Most newer vehicles have an alert telling you when the gas tank in running low. But how far can you go driving the gas light is on? This is a question asked by many drivers today.
In this guide, we will cover how far you can drive on empty and some of the dangers of running low on gas.
Next, we will go over when the gas light comes on, give you some tips on how to conserve fuel, and let you know what to do if you are out of gas. In the end, we will help shed some light on the questions you had.
How Far Can You Drive Once the Gas Light Comes On?
While no car make or model can be generalized, most cars will get around 30-50 miles once the low tank light comes on. Every car manufacturer will establish the limit of the light differently, so it is best to assume you will be able to go much less than this and start searching for a station.
First, the type of car you are driving makes a difference in how far you can travel. A smaller compact car with a small fuel tank may have just one gallon left when the gauge shows low. In contrast, a larger heavy-duty truck may have three to four gallons left before empty.
Next, you need to also think about the mpg of the car as well. Continuing with the example above, if the compact car has one gallon of gas left and gets 40 mpg, it can drive forty miles and before running out of gas.
Conversely, the heavy-duty truck may get only 15 mpg and have three gallons left which can only mean a total of 45 miles before running out of gas.
When Does The Gas Light Illuminate On The Dashboard?
Although the low gas light warning can seem stressful at first, it does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is out of fuel. It is simply a warning from the manufacturer that the gas tank needs to be filled back up. The vehicle’s sensors are letting you know that you are running low and your time is running out.
The point at which this warning comes on depends on what type of vehicle you drive. For most vehicles, the low gas light will come on sometime between one and four gallons of gas remaining. Either way, you will want to stop and get gas when the low gas light comes on.
Dangers of Driving with Low Fuel
When you constantly run your vehicle low on fuel, you are risking many problems. First, you could be left stranded, and it may damage your vehicle in terms of an engine misfire, clogged fuel filter, or even damage the fuel pump as well.
Stranded
If you don’t accurately estimate how much fuel is left, you could run out of gas and the engine could stop, leaving you stuck, which could be potentially dangerous. At that point, your only option is to call roadside assistance or walk to a gas station and get gas to fill a gas can to get back on the road.
You may think that you know how much fuel is left, but don’t take the chance. It takes less time to fill the vehicle with fuel than to sit on the side of the road without any.
Clogged Fuel Filter
Over time, debris, sediment, and dirt will collect inside of the gas tank. If you constantly run low on gas, all the debris, sediment, and dirt will get stirred up from the bottom of the tank into the fuel filter.
The fuel filter can only hold so much debris before eventually clogging up. As the filter begins to clog, the fuel delivery to the engine will begin to diminish, resulting in poor performance.
Damaged Fuel Pump
The fuel pump in a car is necessary to transport gasoline to the engine. When operating normally, the pump is fully submerged in the gas tank so the fuel keeps the pump lubricated and cooled. In this arrangement, the pump can pick up a lifetime of service.
However, as you run the tank low, the pump begins to become partially uncovered. Operating in this mode can cause the pump to overheat.
This can only occur so many times before it fails. In many cars, when this happens the tank has to be dropped and drained to replace the fuel pump – an expensive endeavor.
Engine Misfire
If the pump is taking in air because the fuel level is low, the engine won’t be getting the right amount of gas. This is known as a starved engine. While the combustion chamber might be getting the air it needs, it doesn’t have any fuel to mix with it.
Starvation in a vehicle will cause rough-running and its possible misfiring, or in worst case scenarios may stall out the engine leaving you stranded.
Tips to Conserve Gas
The U.S. Department of Energy provides great tips to save fuel. These tips will help you maximize what you have in the tank, as well as likely lower fuel costs. Here are some of the better tips to think about.
- Slow it down. Lower your speeds helps to keep fuel. Gas mileage goes downhill once you go over 50.
- Use cruise control to maintain speed.
- Avoid accelerating quickly and sudden braking.
- Combine your trips as opposed to taking multiple trips to town.
- Take items out of your vehicle, if they don’t need to be in there. Reduce the load on the vehicle.
- Use manufacturer fuel saving modes. For example, ECO Assist (for a Honda) or SmartGauge (for a Ford).
- Don’t warm your vehicle before you drive it.
- Don’t idle for more than a couple minutes.
- Be sure your tires are inflated properly.
- Keep up with regular car maintenance, be sure to get filters changed.
- Use proper oil for your vehicle.
- Map out the best fuel-efficient route.
- Use a gas app to find lowest cost.
On top of all that, you may consider purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle. If your budget allows for it and aligns with your lifestyle, it may be worthwhile to look into hybrid or plug-in hybrids for better fuel efficiencies than gasoline.
Even better, consider a fully electric vehicle that takes no fuel whatsoever.
What To Do If You Run Out Of Gas
If you run out of gas while driving One, take appropriate action: here are some ideas.
#1. Make Your Way Off The Road Safely.
If you know that you are running out of gas, the best thing to do is find a safe place to stop. As your vehicle slows down you want to be able to get out of the road before it causes an accident.
Maybe you can get to the shoulder of the roadway. Don’t forget to put your hazard lights on. If there are lots of other vehicles around don’t get out of your vehicle.
#2. Get Your Location.
Once you’ve pulled over, now you need to try and figure out where you are. Unless you are calling road-side assistance, asking a friend to meet you somewhere, or need some type of mechanic would need to know where to meet you anyway.
If you have a signal, look up your location on your phone via a GPS app. Otherwise, look at nearby signs.
#3. Get Gas From A Local Station.
If you are close enough to a gas station, you could walk to the station and buy a gas tank and fill it up for your car. Since you need it, gas stations typically charge more for a gas tank.
Take sufficient gas to get your car to the station to fill it up, but this is not a great option for many- especially if you are on a busy highway. You would want to do one of the next two steps instead.
#4. Call A Friend.
If you are unable to walk to a gas station, call a friend or family member who can load up a gas can with gas and get you on your way again.
This will not be an option if you are away from home, nor will it be an option if you do not know anyone who is available to help you at that time.
#5. Call Roadside Assistance.
If you have a roadside assistance membership plan, you won’t have to worry about anything. Some car insurance companies offer roadside assistance, so check to see if your plan has this service.
Simply call the jurisdiction, talk to the correct company, let them know your location, and they will send a truck your way with a tank of gas. While it won’t fill your tank, it will help you get to the nearest gas station.
Can I drive for 20 minutes with the gas light on?
There could be enough gas to get you 20 more miles, but it isn’t worth the risk. If you hit traffic or an accident, you run the risk of running out of gas. You also could damage other fuel system components running the tank this low.
Is it bad to drive with low gas?
Yes, when the tank is low, sediment can enter the fuel filter, and the fuel filter could also be exposed and overheated. If you push the limits on low gas, you can clog the fuel filter and also fail the fuel pump.
Can I drive 10 miles on empty?
Most vehicles have at least ten miles left in the tank when the gas light comes on, but you can’t assume that. If you run into any delay getting to the gas station, you could run out of gas before you get there. Options to consider: stop at the closest gas station and fill up.
Do all cars have a reserve tank?
No, most cars made today do not have a reserve tank, only a sign that says the gas is low. When the gas light comes on in the car, it means you have one-four gallons of gas left based on the actual tank when it is on empty.
How many miles does 1 gallon of gas get you?
It depends on the car’s fuel economy rating. If the car is rated as getting 25 mpg, you can expect to drive approximately 25 miles before running out of fuel (assuming you aren’t climbing a very steep hill!). However, fuel economy varies based on vehicle type and terrain, so be sure to take on fuel once the warning indicator comes on.
The gas light indicator system is there for your protection. In an ideal world, you wouldn’t run out of gas low enough to see the light, but we all know we are too busy for that. Once you experience the warning, you must take action. Yes, it would be nice if you had time to spare, but you do not!
You could run out of gas and be stranded on the side of the road waiting for assistance, or you could be causing damage to the valuable fuel system, which you likely can’t afford to fix, even if you prepared for it.