Toyota Yaris is a super-compact car with an average tank capacity of around 12 to 14 gallons. But, driving with an empty tank mixes the fuel with contaminants, breaks the fuel pump, lowers speed, heats the engine, and causes stalling.
How Far Can a Toyota Yaris Go On Empty? You can drive a Toyota Yaris with an empty tank up to 36.5 miles to 47.6 miles depending on road conditions and your driving style. It has a tank capacity of 12.0 to 14.9 gallons with 2 gallons in the reserve fuel tank.
The empty miles have increased over the years because the manufacturers have expanded the sizes of fuel tanks.
In addition, the miles with an empty tank vary on all variants from around 1 mile to 2.4 miles.
22 Examples Toyota Yaris models with tank capacity and empty miles
Models of Toyota Yaris with years (with trims) |
Tank capacity (In US gallons) |
Empty miles |
1999 Toyota Yaris SR |
12.0 gallons |
36.5 miles |
2000 Toyota Yaris S |
12.1 gallons |
36.8 miles |
2001 Toyota Yaris T Sport |
12.3 gallons |
36.5 miles |
2002 Toyota Yaris S |
12.2 gallons |
37.5 miles |
2003 Toyota Yaris GLS |
12.6 gallons |
37.6 miles |
2004 Toyota Yaris SE |
12.4 gallons |
37.2 miles |
2005 Toyota Yaris SR |
12.8 gallons |
38.6 miles |
2006 Toyota Yaris SR |
12.4 gallons |
38.7 miles |
2007 Toyota Yaris S |
12.7 gallons |
38.9 miles |
2008 Toyota Yaris S |
12.3 gallons |
39.2 miles |
2009 Toyota Yaris S 5DR Hatchback |
12.8 gallons |
39.4 miles |
2010 Toyota Yaris Base 4DR |
12.5 gallons |
41.5 miles |
2011 Toyota Yaris 4 door Hatchback |
12.6 gallons |
42.7 miles |
2012 Toyota Yaris mid-grade LE |
13.4 gallons |
43.6 miles |
2013 Toyota Yaris SE 3DR |
13.6 gallons |
43.9 miles |
2014 Toyota Yaris L Hatchback |
13.7 gallons |
43.2 miles |
2015 Toyota Yaris LE |
13.8 gallons |
44.7 miles |
2016 Toyota Yaris SE 5DR |
13.9 gallons |
44.9 miles |
2017 Toyota Yaris L Hatchback |
13.9 gallons |
44.7 miles |
2018 Toyota Yaris L Hatchback |
14.5 gallons |
46.3 miles |
2019 Toyota Yaris LE |
14.8 gallons |
47.4 miles |
2020 Toyota Yaris XLE |
14.9 gallons |
47.6 miles |
How many miles does a Toyota Yaris go on empty with the gas light on?
The fuel tank level decreases from the standard volume and reaches 2 to 3 liters. As a result, the fuel light starts blinking on the dashboard of the cabin compartment.
However, the empty miles depend on the engine’s condition and the wheel’s stability. In addition, a Toyota Yaris can cover a distance of around 18 miles to 22 miles while the warning light is blinking.
The alarming sign indicates that you have to approach a fuel refill station. However, it keeps the engine safe and protects from damage.
How big is the reserve tank on Toyota Yaris?
A reserve tank is a container or part of the central fuel tank in the vehicle engine. It can save extra fuel for emergencies.
Moreover, it has separate fuel volumes stored for the main supply. It provides backup fuel when the vehicle runs out of fuel sources.
It has a reserve tank with an average fuel capacity of around 2 gallons to 2.3 gallons. You can drive a distance of 37 miles to 46 miles before the fuel tanks get empty.
It works as a fuel reservoir, but you have to maintain its volume. So check its standard level and fill it immediately with high-quality liquid.
What are the disadvantages of driving a Toyota Yaris on an empty tank?
Here are a few drawbacks to driving a car while its tank is empty.
First, it can damage the engine’s overall performance and its internal components. Refill the tank and avoid these harmful impacts on your vehicle.
The mixing of remaining fuel with contaminants
Its empty fuel containers are dangerous for the standard performance of an engine.
The input signals of a vehicle require sufficient levels of fuel for appropriate performance.
But, it cannot provide fuel but the contaminants and dust in the bottom flow through the pipelines.
It mixes with the remaining fuel, and contamination happens.
The remaining fuel becomes dangerous for the engine, brake system, and transmission.
Broken fuel pump
A fuel pump provides the fuel to the carburetor through the fuel container.
In addition, empty tank driving results in damage to the fuel pump.
As a result, it malfunctions and affects the performance of surrounding components.
Speed fluctuation
The speed of your car changes due to low fuel volumes in a container. As a result, the vehicle cannot provide a smooth drive on stable roads.
The speed becomes lower than 20mph due to empty tanks. Increasing the speed levels can damage the engine efficiency, and wheels undergo wearing an unwanted tear.
Engine heating
People drag their cars after the warning light and empty engine.
It generates a specific amount of heat in the machinery that damages it internally. In such conditions, the coolant does not release from the engine and increases the temperature.
In addition, excessive heat damages the insulation of electric wires and breaks the metallic components.
Excessive stalling
Typically, you cannot drive a vehicle with an empty fuel tank because it results in frequent stalling. It results in accidental situations and affects the performance of wheels and brake system.
The travelers cannot sit comfortably during such conditions. The engine lacks appropriate working due to constant internal fluctuations.
What to do when a Toyota Yaris fuel tank goes on empty?
You can take the following preventive measures during empty tank conditions. Follow the guidelines and protect your vehicle and engine loss.
Handle speed controllers
Keep the speed at the lowest level and drive it around 25mph to 30mph. Also, adjust the car in one lane and avoid heavy traffic roads.
In this way, you can move the car without any haste, and it protects the wheels from damage.
Restrict fuel supply to other gadgets
Turn off the electric gadgets and other equipment that runs on fuel.
In this way, you can save extra fuel to cover the empty miles. It protects the gadgets from unwanted damage.
Access the fuel station
Take help from Google Maps and access the nearest fuel station.
Fill the tanks as soon as possible and protect the insulation of the fuel container. Also, the refill saves the drying of your tank, and it can work efficiently.
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