This article was co-authored by Ed Beery and by wikiHow staff writer, Bailey Cho. Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.
There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Running out of gas is a more common problem than you may think, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating to get stranded on the side of the road. Why is your car refusing to cooperate, and how are you supposed to get to your destination now? Don't worry—getting help is easy, even if you aren’t near a gas station. Keep reading to figure out what happens when you run out of gas, and, most importantly, what you can do next.
Things You Should Know
- When your car runs out of gas, you lose control of your braking and steering. Soon after, your vehicle will stall because there isn't enough fuel to power your engine.
- Once there's no gas available, your vehicle will abruptly stop, and the fuel gauge on your dashboard will read empty.
- If you're running out of gas while driving, pull over to the right side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. Verify your location and request help from a roadside assistance service.
Steps
Getting Help
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Find a safe parking spot until you can refill your gas tank. If you're driving on the highway, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. Pull over to the right side of the road and park on the shoulder if possible.[5]
- If your car stalls in the middle of the road, immediately turn on your hazard lights and shift your gear into Neutral. If possible, coast your vehicle to the side of the road then try to restart your engine. Stay in your car if your engine doesn’t start and call the police for help.[6]
- Even if you’re not on the highway, you should still pull over and turn on your hazard lights. Don’t risk trying to drive a little further to reach a gas station–your car may stall in the middle of the road!
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Determine your location to receive help for your vehicle. Use your phone or car’s GPS to quickly identify your location.[7] If you don’t have service, look at road signs or nearby buildings to determine the general area of where you are.
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Request roadside assistance or call your car insurance company. If you have a roadside assistance membership (like AAA Road Service) or a program through your car insurance company, give them a call to request for help. They will bring you enough gas to get you to the nearest gas station or tow your car.[8]
- If you don’t have insurance or a membership, most states have emergency highway response systems that provide assistance for free–find their phone number on your local department of traffic (DOT) website.[9]
- If you don’t have cell service, flag down someone on the road. Ask them to bring you gas or make a phone call for you. Use your best judgment when approaching strangers, and be cautious if someone insists on giving you a free ride!
- Alternatively, have a friend or family member bring you gas or call roadside assistance on your behalf. If all else fails, walk to a nearby gas station and bring gas back to your car.
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Refill your gas tank and restart your car. After refueling, you may have to pump your gas pedal a few times (with the car off) to get the new gas flowing to your engine. 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.[10]
- If your car doesn’t restart on the first attempt, wait a few minutes and try again. After 5 attempts, wait an hour before trying again or contact a towing service to take your car to the auto shop of your choice.[11]
Expert Q&A
Tips
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To prevent car troubles, make sure to have your vehicle inspected at least every 12 months![18]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/bWK67tpo13c?t=197
- ↑ https://youtu.be/bWK67tpo13c?t=186
- ↑ https://youtu.be/bWK67tpo13c?t=192
- ↑ https://driversed.com/trending/what-do-if-you-run-out-gas
- ↑ https://driversed.com/trending/what-do-if-you-run-out-gas
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/what-to-do-when-your-car-stalls
- ↑ https://driversed.com/trending/what-do-if-you-run-out-gas
- ↑ https://driversed.com/trending/what-do-if-you-run-out-gas
- ↑ https://www.txdot.gov/about/programs/highway-roadside-assistance.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/GcmGRl358r8?t=26
- ↑ https://youtu.be/GcmGRl358r8?t=42
- ↑ https://youtu.be/WWDFAPXsk9s?t=167
- ↑ https://youtu.be/WWDFAPXsk9s?t=330
- ↑ https://youtu.be/WWDFAPXsk9s?t=245
- ↑ https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-fuel-pump.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/WWDFAPXsk9s?t=85
- ↑ https://youtu.be/WWDFAPXsk9s?t=104
- ↑ https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/vehicle-inspection/vehicle-inspection-program-overview