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How Far Can You Drive Your Vehicle on Empty?

We've all been there; we get busy and forget to fill up the gas tank. Suddenly, the low fuel indicator comes on and you're not sure how far you can go.

Of course, the rule of the thumb is to gas up if your tank goes below a quarter. Often, the older a person gets, the more they adhere to that rule because of learning the hard way that running out of gas is a major inconvenience. Not only are you in for possibly a long walk in awful weather, but running out of gas on the freeway or a blind turn is actually dangerous.

Did you know you also run the risk of ruining your catalytic converter if you run out of gas? On average, the replacement cost is between $945 and $2475 (including parts and labor). And if you're one of those types that often runs on fumes, you're slowly damaging your fuel pump with repair running between $725 and $900, on average.

The good news is that you probably have at least 25 to 30 miles left in the tank when the indicator light comes on. In 2015, they did studies on the top 50 most popular cars "distance left on empty" and some go much farther than others. For instance, a Honda Accord has 2.6 gallons left and can go 70 to 93 miles and a Mazda CX-5 also has 2.6 gallons left and can go 67 to 91 more miles. The winner in this category goes to the Nissan Altima which has 3 gallons left in the tank which provides you 81 to 114 miles left!

One of the most important things you can do for your car is to have the fuel system checked at least yearly. It will save you money in the long run, as well as keep you safely on the road without breakdowns. We'll check the oil and fuel filter and all the hoses. Additionally, we'll check the fuel pump and the fuel tank itself. If you live in a wet climate, the fuel tank itself can start leaking. If you see leaks under your car and smell gasoline, it's important you call us right away.

We're here not only for your fuel system but all the systems and components needed to help keep your tiger healthy and purring like a kitten!