What You Should Do if You Run Out of Gas
Photo: The News Wheel
Even with all the technology and reminders in place to help prevent it from happening, there’s still a chance that you’ll wind up running out of gas on the side of the road. An empty gas tank will stop your road trip dead in its tracks. If you’re driving and run out of gas, this is what you should do.
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If you run out of gas, these should be your next steps
Safely position the car
When your car’s out of gas, all the systems — including the engine — will begin shutting down. Put on your hazard lights and carefully pull over to the side of the road. If you anticipate running out of fuel soon, park at a rest stop or parking lot before that last drop is consumed. You don’t want to be stuck on a busy road having to push the car out of the way.
Conserve your phone’s battery
Now that your car won’t run, you’ll be relying on your cellphone for help. Put the phone on power-saving mode, close out all non-essential apps, and turn of Wi-Fi so the battery doesn’t drain by searching. If you’re lucky enough to have access to an outlet or a mobile phone charger, put it to use and keep your phone from running out of power, too.
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Contact help
You have multiple options available to you for assistance depending on where you are, who you know, and how much you’re willing to pay.
If you know someone in the area, you can reach out to them to see if they can bring you a can of gas so you can make it to the nearest gas station. If you’re in an unfamiliar area, you can use emergency services like AAA (if you’re a member) or apps like Honk or Urgent.ly to ask for roadside assistance.
If all else fails
If you’re in an area where there’s no phone reception, or your phone has died, your options are very limited.
Stay with your car and don’t try to hitchhike or walk. It’s dangerous to be out on your own on the side of the road without knowing where you’re going or how far you have to trek. It’s also dangerous to accept a ride from a stranger.
If someone does pull over to help you, have them call 911 and an officer will be dispatched to help you.
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.