With petrol prices continuing to rise at an alarming rate, it may seem more and more tempting to find out how far your car can go on a single tank.
Running out of petrol could prove to be a growing issue in the coming days as the cost of fuel becomes difficult to bear for many households.
MotorHappy has provided a series of tips on what to do if you ever find yourself caught without petrol on the side of the road.
What to do
“Safety is your biggest concern if your vehicle runs out of petrol, especially if you’re driving on a highway,” said Barend Smit, Marketing Director of MotorHappy.
If you suspect you are about to run out of fuel, try to make your way into the lane closest to the emergency lane, and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Cars are equipped with a warning light to indicate when fuel levels are low. While this is not standardized, the light should usually turn on when there is between 10-15% left in the tank.
To preserve what fuel remains, drive with the air conditioning off and maintain a lower speed of around 30-45km/h.
If your car is about to stop, make sure you’re parked safely in the yellow lane and keep your hazards on, said MotorHappy.
Once the car is stopped safely, immediately contact a friend or family member and alert them to your location, and remain vigilant of your surroundings while you wait for assistance.
Petrol vs Diesel
If you drive a petrol vehicle, it is possible to ask someone you know or Roadside Assistance to bring a container with at least five litres of petrol.
You can also contact your insurance provider for assistance, as many insurers provide this service as part of their offerings, according to MotorHappy.
Important to note is that, in the case of diesel cars, the engine may need to be “bled” to remove any air that has infiltrated the fuel system after running it dry and therefore you can’t always fill it up with fuel again.
Furthermore, repeatedly running a car out of fuel – whether it be petrol or diesel – can cause harm to the vehicle’s components.
The pump can be damaged and debris can build up at the bottom of the tank, which could block the fuel lines.
This can be exacerbated by putting more fuel into the car, which will noticeably struggle to start.
“Generally, if the vehicle does not start then the fuel lines and fuel pump will have to be checked by a professional,” said Smit.
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