As a driver, you have probably had the experience of seeing the fuel gauge needle hovering dangerously close to “E” for the first time as you drive along.
A sudden feeling of panic occurs as you wonder, “How long before I have to abandon my car if I end up stranded on the side of the road? ”. After your car’s fuel tank reaches empty, you’re probably wondering how far you can drive. Let’s take a look at how far you can drive.
Throughout my career as a mechanic, I’ve gained some insider knowledge that will help you prepare for this stressful scenario.
Fuel Gauge Empty Symbols and What They Mean
The low fuel light appears when the fuel tank is empty, but let’s clarify what “empty” means. A little gasoline is still left in the tank when your fuel gauge shows “E”.
To ensure you get to a gas station as quickly as possible whenever your fuel level becomes critically low, automobile manufacturers intentionally include this buffer. Approximately two to three gallons of fuel remaining is usually enough to trigger the low fuel light.
It is highly recommended that you do not drive regularly when your fuel level is so low, however, as a mechanic I strongly caution you against it. It is possible to encounter a few problems if you are constantly running on empty:
- Fuel Pump Strain: Your fuel pump is lubricated and cooled by the gasoline in your tank. Toward the end of a tank’s life, the pump may suffer from air suck in, which increases its workload and creates heat. It is possible for premature fuel pump failure to be caused by this extra strain over time.
- Fuel System Sedimentation: When contaminants like dirt and rust accumulate in the bottom of your fuel tank over the course of your vehicle’s lifetime, the sedimentation will naturally occur. Fuel pumps are normally located higher up, so this doesn’t pose a problem. In this scenario, you may clog your fuel filter and even damage your engine if debris gets trapped in the fuel pump.
- Damage to Catalytic Converters: Running out of gas completely can cause your car to misfire when burning its fuel, so running out of gas can cause your catalytic converters to fail. The unburned fuel can then reach the catalytic converter, overpowering it and causing it to malfunction.
Can You Drive an Empty Car for How Many Miles?
In order to answer this question, let’s look closer at the fuel gauge. If your car’s fuel gauge reads full and the road-to-empty display reads zero, approximately how far could you drive? You will have to consider the make and model of your vehicle when determining the answer.
Studies conducted by YourMechanic found that most cars can travel 30-50 miles more when the fuel gauge indicates that it is empty. For example:
| Vehicle Model | Fuel gauge when empty: miles remaining |
| Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Focus | 35 to 45 miles |
| Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic | Up to 50 miles |
| Toyota Prius (Hybrid) | 60 to 70 miles |
Your actual mileage will vary based on several factors, but please note that these figures are only estimates:
- Condition of your vehicle: An old, well-maintained vehicle will have a lower fuel economy, so you’ll have a shorter range on empty.
- Driving Habits: Most city traffic burns through gas faster than highway traffic, so if you drive mostly in town you’ll burn through it faster.
- Fuel Efficiency: Fuel-efficient vehicles can operate on lower fuel temperatures for longer periods of time than fuel-guzzlers.
Some luxury cars have an interesting feature
In order to help drivers avoid running out of gas, high-end vehicle manufacturers like BMW are proactive.
Whenever the range drops below 30 miles, BMW models enter “limp mode,” which limits the maximum speed to 45 mph.
With this feature, the driver can safely reach the nearest fuel station while reducing fuel consumption. Hence, in some luxury vehicles, you may run the risk of getting bullied by the car itself!
When You Run Out of Gas in Your Car, What Should You Do?
You can find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a burning engine despite your best intentions sometimes, despite your best intentions. Following are some tips you can follow if you find yourself in this situation:
- Safety First: Put on your hazard lights right away and coast away from active traffic as far as you can.
- Call for Help: If you don’t have roadside assistance, you might be able to get gas from a friend. Fuel delivery for these situations is usually included in insurance plans.
- Take Care When Walking: Make sure the area is safe before leaving your car. Wear bright, reflective clothes and walk against traffic if you have to walk to the nearest gas station.
- Be Wary of Strangers: Trust your instincts if someone offers you a ride you don’t know. Let someone you trust help you instead of politely declining.
Keep Your Gas Tank Full with These Simple Habits
Be proactive about filling up your tank if you don’t want to end up in a stressful situation.
As soon as your gauge reaches the quarter tank mark, I recommend you stop for gas. Furthermore, it helps prevent any long-term damage to your car’s fuel system components, as well as giving you a large buffer to find a convenient gas station.
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Conclusion
If your car is empty, you may get a different mileage, but most vehicles can go another 30 to 50 miles once they reach “E”.
If you’re used to pushing your car to its limits, it’s best to avoid it. You may be at risk of being stranded in an undesirable location if you drive with a nearly empty fuel tank, which can put unnecessary strain on critical components.
