What to Do if You Run Out of Gas in the Middle of Nowhere
Before you embark on a long road trip, you need to ensure that your vehicle is in its best condition. This will reduce your chances of encountering road mishaps that can be avoided. However, there are instances wherein no matter how much you prepare for the trip, you still find yourself stuck in a roadblock such as running out of gas. This article lists down some of the things that you can do when your tank is emptied in the middle of nowhere.
Ensure Your Safety
One of the first things that you should do when you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere is to ensure your safety. In case your engine begins to sputter, you should pull over to the shoulder of the road. To make sure that passing vehicles notice you and reduce the likelihood of an accident, make sure to turn on your hazard lights and check for any vehicles before you get out of your car.
You should also set up your early warning device within ten to fifteen feet behind your car facing the traffic. There is also the option for you to open the hood of your vehicle because this will give other motorists on the road the idea that you are having some problems.
Determine Your Location
As soon as you are sure that you are safe, the next thing that you need to do is to exert the extra effort to determine your location. In case you have a smartphone with ample battery and signal, leverage the GPS feature to pin your location on the map. However, if your phone is running low on battery, you should conserve it to make the necessary phone calls as soon as you figure out where you are.
Rest assured that you will still have a good idea of your whereabouts by referring to nearby highway markers or your handy road map if you have one. You can also try to remember the most recent exit sign that you have passed or even the billboards, businesses, or other geographic markers that you have seen. All these will help you determine your location, allowing you to get the help that you need immediately.
Call for Help
As soon as you are safe and you have an idea of your exact location, the next thing that you need to do is to call for help. To ensure that you will be able to make the phone calls necessary, you can close some of the apps on your phone to save battery and extend its lifespan. Apart from battery life though, you also need to ensure that your phone has a signal for you to get through.
There is the option for you to call emergency roadside assistance services. If you don’t have an idea of what number to call, you can refer to your vehicle’s insurance card. There is a great chance that it includes the details of the emergency numbers that you can call should you encounter any mishap on the road. When all else fails, you can also get in touch with a towing company or call 411 to find the nearest tow truck service. You can also call your nearby family or friends who are available to give you a ride.
Locate Nearest Gas Stations
If your smartphone has a signal and battery, you can use it to locate the nearest gas station or know their contact number. If there is a gas station within a walking distance to where you are, then prepare to walk towards the station to get some help. You can even book a ride-sharing app to get to the nearest one that you find. Otherwise, you can call the gas station too as soon as you get a hold of their contact number. In case your phone is out of battery or there is no signal, try to remember the last gas station that you passed and assess whether it is somewhere close by that you can reach by foot.
When you run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, the first thing that you need to do is to ensure your safety and determine your location by all means. From there, call for help and provide the details about your whereabouts. While waiting for help to arrive, you can also attempt to locate the nearest gas stations within your vicinity. The key is to stay calm for you to be able to think clearly when you experience this unfortunate and stressful situation.