Discovering that your car is almost out of fuel when you’re nowhere near a gas station is alarming. However, remain calm so that you can take prompt action and find a solution before you require roadside assistance on a busy or isolated street. Here are a few actions to take when your car is about to run out of gas.

4 Steps to Take When Your Car Is Low on Fuel

1. Find the Nearest Station

Pull over in a safe location, such as a parking lot, and find the nearest gas station with your smartphone. This is also a perfect time to take a few deep breaths, calm down, and address the situation rationally. To be safe, look up the contact information for a local towing company that offers roadside assistance and keep that number handy, too.

2. Slow Down

Although the closest gas station may be just a few miles down the road, don’t speed up to get there. You need to obey the law, of course, but you also don’t want to waste fuel in an effort to fill up the tank quickly. Drive slower to maximize efficiency, even during a short journey. If possible, try to coast to a slow crawl instead of braking firmly when approaching a red light. This also reduces fuel consumption.

3. Switch Off the Air Conditioning

It may not be very comfortable if it’s hot outside, but it’s an easy way to preserve the remaining fuel inside the gas tank and avoid having to call for roadside assistance. Turn off the air conditioner to minimize stress on the engine and slow other moving parts, like the fan in the cabin and behind the radiator. The more electricity that courses through the vehicle, the hungrier it is for fuel.  

4. Turn Right When Possible 

If you’re stuck in city traffic, you may have a few different route options available. Try to avoid making left-hand turns if possible, as that could leave you waiting for oncoming traffic to pass before you can make your move. Opt for smoother and quicker right-hand turns whenever you can.

When your vehicle runs out of gas, trust the qualified and professional experts at Cogswell Towing to help you out of a jam. Proudly serving drivers in Russellville, Danville, and Morrilton, AR, the towing company provides roadside assistance, helps with flat tires, and performs emergency towing as needed. You can visit them online to learn more about what they do, or call (479) 968-4665 to speak to a representative.