The gas light on your dashboard turns on and you hear a ding chime. This means that you car is nearly out of gas. Some people get anxiety of this, and others take it as a challenge. Whether it is a result of simply forgetting or being too busy to stop and fill up, we have all been there at some point. However, is this a bad habit that could start causing issues with your car? Learn more about how to avoid issues from driving on empty.
How-to Avoid Issues From Driving on Empty: Filling Your Tank
How Far Can You Go?
Many of us have all wondered how far we can actually go once the gas light turns on. How far can we push it? 10 miles? 50 miles? Are we about to run out of gas right now? It really comes down you your vehicle and how you drive it. Usually, vehicles can go anywhere between 30 to 60 miles once the gas light turns on. However, speeding, driving uphill, and sitting in traffic can all affect how long your gas will last. Learn more about how far your car can actually go after the gas light turns on by looking at your owners manual.
Newer cars often have an actual mile counter than shows how many miles you have left until you are empty. Keep in mind that this is an estimate, not an exact figure. When driving on empty, do not push it to the last mile based on your mileage counter. You may not make it to a gas station before your car runs out.
Risks and Negative Effects
It is best to try and avoid letting your gas level get low. Try your best to not let your gas tank get below 1/4 of a tank. A risk of driving on empty is running out of gas and getting stranded. When your car runs out of gas, it will stop. You could get stranded on the side of the road somewhere.
Running out of gas can also be bad for your car. Your car has parts that need fuel to run properly. For example, you could get a clogged fuel filter, damage your fuel pump, or cause your engine to misfire. While you may not damage your vehicle immediately the first time you run out of gas, you will wear these parts out. This could lead to expensive repairs later.