Toyota of N Charlotte's tips for when you run out of gas

As a car owner, you've got a lot to keep track of. You have to stay on top of car detailings, keep a service schedule, handle repairs in a timely manner, keep your ride gassed up, find and keep the right car insurance, pay your monthly payment... it's a lot, and from time to time things can slip through the cracks. While forgetting to schedule routine car care is a common issue we see at Toyota of Clermont, another one that's high up there on the list is running out of gas. As easy as it seems to keep your car fueled up, it's just as easy to forget, to overestimate the amount of fuel you have left, or to have a broken gas gauge that's giving you an inaccurate reading. Our Clermont Toyota service center is here to help! 

Signs you're about to run out of gas

First of all, you should be able to recognize the signs that your car is running out of gas. They include: 

• Jerking motions - your car may jerk forward in sudden bursts of acceleration for no reason
• Sputtering noises coming from the engine 
• Backfire noises coming from the tailpipe 
• A loss of power - if you press the accelerator you get no result 

What to do if you run out of gas

If you notice any of these signs, you're about to be in a stressful and potentially unsafe situation. So what should you do when your car runs out of gas? 

#1: Pull over to a safe spot. Find a safe spot to get off the road and out of the way of traffic. Look for a flat spot that's free of sand and mud (so you don't get stuck) and well-lit (if you're driving at night). Also, make sure there's enough space for you to get a solid distance away from traffic. Once you've parked your car, turn your hazard lights on and pull your parking brake. 

#2: Decide who to call. Who will you call for assistance? You've got lots of options, including: 

• Services like AAA and Mach1 that offer roadside assistance and fuel delivery when you run out of gas 
• Friends and family who can deliver gas to you in a can or drive you to a gas station to purchase one and fill it 

Or you can have your vehicle towed to the nearest gas station if need be. Word to the wise - check your car insurance policy as they sometimes have provisions for roadside emergencies! 

#3: Determine exactly where you're stopped. You have to know where you are if you're going to request that someone help you. If you're calling friends or family, you can simply share your location with them on your phone so they know exactly where you've stopped. If you can't share locations, take note of things like cross streets, addresses on businesses, and highway exits and mile markers. 

And as a last resort, you can hoof it. If you have a gas can or know there's a gas station nearby where you can buy one, you can always head out on foot to retrieve the gas yourself. Just be careful, especially if you're walking at night or on the side of the highway. Use sidewalks whenever you can and if you can't, stay as far from the side of the road as you can. 

Want help keeping your car in the best shape possible and get the best fuel efficiency possible? Call the service center at Toyota of Clermont today. We're open seven days a week at (352) 404-7001 and we're conveniently located just off the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50.