How Far Can You Drive When the Fuel Gauge Reaches the Red Line?

2 Answers
SanMarcus
07/25/25 12:17am
When the fuel gauge needle reaches the red line, there is approximately 10% of fuel left in the car's tank, allowing an average driving range of 20-60 kilometers. Here are some important notes about refueling your car: 1. Do not wait until the warning light comes on to refuel: The fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank and relies on gasoline for cooling and lubrication. Insufficient fuel can impair the pump's normal operation and shorten its lifespan. 2. It is not recommended to fill the tank completely: Gasoline expands when heated and evaporates into vapor under high summer temperatures, requiring space to accommodate these changes. If the tank is filled to the brim without any space, gasoline vapor or even liquid gasoline may enter the carbon canister for storage. Once the carbon canister is full, the excess will escape into the air, leading to both waste and environmental pollution. 3. Gauge deviation: After routine battery replacement, fuel filter changes, or even after the car has been parked overnight, you might notice that the fuel gauge needle is lower than its previous position upon restarting the vehicle, leading you to suspect a malfunction. However, this is a normal phenomenon. When the fuel pump operates, a negative pressure forms inside the fuel tank, reducing the tank's volume and causing the fuel level to appear higher. Additionally, the thermal expansion of gasoline due to temperature changes naturally shows a higher reading. When the temperature drops or the fuel tank is opened, the pressure is released, and the fuel level decreases accordingly. Therefore, such display deviations are normal.
Was this review help?
12
1
Share
LeJayden
08/10/25 3:42pm
When the fuel gauge hits the red line, based on my years of driving experience, it usually indicates very low fuel, roughly enough to travel about 40 to 50 kilometers. However, this varies depending on the car's size and fuel consumption. For example, my old sedan has a 50-liter fuel tank, and when it reaches the red line, there's about 5 liters left. With a fuel consumption of 8 liters per 100 kilometers, it could theoretically last 60 kilometers, but in reality, it might be shorter due to higher fuel consumption on uphill roads or in traffic jams. I advise against taking chances. Last time I did this, I got stuck on the highway and had to pay over 300 yuan for towing, which was totally not worth it. The fuel pump is prone to overheating and damage when the fuel level is low, and repairs can be even more expensive. It's best to look for a gas station when the fuel gauge shows half or a quarter full—it's more convenient, hassle-free, and safer. Developing a habit of regular maintenance can also help avoid such issues.
Was this review help?
2
3
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What does it mean when the ABS light in a car comes on?

When a car displays the ABS light, it indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's Anti-lock Braking System. If the wheels lock during emergency braking, the vehicle may skid uncontrollably, making it difficult for the driver to decelerate or adjust the vehicle's trajectory, posing significant safety risks. There are several states in which the ABS light may illuminate, each with different causes and solutions, as detailed below: State 1: ABS warning light stays on (most common). Cause 1: The ABS speed sensor's sensing area is covered by dirt, mud, or other contaminants, affecting the sensor's ability to detect the corresponding speed signal. This prevents the ABS computer from determining the vehicle's speed and the wheel's slip rate, thus failing to issue appropriate commands to regulate braking. Solution: Clean the dirt from the speed sensor and adjust the gap between the speed sensor and the signal ring to restore normal function. Cause 2: Poor signal due to loose connections in the system wiring or poor contact in the ABS relay, leading to system failure. Solution: Check the wiring connections and reconnect any loose parts. State 2: ABS warning light intermittently illuminates, but turns off when accelerating. Cause: When multiple vehicle electrical devices are in use, the battery voltage drops below 10.5V. As the engine speed increases, the voltage rises, causing the ABS light to turn off. This may also be due to low system supply voltage, such as poor terminal contact or grounding issues. Solution: Check the battery's specific gravity; inspect the charging system; examine the power supply (e.g., voltage relay or poor power contact). State 3: ABS warning light stays on after engine start and only turns off when the engine is turned off (IGFF). Cause: Poor grounding contact in the ABS hydraulic valve body; poor contact in the ABS hydraulic valve body wiring connector; ABS computer malfunction. Solution: Loosen the grounding screw on the hydraulic valve body, then retighten it, cleaning the contact surface if necessary; check if the connector gap has widened; replace the ABS or ABS/ASR computer. State 4: ABS warning light illuminates during high-speed driving. Cause: At high speeds, the ABS computer detects a significant discrepancy between the rear and front wheel speed signals; incorrect tire or wheel rim specifications. Solution: Refer to the vehicle's tire and wheel rim specifications, as indicated on the label near the fuel tank cap. State 5: ABS warning light intermittently illuminates. Cause: Improper adjustment of the brake light switch; poor internal contact in the brake light. Solution: Start the engine, press the brake pedal, push the brake switch linkage down fully with a finger, then release the brake pedal to complete the self-setting position; replace the brake light switch if necessary.
9
4
Share

What is the fault code for the diesel parking heater?

The fault code for the diesel parking heater is e08. Common faults of the diesel parking heater include: No response after startup: Caused by no power input; Indicator light stays on: Possibly due to damaged control circuit or ungrounded wire; Heater emits black smoke: Caused by severe carbon buildup in the heater, requiring carbon cleaning, or due to clogged fuel injector, filter, or fuel line, necessitating cleaning or replacement of corresponding parts; Heater operates normally but repeatedly shuts off: Caused by the internal heating wire of the thermocouple connecting with the casing when heated, resulting in a short circuit of the ignition sensor. The controller interprets this as a shutdown, requiring replacement of the ignition sensor.
10
1
Share

Is Smart Parking Private or State-Owned?

Smart parking is state-owned. The parking spaces for smart parking are demarcated by the state, and the traffic police brigade under the Traffic Police Bureau manages illegal parking, while parking companies uniformly handle fee collection. Smart parking primarily involves converting originally free blue parking spaces into paid parking spaces marked with white lines and yellow berth numbers. The parking fees for smart parking are relatively high, and there are instances of arbitrary charges. Additionally, there are cases where the entry and exit images do not match the same vehicle. Moreover, on some two-way roads, one lane is converted into paid parking spaces, obstructing normal traffic flow for motor vehicles. Smart Parking: Smart parking refers to the integrated application of wireless communication technology, mobile terminal technology, GPS positioning technology, and GIS technology in the collection, management, query, reservation, and navigation services of urban parking spaces. It achieves real-time updates, queries, reservations, and integrated navigation services for parking space resources, maximizing parking space utilization, optimizing parking lot profits, and enhancing parking services for vehicle owners. Functions of Smart Parking: The 'smart' aspect of smart parking is reflected in: 'intelligent parking space finding + automatic parking fee payment.' It serves vehicle owners in daily parking, staggered-time parking, parking space rental, automotive aftermarket services, reverse vehicle finding, and parking space navigation.
20
4
Share

The Difference Between Sapphire Black and Carbon Black

The differences between Sapphire Black and Carbon Black are as follows: Light Reflection: Under white light, Sapphire Black emits a deep green glow, whereas Carbon Black absorbs light and reflects very little. Transparency: Sapphire Black appears slightly more transparent than Carbon Black. Texture: In sunlight, Carbon Black exhibits a deep blue hue, giving it a more textured appearance compared to Sapphire Black. Color Series: In BMW's domestic color series (both imported and domestically produced), the color representing 'black' is only coded as 'Sapphire Black,' which is a metallic paint. The color coded as 'Black' is a standard paint. Reflection and Transparency Differences: Under natural light refraction, Carbon Black displays a dark blue sheen, while Black only shows a deep black hue. Due to Black's light-absorbing properties, it hardly reflects any light. In terms of transparency, Carbon Black is relatively more transparent and offers a sense of space, whereas Black's spatial effect is less pronounced.
20
3
Share

Can the passenger put their feet on the dashboard on the highway?

Placing feet on the dashboard while riding in the passenger seat on the highway won't result in a fine, but this behavior is extremely dangerous. Obstructing airbag deployment path: Putting feet on the dashboard directly blocks the airbag's deployment path. In an emergency, the airbag inflates at 320 km/h, potentially slamming the feet into the face with enough force to cause severe injury or even death. Additionally, if the airbag fails to deploy during emergency braking, the passenger might be ejected through the windshield. Risk of major accidents: If the passenger is asleep and sleepwalks, they might suddenly kick toward the driver's area or windshield, potentially causing a serious traffic collision.
19
1
Share

Why can't the car key start the engine suddenly?

If the car key can be inserted and turned but the car won't start, it means the starter motor circuit is not connected. The reason could be that the contacts linked to the ignition switch rotation are burnt out or loose. Although the key is turned, the contacts are not connected, resulting in an open circuit. The car starting system consists of a battery, ignition switch, starter relay, and starter motor. The function of the starting system is to convert the battery's electrical energy into mechanical energy through the starter motor to start the engine. Insufficient battery starting capacity: In extremely cold regions, most cases of no response when turning the key are due to insufficient battery starting capacity. Due to climatic conditions, battery performance significantly declines in winter. If the battery has been in use for about 3 years and is nearing the end of its life, it should be replaced promptly. Similarly, engine oil is also affected to some extent, with poor fluidity in winter. It is recommended to warm up the car for a few minutes after starting and avoid high RPMs initially. Severe carbon buildup on spark plug electrodes: If there is severe carbon buildup on the spark plug electrodes, they can be removed and cleaned with a copper brush. Remember to place the removed parts in order and then reassemble them in reverse order.
12
5
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.