Getting stranded on the road with an empty tank can be a nightmare for a driver, particularly on long trips. Or sometimes, the fuel-low notification just shows up, and you start panicking that there are no gas stations nearby. But did you know you could drive a few more miles even after the fuel gauge indicates empty? In this article, find out if it’s safe to drive with an empty gas tank and how far you can go before refueling.
How many miles can you drive with an empty gas tank?
The answer to how many miles you can drive with an empty gas tank totally depends upon the model of the car you drive. It depends on the fuel efficiency and gas tank capacity. However, 30-50 miles is a distance you may be able to drive in most modern cars after the fuel gauge starts indicating empty.
In case you drive a modern car such as a hybrid, you might be able to go well beyond 40 or 50 miles as they are more gas efficient than traditional automobiles.
Is it okay to drive with an empty fuel tank?
It is technically possible to drive on an empty tank. However, this feature is extended to you so that you can drive to the nearest gas station to refuel your car. An empty fuel tank can also get you stranded on the road, which is the last thing you’d like to have on a trip. Think of a situation where you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cellular signal or nobody to help you out. So, fill the gas tank and avoid the question of how many miles you can drive with an empty tank!
Can you damage your car by driving on empty?
Yes. When the gas tank is depleted, the engine draws air from the tank, as a result of which the car comes to an abrupt halt. Furthermore, the fuel filter will get clogged by the particles accumulated in the fuel tank. Besides ruining the fuel pump, this also messes up the readings on the fuel gauge.
Also, when there’s no gas left in the tank, there’s no gas surrounding the fuel filter. This can lead to overheating and, subsequently, failure. Replacing a faulty fuel pump can be really expensive.
Is driving on an empty fuel tank harmful to the catalytic converter?
Yes. The catalytic converter serves a crucial role in the car’s fuel system. The risk of stalling increases when driving on empty, which could cause serious problems for your car’s catalytic converter in the long run. This necessitates replacing or repairing the part, which can burn a hole in your pocket. It is better to keep this fact in mind before calculating how many miles you can drive on empty and eventually not filling the gas on your car.
Does a car have extra gas even after the fuel gauge shows empty?
Yes. Cars usually have a reserve capacity that helps drive a few more miles after the empty gas tank indication. Again, its capacity varies by car make and model. Typically the reserve can hold anywhere from 1 to 4 gallons of gas. This is to help to drive to the nearest gas station to refuel your car.
How do cars indicate gas levels?
Fuel-level sensors are standard equipment in modern automobiles. This part is essential to figure out how much gas is left in the tank. It has a sensor (the sender) and an indicator in the dashboard, which indicates the fuel amount. In addition, it also determines how many miles you can drive before the tank goes empty.
Can you trust the miles-to-empty figures on your car?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot completely trust the miles to empty figures on your car. Studies conducted by experts have repeatedly demonstrated that fuel gauges provide only a rough estimate of the remaining fuel. So, if you’re somebody who relies on distance-to-empty figures to determine how many more miles you can drive, it’s high time to get rid of this habit.
Don’t let your gas tank get empty.
A quarter of a tank of gas is the minimum amount experts recommend keeping in your car at all times to avoid being stranded in the middle of nowhere or caught in traffic. If gas prices are pulling you away from refueling your car, do not worry. With Way, you can save up to 75¢ on a gallon of gas. So stop asking how many miles you can drive with an empty gas tank. Download the Way app and start saving right away!
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
