What 6 Things Should You Do Before Your Gas Runs Out?
6 Things to do Before Running Out of Gas in Your Car
Running out of gas in your car is annoying, but most of us have faced the situation at one time or the other. While many people prefer having their tank full all the time, others have a habit of running their vehicle past the empty line of the fuel gauge. If you are one of them, you always run the risk of ending up on the side of the road.
So, what you must do when you realise that your car is going to run out of gas? First of all, don’t panic! From the time your fuel light turns on, you still have gas worth taking you 20-40 more miles. However, that depends on your car’s condition, mileage, and load you are carrying. So, before your car runs completely out of gas, here are six things you must immediately do before moving forward.
1. Figure Out Your Exact Situation
Pullover to the roadside, check your papers, and see if your car has roadside assistance. If it has, what does it cover? If you need, call their service and save yourself from a great deal of aggravation and frustration. If not or if you still have time, take out your smartphone and use the GPS to locate your nearest gas station. Your plan A should be to reach there before you run out of gas, even if that requires you to go in a different direction.
2. Decrease Your Car’s Speed
According to the experts, a car consumes the least amount of gas when you run it at an optimal speed of 35-45 mph. However, if you are on an interstate or highway, you will be required to abide by the traffic laws. While your car is already short on gas, you will try to speed up and reach the gas station quickly. But remember, the faster you run, the quicker your gas will burn out. So, keep your car’s speed within the prescribed limit to get the most out of the remaining gas.
3. Switch Off the Air Conditioner
The air conditioner puts an additional load on the car's engine that causes the car to consume more gas. So, while your car is running out of gas, turning off the AC can make a huge difference. It will reduce that load and use that energy to propel the vehicle to the maximum distance possible.
4. Roll Up the Windows
After turning off the air conditioner, roll up the windows too to reduce drag and wind resistance. When your car’s windows are down, the car interior gets filled with wind, due to which it becomes harder for the engine to move the vehicle forward. As a result, the engine uses more fuel to move the vehicle in the opposite direction of the wind. Bear for a few minutes with the AC off and windows up. If your car runs out of fuel, you will be stuck in a much more difficult situation.
5. Turn Off All the Accessories
All the accessories you run in your car consume fuel, including your stereo, phone chargers, lights, screens, etc. While your car is running out of fuel, every single saving makes a difference to reach the nearest gas station. So, turn them off, as the fuel you save from them can take you to the gas station.
6. Coast with the Land’s Level
Coasting means that if you are going downhill, shift the car’s gear into neutral and let the car move forward with the land’s level without consuming much gas. Don’t turn off the power, as it may make your car difficult to control. Keep the gear in neutral, as the car will still have power and you will have control over the steering wheel to maneuver the car.
So, follow these six steps that can help you reach the nearest gas station before you run out of fuel. But from the next time, stop living on the edge. Make it a habit to refill the gas whenever your fuel gauge reaches the halfway mark. Keep your tires inflated properly and avoid excessive acceleration. Remember, the more cargo and passengers you are carrying in your vehicle, the more difficult it would become to reach the gas station on low gas.