Road trip season is here! Well, almost. And we want you to slip behind the wheel of a brand new Kia vehicle to help you tackle all of those long road trips in style, comfort, and convenience. But one thing we can’t forget is that driving on empty is bad for your ride. Why? What’s it doing to my vehicle? How long can I go? These are all real questions that you have and don’t worry, we have answers for you! See them all below and stop in to see our team if you’re ready to upgrade your ride! 

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. 

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!