Running out of fuel or filling up with the wrong fuel happens to more drivers than you might think. The good news is that acting quickly and correctly can prevent expensive engine damage.
If you have run out of fuel
Switch on your hazard lights and coast to a safe place if you can. On a motorway, use the hard shoulder or an Emergency Area and wait behind the barrier. Do not walk along a motorway to find a petrol station.
Diesel cars sometimes need their fuel system priming after running dry, so they may not restart straight away even with fresh fuel. Tell your recovery operator if you drive a diesel.
If you have put in the wrong fuel
- Do not start the engine. If you have not started it, the fuel has not yet reached the engine.
- Do not turn the ignition on in some modern cars, as it can switch on the fuel pump.
- If you notice while driving — misfiring, smoke or loss of power — pull over safely and switch off.
- Push the car to a safe spot if you are on a forecourt, and ask staff for help.
Next steps
A contaminated tank usually needs draining by a specialist. We can recover your vehicle on a flatbed to a garage or fuel-drain service, so it does not need to be driven.
Call MWR Recovery
We are on call 24/7 across Leicester, Leicestershire and the M1, M69 and A46. Call +44 7424 498454 and tell us where you are and what happened.
