1998 Chevy Lumina Automatic Transmission - Car Ran Out of Gas. Did I Damage When Trying to Shift Gears?

(2011-02-13 15:20:43)

1. Gwendolen Says: I own a 1998 Chevy Lumina. Recently, I ran out of gas. After the car had completely run out of gas, it began to roll. In order to stop the car, I placed my foot on the brake pedal and went to place the car in park. Upon doing so, I heard this 'rrr,rrr,rrr', I immediately took the car out of park (I mean immediately!) and placed it in neutral and then back in drive. Meanwhile, the car is still rolling. I then applied the emergency brake which ultimately stopped the car. I then placed the car in park and no noise could be heard. Thankfully, I made it safely to a gas station and went on my way. I've been driving the car since then and it appears to be perfectly fine. Should I worry that I might have caused damage to my car? Please help!!!!

2. roger Says: your car will be fine,please do not worry. If you had damaged anything you would have known right away. The transmission is made so that when you put it in park, a parking pawl locks the transmission so the wheels will not move. The noise you heard was a result of the parking pawl not being able to engage, so it makes that funny noise you heard, and going back to drive was good thinking, that was exactly the right thing to do. So for what it is worth, you did good.
You can damage the parking pawl, and it is fixable, but in your case I believe it will be just fine. You are having no trouble since that happened, and thats a good sign. You want to try to minimize that running out of gas thing, not only will a police officer write a ticket for it, you can if you are really unlucky lock up your motor when it runs out of gas. (it does not happen that often, but it is possible) So please pay a bit more attention ok? and if you have a newer fuel injected car, keeping the tank more full than empty, will help your fuel pump in the top of the gas tank, last a good long time. It is also a good idea to use a good grade of gasoline, like chevron unleaded with techron. This is a fuel system cleaner, it is better to keep your fuel system clean from the beginning, than to try to clean out hardened deposits later from using cheap gas. I fill up my vehicle when it gets near half, this also helps keep water from condensing inside the gas tank especially in winter.

3. Eric S Says: The noise you heard was the parking paw in the transmission trying to lock.If you would have damaged this then it would not hold when you put It in park. I don't think you hurt anything. Eric autotech155

4. bandit_60 Says: i doubt that anything happened. probably when you put it in park it did,nt go in all the way the first time. you might consider having the shifting linkage adjusted though.

5. trannyman166 Says: Just give Roger the 10 points, he is right on the money !!!

FYI, 1 answer stated that park is not part of the transmission...WRONG !!
It most certainly is, as you found out !!!!

6. Colin Says: On auto boxes park is a .locking device and not part t of he transmission...I doubt that any permanent damage had been done judging by the way you are drivung it now...keep an eye on that fuel guage in future though mate

7. Mike O Says: Why would you worry? The car seems fine, right? You'll know if your transmission is messed up.

8. Texas Wildman Says: if you are driving it. most likely nothing happen. happy motoring.