How far can you drive with low-fuel light on?

[Coarsegold]

I am guilty of running with light on a time or two but really it is not good for the fuel pump that is located in the tank.

It is actually lubricated by the fuel and when you run with the light on it likely is not receiving enough coverage. When you make a turn the fuel moves to the other side but the fuel pump pick up is still in the center area.

FYI, cost to replace a fuel pump with labor is not cheap, and if you have a vehicle that runs on E85 that pump can be triple the price!

[Alpine36]

How far can you go? Until you can't I guess.
How far will I go? Just under 1/2 tank and I'm looking for fuel.
Apparently my DCC is in need of repair. Every time we go somewhere in her rig we need to get gas. "Oh it's ok, we still have 40 miles left". Not a big fan of the dashboard "convenience center".

Coarsegold is spot on about in tank fuel pump longevity related to low fuel levels.

I ran out of fuel once with my first car. Dad came to my rescue with one gallon of gas and said "this is your first and last gallon of gas I will ever bring you. It's just as easy to keep the top 1/2 of the gas tank full son".
Words I've never forgotten.

[JohnBike]

With about 400 miles range on a full tank, I fill up every day. Since I limit a days travel to about 250 miles, I don’t need any kind of warning light. However, I have an audible DCC as a backup system.

[Rob_M]

I will never find out. If I starve my Cummins ISC of fuel (lubricant) I risk a huge repair bill. And as mentioned a full tank is easier on the fuel pump, in my case injection pump. I fill at 1/2 tank.

[98fleetwood]

I have 30 gallons under E...

[bhammond1980]

Mine comes on with 40 gallons left in the tanks. I've only done it once out of curiosity. Normally start looking for fuel at half.

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by Coarsegold

I am guilty of running with light on a time or two but really it is not good for the fuel pump that is located in the tank.

It is actually lubricated by the fuel and when you run with the light on it likely is not receiving enough coverage. When you make a turn the fuel moves to the other side but the fuel pump pick up is still in the center area.

FYI, cost to replace a fuel pump with labor is not cheap, and if you have a vehicle that runs on E85 that pump can be triple the price!

2016 Corvette in mint condition, needs new fuel pump. Chevy dealer said they have to remove a rear fender and transmission to get to this pump on this 500hp mean machine. Cost to replace, $3000.

I’ll repair but anyone want a machine that will be for sale? Lol.

[Nwcid]

I am typically the 1/2 tank means time to find fuel kinda guy.

In my new TV on one leg of our trip this summer I did get close to the "E" because we where headed for an area with cheap fuel. Even on that fuel up I only took 208 gallons out of 275 total gallons.

On our SxS we often do long distance rides with no fuel along the route. This means know how far you can go on a tank. If we are under 120 miles of "average" riding I do not worry, over that I make a plan for fuel.

[PKI]

For a number of years, we owned a car that ran out before the gage needle got to the empty mark on the dial. Not many times do we let the tank get much below 1/4 full. It's just a learned behavior. A bit sets in with every step you walk to get a can of gas.

[bigb56]

Mine has only come on once and then the dash screen on my diesel Sprinter told me to "Drive to a Gas Station"

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by PKI

For a number of years, we owned a car that ran out before the gage needle got to the empty mark on the dial. Not many times do we let the tank get much below 1/4 full. It's just a learned behavior. A bit sets in with every step you walk to get a can of gas.

Why is it that most people who run out of gas always or usually have a can with them?

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I found this quite interesting!

https://www.rvtravel.com/emptygaschart993/

This one’s right up there with: “How long will my batteries last?”