After a long day at the office, there’s nothing you want more than to just beat traffic so you can relax at home. But just before you get on the highway, you notice that your low fuel warning light has come on. This pesky little light on your dashboard always seems to come on at the worst possible time, and when you’re in a hurry to get somewhere, you might be tempted to just keep driving and see how long your car can last on empty. And while a quick stop at the gas station can feel like a huge inconvenience, keep in mind that your car is built to run on gas, and when you’re driving without enough gas in the tank, it could mean disaster for your engine and fuel system.
How Long Can I Drive My Car Without Stopping For Gas?
In general, when your low fuel warning light comes on, it’s an indicator that you’re almost out of gas, but not entirely. This means that you have enough gas to get you to the nearest gas station, but not much further. This translates to about 30-50 miles, but keep in mind that this gauge is not always accurate and that when your has a higher fuel consumption when you’re speeding down a highway. So while you do have a few miles left in your tank once the low fuel light comes on, it’s always safest to go ahead and fill up once you see that your car is on empty.
What Happens If I Drive My Car on Empty?
Most experts recommend that you don’t let your car get below a quarter tank of gas in order to get the best driving experience. And important parts of your vehicle, like your fuel pump, just aren’t meant to function without adequate fuel. And driving on low fuel can lead to clogged fuel filters, a damaged fuel pump, and serious engine issues like stalling and misfiring. Not to mention that if you’re driving on an empty tank of gas, there’s a huge chance that you could end up stranded on the side of the road!
Don’t Let Yourself Run Out of Gas!
Don’t let yourself get stranded, fill up your tank! Gasoline is an important part of keeping your vehicle running, and you wouldn’t be able to get that far without an adequate tank of gas! So always make sure to fill up at the gas station and try not to let yourself get below a quarter tank so that you can have a reliable ride!
