Being behind the wheel of a BMW means that you need to know what will help you get the most out of that vehicle. This week we want to talk about how driving on empty can cause damage to your vehicle and how far you can drive when your fuel light illuminates. Check it out below and if you have further questions, stop in to see our team today! We are more than happy to help you and answer any questions you may have about your BMW’s efficiency or about it in general. We hope to see you soon! 

How far can I drive on empty? 

• Depending on your driving habits, current conditions, and your vehicle really results in how far you can drive once your empty fuel light illuminates. You may be surprised how few miles you can travel once your light is on and we recommend reading your owner’s manual for answers. And also, don’t push it. It’s better to fill up the tank when you only have ¼ of a tank left! 

Is it dangerous to drive with the low fuel warning light on? 

• When this light illuminates, you’re starting to run the chance that your vehicle could run out of gas, which is not only a hassle but it puts you into a dangerous situation especially if you’re out on the highway or in remote locations. 
• It’s also dangerous for your vehicle. Running low or completely out of gas can cause damage to your catalytic converter which may need to be repaired or replaced. When you run low on fuel, the contaminants or debris that have sunk to the bottom of your tank are now being sucked into your fuel pump. This can also cause issues that will end up being expensive to repair. 

How trusty is your distance to empty? 

• Most modern vehicles have a distance to empty gauge but this is a dangerous practice if you try to wait until the very last mile. The distance to empty is simply a mere estimate and not a definitive answer to how many miles you have left. So depending on current driving conditions, the actual mileage could vary.