What to Do when Your Car Runs Out of Gas

One minute you’re cruising along in your car, singing to the CD in your car stereo. The next minute, your car starts chugging and refuses to accelerate. Your lights dim, and your car rolls to a stop. You never thought it could happen to you, but it just did. You’ve run out of gas. What are you supposed to do now?

Push to Safety

The first step is to get your car off the road. If your low fuel light came on before you rolled to a stop, or if you recognized the warning signs and felt your car running out of gas, you might have had time to react and pull off to the shoulder or turn down a side street. If you had no clue and you’re marooned in traffic, it’s time to start pushing. You cannot leave your car in the road, because it will cause a potential safety hazard to other motorists.

To push your car off the road, put on your hazard lights and shift your car into neutral. When you feel it is safe to do so (i.e. when there are no oncoming cars), step out of your vehicle on the driver’s side and leave your door ajar. With your left arm on the doorframe, heave mightily to propel your car forward. Keep your right hand on the steering wheel and be prepared to guide your car as it rolls. If you have run out of gas on a city road with no shoulder, turn your car onto a side street with minimal traffic. Accept help from passengers or motorists if someone offers to push. They should stand behind your vehicle and push while you steer. Once your car has been pushed to safety, leave your hazards on if you heave ended up on a shoulder or are parked illegally on a side street. This will signal to motorists not to hit your car. Your hazard lights will also signal to law enforcement that you either plan to return quickly and they should not tow your car, or that you need help if you remain in your vehicle.

If You Have a Cell Phone…