How Far Can I Drive When My Fuel Light Comes On?
Fuel Light Roulette: How Far Can You REALLY Go?
You're cruising down the highway, your favorite playlist is pumping through the speakers, and then it happens – the ominous glow on your dashboard, the fuel light, comes to life. Your heart races as you wonder, "How far can I drive when my fuel light comes on?" We've all been there, the anxiety, the uncertainty, the temptation to play a dangerous game of fuel light roulette and really see how far you can stretch it before you run out of petrol.
But how far can you really go? We’re diving deep into this universal mystery to bring you some clarity and answer your burning questions about its limits.
The Science Behind the Fuel Light
To unravel the secrets of the fuel light, we'll start with the science. When does the fuel light come on? The answer is, unhelpfully, that it depends on your car. There’s no standard as to how much fuel is left in the tank when the light comes on. Cars have different sized fuel tanks and the fuel level triggering the fuel light can come on at different times. It’s estimated at somewhere between 10%-15% but it does range from car to car. Some cars may be able to manage over 100km once the light comes on, with others running out after about 30km.
There are a lot of myths out there about the fuel light. "You've got at least 50 kms left." "It's just a ploy to make you buy more petrol” but you really are better off being safe than sorry and filling up as soon as the light comes on (if not before).
My fuel light has come on and I’m miles from a fuel station!
If you do find yourself with your fuel light on and no petrol station in sight, there are a few things you can do to stretch out those last few litres of petrol. Your driving style impacts fuel burn so there are a few ways to conserve those last precious drops. WhichCar has some great tips for saving fuel, which are super useful in a low fuel situation. And in general given the current cost of fuel. Your best options include;
Reducing and maintaining a steady speed
Avoiding harsh braking and acceleration
Turning off your air-con or heating
Using stop-start in traffic (assuming your car has it)
Making sure you always maintain your tyre pressure
Coasting to decelerate (ie. take your foot off the accelerator when you want to slow down)
If you are pretty sure you still won’t have enough fuel to make it, you’re better off admitting defeat and not running the tank dry. This is especially true if you drive a diesel vehicle! Stop in a safe area and either call roadside assistance for help or, if you have a petrol car and you’re in a familiar area, you can walk to a petrol station and purchase a jerry can. It’s important to do this safely – Shell has some great tips on how to do this.
If you are driving a diesel car, running out of fuel entirely can be really costly to resolve. The high-pressure direct injection engine set-up doesn’t tolerate air getting into the system. Removing air from the system may need to be professionally handled, and you risk damaging the injection pump and fuel injectors too which can also be expensive to fix. Best avoid that entirely and not risk driving on for too long after the light comes on.
Even if you’re not driving a diesel, running completely dry can cause damage to your car. The biggest risk is that your fuel pump could overheat as the flow of fuel keeps it cool, though you may also damage your catalytic converter too.
The Warning Signs You’re About to Run out of Fuel
It’s very unlikely your car will just stop dead without warning. You’ll start to see signs you’re about to run out of fuel, with the engine spluttering and coughing to let you know its not happy. You may also get intermittent power surges.
If your car uses hydraulic brakes and steering, running very low on fuel may make it more difficult to steer and stop your car. Again, we really recommend pulling over safely and stopping before you get to this point!
Want to See a Fuel Light Test in Action?
We do! Luckily Hamish and Andy did just that as part of “Operation Dry Tank”. The duo tested out how far they could travel after the fuel light of their Audi SQ5 came on and their km counter ticked down to zero.
So how far did they get?
Spoiler alert: Way further than you might think. While we absolutely don’t recommend trying this at home (and definitely not in a GoGet) it’s worth a watch.
The GoGet Advantage: Fuel Included
Yep that’s right, we pay for fuel. All our bookings include fuel with your booking cost, and each of our cars and vans comes equipped with a handy fuel card. This means that when you see that fuel light flicker to life, there's no need to fret. With GoGet, you've got the freedom to explore without the stress of wondering how far you can push on after your light comes on. Just pull over at the nearest petrol station and use the fuel card inside the car.
So if you’re looking for quick and esy car hire that includes fuel, look no further than GoGet. Rent cars and vans near you by the hour, day or longer.
