Almost every modern car is equipped with an on-board computer that willingly shares data with the driver about average consumption, estimated fuel remaining, and, of course, the estimated range until a complete stop. It is the latter parameter that often becomes a source of anxiety. A warning light comes on on the dashboard, the mileage tends to zero, and the electronics unambiguously report: "You can't drive any further, refuel immediately." At the same time, the nearest gas station is ten kilometers away, and it's winter outside, and the engine still needs to be warmed up.
A logical question arises: how far can you actually drive in such a situation? Paradoxically, owners of old cars without digital prompts were often even calmer.
How it worked on old domestic cars
If you remember the classic "Zhiguli", everything was extremely honest and simple there. The fuel gauge needle is at zero, the red light is flashing, acting on the nerves no worse than modern electronic warnings. But the driver knows for sure: there is a reserve in the tank.
For VAZs — from the "kopeyka" to other models of the classic family — this reserve was approximately five liters. With careful driving, they were enough for at least 40–50 kilometers. Not a luxury, but quite enough to get to a gas station without panic. Another thing is that gasoline in those days was far from sterile, and everything that settled at the bottom of the tank had to be taken into account — the filters of that time were not the strongest part of the design.
The situation was much more complicated for "Moskvich", IZH-412 and AZLK-2140. The horizontally located tank and the chronically inaccurate fuel level sensor made the readings of the arrow almost decorative. If the indicator on such a car fell to zero, the driver had literally a couple of kilometers to reach a busy highway and then act according to the circumstances.
Range of modern cars
Everything looks more civilized with modern cars. Manufacturers really provide a noticeable reserve. For example, the Honda Accord is able to travel almost 70 km on the remaining fuel. Approximately the same indicator is demonstrated by the Toyota Camry. The larger the tank volume, the larger the reserve, as a rule, the car manufacturer leaves.
Tables with indicative data for various models even circulated on the network for some time. If we generalize this information, it becomes clear: for most popular cars, the range on reserve is within 65–70 kilometers. On paper — more than enough.
But practice, as usual, makes its own adjustments.
What actually floats in the tank
The theoretical range heavily depends on what exactly is left in the tank. The question is not only in quantity, but also in quality. If the car was refueled at one trusted gas station, the risk is minimal. However, even in this case, resins and paraffins accumulate in the fuel over time.
In its consistency, this substance resembles a thick jelly — a heavy, viscous liquid. If the tank has not been washed for a long time, it is it that makes up a significant part of the "reserve". In reality, it turns out that the reserved fuel may be half composed not of gasoline in the usual sense.
Why you shouldn't run the reserve "to zero"
Yes, the fuel pump mesh and fuel filter will retain most of the resins and contaminants. But the price for this is a sharp drop in fuel supply to the rail. The engine starts to malfunction, "sneezes" and twitches. This is the first signal for those who decided to test the reserve for strength out of pure curiosity.
You shouldn't do this under any circumstances.
It is much wiser to periodically remove the remaining fuel from the tank. The ideal option is to go to a service station and ask to pump it out completely. If desired, the procedure can be performed independently: connect an additional tube to the fuel line, block the main supply and apply 12 V to the pump from an external source. The main thing is not to force the fuel pump to run dry, otherwise it will simply burn out.
Some cars have a drain hole. In this case, everything is even simpler: just unscrew the plug, put a canister and drain the residue. If there is such an opportunity, it should be used at least once a year.
Why this procedure is really important
Even if the driver never brings the tank to complete emptiness, an impressive "bouquet" still accumulates at its bottom: water, rust, condensate, traces of diesel fuel and banal garbage. The quality of fuel today is difficult to call premium, so it makes no sense to take risks.
One simple operation, performed once a year, gives a simple but valuable guarantee: if the reserve light comes on on the dashboard, the car will really be able to travel its honest 50–70 kilometers to the nearest gas station — and, what is especially important, on its own, and not on a tow truck.