How many kilometers can a car still drive after the fuel light comes on?
3 Answers
After the fuel light comes on, different car models can travel distances ranging from 30km to 135km, with a very large gap. More information about the fuel light coming on is as follows: 1. When the fuel light comes on, especially when it enters the flashing stage, it indicates that the fuel tank is about to be empty. At this time, it is more important to reasonably control the speed, turn off high-power electrical appliances such as the car air conditioner, and reduce fuel consumption during driving. 2. When the vehicle is in a state of low fuel, significant tilting will affect the operation of the fuel pump. In addition to providing power for the vehicle, fuel also has a cooling effect. If the fuel pump operates without being cooled, there is a risk of burning out.
When driving my old Corolla, I deliberately tested the remaining range after the fuel light came on several times. The results varied significantly under different road conditions: maintaining a steady speed on the highway with AC on could cover about 70km, but in city traffic with frequent stops and starts, it barely lasted over 40km. The fuel pump at the bottom of the tank relies on gasoline for cooling - running chronically low can easily damage this critical component, with repairs costing over a thousand yuan. The actual remaining distance after the warning light depends on fuel gauge sensitivity and driving habits. The highest record I've encountered was a friend's CR-V stubbornly running 90km after the light came on, but the fuel pump was already whining when reaching the gas station. Experienced drivers suggest treating the fuel light as an ultimatum: find a gas station within 20km in urban areas, and check for service areas 50km in advance on highways for safety.
When I first started driving, I was really curious about how far I could go after the fuel light came on. A mechanic told me that fuel tanks have a designed redundancy at the bottom. Most family cars reserve about 6-10 liters of backup fuel. At a fuel consumption rate of 8L per 100km, that translates to roughly 75-120 km of range. But don’t be fooled by these numbers—last time my Honda Fit’s fuel light came on, I only dared to drive 50 km before refueling. Actual range depends on current fuel consumption; running the AC in summer or the heater in winter can vary fuel consumption by up to 20%. If the fuel light starts flickering or dimming, it means the fuel level has dropped below the sensor, and you must refuel immediately. Important reminder: Running completely out of fuel can damage the fuel pump, and the towing fee will cost more than the fuel itself.
