Running out of gas alongside a busy highway is probably one of the worst feelings a driver can have. It is terrifying, embarrassing, and depending on your location, it can be a major problem. Plymouth Rock Assurance wants to make sure you know what to do if your car runs out of gas.
Most important, if your car runs out of gas do not try and coast to the nearest station
It is very dangerous to operate an automobile without gasoline because of the difficulty to control the vehicle. The best plan is to pull the vehicle to a safe area while you still have complete control and turn on your hazard lights.
Your best weapon, should you run out of gas, is your mobile phone. Calling a trusted roadside service or a towing company you are familiar with is your best choice. You could call a friend but only if you have pulled over to an area that is safe for them to meet you, like a parking lot or rest area.
If you are on the highway and are forced to pull to the side of the road, make sure you move as far to the right as possible and turn on your hazard lights. If you get out of your vehicle to set up road flares, try to exit on the passenger side and be extremely cautious of the traffic.
If you do not have a mobile phone or are unable to call for help and must walk to the nearest telephone or gas station, exercise extreme caution. Wear bright clothing if possible, and carry a flashlight if you are forced to walk at night.
Once your car is refueled, check your owner’s manual before restarting the car. Some newer cars have a “reset” button on the fuel injection system that must be pushed before starting if the car is completely out of gas.
Of course, your best bet is to always check how much gas is in your tank in advance of hitting the road and fill it up before it dips below a quarter tank.
