What to Do If Your Car Runs Out of Gas at a Traffic Light?
4 Answers
If your vehicle stalls due to running out of gas, it's best to pull over to the side of the road, turn on the hazard lights, and place a triangular warning sign 150 meters behind the vehicle. You can call your insurance company, as they often offer roadside assistance services for a fee. Alternatively, you can dial the highway emergency number. When your car is almost out of gas and you haven't found a gas station yet, you should try to conserve fuel by turning off all electronic devices in the vehicle. It's advisable to roll up the windows, slightly increase your speed, and search slowly. At this time, using navigation to avoid unnecessary detours is highly recommended.
I've encountered this situation before, and so have my friends. If your car suddenly stalls at a red light, don't panic. The first thing to do is turn on your hazard lights to warn vehicles behind you—this is more important than anything else. Remember to shift the gear to neutral (N), allowing the car to coast to the roadside using inertia. If you're just a few hundred meters away from a gas station, you can try pushing the car to a safe spot by the roadside. Nowadays, most insurance companies offer free fuel delivery services, so calling them immediately is much faster than calling a tow truck. A word of caution: never buy gasoline in a plastic container yourself, as static electricity can easily cause a fire, which is extremely dangerous. Develop a habit of refueling when the fuel gauge shows a quarter tank remaining. Modern cars rely on gasoline to cool the fuel pump, and driving with low fuel levels for extended periods can easily burn out the fuel pump.
Last week, Old Wang in our neighborhood encountered this situation. Seeing the traffic light about to turn red, he gently pressed the accelerator to coast and stop, avoiding being stuck in the middle of the road. After coming to a complete stop, he immediately turned on the hazard lights, placed a warning triangle in a visible position on the rear window, and at night, he also had to wear a reflective vest. Nowadays, gas station apps like DiDi Fuel can help locate nearby gas stations. Calling them to deliver fuel in portable containers (must use specialized metal cans) is faster than waiting for roadside assistance. Here’s another practical tip: Many new German cars have a hidden reserve fuel mode. Holding down the ECO button on the center console can activate the last few kilometers of emergency range. Of course, the most fundamental solution is to break the bad habit of waiting until the fuel light comes on before refueling.
New drivers fear encountering this situation the most. Forget about the traffic lights and prioritize safety first. If you confirm the brakes still work, slowly pull over. After turning on the hazard lights, never sit in the car waiting for help—some drivers have been rear-ended this way. When calling a friend to bring fuel, remember to bring a funnel. Many American cars now have anti-siphon spring flaps in the fuel tank opening, and pouring fuel directly will splash everywhere. If you're in a hurry, search for the nearest auto repair shop on your phone's map—usually, there are motorcycle fuel delivery services within 3 km for a small fee of around 30 yuan. It's advisable to always keep half a bottle of fuel additive in the car for emergencies, as it can at least help you drive 2 km to find a gas station.
