When the fuel light comes on in the dashboard, it usually creates a sense of urgency in the driver. Will I reach my destination without having to fill up? Where is the nearest petrol station? And how many kilometres can I actually drive without fear? A lot of questions come up. But is the fuel light really a cause for concern?

What does a lit fuel light mean?

At first glance, it’s clear that the fuel light on the dashboard indicates that your vehicle is running out of fuel. Usually, the light comes on when the fuel in your tank reaches a certain level. In practice, the reserve light will come on. However, it is not possible to say exactly how much fuel is present when the light comes on, as it varies from vehicle to vehicle. Usually, however, the reserve is 10 to 15 % of the tank capacity.

The reserve is intended to allow sufficient time for refuelling. Of course, it is not ideal to ignore the light, as this could result in the car running out of fuel and not moving any further. In some places this could be dangerous for you and other road users. Fortunately, modern cars have sensors that will alert you when the fuel level is critically low. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that they’re not entirely accurate.

And it’s not just the fact that there may be a dangerous situation on the road. There could also be debris lodged at the bottom of the tank that could clog the fuel filter or damage the injection. And you probably know that in such a case, the car would stop working and a repair would be necessary, which is quite expensive. In addition, the tank could be damaged by overheating.

━━ ( Source: Martin Katler /  Unsplash+ )

When to go refuel

Obviously, you can drive a few kilometres on the reserve. Ideally, however, you should fill up as soon as possible after the light comes on. For example, the car manufacturer Volkswagen warns about this. The company says that when the fuel in the tank reaches the reserve level, you should drive to a petrol station and fill up without delay.

Similarly, Hyundai, for example, is also taking a similar approach. In addition, the manufacturer of these cars warns that driving with low fuel in the tank can be dangerous. And it cites the possibility of clogging the fuel filter, ruining the injection system or accumulating sediment in the engine.

How much mileage can I get on a spare

Modern cars will show you the number of miles that can be driven on the reserve. This is usually 100 kilometres, for example. That seems a lot. But you definitely can’t take the figure literally. It’s calculated from an average and in reality it depends on a lot of factors. It’s your driving style, but weather conditions also have an effect. So in reality, the fuel may end up lasting a much shorter distance. So if the reserve light comes on, don’t hesitate to find the nearest petrol station. Fueling up is a certainty.