This is how far you can really drive on empty

All cars are definitely not equal

Ah, the burning question everyone wants to know the answer to: How far can your vehicle really go on empty?

We found the answer for you! And there are a couple other things worth mentioning, too.

OK, for starters, aside from the obvious problems running out of gas can entail — getting stranded on the side of a busy highway, somewhere miles from civilization or when it’s blazing hot or freezing cold and you have kids in the car — driving on empty can also do damage to your vehicle.

According to Your Mechanic, driving with a low amount of fuel in your gas tank can damage your fuel pump, due to any debris or contamination in the gas — which can just naturally settle at the bottom of the tank — that can be sent through the pump. If you do it once, it’s probably not that big of a deal, but it can be harmful if you’re doing it regularly.

OK, so on to the nitty gritty — how trusty is that gas gauge?

In short, not very.

When your vehicle offers an approximation for how many miles you have until empty, that’s based on the average mileage your vehicle has attained while previously on the road, so it may not be accurate to your current driving conditions, Your Mechanic said.

And finally: How far can you actually drive on E?

via GIPHY

The answer to this question really depends on a number of things:

  • Your vehicle
  • Your driving habits
  • Road conditions

There’s no doubt, sometimes you get in a situation which you have no choice but to ride it out on E until you reach the next gas station. This information from Your Mechanic will give you a better idea of exactly what you’re dealing with.

MakeModelFuel remaining when low fuel warning light is triggeredMiles remaining when low fuel warning light is illuminated
FordF-1501/16th of a tank35-80
ChevroletSilveradoNot available25
Ram15003 gallons63-87
ToyotaCamry2.6 gallons65-91
ToyotaCorolla2 gallons60-84
NissanAltima3 gallons81-114
HondaAccord2.6 gallons70-93
HondaCR-V2.3 gallons62-78
HondaCivic1.9 gallons59-80
FordFusion1/16th of a tank35-80
FordEscape1/16th of a tank35-80
ToyotaRAV42.4 gallons57-74
ChevroletEquinoxNot available50
NissanRogue3 gallons78-99
HyundaiElantraNot available30
FordExplorer1/16th of a tank35-80
ChevroletCruze2 gallons56-84
FordFocus1/16th of a tank35-80
GMCSierra Denali4 gallons64-92
HyundaiSonataNot available40
JeepCherokee3 gallons66-93
NissanSentra2 gallons60-80
JeepWrangler2.8 gallons47-58
Chrysler2003 gallons69-108
ChevroletMalibu2 gallons50-72
JeepGrand Cherokee3 gallons66-90
ToyotaTacoma3 gallons63-75
SubaruForester2.6 gallons62-83
KiaOptimaNot available30
ToyotaHighlander2.9 gallons58-72
KiaSoulNot available30
ToyotaSienna3 gallons54-75
SubaruOutback2.6 gallons65-85
NissanVersa2.6 gallons65-85
VolkswagenJetta1.85 gallons57-85
HondaOdyssey3 gallons57-84
HondaPilot2.5 gallons45-62
FordMustang1/16th of a tank35-80
FordEdge1/16th of a tank35-80
ChevroletTraverse2.5 gallons42-60
ToyotaTundra4 gallons60-72
JeepPatriot2 gallons46-60
ToyotaPrius1.6 gallons76-81
HyundaiSanta FeNot available40
KiaSorentoNot available40
ChevroletImpala2 gallons44-62
FordTransit1/16th of a tank35-80
Mazda32.3 gallons69-94
MazdaCX-52.6 gallons67-91
GMCTerrainNot available50

If you notice you're reaching empty quicker than you should, or you have leaking fuel, Your Mechanic reccomends to have an inspection performed as soon as possible.

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About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.