This is how far you can really drive on empty (2024)

Ah, the burning question everyone wants to know the answer to: How far can your vehicle really go on empty?

We found the answer for you! And there are a couple other things worth mentioning, too.

OK, for starters, aside from the obvious problems running out of gas can entail — getting stranded on the side of a busy highway, somewhere miles from civilization or when it’s blazing hot or freezing cold and you have kids in the car — driving on empty can also do damage to your vehicle.

According to Your Mechanic, driving with a low amount of fuel in your gas tank can damage your fuel pump, due to any debris or contamination in the gas — which can just naturally settle at the bottom of the tank — that can be sent through the pump. If you do it once, it’s probably not that big of a deal, but it can be harmful if you’re doing it regularly.

OK, so on to the nitty gritty — how trusty is that gas gauge?

In short, not very.

When your vehicle offers an approximation for how many miles you have until empty, that’s based on the average mileage your vehicle has attained while previously on the road, so it may not be accurate to your current driving conditions, Your Mechanic said.

And finally: How far can you actually drive on E?

via GIPHY

The answer to this question really depends on a number of things:

• Your vehicle

• Your driving habits

• Road conditions

There’s no doubt, sometimes you get in a situation which you have no choice but to ride it out on E until you reach the next gas station. This information from Your Mechanic will give you a better idea of exactly what you’re dealing with.

If you notice you're reaching empty quicker than you should, or you have leaking fuel, Your Mechanic reccomends to have an inspection performed as soon as possible.

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