We’ve all put off toping off the gas tank too long, so we have seen the reminder light come on the dashboard before. When the light comes on, and the gas gauge reads empty, but how far can you drive on empty before running out of fuel?
In this article we discuss how far your car might go once the tank is empty. We also discuss why you should always be fueling the car.
How Many Miles Can You Drive on Empty?
When you get the empty symbol on your dashboard, you may have an additional 30 to 50 miles, depending on your vehicle type. Your vehicle will let you know before you empty your tank. When the warning light appears, you have some time to get fuel before you are stranded.
Most fuel-efficient little cars can go another hundred miles with the low fuel light on, while a truck may only have thirty miles left when the light appears.
You can figure out how much time you have depending on the size of the fuel tank and when the light appears, as well as driving at a low speed or driving highway speeds you have better distance estimates.
Once you know this, once you get it in your head, you can have a good idea of how much further you could go in the vehicle based on average gas mileage. Or you can look in the owner’s manual if you can find something approximating the capability of your car.
The average gas mileage shows an average Chevrolet Silverado will go 33 miles past empty, the Volkswagen Jetta can go 43 miles, and the Toyota Corolla is 47 miles. All of this depends on engine type/year model but it gives you a rough estimate!
At some point, the car is going to run out of gas; after all, if you don’t pay attention to the warning light, the time will come. So you must pay a lot of attention to the warning light when it comes on!
What To Do When You Run Out of Gas?
#1. Be Safe.
When you realize the fuel tank is empty, you will want to pull over. But don’t just pull over anywhere. You should pull over somewhere safe.
Turn on your emergency lights and get as far off of the road as possible. If it is nighttime, pull over in a well-lit location if you are able. If you have reflective triangles to signify the car is broken down, get these out and place them behind your car.
#2. Call Roadside Assistance.
If you have roadside assistance, now is the time to utilize it. They will bring you a tank of fuel so you can get to the nearest gas station.
If you do not have a roadside assistance plan, you may be able to ask for help from a family member or friend. The safest place for you is to be in your locked car waiting for help.
#3. Go to Nearest Station.
If all else fails, you’ll need to walk to a gas station. Most of them should have empty containers available, but it will likely be more expensive than it is worth.
Buy an approved container and fill it. Then walk back to your vehicle and get going again. Just make sure to stop and fill the tank after you get the small amount in there.
Reasons Not to Drive with Low Fuel
#1. Damage to Fuel Pump.
The most important reason why you should always have fuel in the tank is to protect the pump. Any time the tank is down to ¼ full, the pump can take abuse that will lead to its eventual failure. You really do not want to have to change out a fuel pump; it can be a bear to do.
In most instances, you will have to take the tank off to get to the pump. You are also going to have to drain the tank of your fuel. If you can’t do that process by yourself, you are going to pay for the labor. All-in-all, it is much less expensive to keep the tank full, so the pump is protected.
#2. Engine Sediment Buildup.
Regardless of where the fuel comes from – quality or cheap – there will always be sediment and contaminates, just some more than others. Most sediment usually sits at the bottom of the fuel tank and normally is not an issue.
However, as the tank gets low, you can start to pump sediment into the engine, which causes damage and is an even more costly problem.
#3. Clogged Fuel Filter.
The sediment and debris we talked about has to go through the fuel filter before it enters the engine. A small amount may get through, but much of it will be captured. Changing the fuel filter is not very expensive, but who wants to perform unnecessary maintenance early?
If the filter is full clogged, you will have trouble starting the engine. You will also have reduced power, which may cause trouble when you press down on the accelerator. The engine may also misfire and you may experience an improper idle.
#4. Corrosion of the Fuel Injection System.
If the fuel levels drop, condensation will form. This moisture, along with any temperature swing, will start a chain reaction of corrosion. The last thing you want to encounter is corrosion in the fuel injectors.
When this happens, your engine will not run properly. Plus, replacing fuel injectors isn’t fun or cheap because of the high mechanic hours involved. Remember, it is always better to protect it than to fix it.
5 Simple Ways to Save Money on Gas
#1. Use Gas Apps.
If you don’t have a loyalty to a location, you’ll find the best deal in town. Check one of the leading gas apps, like Waze or GasBuddy, to quickly see who has the lowest price today. Check the route before you go, and it will give you an idea of where to stop.
By getting gas before you need it, you can save quite a bit of money because you have some wiggle room. Just be cautious about how far away you could drive saving just a few more cents; you might erode all that savings by being stuck in traffic or miles from your route.
#2. Use Regular Grade.
Some cars require premium fuel. If yours does, it doesn’t really apply to you. But, all other circumstances show that regular gasoline is the best option over premium gas.
You may be able to save twenty to forty cents per gallon if you downgrade from premium fuel, and your car won’t notice much of a difference anyway. All of those savings can quickly add up to put aside funds for a rainy day.
#3. Sign up for Fuel Rewards.
If you shop at a grocery store that has gas, there is likely a reward system that gives you money off the fuel. Most gas stations have loyalty systems, as well, to save you money.
Even GasBuddy has a rewards program worth mentioning. GasBuddy’s Pay with GasBuddy is totally free to use, and in some places, gets you a quick 25 cents a gallon off simply for using it.
For people who get a lot of fuel, there is a Premium Membership that gives you 40 cents off per gallon, and other perks like roadside assistance. Again, not all stations will accept this, though, so do your homework before signing up.
#4. Apply for a Rewards Credit Card.
Many people opt to pay for gas by debit or credit card out of convenience, but there’s another benefit you may have never considered. When you pay with a rewards credit card, you are actually getting cashback! In fact, there are cards designed specifically for this.
Just pay attention to the balance each month and pay it off immediately. otherwise you are losing all of your savings in interest.
#5. Fill Up on Certain Days.
If you prepare, you can purchase fuel on the least expensive days of the week. In general, Monday and Tuesday seem to be the days with the lowest prices during the week.
If you’re trying to save money, though, just completely avoid the gas station on Friday or the weekends altogether, because stations will typically raise the price slightly on the weekends when more cars are on the road.
Also, consider the time of year with filling up. If a holiday or busy travel day is coming up, you might want to consider that as well. Gas prices will spike during those timeframes.