It was about 20 degrees yesterday, so I warmed up the car for at least 3 minutes. I drove at low rpms for about a mile. The car felt like it was trying to cut off, so I got some gas. My gas was pretty low (not on E, but about an 8th left). Pulling into the bank parking lot on a slight hill, the car cut off. I went to the atm for about 2 minutes, got back in the car, and put the car in neutral (auto trans), costed about 5 feet to flatter ground. Put it in park and started it. The oil light came on. I checked the oil, it was at the minimum marker. I do remember checking the oil about 300 miles or so before this incident. It was half full I should’ve topped it off, but I didn’t. I than added a quart of oil. I started the car and it sounded a little better, but It cut off, I started it, and it tried to cut off every once and awhile. I let it idle for about 5 minutes. I noticed that the hose was kind of bulging. I have a 2000 Dodge Neon with over 120,000 miles. I change my oil every 3000 miles. I will admit sometimes I let the oil creep to minimum, like in this scenario. What is the problem that I’m having with the car?

 

my 2000 Neon did that before, sorta - like it would start and then die, it ended up that i needed new spark plugs! i had never changed them, and they were waaaaaaaaaaay in need of changing. after i got those replaced, everything was a.o.k. ... i don't know if this is the case w/ yours or not. but yeah..

fyi, i have a 2000 neon for sale for $1,300, and an '04 Neon for 9,000/obo. if you know anyone looking for a neon, let me know!

smellen182

 

Everything is back to normal. Moral of story; keep at least aquarter to a half tank of gas in your car in 20 degree weather.

 

Good rule of thumb on the gas tank in cold weather. Just wait until your gas line freezes . . .and you have no garage to park it in to thaw. I had that happen to a 91 F-150 . . . it never ran the same. Eventually the gas line sprung a leak in the engine compartment and it burst into flames.

That's how I ended up with my Neon.