How many kilometers can you drive when the fuel gauge light is on?
2 Answers
When the fuel gauge light is on, you can generally drive about 40 kilometers without any issues. However, it is generally not recommended to do so. Typically, front-wheel-drive vehicles have about 7 liters of fuel left, while four-wheel-drive vehicles have about 8.5 liters. Nevertheless, it is best to avoid such situations, as prolonged driving with low fuel can harm the vehicle. After the fuel gauge light comes on, try to minimize braking and maintain a steady speed. If there are no gas stations nearby, frequent braking will directly affect fuel consumption. Keeping a constant speed can help extend the driving range. Additionally, it is advisable to turn off high-power-consuming electrical appliances in the car, especially the air conditioning. Avoid using the air conditioning after the fuel gauge light warns you to prevent excessive fuel consumption.
I've got plenty of experience with the fuel gauge light coming on. Having driven many cars, like my old Passat, I know the light can come on and you can still go 60-70 kilometers without issues, but it's not a fixed rule. Road conditions matter a lot – on highways, lower wind resistance and better fuel efficiency might get you further, while city traffic with higher fuel consumption can drain your tank quickly. I remember once pushing my luck when the light came on, trying to make it to the suburbs, only to run out of gas halfway and end up paying 300 for a tow truck – total regret. Typically, the remaining fuel when the light comes on is between 5% to 10% of the tank. For example, if your car consumes 8 liters per 100 km, with 4 liters left, you might make it about 50 km. To stay safe, don't delay when the light comes on – head straight to a gas station. Some people test the limits and push for over 100 km, but that's really hard on the car. Without fuel to cool it, the fuel pump can overheat and fail, costing you 1,000 to 2,000 to replace. So my advice: always keep a 50 km buffer and know where the nearest gas station is.
