Does the fuel gauge light have any impact on the car?
3 Answers
The fuel gauge light has minimal impact on the car, it simply indicates that the vehicle is low on fuel and should be refueled promptly to ensure proper operation and avoid unnecessary issues. Generally speaking, when the fuel gauge shows only one-quarter or one-fifth of the tank remaining, it's time to refuel immediately. Otherwise, the engine may experience accelerated component wear due to fuel shortage, which could potentially affect engine performance over time. In reality, when the fuel warning light comes on, there is still some fuel left in the tank - just a very small amount. Typically, the vehicle can still travel 30 to 90 kilometers (depending on comprehensive factors such as vehicle condition, driving habits, and road conditions).
I've been repairing cars for nearly twenty years and have encountered too many owners who stubbornly keep driving after the fuel light comes on. The fuel pump relies on being submerged in gasoline to dissipate heat. When the fuel level is critically low, the pump operates exposed to air, causing temperatures to skyrocket within minutes—this can shorten its lifespan at best or burn it out entirely at worst. Even more troublesome is that metal debris and impurities settled at the bottom of the tank get sucked into the fuel lines, damaging injectors and filters. Last week, an SUV came in with a burned-out fuel pump—when we opened it up, the tank itself was deformed. Chronic low fuel levels had caused the rubber tank bushings to lose support, making the metal squeak over speed bumps. Replacing the entire system cost over two thousand, when simply refueling earlier could have prevented it all.
Last time I went on a countryside trip, I was almost screwed by the fuel gauge! The low fuel light came on just as I got on the highway. Thinking I could still run 40 kilometers, I didn't pay much attention. But after being stuck in traffic for half an hour, the car stalled in a tunnel. The trucks behind me were honking like crazy, scaring me into a cold sweat. Calling a tow truck cost me 400 bucks, not to mention finding the fuel pump burnt black at the repair shop. The mechanic said when the fuel tank is almost empty, it sucks in sediment and gum deposits, which can easily clog the filter. Now I refuel when there's a quarter tank left. A personal lesson learned: find a gas station as soon as the light comes on. The money you save on fuel isn't worth the repair costs.
