Reduced Engine power after empty fuel tank
05-06-2019, 12:09 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Reduced Engine power after empty fuel tank
Not too proud admitting this but my gt3 ran out of fuel as I was literally 0.05 miles from the gas station. "Reduced Engine power but permitted to drive" light came on and obviously the car wouldn't start. Ran to the station, filled up a gallon bottle and refueled the car. The car started just fine with no warning lights. So that brings me to my question, has this happened to any of you Porsche Gods? Should I take the car to the dealership for a quick check up or anything that I should keep an eye on?
P.S. Porsche doesn't fool around with its fuel range feature. When it says a mile, it means a freaking mile. No extra juice available.
P.S. Porsche doesn't fool around with its fuel range feature. When it says a mile, it means a freaking mile. No extra juice available.
05-06-2019, 12:12 PM
#2
Holy Guru
Rennlist
Registered Pontiff
Rennlist
Registered Pontiff
05-06-2019, 01:41 PM
#3
Not too proud admitting this but my gt3 ran out of fuel as I was literally 0.05 miles from the gas station. "Reduced Engine power but permitted to drive" light came on and obviously the car wouldn't start. Ran to the station, filled up a gallon bottle and refueled the car. The car started just fine with no warning lights. So that brings me to my question, has this happened to any of you Porsche Gods? Should I take the car to the dealership for a quick check up or anything that I should keep an eye on?
P.S. Porsche doesn't fool around with its fuel range feature. When it says a mile, it means a freaking mile. No extra juice available.
P.S. Porsche doesn't fool around with its fuel range feature. When it says a mile, it means a freaking mile. No extra juice available.
Typically when you completely empty the tank you suck all the sludge at the bottom into the fuel filter. That then makes the fuel pump work harder and potentially limits peak flow (which can cause you to go lean at full throttle and potentially damage the engine). If the car's brand new I wouldn't worry, but if you've got some years/ miles on it I'd have the fuel filter changed as a precaution.
05-06-2019, 02:24 PM
#4
Intermediate
Thread Starter
How old is the car?
Typically when you completely empty the tank you suck all the sludge at the bottom into the fuel filter. That then makes the fuel pump work harder and potentially limits peak flow (which can cause you to go lean at full throttle and potentially damage the engine). If the car's brand new I wouldn't worry, but if you've got some years/ miles on it I'd have the fuel filter changed as a precaution.
Typically when you completely empty the tank you suck all the sludge at the bottom into the fuel filter. That then makes the fuel pump work harder and potentially limits peak flow (which can cause you to go lean at full throttle and potentially damage the engine). If the car's brand new I wouldn't worry, but if you've got some years/ miles on it I'd have the fuel filter changed as a precaution.
Wearing a dunce hat!
05-06-2019, 02:59 PM
#5
Lol. Console yourself with the knowledge that this was far from the worst thing that could happen just after taking delivery. No harm no foul...
05-06-2019, 06:08 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Before you feel too dumb I ran out of gas in my daily driver, a new Honda CRV, but at the timeI thought I had an ECU malfunction as well because every system in the car was still giving me failure warnings even after putting gas in it so Honda had it towed to a dealer. (tow truck guy didn't know what the deal was either) Turns out it needed 5 or more restarts before all the codes cleared themselves. 