Is it harmful to drive a car until the gas tank is completely empty?

Many drivers have a habit of letting their car's fuel tank almost empty before refueling. There are various reasons given, such as not paying attention to the fuel gauge, the gas station being inconveniently located, or wanting to find a less crowded station. Not finding a fuel station immediately, assuming the car can still travel tens of kilometers after the fuel warning light comes on, can lead to running out of gas in the middle of the road, or, even if refueling is done in time, can damage the car if repeated many times.

How far can a car travel after the fuel warning light comes on?

How far a car can still travel after the fuel warning light comes on depends on many factors, such as the make and model of the car, traffic conditions, driving style, tire condition, load, etc. Therefore, it is impossible to give an exact figure.

There's no standard, but for most cars, the fuel gauge will light up when the fuel level is around 10-15%. You can find information about your car's fuel tank capacity in your owner's manual, in your car's technical specifications catalog, or simply by searching on Google.

Mid-size cars typically have a fuel tank capacity of 40-45 liters and a reserve of 4-6 liters from the moment the fuel gauge light comes on or the fuel gauge reaches the "E" mark. Therefore, under normal traffic conditions, the car can travel an additional 30-70 km.

When the fuel gauge reaches the "E" mark, the car can still travel an additional 30-70 km. Photo: Shutterstock

Automakers understand that many people wait until the fuel warning light comes on before refueling. Therefore, there are two fuel warning levels, indicated by a steady light and a flashing light, corresponding to warning that it's time to refuel and warning that the fuel tank is running low.

To avoid running out of gas in the middle of the road or waiting until an "emergency" to find no gas station, a careful and experienced driver advises looking for a gas station when the tank is about 1/2 to 1/4 full.

What are the risks of frequently driving a car until it's almost out of gas?

Many drivers don't immediately look for a gas station even when the fuel warning light comes on, mistakenly thinking that the car can still travel a few dozen kilometers. However, in the long run, this will first damage the fuel pump. When there isn't enough fuel in the tank, the fuel pump will draw in air, and if this happens frequently, it will cause the fuel pump to fail. The cost of replacing or repairing this component is not insignificant.

Secondly, a lack of fuel in the tank increases the risk of engine stalling because fuel doesn't reach all the cylinders, forcing the engine to work continuously under strain, causing it to overheat abnormally.

Thirdly, when the fuel gauge needle points to the E mark, condensation may occur in the fuel tank, causing water to mix with the gasoline, which can lead to vehicle damage.

Finally, the habit of driving when your car is running low on gas increases the risk of accidents if the engine breaks down in the middle of the road, especially on highways.