I drive an Alero, how many miles can I get when my gas light is on?

Question

I drive an Alero, how many miles can I get when my gas light is on?

Answer 1

Don't try to stretch it. The fuel pump is inside the tank, and uses gasoline to cool itself.  With so little in the tank, the fuel pump can overheat.  It'll either shut itself off temporarily to save itself, or it'll fail and leave you stranded.  Either way, you break down.  (that's true of all modern cars by the way).

Answer 2

The gas light turns on as soon as you enter the "reserve" territory.  It's a spot in the tank that engineers set aside for times when it's hard to find a gas station.  Normally you are NEVER supposed to drive until this light turns on as it makes sense to refuel no later then your last 1/4 tank.  That light should not be your reminded to fill up.

Keep in mind that a car by itself without fuel is worthless.  Because a car does not power itself.  All the energy that makes a car move is all from harnessing the power that is released from burning gasoline inside a cast iron cylinder.

The power that made the petroleum originally came from the sun.  But that's another story.

Answer 3

if it's staying on, then probably not more than one.

Answer 4

I wouldn't let it go that far. Once the low fuel light comes on on most GM cars, such as your Alero, you have about 2 gallons of gas remaining. On some vehicles, Saab for example, the light comes on when only 1 gallon remains meaning you are about to run out of fuel. Generally, just fuel when the Gauge reaches 1/4 of a tank to be safe.