A car's reserve fuel is the extra gas left in the tank after the low fuel warning light comes on. On average, most vehicles can drive between 30 to 50 miles (approximately 50 to 80 kilometers) on reserve. However, this is not a safe distance to push your luck. The exact range depends heavily on your car's fuel efficiency and your driving habits.
The primary purpose of the reserve is to give you enough time to find a gas station, not for extended driving. Consistently running the tank low can damage your fuel pump, which is cooled by being submerged in gasoline. Letting sediment from the bottom of the tank enter the fuel system is another risk.
To give you a clearer idea, here’s a table with estimated reserve ranges for different types of vehicles under normal driving conditions:
| Vehicle Type | Estimated Reserve Range (Miles) | Estimated Reserve Range (Kilometers) |
|---|
| Compact Sedan (e.g., Honda Civic) | 40 - 50 miles | 64 - 80 km |
| Midsize SUV (e.g., Toyota RAV4) | 30 - 40 miles | 48 - 64 km |
| Full-Size Truck (e.g., Ford F-150) | 25 - 35 miles | 40 - 56 km |
| Hybrid Vehicle (e.g., Toyota Prius) | 45 - 60 miles | 72 - 97 km |
| Performance Car (e.g., sports car) | 20 - 30 miles | 32 - 48 km |
The most important rule is to refuel as soon as possible after the light illuminates. Planning to drive more than 20-30 miles on reserve is risky. Your best bet is to know your own car. Some owner's manuals specify the approximate gallons left when the light comes on; you can multiply that by your car's average MPG for a personal estimate.
