What to Do When Your Car Runs Out of Gas Midway?
4 Answers
First and foremost, pull your car over to the side of the road. Never leave it in the middle of the road as it obstructs other vehicles and poses significant danger. Always remember to park your car safely on the roadside. Here are the detailed steps: Find spare gasoline: Check your car's trunk to see if there is any spare gasoline stored. If available, you can add it to your car. Alternatively, push the car to a nearby gas station or ask passing vehicles (preferably large trucks, as many cars cannot siphon fuel from their tanks) to purchase some fuel. Add water: Adding water to the fuel tank may allow you to drive a short distance (this method can damage your car and should only be used as a last resort). Alternatively, call for emergency roadside assistance services.
I was driving long-distance on the highway when I ran out of gas and the car suddenly stalled—it was really dangerous. I immediately slowed down and pulled over to the far-right emergency lane, turned on the hazard lights, and got out to place a warning triangle about 50 meters behind the car. Then I quickly called the roadside assistance service provided by my insurance company. They asked for my location and sent a tow truck, which took nearly 40 minutes to arrive, bringing some emergency fuel. During that time, I stayed inside the car to avoid getting hit. Later, I realized why it happened: the fuel gauge was already low before I set off, but I kept driving anyway. It was a hard lesson—now I make it a habit to refuel when the tank is down to a quarter, never relying on the low-fuel warning light. For long trips, it’s best to use a navigation app to check gas stations along the route and carry a power bank to keep your phone charged.
Once, my car suddenly ran out of gas and stopped on a suburban road. I immediately pulled over to a safe spot, locked the doors, and turned on the hazard lights. After checking and confirming it wasn’t any other issue but simply out of fuel, I called a friend for help who lived nearby and came with a gas can to assist. During the wait, I stayed calm inside the car, avoiding unnecessary risks by not wandering around. Looking back, I realize I had been too lazy to monitor the fuel gauge. Now, I make it a habit to check the fuel level before every drive and refill when it drops to one-third, never waiting until the last moment. Keeping an emergency kit in the car with items like a flashlight and water is also a good idea. Since adopting these habits, I’ve significantly reduced such panic moments.
When I ran out of gas on the highway right after starting to drive, I panicked and immediately pulled over, turned on the hazard lights, and placed the warning triangle. With my phone almost dead, I quickly called roadside assistance, reported my location, and waited for help. They came and added some fuel so I could drive to the nearest gas station. That experience taught me the importance of monitoring the fuel gauge and not waiting for the warning light to come on. Now, I check my fuel tank every week and make sure it's at least half full before heading out to avoid such foolish incidents.
