What Happens If I Drive My Car on Empty?

We all know the familiar feeling of rushing out the door in the morning on your way to work, only to find that the low fuel light has come on, meaning that you either have to be a few minutes late to work and stop by a gas station, or drive on empty and pray you can make it into the office without having your car break down. Many drivers are tempted to test fate and see how long they can drive their car on empty in order to save some time. But keep in mind that our cars are designed to run on gasoline, and if you frequently drive on a mostly empty tank of gas, you could be putting your vehicle, and yourself, at risk of disaster on the road!

Put simply, if you don’t have enough fuel in your car, you won’t be able to drive! For many cars, the low fuel warning light doesn’t mean that your tank is completely empty, and you will generally have a few miles worth of gas left in your tank so that you can get to the nearest gas station.

Your car isn’t meant to drive without fuel, and when you drive it on a low tank for too long, it can lead to serious damage to the fuel pump, fuel filter, and engine. And if you run out of gas completely, you could end up stranded on the side of an unfamiliar road! So while it may seem convenient to put off a stop at the gas station, keep it mind that engine repairs will be much more time-consuming and costly!

Most experts agree that it’s best not to let your car get below a quarter tank of gas, as this will put you at greater risk of driving on empty, leading to significant vehicle damage if you make it a habit. So don’t put yourself and your vehicle at risk, do your part to be responsible on the road and make sure to fill up your tank!