How far could I drive when the low fuel light comes on?

Question

I have a Ford F-250 Diesel (2006). Does anyone know just how far you can drive when the low fuel light comes on? I have been pushing it, but have not run out yet.

Answer 1

I think when the low fuel light comes on you still have one to two gallons of gas in the tank. Estimate your miles per gallon and you should find out how far you can go. I drive a ford taurus and I can go about 35 miles with the gas light on. But just to be safe, you better have a gas can with some extra gas in the vehicle.  

Answer 2

The answer  varies from vehicle to vehicle, not just model to model. All vehicles have slight tolerance differences in the way they read the amount of fuel left in the tank, and the reading head could be affected by the angle the vehicle is sitting, the direction it's traveling and the air temperature, so what could be a hard number today - 23 miles let's say - could be 16 miles next week.

One way to tell is figure out how much fuel you have left when the dummy light comes on:

First, figure out how big your tank is. Pull out that owner's manual (that book that just takes up space in the glove box) and find out how big the tank is.

The next time you're dummy light comes on to tell you the fuel tank is low, drive straight to a gas station and fill up. You could even keep track of how many miles you drive to the gas station.

You need to know your mileage numbers, and not the ones advertised on the sales sticker. You should know roughly how many miles per gallon you get highway and city.

When you fill up when the dummy light just came on, subtract that number of gallons you put in from the tank size, then multiply that by your mileage. That will give you an idea of the miles you can travel.

For example, I have a Ford Explorer with an advertised tank capacity of 22.5 gallons. On several occasions, I've filled it up just when the dummy light came on. In each case, I've put in between 19.5 and 20.5 gallons. That means there was between 2 and 3 gallons available, more or less.

In city driving, I get 18 miles to the gallon, so I have between 36 miles and 54 miles of gas left, I estimate, once the dummy light comes on. Highway, I get 20 miles to the gallon so that's between 40 and 60 miles.

That's MY vehicle, and I use a lot of gas since I drive 50,000 miles a year for work travel. On returns from long trips, I've had the dummy light on for as much as 50 miles and not run out of gas.

You should test it out on your vehicle a couple times to see what fuel is left in your tank when the dummy light comes on. But in my experience with several Dodge Caravans, an old Ford Thunderbird, a Ford Contour and other cars, the number has generally been around 50 miles.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Jim the Yooper

WILL NOT pay for road service if your results vary

Answer 3

I have no idea, to be serious.  I've only seen that light go on in my car once and I was so scared I'd run out of gas and end up stranded.  Taught me a good lesson to always fill up when I hit half tank.

Don't wait too long, just put some fuel in before you end up stuck somewhere.

Answer 4

To know for sure I encourage you to look it up in the manual instruction their is a section that talks about how many miles you have left after the light comes on. Depending of that you will know for sure not by speculations of anyone in YR. You can also try to look it up on the net.  

Answer 5

Most cars will have enough left to get you to your destination or a petrol station when the warning light comes on. There will typically be about 50 miles left in the tank, depending on how efficient your car is. Diesels, being more efficient, will go a bit further.

Answer 6

Personally, I believe it depends on the vehicle.  My husband has a small car, and you can go forever when the light comes on.  However, on my SUV, you better get gas quick because it only goes about 10 miles after the light comes on.  My advice is, if you really want to know, is to fill up a gas container with diesel, get on a backroad, and drive until you run out.  Then you will know!  My husband did this with an old hunting Bronco of his.

Answer 7

30 minutes

Answer 8

Well, if you want a relatively precise answer, you'll need a bit more info. Firstly, work out your average fuel consumption, (Ie: how many litres of diesel per amount of miles) then either contact Ford, or browse technical data, in order to find out how many litres of diesel are left in the tank once that light first appears. Then it should be some simple math after that, therefore telling you how far you can go before you have to start pushing that thing! (bear in mind however, that even if you are on the last few drops, a slope can be enough to make you run out before you normally would on level ground) Good luck with your calculations.

Answer 9

I would say about 15 miles

Answer 10

depends on car or truck really ask some ford truck forums

Answer 11

Whenever I got another car, I do the following.

As soon as the low fuel light comes on, I get to the next filling station and fill it up. Then I check the technical manual how many liters/ gallons my tank can hold. The difference is a actual amount I have still available, until the tank is empty.

On my car it is about 8 liters 2,1 gallons.

Answer 12

I'm gonna say that if you already gone 60 miles than a little more than 60 is gonna be it idiot. Go put some gas in your truck and don't put like 5 dollars so you can get to the next gas station actually fill it up. You have a 2006 F250 when gas costs close to 4 dollars a gallon so you must have some money to put in the tank.

Answer 13

the bet way is to keep a gallon of diesel in a gas can and test it,,,,when you run out and die out, then you will know.

Answer 14

you are taking a chance.. running out of fuel could cause starting problems and even fuel pump and fuel filter problems.  Sucking the last few drops out of the tank would also bring any crud and water in the bottom of the tank into the fuel system....

Answer 15

we've been on a 30 minute drive with the red light on. (bmw)

Answer 16

To the gas station.

Answer 17

Usually, you have a half gallon left.  Depending on what the terrain and speed is you can go a few miles (country with no stops) or a few blocks (city with stops)

Answer 18

run out and u will reallbe blue...aside from the water and dire it will suck up...u may not be able to start it without bleeding the fuel lines...its a closed system under pressure...loose the pressure and air gets into tje lines.....My GF did it several times until i told her to call a flatbed...the 125 dollars cured that

Answer 19

lol...that's funny...probably not good for your car. i have a 2007 pontiac g6. I've driven 20 miles with my gas light on...never cut off but I'm sure its not a good idea

Answer 20

until it runs out. lol