Re: Tell me your empty tank stories!
Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 1:31 pm
Happened three times to me (so far...), twice in my Camaro, once in my Sebring.
The Camaro had an inaccurate gauge, so the first time was a day or so after I bought it. Walked a block to the gas station, bought my first gas can. Second time was a few years later, forgot to grab gas and was hoping I'd make it to town (was in the farmland area of Waukesha on a backroad). Luckily my girlfriend's friend came along and I hitched a ride to get some gas. I had to use the starter to get the car back on level ground as I was leaning probably 30-35 degrees into a ditch on the passenger side and the pump was sucking air even after dumping in a gallon. Thank goodness that the damaged ignition switch allowed me to start it in gear - it was an automatic!
Third time was because the Sebring's gauge had gone out, so I was running off the odometer. I forgot to get gas and hit I-94 going to Waukesha. Passed the Hwy 100 exit and as soon as I hit the incline up to the Moorland road exit I lost power. I made it off the exit but was coasting. Since Moorland doesn't have a shoulder, I pulled off into an access road for a golf club and had to hike it to a station probably a 1/2 mile down the road. This time, tho, I had my wife and kids with me, so I was more embarrassed.
Now I make sure, even if I have to buy a gallon of expensive gas to make it to the station with a cheaper price. Also, both my wife & I have gas cans in our vehicles. She has actually stopped to assist people that have run out of gas and they had to use her gas can.
I have had close calls where I felt the loss of power and coasted into stations, but now I try and keep my tank closer to half if not full.
-Andrew
The Camaro had an inaccurate gauge, so the first time was a day or so after I bought it. Walked a block to the gas station, bought my first gas can. Second time was a few years later, forgot to grab gas and was hoping I'd make it to town (was in the farmland area of Waukesha on a backroad). Luckily my girlfriend's friend came along and I hitched a ride to get some gas. I had to use the starter to get the car back on level ground as I was leaning probably 30-35 degrees into a ditch on the passenger side and the pump was sucking air even after dumping in a gallon. Thank goodness that the damaged ignition switch allowed me to start it in gear - it was an automatic!
Third time was because the Sebring's gauge had gone out, so I was running off the odometer. I forgot to get gas and hit I-94 going to Waukesha. Passed the Hwy 100 exit and as soon as I hit the incline up to the Moorland road exit I lost power. I made it off the exit but was coasting. Since Moorland doesn't have a shoulder, I pulled off into an access road for a golf club and had to hike it to a station probably a 1/2 mile down the road. This time, tho, I had my wife and kids with me, so I was more embarrassed.
Now I make sure, even if I have to buy a gallon of expensive gas to make it to the station with a cheaper price. Also, both my wife & I have gas cans in our vehicles. She has actually stopped to assist people that have run out of gas and they had to use her gas can.
I have had close calls where I felt the loss of power and coasted into stations, but now I try and keep my tank closer to half if not full.
-Andrew
