How Does a Car Indicate When It's Out of Fuel?
2 Answers
When a car is running low on fuel, it alerts the driver by illuminating the fuel warning light. The fuel level is controlled by a float sensor inside the fuel tank. This sensor monitors the fuel level and sends the signal to the ECU (Engine Control Unit), which then processes the information and displays it on the dashboard. If the fuel level is critically low, the fuel warning light will illuminate. After the fuel warning light comes on, the vehicle can typically travel an additional 50 to 90 kilometers under normal driving conditions, though this range may vary depending on the vehicle model and actual circumstances. However, driving beyond 20 to 30 kilometers after the light comes on may negatively affect the fuel pump's cooling efficiency, so it's not recommended to continue driving unless absolutely necessary.
Last time I was driving, the fuel gauge needle pointed to the 'E' mark, and suddenly the car started shaking violently before stalling completely. I was in a hurry that day but ended up stranded on the road waiting for rescue for half an hour. Now I've developed a habit of always checking the dashboard before driving. It's quite dangerous when the fuel level drops into the red zone or shows only 10 km of remaining range. Some cars will display warning lights or sound alerts, but if you don't refuel promptly, the car will begin to jerk and sputter like a person gasping for breath. In severe cases, the engine can sustain damage. So everyone should pay attention to the fuel gauge position regularly to avoid running out of gas in remote areas - that's truly a nerve-wracking experience and a profound lesson.
