It happens to the best of us — a gauge that lies, a longer journey than planned, and suddenly the engine splutters to a halt. Here’s how to get moving again.
First, get to safety
Coast off the carriageway if you can, hazards on, and get well clear of traffic — especially on a motorway or fast road. Then weigh up your options.
Your options
- A can of fuel — if you can safely reach a nearby station, a few litres may be enough to get you going.
- Recovery to a station — if you’re stranded somewhere awkward or unsafe, it’s quicker and safer to get recovered than to walk a busy road with a fuel can.
A note on diesels
Running a diesel completely dry can draw air into the fuel system, and some need priming or bleeding before they’ll restart — it’s not always as simple as splashing in a few litres. If it won’t fire back up, don’t keep cranking; get it looked at.
Run dry and stuck somewhere unsafe? Call 07301 118118 — 24/7, nationwide.