Running out of fuel in your car is a situation you’ll want to avoid. To prevent this from happening, cars have a dashboard warning light that shows up when you don’t have a lot of fuel left in the tank. While you will probably be able to see this on your fuel gauge, it’s an additional warning that reminds you that you need to get to a petrol station ASAP.
Why is My Low Fuel Warning Light On?
The low fuel warning light has the main function of warning the driver that the fuel level is low. Once this light comes on, there will be some fuel left in the tank, but not a lot. You should try to fill up as soon as possible if this light comes on your dashboard while you are driving. While the distance that you can drive when the low fuel light is on will vary depending on the car that you drive, there will usually be one or two gallons left in the tank or enough for around 30-40 miles.
What is the Low Fuel Warning Light?
You will usually see the low fuel warning light when you start your car, and the bulbs are checked. But once the engine has turned over and the car has started, the light should be turned off. If you don’t notice the low fuel light coming on when you start the car, this could mean that you need to have the bulb replaced.
What Does it Mean When the Low Fuel Warning Light is Flashing?
Most of the time, when you see the low fuel warning light it will be a static light to indicate that you are running low on fuel and need to get to a petrol station as soon as possible. However, if you notice your fuel light flashing, this could mean a problem with the fuel gauge that will usually need repairing.
How Does the Low Fuel Warning Light Work?
The low fuel warning light will show up on your dashboard when the fuel when your car’s tank reaches a certain level. It is there to inform drivers that they are critically low on fuel and will need to get to a petrol station and put some more in the tank as soon as possible. While you will still have a small amount of fuel left in your car’s tank when the light comes on and it does not mean that you have completely run out, you will not be able to drive for many more miles before your car’s fuel tank is emptied.
What are the Common Reasons the Low Fuel Warning Light Will Come On?
There is one main reason why the low fuel warning light comes on – your car is low on fuel. If you see this light, it’s your sign to get to the nearest petrol station and put some fuel in your car. Once you have put some fuel in your car, the light should automatically turn off.
A flashing low fuel light could indicate different things. In some cars, the light might begin to flash if your fuel level is critically low, and you are about to run out of fuel. Additionally, you may notice a flashing fuel light on the dashboard if there is a fault with the fuel gauge.
Is it Dangerous to Drive with the Low Fuel Warning Light On?
Most of the time, the low fuel warning light does not mean that your car is dangerous to drive. However, ignoring the low fuel light and continuing to drive without putting more fuel in your car could prove dangerous, as your car will inevitably run out of fuel. If you notice the fuel light on your car, you should be safe to continue driving for a certain number of further miles as there will still be some fuel left in your car. However, it’s best to use the remaining fuel to get to the nearest petrol station and put some more fuel in your tank since the longer you drive, the more you are risking completely running out of fuel which will cause your car to break down.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix the Low Fuel Warning Light?
Most of the time, all the low fuel warning light means is that you need to fill your car’s tank with some more fuel. It will only cost you as much as the price of the amount of fuel that you decide to put in your car to fix the light, as it will automatically switch off when the fuel in your tank has been topped up. If you do not put more petrol in your car and it breaks down as a result, your car may need to be recovered, which can cost you more if you do not have a breakdown or roadside assistance plan.
However, you may need to take your car for a diagnostics test if you notice a flashing fuel light on your dashboard. This could indicate a problem with the fuel gauge and it will need to be repaired as you need to know how much fuel is in your car’s tank at any given time.
Will My Car Fail its MOT if the Low Fuel Warning Light is On?
A low level of fuel that has caused the low fuel warning light to come on will not be an automatic MOT fail. However, you should always make sure that your car has enough fuel in the tank before taking it for an MOT as your mechanic may need to take it for a road test or leave the engine running as part of the test. If your car runs out of fuel during the MOT, you may have the result delayed.
There are some low fuel warning light issues that may cause an MOT check. For example, a fault with the fuel gauge that causes a flashing warning light might lead to a failure, depending on the specific problem.
About Fixter
Fixter is revolutionising the car maintenance industry, one repair at a time. Fixter was founded to make car maintenance as easy as booking a taxi. Digital, transparent and stress-free, with world-class customer service. Since launching in Manchester in 2017, Fixter has expanded to more than 100 towns and cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.