Ignoring A Low Fuel Indicator.
How frustrating is it when you get into your car and realise, you’re late for work and the low fuel light indicator is flashing intermittently? You suddenly realise you must make a decision; the problem isn’t always that the low fuel light has come on but more that you don’t know how far you can travel without running out of fuel.
Is it really so risky to disregard the low fuel indicator?
The fuel level sensor or an inbuilt distance-to-empty calculation might turn on the fuel light. However, the distance you can drive on a low fuel tank varies per vehicle, as well as the road conditions and your driving habits.
A small vehicle can generally go 35 to 50 miles, but bigger cars and SUVs may travel 20 to 30 miles. The ideal practise is to always maintain a quarter tank of fuel in your vehicle. That way, if you fail to fill up, you should have enough fuel in reserve to travel to a nearby gas station.
Ignoring that helpful but annoying light of the fuel level indicator is risky, but how dangerous is it to disregard it?
The first thing to keep in mind is that fuel gauges are not the most exact devices and only offer an approximate estimate of the fuel level. The level in the tank is monitored by a float in even the most sophisticated vehicles nowadays. The height of this float is then sent to your fuel gauge, either electronically via a microcontroller or by tiny coils and metal strips. When your low fuel warning light comes on, you may only have around 6% to 8% of the tank’s capacity remaining. The amount of fuel used might range from 4 to 8 litres but does vary depending on the vehicle, mileage, and road conditions, among other factors.
The main danger of running out of fuel is becoming stuck on the road. Aside from that, you risk damaging your fuel pump, because if you don’t have enough fuel in your tank, the fuel pump may start sucking air and may overheat. And if that occurs, the repairs will cost you a lot more than a tank of fuel.
What are the options to save the last few drops of fuel if you’re far from a fuel station?
• Drive at 40 m/h if at all feasible, as this is the most fuel-efficient pace. This, however, depends on several circumstances, like where you’re travelling, the road conditions, the weather, and so on.
• Your windows should be rolled up. Open windows increase drag and wind resistance, causing the engine to use more fuel.
• If you’re on the motorway, take it easy on the accelerator and keep a steady pace.
• Under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption. Inflate them to the proper pressure.
• If you have any electrical devices, unplug them, and turn them off.
As a result, driving your car when the low fuel sign is on not only puts you in a stressful situation, but it also puts your vehicle at danger of costly damage. To avoid this, be more cautious and always keep a quarter tank of fuel in your car, pay special attention to tyre and car maintenance, understand how to increase your fuel economy, and enjoy your journey!
When travelling, try to plan and think ahead.
The recommended practice is to always maintain your fuel at least a quarter full. That way, even if you fail to fill up, you’ll have enough fuel in reserve to get you to the next stop safely.
If you have any concerns about the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, then please book an appointment with our Reliance Bicester technicians. Our garage has the latest diagnostics equipment, which allows us to quickly identify any issues with your vehicle and enables our experienced technicians to provide more accurate advice on how to procedure with any required repairs.
Get in touch by calling 01869 320032 to book an appointment, or if you prefer, simply email us at info@reliancebicester.co.uk – We’re here to help!
Additionally, regular routine servicing and maintenance is crucial for increasing your vehicles longevity and maximising its performance. Not only does it work to rectify any current wear and tear in your vehicle, but it also effectively aids in preventing further damage from presenting itself in the future.
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