Driving on empty: How far your car can go with the gas light on

[johnsubs1]

To the OP, good question, some late model cars have a 3-4 gallon reserve when the light comes on.

[TPAJETSKI]

1. Drive the car until light comes on.
2. Fill tank.
3. Count how many gallons it takes to fill.
4. Subtract that number from 19. (or whatever the tank size is)
5. This gives you the total amount of gas in the tank when the light goes on.
6. Look at your MPG meter.
7. Multiply the gallons left times the MPG
8. This gives you the approximate distance you can travel.

P.S. I too find this site can be less than helpful at times. A lot of members would rather jump all over people rather than help. But just like an abused puppy, I keep coming home to C5

[AGENT-006]

you can whip out anywhere from about 30-35 miles if u drive right.

people need to relax on here sometimes..ITS ALL GONNA BE OKAY GUYS.

[2010SS2SS]

First off...

SOME of you people need to be on MEDS! Secondly once the light comes on you have about 35 miles, I know this because I was on a raod trip and in the middle od Louisanna and couldn't find a station open. I ran out dead on 35 miles after the light came on.
I can only think that the ones screaming about 1/8 -1/4 or no less are probably the same ones with like 5,000 miles on their cars after 4 years of owning it...
Get a LIFE, the Op was asking a QUESTION out of curiosity, not to have to deal with you overly anal know it all b.s.

[TPAJETSKI]

Originally Posted by 2010SS2SS

First off...

SOME of you people need to be on MEDS! Secondly once the light comes on you have about 35 miles, I know this because I was on a raod trip and in the middle od Louisanna and couldn't find a station open. I ran out dead on 35 miles after the light came on.
I can only think that the ones screaming about 1/8 -1/4 or no less are probably the same ones with like 5,000 miles on their cars after 4 years of owning it...
Get a LIFE, the Op was asking a QUESTION out of curiosity, not to have to deal with you overly anal know it all b.s.

This.

[Blu Ray]

Why I rarely post on here

[PQ]

Guys and gals. . . .. don't let a few bad apples. keep you from posting questions. If you have a question... ask it. THAT is what this forum is here for. The a-holes know who they are. Typically don't come to the fests. And if they do they are very different in person which let's you know what you are dealing with. Please stick around and try and enjoy the site.


Couple random thoughts here.

I'd say catch cans are the same principle as making sure your fuel pump is always submerged. Not necessary but can only help.

I thought the difference between 'Mechanic and Technician' post was funny as hell.

If you bring up 'GM Mechanic' or 'GM Tech." you do NOT gain credibility with me. I've seen about half and half of good to shitty work from 'Certified GM Technicians'. Fact is, Some care..... Some don't. (To clarify, I've seen first hand some shitty work by 'GM TECHS' and talked to people who have been quite unhappy. I definitely haven't seen better work form them over a 'Mechanic'. LMAO)

I do want to add that in all of my 25 years of driving and owning cars neither mine, nor any of my parents or brothers and sisters have had to replace a fuel pump. And I know this because we have had this conversation before when my BIL was building his Jeep he had some questions one 4th of July.

If you read back through the thread the only ones who had a fuel pump fail were guys who keep their tanks full.

That being said, I do believe it can shorten the life of a pump in some cases.

I am a habitual drive to the low indicator light guy. As is most of the people I've talked to.

Also, I just have to say, if you are someone who is even a few pounds overweight, or smoker, or hasn't had your regular doctor check-ups then I sure hope you aren't criticising people for driving on low gas for the fuel pump.

There are a few forum rules being overlooked here so let's please be mindful of that.

[christianmotox]

at all the Haters in this forum that only comment to be d!ck heads.

To the OP:
I think an average of 50 miles past the "low fuel" warning should be expected.
Personally i think ive done like 20 miles past the warning light, i didnt ran out of fuel, but didn't felt like pushing it.

[2010SS2SS]

I wouldn't risk 50 or even close. At 35 on a V8, you'r pushing it. Biggest scare to me when I ran out was rather or not it would start afterwards. I jammed as much fuel in the tank as I could and turned the key to ACC for about a minute, then she fired RIGHT up.

Too many a**holes on this sight anymore! One reason I don't post as much as I use to because I resond to someones b.s. and get banned while they stay on!

Way to much drama for what is supposed to be a informative car forum....

[tramtwo]

Originally Posted by PQ

Guys and gals. . . .. don't let a few bad apples. keep you from posting questions. If you have a question... ask it. THAT is what this forum is here for. The a-holes know who they are. Typically don't come to the fests. And if they do they are very different in person which let's you know what you are dealing with. Please stick around and try and enjoy the site. Sic...

Sometimes I can be a different person by the end of my post!

[PQ]

Originally Posted by tramtwo

Sometimes I can be a different person by the end of my post!

Me too. I think I might have more EDITING and DELETING time on here than actual posts.

[willhe64]

Lol, my first time in this thread. Saw it growing and said to myself, there is a flame war going on in there. Was not disappointed.

[flht99b]

Originally Posted by mcdoogle6969

Instead of telling others to purposely damage their car so you can be informed, go on and do it yourself.

I agree
Ed M.

[OmarSS]

Sad the OP was suspended... he really knew how too start threads

The light has never popped off on me, I hope it never does