If you have a newer car chances are it has a remaining miles feature. Based on how much fuel is in your tank and your driving habits the feature will tell you approximately how far you can drive before you run out of gas. Although, different variables can affect this so be leary of trusting the number.
How far can you go when your car says 0 miles? In most cases, you can drive one mile. While the mileage feature underestimates how far you can drive it is better to assume that your car is going to run out of gas soon. It will be a good idea to fill up at the nearest gas station. Otherwise, if you run out of gas you may be enlisting the help of AAA.
How does the fuel estimate calculate
There are multiple factors that determine how far the gas in your tank can get you. Some things like driving habits, fuel in the tank and your speed can affect how much mileage you can get out of a small amount of gas
Driving Habits
One thing that adds to the calculation of your mileage left is your driving style. Are you heavy on the pedal? Or do you drive slowly? This difference can affect how fast you use your gas. If your car says it only has 0 miles left then you need to take it slowly.
Speeding off fast will burn more gas than if you speed up gradually. If you test your mpg difference when you press hard on the pedal vs when you ease the pedal you’ll be surprised how much gas you could conserve. If you have 0 miles left you want to get the most mileage out of what is left.
Fuel Left in tank
Another factor that calculates how many miles you have left is the amount of gas. If you have half a tank then you should be able to get plenty of miles. Although, if you only have less than a gallon you may run out soon. Your fuel level will determine how many miles you have left.
The speed at which you are driving.
When you drive at a higher speed you use more gas. Once you get past 50 mph there are things that decrease your fuel economy. Not only are you using gas to keep the car running but you are now dealing with a higher level of tire friction and air resistance. The faster you go above 50mph the quicker you will lose your fuel.
Can the mileage estimate feature be trusted?
Mileage estimates should always be taken with a grain of salt. While manufacturers try to make the systems accurate they can’t account for every variable. The tests are done on new vehicles. If you have a vehicle with 100,000 miles chances are that the mileage will be different from when the car was new.
The mileage estimates should be taken as more of a guideline than a set truth. That’s why it’s good to make sure you fill your car when you are at 1/4 of a tank. This ensures that you won’t run out of gas and that you won’t be pulling extra particles through your fuel system.
What happens if I run out of gas?
If you run out of gas your car will turn off. In most cases, it won’t be instant. You feel it chugging and stumbling before it comes to a halt. In this scenario, you should safely get over to the side of the road. This way you won’t be hit by any traffic.
Is there a way to get better gas mileage?
There are multiple ways to better gas mileage. While it won’t help you if you are currently at 0 miles left, if you do some of these things beforehand you can more mileage out of your gas. Turning off accessories, keeping up on maintenance, being light on the throttle, and driving at lower speeds can help you get better gas mileage.
Turning off accessories
Having accessories running can lessen your gas mileage. With the more things running the harder the engine has to run. This turns into the engine consuming more fuel. From amplifiers to A/C all of these accessories have a parasitic effect on your gas mileage. Turning them off until you get your car refilled may give you extra mileage.
Keeping up on maintenance
Checking your tire pressure, and get regular maintenance like oil changes can help you get more mileage out of your gas. The more things that are working against your engine the more fuel you will burn. By having a well-maintaned car you can get the most out of your gasoline.
Being light on the throttle
Sometimes you are running late for a meeting. Just know that the more aggressively you drive the more fuel you will burn. As we stated before if you speed off from a light just know that you are using more gas than if you were to gradually speed up.
The more you press the pedal the more air and fuel are mixed. This will eat up your gas quickly. If you are at 0 miles left on your dash then you’ll want to take it slow.
Driving at a slower speed
Driving at a slower speed will help you get more mileage out of your gasoline. While it may seem like a good idea to get to the gas station as quickly as possible you may run out of gas before you get there. Driving fast uses more gas. With 0 estimated miles left, you’ll want to be conservative on how you drive.
Final Thoughts
If your dash says that you have 0 miles left you should take it seriously. Try to get to the gas station or you could be stuck on the side of the road. If you do run out of gas you could call a friend or have AAA bring you some fuel.
