Should you drive a RAV4 on a low tank of gas? (2024)

FAQs

Should you drive a RAV4 on a low tank of gas? ›

We recommend fueling up as soon as you can once that low fuel indicator appears. Driving on empty can be dangerous. Not only could you find yourself stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, but you could also sputter out in the middle of a busy highway or other traffic.

It's actually got a 2 gallon reserve once the light comes on. So, about 80 miles before actually running out. That'd mean the prime could potentially do 160 miles with a full charge and 2 extra gallons.

2022 Toyota RAV4: MPG Ratings

That's because this SUV comes with a standard EPA-estimated 27 city/35 highway MPG. Couple this fuel efficiency with the SUV's 14.5-gallon fuel tank, and you can travel up to an estimated 507 miles on one tank of gas.

The fuel tank capacity of your vehicle will help to determine your driving range, so it is an important feature to consider. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has a fuel tank capacity of 14.5 gallons, so looking at the 27 miles per gallon estimated gas mileage, you will get a pretty decent driving range.

As a general rule of thumb, it's usually safe to drive 30-50 miles once the fuel light has illuminated, but in some larger vehicles, drivers can go up to 80 miles before stopping for gas.

Generally speaking, there seems to be a consensus that a RAV4 can go somewhere in the vicinity of 35 to 40 miles once the fuel light turns on. That is just an average based primarily on anecdotal evidence, so please understand that you could potentially achieve a greater distance or a shorter distance.

There is water in a tank with a fuel deficit. It freezes at low temperatures and makes it impossible to continue driving. It also promotes the appearance of rust spots. Driving on reserve increases the risk of air in the injection system, especially in old diesels.

Low Fuel Level Warning

On more recent generations of the Toyota RAV4, this is indicated by the “Distance to Empty” display on your dash. Once the low fuel level light appears, you only have about two gallons of gas left. This will usually get you about 20 to 30 miles, so head to the nearest gas station to fill up.

The Toyota RAV4 XLE and XLE Premium offer the highest fuel economy ratings for gas-powered models with 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway*. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid MPG is the same for each of its configurations: 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway*. 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE: 27 mpg city/35 mpg highway*

How do I reduce the fuel consumption of my Toyota RAV4? ›

Keep Your Tires Inflated: Proper tire inflation is essential for maximizing fuel efficiency. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, which can cause your vehicle to consume more fuel. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the manufacturer's recommended levels.

Driving with low fuel can damage the fuel pump because the fuel cools and lubricates the pump as it flows. If you run your car low on gas, the pump will start to draw air in place of some of the fuel. When this happens, the fuel moving through the mechanism won't be enough to cool the pump adequately.

Generally speaking, you should never let your fuel tank fall below 1/4 tank of gas. Letting fuel levels fall below that level increase chance of breakdown. Plus, it's bad for your fuel pump.

Toyota Camry: 65 to 91 miles, and the E light triggers at 2.6 gallons remaining. Toyota Corolla: 60 to 84 miles, and the E light triggers at 2 gallons remaining.

typically toyota reserves about 10-15% of max capacity. depending on avg mpg of the vehicle so they can get about 50 miles of range on low fuel light warning.

Most cars have a hidden reserve of gas in the tank that will allow you to drive for a few more miles even after the fuel gauge reads empty. This is a safety feature that is designed to prevent you from running out of gas on the side of the road.

As we told earlier, every car has a reserve fuel capacity of 10-15% of the total tank capacity and it can use the remaining fuel to reach you out to your destination.