When you’ve been driving your car for a few years, you start to pay attention and know how to look out for signs of potential damage. You’re familiar with every screech, and in general you know when your car just feels a little bit “off”. This knowledge comes from driving frequently, and likely a whole lot of trial and error. One way you might be tempted to test is to see how long you can drive without stopping for gas, and to find out exactly what happens when you run your car on an empty tank.
Can I Drive on an Empty Tank?
A common way drivers may try and test their car’s abilities is with how frequently they stop for gas. This can be useful to see just how many days of your commute you can drive without needing to deal with rising prices from the gas station, or just to see how many miles you can travel on half a tank. But it can be dangerous when you try and see how far you can drive when your gas tank is on “E”.
When you’re in the car with an experienced driver who says they know their car, and you point out that their car is on “E”, they might tell you that it’s fine, and they know exactly how long they can stay on “E” without stopping for gas. But if their calculations are even a little bit off, and they wind up on the side of the road miles away from a gas station, it can mean more than just an inconvenience, it can lead to major damage to their gas tank and engine.
What Happens When I Run Out of Gas While Driving?
When you run out of gas while driving, your car will stall. And when your fuel tank is completely empty, your car will shut down. When this happens, it can lead to panic, increasing your risk of a vehicle collision. So if you find yourself without gas and can feel your vehicle stall, it’s important to remain calm, turn on your hazards, and get as far off the road as you can with safety.
Don’t Let Yourself Run Out of Gas!
The best way to avoid a situation where you’re on the side of the road in an unfamiliar place a while away from the nearest gas station is to always make sure you’re filled up! Most experts recommend keeping your gas above a quarter tank to ensure safe driving.
If you’ve experienced any damage to your vehicle’s fuel tank or engine, come by to see the experts at Choisser Automotive Service, and we’ll get you back on the road in no time!