In general, the world is divided into two types: people who panic and rush to the garage the moment the fuel light comes on, and those who accept the challenge and see just how far they can go with a virtually empty tank. Driving on empty is a bad idea: it is terrible for your vehicle and puts you at risk of breaking down. However, sometimes it is just unavoidable.
So, what is your fuel light telling you and exactly how far have you got before you need to really start panicking?
When the light comes on
Unfortunately, there is no standard limit at which your fuel light will be activated. Most new cars will give you the range that you have left before you run out completely, while with older cars you just need to go on previous experience. The general assumption is that your light is activated when your tank is at about 10-15% of its capacity. If your light has just come on, you are fairly safe; there is no need to worry right now, as for the average vehicle, the fuel light means that you have 30-40 miles left in your tank. So, don’t panic, but do stop at the nearest garage.
When your light flashes
If your fuel light flashes, you really are running low. This is your final warning and if there isn’t a garage nearby, it is probably time to start panicking. If your vehicle has a digital readout that predicts the number of miles that you have left, don’t be tempted to eek out the extra miles. Yes, some people have managed to go 10 or even 20 miles on empty, but it’s not worth the angst, or the damage to your vehicle! If you do find yourself low on fuel, turn off the air conditioning, slow down, and avoiding unnecessary braking. These can all help you to go a couple of extra miles before breaking down.
Why’s it so bad?
Aside from the humiliation of breaking down because you have run out of fuel, it can cause some serious damage to your vehicle. Impurities in your fuel tank sink to the bottom; when you run on low, that sludge is running through your engine. What’s more, your fuel acts as a coolant to your engine; running on low leaves you at risk of overheating.
What to do
If you are caught short and don’t think you can make it to the next garage, pull over safely, preferably before you break down. You have two options: call a friend or family member and ask them to bring you a can of petrol, or call a recovery service and explain your situation. If you do break down completely, it is probably wise to call a local garage, who will be able to check your vehicle for damage, too.
You may be in a rush, but don’t risk running low! Refuel before you go on a long journey so that you know you have plenty of fuel to get you where you need to go.
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