06.10.2021

Low fuel light on: how far can you drive? The engine malfunction light is on: causes and consequences The fuel level light on the

It would seem, what is there to talk about? Information about the reserve in the fuel tank must be contained in the vehicle's owner's manual. Or even simpler: the trip computer warns of low fuel levels and tells you how far you can drive before refueling. Not always. Others, instead of specific numbers, issue only dashes, forcing them to panic even more.

However, the authors of instructions often limit themselves to general words. For example, "The low fuel warning light comes on when the fuel tank is nearly empty." This is a quote from the instruction manuals. It even contains an element of drama: "The depletion of the fuel supply can endanger the people in the car." Scary...

What threatens the "light bulb"

Similar exercises are found in the instructions of three bestsellers - Renault Logan, Renault Duster, Lada Largus. As a carbon copy: "If the lamp lights up and does not go out, it is urgent to fill the tank with fuel." At the same time, the manual of the related Renault Sandero clearly states - "from the moment the warning light first lights up, you can drive another 50 km."

In the instructions for Lada Vesta there is a mention of control lamp, and should be covered in more detail in the relevant section, but the link leads nowhere. There is not even such a section as "Vehicle Operation". There are "Introduction", "Driving", "Leaving" and " Practical Tips". On the contrary, Lada 4x4 has specific data (see the table). Same with Chevrolet Niva. It looks like a legacy of the Soviet era. But the Japanese and Europeans (Germans and Czechs) are just as accurate.

Stop panic!

As you can see, in order to find the answer to the question of how much and how far you can drive "on a light bulb", I studied the operating instructions for the most popular cars in Russia. The data was summarized in a table. Conclusion: the minimum supply of fuel that automakers provide us is 5 liters, in most cases - about 7 liters. This should be enough for at least 90 kilometers when driving on a country road in a B-class car. So it’s not worth panicking when you see a low fuel lamp on or a written warning that the tank is almost empty - unless, of course, you are in the tundra or desert. Get to the gas station.

To find out where the nearest one is, look at the navigator map by turning on POI and filtering by gas station. No navigator - stop to use your smartphone or tablet. A short break won't hurt. Of course, it is better to find a network gas station with high-quality gasoline, but if there is no guarantee that one is nearby, it is better not to risk it and refuel at the very first - minimally. When you get to a decent one, fill up a full tank and dilute fuel of dubious quality. And wait a couple of seconds after turning on the ignition before starting the engine: let the pump pick up normal gasoline.

A clear belief has taken root in the automotive environment - driving with a small amount of fuel in the tank, when the minimum fuel lamp has already lit up, is harmful to the car. This is evidenced by the driver's rumor, this is indicated by the instructions for the operation of cars. At the same time, there is no direct dependence, they say, once I drove with a burning lamp and everything broke down, and this seriously complicates the conversation on this topic - it is not known for certain what affects what and what leads to. There are only observations and theoretical experience. But we still tried to analyze the situation and understand how harmful it is to drive on a burning fuel light. For this, let's consider the most popular arguments and confirmations used by supporters of this point of view.

Fuel pump overheating

In modern injection cars, submersible pumps are used, they sink into the tank and “live” among gasoline. it does not just lie there, but is located in a special fuel module, which, among other things, includes a plastic drip cup, fuel level and much more. The fuel pump itself is located inside this entire structure; during operation, it generates heat, which means it must be cooled. Additional systems The fuel pump does not have heat dissipators (in general, this is a rather simple design), so cooling is done by gasoline - both by what passes through the pump itself and by what floats around in the tank. If there is little fuel in the tank, then heat dissipation deteriorates, the pump overheats, can be deformed and jammed. Due to the increased temperature, the windings can collapse, the electrical connectors can melt, in general, there is little pleasant.

This is the most popular point of view regarding the dangers of driving on a light bulb, and it is quite logical. True, for some reason it is not taken into account that even when there is little fuel in the tank, the gasoline pump does not work “dry”, it still pumps gasoline through itself. As soon as the gas runs out, the engine stalls, the pump stops working - it turns out a kind of protection from a fool. Is there enough cooling for passing gasoline? Purely theoretically - yes, because the gas pump is not a very powerful unit and does not emit much heat during operation. We managed to find a couple of experiments on the Internet that confirm this point of view. But they, of course, were carried out under sterile conditions, no one measured the temperature in the tank.

Dirt and water at the bottom of the gas tank

At whatever gas stations we refuel, with an increase in mileage, particles of various impurities and water accumulate at the bottom of the gas tank, which forms in the gas tank in the form of condensate. This is an indisputable fact (in a good way, the tank needs to be cleaned periodically), but there is an opinion that when there is little gasoline in the tank, the concentration of "harmful substances" increases and the likelihood of filter clogging increases. A clogged filter does not pass fuel well, the pump is unstable and breaks, and the water can go further along fuel system and lead to breakdowns, and even.

Dirt in the gas tank. Photo - drive

On the one hand, it sounds logical, but on the other hand, the fuel intake design is so arranged that it always takes gasoline at the very bottom of the tank, and since “harmful substances” are heavier than fuel, they will still accumulate from below, no matter how much gasoline is in the tank It was. Clogged filters the fuel module is certainly a problem, but it is not very clear how it is connected exactly with an empty tank and driving on a “light bulb”. In addition, deposits appear with time and mileage, but no one says that a burning lamp is harmful only to used cars; new ones are also not recommended to drive to the last.

Air ingress

Another theory says that with a low fuel level the fuel pump intermittently "grabs" air, and this harms his work, he is poorly lubricated and rubs “dry” and breaks.

It is also logical and also not all clear. The presence of an anti-drain glass allows you to smooth out fluctuations in the fuel in the tank during turns, accelerations and braking, the fuel pump can start to grab air only when the fuel is almost over, but the pump will not work for a long time in this mode, if there is no fuel, the engine will stall, and a large there shouldn't be any harm.

Here are the main three reasons that are given as a justification for the harm of driving with low fuel levels. Each of them has a healthy grain, but none of them allows you to fully theoretically substantiate the problems that can arise from an empty tank. Meanwhile, the opinion of drivers and recommendations of manufacturers still do not arise out of the blue- a very large empirical experience has already been accumulated in order to notice the connection between a low fuel level and the failure of a gasoline pump.

Not one-time cases, but statistics say that those who constantly drive with an empty tank are more prone to pump failure. This is especially noticeable on cars with, their owners usually do not fill up a lot, they only need gasoline to start - according to statistics, the gas pump on such cars lives less. It is hardly worth ignoring such statistics.

At the same time, of course, everything is individual - cars are operated in different conditions, gasoline pumps have a different design, fuel quality is also different, so it is impossible to say for sure that for all cars the consequences of driving are equally negative and lead to the same consequences - someone will break already after the first "bulb", and someone drives all his life without problems, pouring 5-10 liters into the tank, simply because the gas pump is very hardy or so the cards lay down.

One thing is certain - a low level of fuel in the tank will definitely not prolong the life of a car, and if you still refuel, then why not just do it more often. You will not lose anything (after all, you still pay for fuel), but in which case you will extend the life of the fuel pump. Isn't such reasoning enough to get rid of the habit of driving "on a light bulb"?

To inform the driver about the amount of fuel in the car tank, on dashboard installed fuel level indicator. By itself, it is not particularly noticeable, and in order to exclude the possibility of a complete consumption of gasoline or diesel fuel, there is an additional signal lamp on the dashboard, indicated by a schematic representation of a gas station.

When the light comes on, the light informs that there is critically little gasoline in the tank and it will be enough to cover a short distance. The fuel level warning light is made so that the driver notices in advance that there is not enough fuel in the tank and drove to the gas station.

The signal light can be considered a useful addition to the fuel gauge. The fact is that the sensor readings are not always accurate, there are certain errors (due to the configuration of the tank, the position of the car and a number of other factors). Therefore, the sensor can show an “empty” tank when it is ¼ or 1/5 full, depending on the volume of the tank (which is 10-15 liters). This can be confusing for the driver, because the gauge needle shows "0" both at 10 liters and at 1 liter of gasoline in the tank.

Types of indicator, principles of operation

By car with carburetor systems the signal lamp was powered by a potentiometric one, that is, the sensor and the lamp are connected. The principle of operation is very simple - when a certain level of gasoline is reached, the potentiometer slider connected to the float closes the lamp power contacts. At first, the contacts close intermittently (affects the splashing of gasoline in the tank), so the indicator flashes, but with greater fuel consumption, the lamp contacts become permanently closed.

AT modern cars with injection system power sensor and indicator are separated. The signal lamp is powered by its own sensor mounted on the pump housing. The main element of the signal lamp sensor is a thermistor placed in a metal bulb. The principle of operation of the "lamp-sensor" circuit is based on a change in the resistance of the thermistor due to temperature.

Everything works like this: voltage is applied to the thermistor, which causes it to heat up. The fuel acts as a coolant for it, it removes heat, maintaining the temperature of the sensor. If the level of gasoline falls below this sensor, the temperature of the thermistor will increase, which leads to a change in its resistance. As a result of the change in resistance, the lamp lights up.

The indicator built on the basis of a thermistor is good because it is not connected to the fuel level sensor and works independently of it. This makes it possible to notice a decrease in the fuel level even when the fuel gauge is not working.

How far can you drive with a light bulb on

Now about how much gasoline remains in the tank if the lamp lights up and how long it will last. different models this figure is different. On average, automakers set a reserve per 100 km of travel. That is, the light comes on if there is between 5 and 10 liters of gasoline left in the tank, depending on the model. But this does not mean that after the signal lamp lights up, the driver will travel 100 km. The distance that can be driven on a reserve of gasoline is affected by driving style, features road conditions, engine load, etc. That is, one driver will drive 80-90 km on reserve, and the second will only be enough for 30-40 km. Therefore, you should not hope that you will drive a long distance on the remaining fuel in the tank. When the indicator lights up, you should immediately head towards the gas station.

How to drive if the petrol light is on

It happens that the gasoline light on the dashboard lights up, and you still need to drive a considerable distance to the gas station. And in this case, measures should be taken to ensure that the reserve is enough before refueling. For this you need:

Choose a path with a minimum number of stops. Keep in mind that 5 liters of gasoline is not enough to start the car and get to the gas station. You need at least 10 liters so that the pump can fully pump the power system and ensure a stable supply of fuel. If there is less gasoline, then the fuel pump will “drive” air due to a lack of gasoline, because of which the engine will not be able to work stably.
Pick up speed mode, at which gasoline consumption is minimal (70-80 km / h).
Reduce the load on the on-board network, leaving only the necessary electrical equipment on.
Close the windows, park behind the truck on the track, this will reduce air resistance to a minimum.

These measures will allow you to drive a greater distance on the remaining fuel.

What threatens a small amount of gasoline

Note that it is better not to allow the amount of fuel to decrease to the level when the warning light comes on. If for carburetor cars a small amount of fuel does not have any negative consequences, except for the likelihood of an unexpected cessation of movement and a “walk” with a canister to a gas station, then this phenomenon is dangerous in injection cars.

The problem is that the fuel pump in such machines is placed in the tank and the fuel for it is the coolant. If there is not enough gasoline, then due to overheating, the pump motor may fail. The "snatching" of air by the pump also does not bring anything good.

Another problem is that at a low level, the fuel pump pumps fuel "from the bottom" of the tank, where rubbish and dirt accumulate. This leads to clogging of the fuel inlet filter, causing the pump to work under increased load, which increases the likelihood of failure.

Video: The light bulb came on, how long will the fuel last?

Car breakdown is annoying. A breakdown will become unexpected if the car is not monitored and the warnings are not heeded. One of them is a light bulb check engine". How to understand what the problem is, what it indicates and what to do if it catches fire.

Button assignment

The dashboard in a car is a way for the driver to control the level of gasoline, oil, engine operation or other components of the car that guarantee comfortable and quiet driving on the road.

Modern cars are equipped with an indicator necessary for the convenience and comfort of the driver. If earlier an engine malfunction had to be found only visually or by carefully listening to work, today a special light bulb is working. It was created for the convenience of monitoring the condition of the engine. Ideally, it should light up only when the engine is started and go out after a couple of seconds.

If the light does not go out or lights up while driving, then you should think about malfunctions in the operation of the main component of the car.

How serious can the reasons be?

Each signal on the car panel is an indicator that the driver must be attentive. When the check engine light comes on, there are several reasons.

A common cause is gasoline. Due to the additives that unscrupulous manufacturers use in gasoline, the engine does not work properly, it becomes clogged. You should change the fuel or refuel at another gas station, and everything works correctly.
Faulty candles.
Broken ignition coil.
A triggered oxygen sensor (lambda probe).
Broken exhaust catalyst.
Incorrect operation of high voltage conductors.
Injector failure.
Fuel pump or fuel filter.

It is worth starting the check with the neck cap fuel tank. If it is not tightened to the end or defects appear on it, then the light indicates the engine is not working properly.

Each of the reasons is not very terrible, but requires immediate elimination. If you do not pay attention in time and do not diagnose the malfunction, you can lead to a complete breakdown of the engine and the incapacity of the machine.

The engine is serious, but it is not necessary that the work requires overhaul or engine replacement. The work of the masters is important in any issue of diagnosing and repairing the engine. But, if the reason is candles, then the replacement is carried out independently and quickly, without the involvement of craftsmen.

What to do if the light is on

If you see that the check engine light does not light up as it should (does not go out after starting the engine or lights up while driving), then you should stop to diagnose the car. You can do it not immediately, but it is necessary. Remember, if it lights up, this is the reason to either go to the service station for diagnostics, or check the engine for faults.

The first thing you can do when the light comes on is to stop and listen to how the engine works: is it troit, is it extraneous noise or knock. If you hear extraneous sounds, then they indicate the cause of the breakdown to an experienced driver. If the cause of the breakdown is not clear to you, the direct road is to the nearest service station.

If the reason for the light bulb to come on is low-quality fuel (this can be determined after diagnosis, after excluding other causes), then the service masters will tell you that it is worth changing the type of fuel poured into the car or the place where you are used to refueling.

They also conduct a visual inspection of the engine for cracks, bumps, leaks. If you yourself find a breakdown, then according to the reason, repairs are also carried out.

oxygen sensor. It is worth replacing it yourself, following the operating instructions for a car of a particular brand. If the replacement is not made in time, then there will be an excessive consumption of fuel and the catalyst may break, the replacement of which will be much more expensive.
A leaky fuel tank is the cause of air getting inside, which means overspending. It is worth either replacing the cover or achieving tightness with gaskets.
Candles. This is the main element that guarantees the ignition of the fuel mixture. If they do not work correctly, then the car will refuse to work at all. Replacing spark plugs is not difficult if you are already an experienced driver. You can change either only the candle that has already worked out its own, or all at once, in order to surely avoid malfunctions in the car. In the store it is worth buying a set of candles specifically for your car. If you are not sure that you will buy the right option and be able to change it, then go to the service station, where the necessary parts are already there and the specialists will be able to replace quickly and affordably. In the issue of candles, it is worth remembering that old-style cars require replacement every 20,000 km, and if the car is new, then on the same candles it can travel up to 150,000 km. If you change the candles on time according to the requirements technical operation your car, then you can avoid catalytic converter failure and improve engine performance.
Replacing the mass air flow sensor. This part regulates the amount of air that is needed for rapid ignition. When it is faulty, then this is excessive fuel consumption, an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaust, poor acceleration, and a decrease in engine power. Most often, the breakdown is associated with an incorrectly installed air filter or the filter has already expired. When it comes to changing the sensor, the costs are related to the price of the sensor itself, but the replacement service in the service is not so expensive, because it does not require a lot of time and is simple in technology. Regular replacement of the filter is a guarantee of long-term operation of the sensor.

Nuances in the operation of the "Check engine" light bulb

The check engine light on the instrument panel appeared in the early 90s. but then the work of the sensor was aimed only at controlling the operation of the carburetor. That is, the lamp lights up when:

There was a blockage;
The combustible mixture was prepared incorrectly for the operation of the engine, etc.

Today, the work of the light bulb is much wider. There are no longer carburetors in new-style cars. Replaced with injectors. It is in connection with this novelty in the car that the light bulb shows not only the wrong mixture. Thanks to her, the driver learns about:

Interruptions in work;
Ignition problems;
Bad shifting and more.

See what else a burning check engine light may indicate (video)

Outcome

Thus, thanks to such a light on the panel, you can control almost every element of the engine, its condition and performance.

The check engine light on the driver's panel is a status indicator. If it does not burn according to the rules, then you should pay attention to this and go for diagnostics. Timely elimination of breakdowns is a guarantee of safety and comfort on the road. Attentiveness to your car will exclude breakage at the most inopportune moment.

To inform the driver about the amount of fuel in the car tank, a fuel level indicator is installed on the dashboard. By itself, it is not particularly noticeable, and in order to exclude the possibility of a complete consumption of gasoline or diesel fuel, there is an additional signal lamp on the dashboard, indicated by a schematic representation of a gas station.

The signal light can be considered a useful addition to the fuel gauge. The fact is that the sensor readings are not always accurate, there are certain errors (due to the configuration of the tank, the position of the car and a number of other factors). Therefore, the sensor can show an “empty” tank when it is ¼ or 1/5 full, depending on the volume of the tank (and this is 10-15 liters). This can be confusing for the driver, because the gauge needle shows "0" both at 10 liters and at 1 liter of gasoline in the tank.

TYPES OF INDICATOR, PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

On cars with carburetor systems, the signal lamp was powered from a potentiometric fuel level sensor, that is, the sensor and the lamp are connected. The principle of operation is very simple - when a certain level of gasoline is reached, the potentiometer slider connected to the float closes the lamp power contacts. At first, the contacts close intermittently (affects the splashing of gasoline in the tank), so the indicator flashes, but with greater fuel consumption, the lamp contacts become permanently closed.

In modern cars with an injection power system, the sensor and indicator are separated. The signal lamp is powered by its own sensor mounted on the pump housing. The main element of the signal lamp sensor is a thermistor placed in a metal bulb. The principle of operation of the "lamp-sensor" circuit is based on a change in the resistance of the thermistor due to temperature.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU GO WITH A LIGHT LIGHT

Now about how much gasoline remains in the tank if the lamp lights up and how long it lasts. This indicator differs for different models. On average, automakers set a reserve per 100 km of travel. That is, the light comes on if there are from 5 to 10 liters left in the tank, depending on the model. But this does not mean that after the signal lamp lights up, the driver will travel 100 km. The distance that can be driven on a reserve of gasoline is affected by driving style, road conditions, engine load, etc. That is, one driver will drive 80-90 km on reserve, and the second will only be enough for 30-40 km. Therefore, you should not hope that you will drive a long distance on the remaining fuel in the tank. When the indicator lights up, you should immediately head towards the gas station.

HOW TO RIDE IF THE GASOLINE LIGHT IS ON

It happens that the light on the dashboard lights up, and you still need to drive a considerable distance to the gas station. And in this case, measures should be taken to ensure that the reserve is enough before refueling.

For this you need:

Choose a path with a minimum number of stops. Keep in mind that 5 liters of gasoline is not enough to start the car and get to the gas station. You need at least 10 liters so that the pump can fully pump the power system and ensure a stable supply of fuel. If there is less gasoline, then the fuel pump will “drive” air due to a lack of gasoline, because of which the engine will not be able to work stably.
Choose a speed mode at which gasoline consumption is minimal (70-80 km / h).
Reduce the load on the on-board network, leaving only the necessary electrical equipment on.
Close the windows, park behind the truck on the track, this will reduce air resistance to a minimum.