So you’re on the way to work and the gas light comes on. You know your vehicle can drive a bit more once the tank reads as empty, but does it have an effect on the health of your vehicle’s engine? Check out these reasons why driving with little fuel can do a lot more than leave you stranded on the side of the road when it runs out.
How Far Can I Really Drive on Empty?
The primary concern when your empty fuel light comes on is that your vehicle will run completely out of fuel and you’ll be left on the side of the road. However, there are also ways that driving on empty can damage your vehicle.
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When your low fuel light turns on, it means your vehicle has 10%-15% of its fuel left in the tank. You might think to yourself that you definitely have a few miles left before you need to stop and fill up, but your fuel pump is much more likely to run into issues when your fuel drops below a quarter of a tank. Your fuel pump send the fuel from your tank to your engine, and the fuel in the tank helps to keep the pump cool and lubricated. With low fuel, your pump could overheat or eventually fail completely.
Another risk that comes with driving on low fuel levels is the potential for particulates damaging your engine or fuel pump. If there are any pieces of dirt in your fuel, they will settle at the bottom of the tank and are much more likely to end up in your fuel pump if your fuel levels are low. As your fuel pump (and engine!) are expensive parts to replace or repair, it’s worth the peace of mind to keep your fuel levels above a quarter of a tank when you can.
