Does it hurt your car to run out of gas?

Running out of gas itself doesn't directly *damage* your car's engine in the way that, say, overheating does. However, it can lead to several problems, some of which can be costly:

* Stranding: This is the most immediate and inconvenient consequence.

* Damage to the fuel pump: Modern fuel pumps are often submerged in the fuel and rely on the fuel for cooling. Running out of gas can cause the pump to overheat and fail, leading to a potentially expensive repair. This is the most common and significant risk.

* Contaminants: Sediment and debris can settle at the bottom of the fuel tank. Running low on gas can increase the chance of this debris being sucked into the fuel pump and injectors.

* Difficulty restarting: Getting the engine going again might require several attempts, which can strain the starter motor and battery.

In short, while it won't immediately destroy your engine, running out of gas increases the risk of significant problems, especially to the fuel pump, and is best avoided. Keeping your fuel level above a quarter of a tank is a good rule of thumb.