go by much more smoothly.  That said, there’s still a lot of planning involved. Today, we’d like to cover what some of that planning might look like.  While it will change depending on your specific circumstances, of course, this article can serve as a guide for you.  From finding car shipping companies in Massachusetts to picking out which type of container will work for your vehicle, we’ve got you covered. One: Know Your Vehicle At first, it might seem strange that the first step here is to “know your vehicle,” but let us explain.  The thing is, when you’re exploring the various shipping company options, they’ll ask for these types of details when giving an estimate on shipping costs.  That could be the make, model, year, and weight of the car, as just a few examples.  Have this in mind as you begin the process! Two: Find A Shipper The next step is similarly simple.  You’ll want to start looking online for companies nearby in Massachusetts that offer these services!  The question, though, is what signs you’ll want to keep an eye out for in terms of finding the “best” one. Positive reviews are practically a given these days, but we felt it worth mentioning.  A lot of the time they’ll show up on Google or whatever search engine you’re using, but you can also ask friends and family members if they have any recommendations.  Word of mouth is a big deal for a reason! The other thing to watch for is how much they charge!  You can get a gauge of this by getting a shipping estimate.  Most shippers have tools on their websites that allow you to do this, if you don’t feel like doing a bunch of math yourself. Three: Gather Your Paperwork Once again, we’ve got another easy step here.  As resources like this one demonstrate, most shippers will ask for certain documentation a few times throughout the process.  Have your photo ID on hand (whether that’s a passport, a driver’s license, or something else).  Additionally, it doesn’t hurt to have the insurance details on hand as well. If you’re shipping to a customer who bought a vehicle, providing some information on them might be a good idea as well.  That would likely just be a copy of their photo ID, just so the driver knows who should be receiving the vehicle once transit has completed. Four: Clean Your Car This is the part that is the most “difficult,” if only because it does involve a bit of work.  Thankfully, an automated car wash should be more than enough for the exterior of the vehicle if you aren’t feeling up to doing it yourself.  The interior might be a bit trickier, though. There are plenty of guides on how to efficiently clean out that part of a car, like the one here: https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/cleaning-routine-clean-your-cars-interior/.  Just keep in mind that if you’re going to be transporting it, then you’ll want to make sure that you remove all of your personal belongings from the inside. Even if you aren’t selling it, this is still an important step.  That’s because there’s a chance that your items could end up lost, for one thing.  Additionally, every little thing that adds weight to the car could end up costing you more, so it’s just better to clear everything out rather than stress about it. Five: Be Ready On Pickup Day The last thing you’ll want to do is this: be prepared to meet the driver who gets sent to collect the automobile.  Most shipping companies provide door-to-door services, so someone will arrive to pick up the vehicle.  You’ll need to do your best to have everything ready by that date. This means following the other steps above: most notably, having all the paperwork ready and having the car clean.  Some other things you could do are take pictures to document the current state of the vehicle or do a last-minute sweep for anything that may have been left behind. Really, though, nothing involved in this process is overly difficult or taxing.  In fact, it can make the prospect of moving or of selling a car long-distance much less daunting.  Seeing as it saves you from planning out a road trip, that’s another reason why so many folks have begun using car shipping. If you aren’t sure just yet, that’s totally fine.  Talk to shippers, get more information, and inquire about options available.  Closed containers versus open ones are a big debate, so that’s something to keep an eye out for! Read Also: 6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shipping Company AutoTempest: Is It The Best Search Engine For Cars? Is Marine Transportation A Good Career Path?

READ MOREDetails
Car Battery

A Comprehensive Guide on How to Charge Your Car Battery

Does your car’s battery always experience low battery power? For example, you have to buy something in convenience stores and bump you into a friend which you have enjoyed chatting with for hours, without even thinking that you forgot to turn off the lights of your car. Car battery can make things work properly in your favor.  Surprisingly, you will find out that you can no longer start the car. Well, you don’t need to purchase another battery to replace that. Yes! You’ve read that right! Even if it is low on power, the way you charge it can save you from spending more! There are ways that you can charge your car’s battery for better performance. However, you need to consult or read the manual instructions given for your battery and for the battery’s charger. Now if you’re still confused after reading the manuals, you don’t have to worry a thing! We’ve got you covered! We have compiled all the necessary things you to do when charging your car’s battery. You can check them out below! What Are the Things to Consider Before Charging Your Car Battery? There are a lot of things that you have to consider before you can start charging your car battery. These are essential for you not to damage anything from the battery or the charger. Check the battery terminals if they are free from corrosions. If the battery is too dry, don’t charge it. You can just add water above the plates so that you charge them afterward. It would be best that your battery is not connected to the electrical system of your vehicle, to reduce the risk of overvoltage. So, if it is possible, remove or disconnect the battery from your car. You have to know well the battery’s positive and negative terminals to ensure that you are connecting the right charger leads. Check the user manual of your battery and the battery’s charger for more instructions. How to Charge Your Car Battery? 1. Determine the Type of Battery: You have to be sure about the type of battery you have for your car. For example, if your car is powered with start or stop technology, then you will be needing a smart charger. Surely there are a lot of conventional car chargers available on the market today, but they can not cater to all types of batteries. So, it is better to check the type of your battery first to avoid further damage. 2. Check Your Battery: Once you’ve already determined the type of battery you have, it is now time to check your battery if they are free from dirt or corrosion. Your battery should be cleaned right before you charge them. 3. Detach Your Car Battery: As mentioned above, it is your choice if you want to attach or detach your car’s battery to your while charging. However, we recommend best to detach your battery after you’ve cleaned them. Just don’t forget the things that might be reset if you detach your car’s battery. The number one rule in detaching your battery is that the negative terminal must be disconnect first and connected last when you have to attach them back. Furthermore, you can disconnect the battery by loosening the bolt of the clamp and connect them back by tightening the bolt. Don’t forget this rule to avoid terrible shocks. 4. Connect the Charger: In connecting the charger to your car’s battery, it will now be easy to connect the car’s battery to the charger using the clamp from negative to negative and positive to positive. Once you connect to the charger, you will no longer have to do anything other than wait for the battery to become full. Other chargers have an automatic function of disconnecting your car’s battery when fully charged. Furthermore, you can check out the manual of your car’s battery and charger to check the required hours needed for charging. You can even use a Scondar connector designed for a great flow of current charges. You need to be extra careful in connecting the plugs so that it won’t turn out wrong which can further damage your car’s battery. 5. Follow the Manufacturer Instructions: Last on our list is the checking and following of the manual or instructions given by the manufacturers. In this way, you can have total peace of mind in connecting your batteries for safe charging. Conclusion: Once you have a car, being expert and well-informed about car battery charging is very important! You only need to follow the comprehensive guide we have provided above on how to charge your car battery, and you will surely get back on the road well-prepared! Read Also: How To Ship A Car Made Easy: 5 Tips To Keep In Mind Why You Should Have A Code Reader For Your Car How Car Detailing Can Keep Your Vehicle In Top Shape Get Cheap Car Insurance For Young Drivers

READ MOREDetails