Although you might tell yourself, "I have enough gas to get home" you may find yourself in an unpredictable traffic jam or situation where your vehicle just might not make it home or to the nearest gas station before it runs out of gas. Everyone should be keeping an eye on their fuel gauge to ensure their tank is no less than 1/4 filled but if you find yourself in the scenario where you run out of gas, below are suggestions on what you should do next.
- Safely pull your vehicle over to the right shoulder and turn on your hazard lights.
- If you have a reflective triangle or other emergency equipment, set those up accordingly.
- If you are on a busy highway, do your best to safely coast the vehicle to the shoulder. DO NOT exit the vehicle. Call the state police or roadside assistance for help.
- Walk to the Closest Gas Station
- If you are in a less remote area, it may be an option for you to walk to the nearest gas station to purchase a container of gas. To find the closest gas station, a simple internet search on your smartphone would be the best method.
- Call for Roadside Assistance
- 24-Hour Service
- If you are a member of a 24-hour roadside emergency assistance program, contact customer service to coordinate roadside assistance.
- Phone a Friend
- If you are not a member of a 24-hour roadside emergency assistance program, contact a friend or family member to take you to the nearest gas station to buy a container of gas or to have them bring you one.
- Call a Tow Truck
- If you do not have any available friends or family in the area or a 24-hour roadside emergency assistance program, contact a local tow truck to take your vehicle to the closest gas station.
*These instructions are suggestions and standard practices for an emergency scenario. Sullivan Tire and Auto Service is not to be held liable or responsible in case of an accident or road emergency.
Keep Your Gas Tank At Least 1/2 Full! Why?
- Your fuel pump uses the gas in the tank as a cooling medium and if you're constantly running the tank below 1/2 or 1/4 full, it's overworking the fuel pump and could potentially result in it overheating from working too hard.
- Traffic! You never know if you're going to end up in an unexpected traffic jam and could potentially be stuck in traffic long enough to run out of gas.
- If you're traveling long distances, you may not know how far away the next gas station is. Don't risk it, fill up!
As an automotive enthusiast with a deep understanding of vehicle maintenance and road safety, I can confidently attest to the importance of proactive measures to avoid running out of gas. My extensive knowledge in this field is grounded in practical experiences, technical insights, and a commitment to promoting safe driving practices.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
-
Monitoring Fuel Levels:
The article emphasizes the significance of regularly checking your fuel gauge to ensure it's no less than 1/4 filled. This preventive measure is crucial to avoid unexpected situations, such as getting stuck in traffic or facing an unforeseen delay that could lead to running out of gas.
-
Emergency Response Protocol:
In the event that you do run out of gas, the article outlines a clear protocol to follow. This includes safely pulling over to the right shoulder, activating hazard lights, and using reflective triangles or emergency equipment if available. The instruction not to exit the vehicle on a busy highway is a safety precaution, directing individuals to contact state police or roadside assistance for help.
-
Alternative Solutions:
The article provides practical solutions for those who find themselves stranded without gas. These include walking to the nearest gas station in less remote areas, calling for roadside assistance if a member of a 24-hour emergency program, phoning a friend or family member for assistance, or resorting to a tow truck if other options are unavailable.
-
Preventive Maintenance:
The importance of keeping the gas tank at least 1/4 filled is reinforced by the article. This practice not only ensures you have enough fuel in case of unexpected delays but also serves to protect the fuel pump. The explanation behind this is that the fuel pump uses gas in the tank as a cooling medium, and running the tank consistently below 1/4 or 1/2 full can overwork the fuel pump, potentially leading to overheating.
-
Reasons to Keep the Tank at Least 1/2 Full:
The article provides two main reasons for maintaining the fuel level above the halfway mark. First, the fuel pump relies on the gas in the tank for cooling, and keeping it adequately filled prevents it from overworking and overheating. Second, the unpredictability of traffic jams and uncertainties about the proximity of the next gas station during long-distance travel are highlighted as compelling reasons to avoid running the tank too low.
In conclusion, the provided article offers comprehensive guidance for handling the scenario of running out of gas and underscores the importance of regular maintenance practices to prevent such emergencies.
FAQs
When you run out of petrol, your car doesn't just stop dead. Before this, your car will likely show signs of fuel starvation, which can include the engine coughing and sputtering, intermittent power surges, and maybe even engine backfires.
What happens when your car runs out of fuel? ›
When you run out of petrol, your car doesn't just stop dead. Before this, your car will likely show signs of fuel starvation, which can include the engine coughing and sputtering, intermittent power surges, and maybe even engine backfires.
What are the three things needed for a car to start? ›
In addition to a spark provided by the battery, and oxygen provided by the air around us, fuel is needed in the engine to get it running.
What happens when your car doesn't have enough gas? ›
When your engine doesn't have enough fuel, it can cause cylinders to misfire. But the biggest risk is if you're traveling at high speeds and RPMs, your car's computer will request a richer air-fuel mixture to prevent damage to the engine. If the fuel pump cannot deliver enough fuel, it can cause an engine knock.
What if my car ran out of gas in traffic? ›
Call for Roadside Assistance
If you are not a member of a 24-hour roadside emergency assistance program, contact a friend or family member to take you to the nearest gas station to buy a container of gas or to have them bring you one.
What happens when you run out of gas car? ›
When you completely run out of gas, your car shuts down as if you took the key out of the ignition while driving. That shutdown poses a serious risk for many reasons. Not only can it cause you to become distracted, but a change this sudden can cause mental panic and dangerous driving.
What to do if I run out of fuel? ›
Switch your hazard lights on straight away and if it's dark or foggy, leave your side lights on too. Take your Warning Triangle and, if it is safe to do so, put it a minimum of 45 metres behind the vehicle to allow oncoming traffic as much time as possible to manoeuvre around you.
Will a car start without gas? ›
In order for your car to start up, in addition to the use of the components creating electricity, the engine needs fuel, spark, and compression. If any of these elements fail, the engine will not be able to engage, thus the vehicle will not start. Fuel – Fuel is needed in order to create an explosion with the spark.
What are the 3 things a car needs to run? ›
Although there are many different designs to an internal combustion engine, there are three crucial components needed to make one run, a fuel to burn, oxygen to support combustion, and an ignition source to start combustion.
What 3 things must you do before starting the engine? ›
Checked that you can safely operate all the main controls of the car (i.e. the steering wheel and each of the foot controls) Checked your mirrors to make sure they are properly adjusted. Fastened your seatbelt and that it is not twisted. Checked the handbrake to see if it is on.
The battery is usually the main reason that your car won't start, and is one of the most common callouts to the AA. There are a few ways your battery might go flat or even die: Something electrical was left on in the car, like the lights, which ran the battery down.
What to do when a car runs out of gas? ›
Turn on your hazard lights and pull over
As soon as you realize you're running out of gas, turn on your hazard lights and get over to the side of the road as safely as possible. Put your car in park and leave the hazard lights on.
What happens when your car runs out of miles? ›
Two scenarios could happen once you max out the mileage on your vehicle. The odometer could reset to zero or it could get stuck at 999,999 miles. To maintain a high-mileage car, you'll need to regularly change its oil, top off and replace fluids, and rotate its tires, among others.
What happens when gas runs out in the world? ›
Economy will come to a halt
When there comes a day when we do not have the power to keep factories going, many industries will shut down. When we have no more fuel to move products around, people will flee from the cities to survive. In the end, national economies would sink into a deep economic depression.
How to start a car that's out of gas? ›
Refill your gas tank and restart your car.
Insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the 'on' position (without starting your engine). Repeat 3-4 times before turning the key all the way to restart the car. If your car doesn't restart on the first attempt, wait a few minutes and try again.
How long can my car go without gas? ›
NAPA says you should be able to count on somewhere between 30 and 50 miles, with most cars having between two to three gallons of fuel left once the warning lights. Experts warn that you shouldn't make a habit of running that close to empty, though.
Why won't my car start after running out of gas? ›
Best Answer. When the tank emptied, the fuel pump picked up air, and the fuel line is now filled with it. You need to prime the fuel pump to get fuel to replace the air which means running the pump for a while. Turn the key to ON and you'll hear the pump for a few seconds until it shuts itself off.
 - Shopify)
