Garden Grove Kia

How far can you drive your Kia when the gas light comes on?

Maybe you were jamming out to your favorite song and paying more attention to your UVO infotainment system than you were to your fuel gauge, but suddenly you find the fuel light has illuminated your dash. If you’ve already left the nearest gas station far behind you and you’re not sure when the next one will pop up, you might even say it’s illuminating your world. Then again, you might just be here because you’re a risk taker. Either way, you want to know how car you can drive Kia after the gas light comes on. We’ve got answers, but you might have to do the math yourself.

How many gallons of gas are left in the tank when the Kia gas light turns on?

To be most accurate, you’ll want to know how many gallons of gas are actually left in the tank. Your actual mileage will vary greatly depending on if you drive a 2017 Kia Forte compared to cruising along in a 2017 Kia Sedona. Typically, you’ll have 1.5 to 2 gallons of gas left in your tank when the gas light turns on in your Kia.

What this means for you is some simple math. The EPA offers estimates for each model, so we could say a model like the Forte would have 48 to 64 miles left before it runs out of gas. Your results, though, might vary depending on your driving style. We’re also looking at numbers for this model year, but automakers have made impressive progress when it comes to fuel economy. If you’re driving an older model, you could be looking at much lower numbers.

More from our Service Center: Kia Dashboard Warning Light Guide

So how you calculate your own average mpg rating? It’s simple. Next time you fill up, zero out your trip meter. Wait until you need gas again, then record how many gallons you purchase. Take this number and divide the miles on your trip meter by it to find your average mpg. If you happen to drive 320 miles and buy 10 gallons of gas, you’ll know you’ve achieve 32 mpg.

Now, theoretically you could drive until your gas light comes on to get a good feel for how much gas is really left in your tank, but we’d advice against it. Your fuel pump is meant to be submerged in gasoline to keep it lubricated, and when you let your fuel run out you risk harming your fuel pump. You may have heard it’s good to run low on gas to clear out the sludge in the bottom of the tank, but more than likely you’ll end up clogging your fuel pump. Trust us on this one; just keep your tank full.

Do you have any other questions about your Kia? Leave us a comment below and we’ll find answers for you. Otherwise, be sure to check back here at the Garden Grove Kia Blog for more tips and tricks.