Out Of Fuel On The Highway? Don't Panic, Here's What To Do Next
We get it, sometimes we think we can still make it. :p
By Ian Wee — 29 May 2025, 01:07 PM
So, let's say the worst has happened — you underestimated how much further you could go, your car has stopped, and the nearest petrol station is too far away. What now?
With the looming long weekends ahead, it's a good bet that many of us will be going on long drives to other parts of the country.
And while actually running out of fuel isn't something many of us expect would happen, just in case it does, here are some steps to keep in mind.
First things first — don't let this happen in the first place
Always keep an eye on your car's petrol metre, and start looking for an opportunity to refuel when it hits the last two or three bars. It is prudent to do this even before the low-fuel warning light turns on.
Speaking of which, that low-fuel warning ("E") usually appears when you have about 10% of your fuel left. Not a great sign.
And if you're on the highway, this tip is even more critical, as petrol stations can be an hour or more apart, and other cars may not see that you have stopped until it is too late.
But let's say you kept driving, and now your fuel gauge is almost at zero with no petrol pump in sight
Now that's bad, but it's not the end of the world yet.
Most modern cars have a supply of reserve fuel, and can keep going for some distance after the fuel gauge hits zero.
How far your car may go varies from model to model (around 50km is a good bet), but even then it's not guaranteed exactly how far the car may be able to drive on its reserve fuel.
If your gauge is at empty and you recognise that the nearest petrol station is too far away for you to get there, turn on your hazard lights to warn other motorists, pull over safely on the left side of the road, and deploy your warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your car.
Now, it's time to hit "send location"
Assess your location using road signs or your phone's GPS. Once you know where you are, you have a few options for what to do next:
- Call your insurance provider or other roadside assistance services. Services such as Allianz Road Rangers can help tow your car to the nearest petrol station, or to deliver emergency fuel.
- Call friends or family members who can bring fuel to your location.
- Walk to the nearest petrol station to purchase fuel yourself. Only attempt this during daylight hours and if the station is relatively close by. Make sure you have a suitable container to store fuel in; be aware that special permits are required to buy fuel in containers exceeding 20 litres.
If you haven't had your car towed to a petrol station, fill it up from the container and start the engine, then head straight to the nearest station to fuel up completely.
So, the problem has been solved — but please, please, please don't let this happen again next time
Running very low on fuel can cause the fuel pump to overheat and fail, as it relies on the fuel for both cooling and lubrication.
On top of that, sediment can accumulate on the bottom of the fuel tank, causing potential clogging on the filters over time.
Needless to say, all of this can cause further damage and maintenance problems on your car in the long run.
So, keep all this in mind, and make sure your car is always topped up on fuel before hitting the road!
