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When the fuel gauge hits “E” and the warning light comes on, many drivers enter a psychological game of chicken with their gas tanks. Conventional wisdom suggests you should fill up immediately (or ideally, well before), but that’s not always possible. The good news, as many drivers know through past experience, is most vehicles can continue running for some distance after reaching this point. However, the exact distance varies significantly based on multiple factors, and pushing your luck too far can lead to costly consequences. So let’s explore how far your car can actually go with an “empty” gas tank. 

Understanding the Fuel Reserve

It’s important to understand that when your fuel gauge shows “E,” you’re not actually hitting the true bottom of your tank. Instead, “E” marks the point at which your main fuel supply has been depleted. Most modern vehicles are designed with a fuel reserve, an extra amount of fuel that remains available after your gauge indicates it’s empty. This reserve typically holds around 10% to 15% of the tank’s total capacity, depending on the vehicle’s make and model. On average, a car’s gas tank holds between 12 and 16 gallons of fuel — but larger models, such as trucks and SUVs, naturally hold more. 

Manufacturers include this buffer for practical reasons. Most obviously, it helps prevent drivers from running completely dry, even once they’ve hit the empty mark. Running out of fuel will not only leave you stranded, it could also incur more serious repercussions such as a collision. In some cases, the reserve also helps to protect the vehicle’s fuel pump, which can rely on fuel for cooling and lubrication (and replacing a fuel pump can cost about $1,000 to $2,000). The reserve can also help with variations in fuel gauge accuracy and fuel movement while driving — fuel gauges are far from exact, but they do tend to err on the conservative side.

Overall, it’s the fuel reserve that primarily explains why some vehicles can travel surprisingly far after the gauge reads “empty,” while others, in comparison, seem to sputter out almost immediately.

Variables That Affect How Far You Can Drive Below “E”

Several key factors determine how far you can drive after hitting “E,” including vehicle type and tank size. Larger vehicles typically have larger fuel reserves. A full-size SUV might have 2 to 3 gallons in reserve, while a compact car might only have 1 to 1.5 gallons.

Then there are factors that affect fuel consumption in general — and when you’re running on empty, these can be even more consequential. For example, highway driving at steady speeds typically yields better fuel economy than stop-and-go city traffic. The same applies to your driving style: Aggressive acceleration, high speeds, and frequent braking reduce fuel efficiency, while gentle acceleration and maintaining steady speeds can extend your remaining range. Numerous additional factors can play a part, including the weight of your car, how well it’s maintained, the use of cruise control, and the presence (or not) of strong headwinds. 

The Real-World Numbers

With all this information in mind, how far can you expect to travel once your gas tank hits empty? Thankfully, there’s plenty of real-world testing and automotive industry data available to answer this question. Tank on Empty, for example, is a crowdsourced database of how far cars can go after the gas warning light comes on. Looking at the data, you can get a sense of what to expect in some of the popular makes and models:

In the United Kingdom, meanwhile, an analysis conducted by Compare the Market found similar results, with drivers having about ​50 miles left in their tank on average once the fuel light came on. Of all the cars analyzed, the Toyota Prius had the best reserve range at around ​99 miles — being a hybrid model, the combination of electric and fuel power meant the engine used less fuel than a traditional gas-powered car. The Range Rover also performed well, with ​​73 miles left in the reserve, ​​which can be explained by the Range Rover having the largest fuel tank capacity — 22.7 gallons — of all the cars analyzed. 

Interestingly, Compare the Market also found that drivers were surprised by how far they could travel after reaching empty. The distances traveled, in general, were about three times above drivers’ expectations. So once your gas tank hits “E,” you may well be shocked by how far you can still go. But real-world performance can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, and it’s never recommended to intentionally test these limits. Your safest option is always to fill up as soon as possible once your fuel gauge says it’s empty — or before!

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Falling in love can feel like a whirlwind, and one that often feels out of your control. “The heart wants what it wants,” the famous Emily Dickinson quote proclaims — but as it turns out, love actually has little to do with the heart. Instead, the soaring feelings we experience have more to do with brain chemistry and our body’s response to the chemicals. While researchers are still working to fully understand the science of attraction, we have a pretty good idea of what happens to our bodies when we fall in love.

Chemical Surges

​​When we first feel attracted to someone, our brain’s primary reward center — known as the ventral tegumental area (or VTA) — begins to activate. It’s here that dopamine is made, one of the key ingredients in the brain chemistry cocktail of love. 

This neurotransmitter is known for creating sensations of pleasure and reward, and as the dopamine bounces around our brain’s limbic system, we get a rush not unlike the feeling of other pleasurable activities, from eating your favorite food to achieving a goal to the electric sensation of a first kiss. It’s an intoxicating reaction that’s also been likened to the way bodies operate in addiction.

Alongside dopamine, another hormone called norepinephrine (or noradrenaline) kicks in. Norepinephrine is primarily known for its role in the body’s “fight or flight” response, but in matters of love, it enables that single-minded focus on the object of our desire — as well as those butterflies in our stomach. 

According to Harvard University, brain scans have shown just how active our brains are when we feel this initial rush of attraction: The VTA and caudate nucleus (another of the brain’s main reward centers) light up like fireworks when people are shown photos of someone they feel drawn to. Interestingly, while dopamine and norepinephrine levels soar, serotonin levels tend to drop when first falling in love. Low serotonin is linked to obsessive thinking, which is believed to be responsible for those early days of infatuation.

Racing Hearts 

The sensations of being in love aren’t limited to the brain, of course; as your mind kicks into subconscious overdrive, it triggers physical reactions that can feel contradictory to the warm fuzzy feelings swirling in your brain. The excitement caused by surges of dopamine and norepinephrine trigger your adrenal glands, which lead to — you guessed it — a flood of adrenaline. 

This can cause racing hearts, flushed cheeks, dilated pupils, and, unfortunately, those nervous, sweaty palms, especially when we’re around the person responsible for putting us in this state in the first place. With all this extra adrenaline, it can be hard for someone in the early phases of love to eat or fall asleep, which can take an unexpected toll on our poor, lovesick selves.

Higher Pain Thresholds

If that first flush of love also has us feeling invincible, there’s a reason: A Stanford University study found that being in love can noticeably heighten our pain tolerance. Participants in the first stages of infatuation looked at various photos while a heated probe was pressed into their hand. Looking at a photo of their love reduced moderate pain by around 40% and severe pain by up to 15% when compared to looking at a photo of an acquaintance. It’s thought that viewing a photo of a romantic love activates our dopamine, which can help regulate pain in a process sometimes referred to as “love-induced analgesia.”

People in love also tend to have stronger immune systems. Research has shown that people in the early stages of a romantic relationship displayed changes in gene expression. Participants who were in the midst of that fierce, early love showed a noticeable boost in the activity of certain immune-related genes, hinting that their bodies might be better equipped to fight off illness. This is likely due to the increased production of dopamine and oxytocin, both of which are important for the functionality of our immune systems.

Bonding Hormones

As relationships progress, the initial dopamine-fueled high fades, and oxytocin takes over. Sometimes known as the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone,” oxytocin is made in the hypothalamus and makes its way to the bloodstream through the brain’s pituitary gland. It’s released during moments of physical closeness and serves to strengthen attachment; it lowers stress and helps facilitate feelings of calm and comfort around a loved one. It’s also released in high amounts during pivotal moments of connection, such as childbirth and breastfeeding.

Vasopressin is another hormone that helps foster deeper bonds when the dopamine dries up. In studies on prairie voles — animals that, like humans, have a tendency toward monogamy — scientists found that vasopressin levels were linked to the strength of the animals’ bonds. In humans, vasopressin is also thought to contribute to the feeling of wanting to protect and provide for one’s partner.

The Pain of Heartbreak

Just as falling in love can do a number on your mind and body, so can the end of a passionate romance. The pain of losing love can cause stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome.” Part of the heart — usually the left ventricle — temporarily swells and weakens, preventing the heart from functioning properly. It can be triggered by intense emotional stress, and the symptoms, including chest pain and shortness of breath, often mimic a heart attack.

While love is, at its core, a feeling that most likely evolved to support reproduction, it has long evolved far beyond that to become the lynchpin of the deep social connections that make us human. Even when it feels abstract or confusing or out of control, love is fundamentally a biochemical process — a simple scientific fact that can help us feel grounded when in the throes of romance.

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When we’re younger, time tends to feel as if it drags on forever. Think of those long, lazy summers that seemed never-ending, or how it could feel like an eternity watching the clock tick away and waiting for the final school bell to finally ring. But as we grow older, many of us feel like time is moving more quickly. This curious phenomenon has nothing to do with any change in the measurement of time, of course; a minute today is the same length it was 50 years ago. According to some scientific theories, this sensation actually has to do with how our brains process the experiences around us, which changes as we age, leading to a feeling of increasing rapidity. Let’s take a look at some potential explanations for this odd yet seemingly universal experience.

Experiments Have Revealed How We Perceive Time Differently

In the 1960s, psychologist Robert Ornstein conducted a series of experiments leading up to the publication of his 1969 work On the Experience of Time. Two tests were particularly notable: In the first experiment, Ornstein showed subjects two diagrams — one with a complicated design and another featuring a comparatively simple pattern. Subjects were presented with each image for an identical period of time, but when asked which one had appeared for longer, test subjects chose the more complex diagram.

Ornstein also conducted a second experiment with audio files featuring clicking sounds and basic household noises. Some of the recordings were more intricate, containing more clicks produced at a quicker frequency. When Ornstein asked his subjects to tell him which audio file was longer, they chose the more complex one with the greater number of sounds.

Ornstein concluded that across the board, people’s perception of time appeared to slow down when they were presented with greater amounts of new and complex information. He posited that our brains require extra time to process unfamiliar experiences, resulting in a feeling of time essentially moving in slow-motion. 

Childhood vs. Adulthood

So what do Ornstein’s experiments have to do with time slowing down as we age? Well, when we’re young, our days are filled with first-time experiences rife with complex and often novel information that our brains work hard to process. There are countless new lessons to learn, new locations to explore, and new sensations to feel. In the context of Ornstein’s experiments, these are akin to seeing the more complex diagrams or hearing those more detailed audio files. 

When we’re younger, it takes time for our brains to take in and process all the sights and sounds we’ve never experienced before. This overwhelming flood of knowledge may contribute to the sensation of time moving more slowly. As we grow older, however, we often find ourselves falling into familiar routines. Days, weeks, or even months can pass in which our lives remain largely unchanged. Our brains aren’t working as hard on a daily basis to process and analyze new experiences, so time can feel to be moving faster. 

This is all subjective, of course, as some older people may actively seek out stimulating activities that keep the brain active and therefore help “slow things down.” But generally speaking, time tends to blend together more and more as we age, when it isn’t broken up by fresh, original experiences as frequently as in our younger years.

How Our Brains Change as We Age

Even if you make a concerted effort to seek out challenging new experiences as you age, your perception of time will likely still be affected by the inevitable changes to your body and brain. Older folks often experience time more rapidly due to physical changes in the neural receptors, which become larger and more complex as we mature. These changes mean it takes longer for signals to traverse the nervous system and reach the brain, so our bodies are unable to process details as efficiently as in our younger days. 

As Psychology Today explains, younger people are physically capable of processing more mental images than their older counterparts, whose brains function less efficiently as they age. Let’s say there’s a 15-year-old and a 65-year-old who are both witness to the same experience over the course of one hour. When looking back, the teenager will likely recount more vivid memories than the adult, given the capabilities of their brain. The teen may feel as if they’re recounting those events in slow motion, considering all of the details they can recall.

The adult, on the other hand, may remember fewer details, and so it may seem like that time flew by. In other words, younger people recall past memories as if they were watching slow-motion footage, which allows them to look at every minor detail. But for older folks, certain details may be missed entirely as the footage flies by.

Another possible explanation for time appearing to speed up is a concept called proportional theory. Essentially, this theory suggests that the way we perceive time is related to the amount of time we’ve already experienced. Younger people have been alive for less time, so each new experience seems more substantial in comparison.

No Singular Answer

There’s still a great deal of uncertainty as to exactly how the human brain functions, and, in turn, why time seems to speed up as we get older. But researchers who have studied this topic generally agree that new and unfamiliar situations can make time seem to slow down. If you’ve begun to feel like the minutes are flying by, try exposing yourself to something new, such as a trip to somewhere you’ve never visited, learning a new language, or even stopping into local restaurants where you’ve never eaten. These may help you “slow down” and allow you to soak up each moment like you did when you were younger, when the world was a less familiar place.

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Looking for a gift to spark curiosity in just about anyone? This guide has your gifting needs covered, from solar-powered robots to tasty chemistry kits to gardening projects perfect for keeping those green thumbs busy. These science kits and crafts combine fun and learning, making it easy to dive into activities that excite, engage, and inspire. From hands-on experiments that entertain to educational gifts that expand the mind, this list has something for everyone — kids, teens, and adults alike.

The Science of Tea

The perfect gift for tea lovers, this tea blending kit lets users experiment with three different types of tea while learning about oxidization and pH testing. Users can enjoy flavors such as Darling Darjeeling and Moroccan Mint as they follow a detailed workbook and record their findings in the included mini notebook. With three teas and a tasting kit, this cozy chemistry set is perfect for anyone who’s interested in culinary science and enjoys a good cuppa.

Uncommon Goods for $40

Wind Power Turbine Kit

This wind power turbine kit that allows users to explore the wonders of wind energy by assembling a realistic wind turbine with adjustable blades and an electric generator. Through five engaging experiments, users can learn how to optimize turbine performance and use stored energy to power a small electric car. The kit includes a manual that explains different types of wind turbines and windmills and the technology behind them, making it an excellent gift for anyone interested in sustainable energy.

Amazon for $42.67

Spiral Marble Run

Teens and adults can get a unique hands-on physics lesson with this challenging 3D wooden model puzzle that doubles as eye-catching home décor. Once assembled, the 558 eco-friendly plywood parts create a perpetual motion marble run, seamlessly blending engineering and puzzle-solving. Providing hours of building fun, this kit is ideal for puzzle fans and anyone curious about mechanical physics.

Amazon for $89.90

Window Garden

Perfect for little hands and engaging for the whole family, this cute window garden encourages little ones — or anyone! — to learn about plant science. These suction-cup planters allow users to grow their own green beans and squash right on their window, watching the plants sprout leaves and roots before eventually using their harvest in the kitchen. This educational introduction to plant biology is the perfect hands-on gardening project for curious budding botanists.

KiwiCo for $16.95

Edible Chemistry Kit

Introduce curious chemists to an exciting and tasty variety of chemical reactions with this edible chemistry kit. Featuring easy-to-follow instructions for 16 experiments, users can explore the wonders of creating color-changing jelly, fizzy drinks, polymer pudding, and more. This delicious kit combines kitchen science with food-based experiments, making it the perfect gift for aspiring chemists and foodies alike.

Fat Brain Toys for $20

Crime Scene Investigation Kit

Move over, Nancy Drew: Mystery fans can try their hand at crime scene investigation with this hands-on introduction to forensic science. With a detailed experiment manual and case file, aspiring detectives can carry out a variety of lab experiments, including fingerprinting, to gather all the evidence they need and solve the case of the stolen diamonds.

Home Science Tools for $84.95

NASA Lunar Telescope

When was the last time you really looked at the stars? This gift offers a hands-on introduction to the wonders of the moon and the night sky. This sturdy, beginner-friendly telescope is equipped with optical glass, a finder scope, and a tabletop tripod. It’s perfect for backyard stargazing — and light enough to take with you on your next vacation.

Amazon for $44.95

Science Lovers Mystery Box Subscription

For the ever-curious science-loving adult in your life — or maybe it’s you? — this subscription box is the gift that keeps giving, month after month. From botanical specimens and prehistoric fossils to geological samples and lunar dust, each box is  filled with mind-expanding surprises alongside research cards that encourage deeper exploration.

Uncommon Goods for $135 (3 months) or $255 (6 months)

Volcano Island Crystal Growing Kit

Dive into the magic of crystal formation with two fun kits in one. This kit allows young scientists to explore chemical reactions as a paper volcano and coral pieces absorb a special solution and slowly grow crystals through efflorescence. Kids can watch their crystals develop in real time, transforming their mini island into a colorful, sparkling landscape, making this the perfect introduction to basic chemistry concepts for kids ages 6 and up.

Uncommon Goods for $25.00

Solar-Powered Robot Kit

Kids can learn about renewable energy with this solar-powered robot kit, designed for ages 6 and up. It includes a solar panel to power eight different robot creations, from a drummer bot to an insect bot. The included manual provides insights into solar technology, helping children understand the real-world applications of this remarkable renewable energy. This eco-friendly and educational project is ideal for any budding engineers or future environmentalists!

Sharper Image for $79.99