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Chart shows how far you can drive your car when it's on 'empty'
Home>News>Travel
Published 13:02 21 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Chart shows how far you can drive your car when it's on 'empty'

Driving with little fuel is not recommended.

Mia Williams

Mia Williams

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Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Cars, US News, Tesla

Mia Williams
Mia Williams

Mia is an NCTJ-trained journalist at UNILAD with a BA (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism, reporting across breaking news, US politics, entertainment, health, lifestyle, and more. Before joining as a journalist in 2026, she freelanced across the LADbible Group titles for over three years. She is also a documentary producer, having created independent films, and worked as a researcher on series including Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA.

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A chart has been released which says exactly how far your car can go when the fuel tank is ‘empty’.

We have all experienced the moment where your fuel tank is so low that the gauge arrow starts shaking, and you start wondering how much longer you can squeeze out of it.

It’s a familiar journey to all where you’re wondering whether you’ll break down in five minutes or an hour.

Well, a handy chart has been released that tells you exactly how far your car can go when it says the tank is near empty.

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It depends on your cars condition and how you drive it. (Getty stock image)
It depends on your cars condition and how you drive it. (Getty stock image)

That being said, it’s definitely not advised to constantly have your fuel tank as dry as the Sahara Desert.

There are, of course, approximations where the chart from 2015 is concerned, that depend on several factors.

These include how you drive, your car's condition etc.

So don't blame us if you find yourself stranded on the side of the road…you have been warned!

It turns out that when the petrol light turns on, it’s actually at 10-15% capacity.

And it’s a good job because that has definitely saved our bacon at one point or another. ​​

The chart was released in 2015 for a range of models.
Your Mechanic

However, when your petrol light begins to flash, that's when you're really in trouble and should probably fuel up ASAP.

It’s important to note that, whilst of course running out of fuel isn't illegal, if you were to cause a crash as a result of you breaking down from your lack of petrol, then you could face dangerous driving charges, a fine and up to nine points on your licence, according to the RAC.

The dreaded petrol light coming on instils fear in most drivers. (Getty stock image)
The dreaded petrol light coming on instils fear in most drivers. (Getty stock image)

As we mentioned, frequently driving on a near-empty tank is not recommended, and causes the tank to collect debris, which is then transported around other parts of your car.

This could then clog other major components of the vehicle.

The other off-putting thought is the idea of being the person that is stood behind the barrier on the highway, whilst everyone drives past staring at you.

As much as you might think it's a tough day being a petrol car driver, a woman driving a Tesla was left trapped after her battery died.

Arizona resident Diane owned a Tesla Model Y for about three years with no issues, that was until she was left unable to open her electric doors.

“It was fully charged,” the Valley driver claimed. “I unplugged the car, went to get in my car, shut the door, everything just shut down. I couldn’t open the windows, I couldn’t unlock the doors I was just trapped.”

Scary scenes.

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