How long can you drive, once the gas light has come on?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Dear Tom and Ray:

My husband freaks out if the gas light ever comes on (it only happens once in a blue moon). I tell him you can drive around 50 miles after the light comes on. He doesn't believe me. Since we don't want to actually test my theory and risk being stuck without gas, I thought I'd write and ask you guys what you think. So? -- Liesa

RAY: Well, there certainly is SOME margin for error built into fuel gauges. How much varies from car to car. But I'd guess that the average low-fuel light comes on when you have about an eighth of a tank left.

TOM: There are two ways to find out whether that's true for your car, Liesa. You already know one way. You drive until you run out of gas, walk 50 miles home, and then say, "Honey, I told you!"

RAY: But there's an easier way to figure it out. Go to the back of your owner's manual and, in the "specifications" section, look up "fuel capacity." Let's say your gas tank holds 16 gallons.

TOM: Then, with your husband not in the car (no need to unnecessarily drive up his blood pressure), drive until the low-fuel light comes on. Then go to a gas station and fill the tank all the way up.

RAY: Now, subtract the amount the tank took from your fuel tank capacity. In other words, if the tank holds 16 gallons, and you just filled it up all the way with 14 gallons, you know there are two gallons in reserve when the light comes on.

TOM: You may want to run this experiment several times to maximize your data and minimize the measurement error.

RAY: Now, how far will that remaining gasoline take you? It depends on the actual quantity of gas, your gas mileage, and what kind of driving you're doing.

TOM: But you know that however many miles you can go until empty, your husband will still be freaking out. Some people are just less inclined to enjoy surprises. Especially when they involve getting stranded and passing through the digestive systems of wolves.

RAY: So, for his sake, fill it up before the light comes on. Or, at least, soon after. Don't torture the poor guy, Liesa -- as enjoyable as that may sometimes be.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns//Ar...08/July/04.html

[Ken y Leidys 20]

When my gas light comes on, my vehicle - a Jeep Wrangler w 4.0l engine has exactly 5 gallons in the tank. I try to take care of it when the needle hits the red, because you don´t want the gas at the bottom of the tank to reach the fuel pump and fuel injectors, or long-term wear will accellerate both.

[Amby 490]

read the manual

eta: haven't read mine

Edited July 13, 2008 by Amby

[LoriLawless 0]

Don't let the light come on. Simple.

[~Chad~ 0]

Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode.

[Dakine 26]

Simple!

Take a 2 gallon can filled with gas and let the cars tank run out.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

our news station actually did a test on this, but sorry to say i dont know what their results were (really wasnt listening)

[Ggreen 12]

When the light comes on I drive to the next gas station.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

When the light comes on I drive to the next gas station.

that's probably the wisest thing to do.

[natty bumppo 297]

When the light comes on I drive to the next gas station.

that's probably the wisest thing to do.

gas stations ... who needs gas stations where we're going ....

sput ... sput ... sputter ... stop ...

oops

[bora bora 1]

When the light comes on I drive to the next gas station.

Exactly.

But I am curious to find out, better search for that manual.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

When the light comes on I drive to the next gas station.

that's probably the wisest thing to do.

Lori's suggestion is actually the wisest (try driving to next station in rural MT or AZ).

[ronjie 0]

just coz u may have two gallons left after the light comes on doesn't meen ur cars going to pick up every drop of it, the only true way to know is to drive till it runs out.......and the only time you can actually trust the fuel guage is 100% correct is when it says empty !!

[DairyFarmer 1]

I was always lectured when I got my first car to never let the tank go below a 1/4 b/c of what can build up in the bottom. But then again admittedly it was a 1969 VW bug.

Still its a lesson I learnt so as soon as it gets to a 1/4 I fill up. Why wait and hope?

[Sassy1natl 0]

When my gas light comes on, my vehicle - a Jeep Wrangler w 4.0l engine has exactly 5 gallons in the tank. I try to take care of it when the needle hits the red, because you don´t want the gas at the bottom of the tank to reach the fuel pump and fuel injectors, or long-term wear will accellerate both.

Yeah, my dad always told me that it will mess up the fuel injection or something. Who knows. But it has become habit to go to the gas station at 1/4 tank.