Five Ways to Save Fuel When You’re Driving on Empty
Considering everything that can go wrong with your car, running out of gas is one of the most frustrating situations because it can also be prevented. But when you’re driving and notice your low fuel light is on, what can you do to make sure the gas you have will get you to the next gas station?
I spoke with several mechanics to find out the best way to save fuel when you’re running on empty and to gauge how far you can expect to go with the gas you have left. “We’ve all made mistakes and let the tank get too low,” says Robert Walden, longtime mechanic and founder of Vehicle Freak , but your mistake doesn’t have to result in a trip to the nearest gas station.
How far can you drive on empty?
The good news is that unless you drive a fairly old car with an analog fuel gauge, “once the low fuel light comes on, you’ll probably see the distance to empty, which is usually pretty accurate,” says Andy Saari. ASE Certified Chief Technician and Founder of Nexedge Technician . But fair may not be enough if you’re not sure how far you are from a gas station, and while your electronic gauge will give you a better idea of how far you can travel on the remaining fuel, Saari says that number can fluctuate. depending on driving conditions.
“It’s hard to know exactly how many miles a car can go ’empty’ or with the low fuel light on, but generally speaking, you’ll usually get another 30 to 50 miles before your car stops,” says John Lin, owner. and chief mechanic at J.B. Motor Works . although again, this may vary depending on vehicle model, fuel efficiency and other factors.
“Idling is the least economical method because you’re burning gas and not going anywhere,” explains Saari. “That’s why many modern cars have an automatic start-stop feature that, under certain conditions, turns off the engine at stop signs or when idling.”
How to save fuel when you’re almost out of gas
Whether you’re running out of gas while driving in an isolated area or stuck in traffic with no gas station available, here are some strategies to keep your fuel supply going as long as possible. interview:
Turn off the air conditioner
“When every ounce of fuel matters, turning off the air conditioning can help reduce engine load,” says Saari. However, he says another common suggestion—turning off the car stereo—won’t affect gas mileage. “Energy consumption will be negligible,” he notes.
Avoid rapid acceleration
If you notice that you’re running low on gas, you might be tempted to speed up to get to the gas station faster, but Walden cautions against this. “Press the gas pedal lightly and avoid accelerating too quickly, as this will cause you to lose gas,” he explains. “I know being late can make you step on the gas, but driving slowly saves fuel when the tank is low.”
Keep your speed lower
Speaking of acceleration, Lin recommends avoiding driving at high speeds, noting, “Your vehicle’s fuel efficiency decreases quickly above 50 mph.”
Avoid hard braking
Along with accelerating quickly, slamming on the brakes can cause you to burn more fuel than necessary, Lin said.
Avoid unnecessary stops and starts
Smooth, steady driving without frequent stops and starts helps save fuel, says Michael Dominguez, a certified master mechanic and founder of Car Fixer Guide . “Adjusting your route to minimize stop-and-go traffic is also helpful,” he adds.
Ultimately, it’s best not to make driving with your low fuel light on a habit. “Doing this frequently can potentially harm the fuel system because debris or deposits that would normally settle at the base of the tank can get into the fuel pump and damage it,” says Lin.