What to Do When Your Car Runs Out of Gas?
2 Answers
One option is to go to a gas station to get fuel. Generally, gas stations will provide a fuel can for you, so you don't need to buy one yourself. You just need to pay a deposit, take a taxi back to your car, fill it up, and then return the can. However, getting fuel from a gas station isn't as easy as it used to be. Due to stricter regulations on refined oil, you now need to obtain a permit from the local police station. Moreover, the success rate isn't very high, so this method isn't very practical. Another method that was commonly used in the past is siphoning fuel from a friend's car. All you need is a fuel can and a rubber tube. Insert the tube into the fuel tank, suck on it to start the flow, and then lower the outlet end to let the fuel drain out. Nowadays, even if you're willing to risk drinking gasoline, you might not be able to insert the tube into the tank because many cars have anti-siphoning designs. So, borrowing fuel isn't a reliable option either. You can also call a 4S shop, an insurance company, or a roadside assistance service to deliver fuel to you. However, these companies charge a service fee, which is usually included in the price of the gasoline. It tends to be expensive, so you don't need to order a full tank—just enough to get you to the nearest gas station. This method is feasible but costly. If your car can't move, you can call a tow truck to take it to a gas station. However, towing fees are usually quite high. Alternatively, you could ask a friend to tow your car, but using a rope (soft towing) requires extra caution as it's not very safe.
I remember once when I was driving to the outskirts for fun, I got so excited that I didn’t notice the fuel gauge was nearly empty. Suddenly, my car stalled halfway on the highway, which gave me a real scare. I immediately pulled over to the emergency lane, turned on the hazard lights, and made sure both myself and the car were safe. My phone still had battery, so I used a fuel app to call for roadside assistance. While waiting for the tow truck, a friend called, and I asked him to bring a fuel can, but in the end, the professional tow service handled it. Since that incident, I’ve developed a habit: always checking the fuel gauge before setting off and filling up the tank before hitting the road. For long trips, I keep a small empty fuel can in the car just in case, which can also be shared with fellow travelers. That experience taught me to plan ahead and not wait until the warning light comes on to panic.
