Few things are more frustrating than the ding! of a warning light popping up alongside your car’s speedometer, right? The low fuel warning in particular always seems to appear at the worst moment possible. It always shows itself in the middle of your commute or as you’re gliding down the freeway, and never when you’re, you know, next to a gas station.
So how far can you coast with your fuel light on before you’re in trouble?
You Can Still Squeeze More Miles Out Of Your Gas Tank
By the time your vehicle’s low fuel light has switched on, one thing is obvious: Your car’s gas tank is far more empty than it is full. Exactly how empty it is, though, varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Running out of fuel is annoying, sure, but it can also put you and other drivers in a dangerous situation within the blink of an eye. Not to mention that regular driving on a low tank can cause damage to your car!
So, which cars are the safest to drive with the fuel light on?
The Nissan Altima Leads The Pack, While Trucks Fall Behind
According to YourMechanic.com, this Japanese sedan is the top performer when it comes to low fuel reserves. By the time an Altima flips its fuel light on, it’s still filled with around three gallons of gas, giving it a range of 80 to 100 miles before it’s totally emptied out. Meanwhile, a Volkswagen Jetta flips its light on when there are just 1.85 gallons of gas in its tank; the fuel-efficient German machine still has a range of 57 to 85 miles at that point, though.
On the beastier side of things, the Chevrolet Silverado turns on its gas light when there’s only a range of 25 miles left in its tank. Sounds like people with pickup trucks shouldn’t make a habit of running low in any wide open spaces, you hear?
The average range varies widely between makes and models of individual cars. If you want true peace of mind, we suggest looking up your vehicle’s specific set of data. Drive safely!