Have A Vehicle With A Diesel Engine & Ran Out Of Fuel? Call Roadside Assistance
Posted on: 5 April 2022
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Whether the fuel gauge is reading incorrectly, you didn't have time to stop for fuel, or you didn't realize that the fuel tank was so low, roadside assistance can help you when you run out of fuel. Roadside assistance will bring enough fuel to put into your tank so you can drive to the nearest fuel station. Here's what you need to do when calling for roadside assistance to bring you a little fuel.
Tell the Operator If You Have a Diesel Engine
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, only about 3% of cars and 72% of medium and heavy trucks in the United States are powered by diesel. Therefore, if the vehicle you're driving has a diesel engine, you'll want to explicitly ask for diesel fuel when you call roadside assistance for a fuel delivery service. This is particularly true when you're driving a diesel car since they are rather rare on the roadways in the United States. It's crucial to be aware, however, that not all locations have diesel readily available.
If you run out of diesel, the option given to you instead of fuel delivery is to be towed to the nearest fuel station that has diesel available. Be certain that if fuel is delivered that it is diesel, not gasoline or you could end up in a worse situation than just having run out of fuel.
Have the Diesel Engine Vented or Primed
When a car runs out of diesel, the engine sucks air into the fuel injectors, which can result in the engine locking up from having no lubrication from the fuel. Therefore, after diesel has been added to the tank, the fuel lines will need to be vented or bled. This can be messy, but it's important to do it properly so you can get the air out of the lines and engine before starting your car and running the engine.
Depending on the make, model, and year of your car, you may need to have your fuel system primed. This is similar to how you wait for the glow plugs coil light to disappear before starting the engine but will take slightly longer. If you are unsure, it's better to be safe than sorry and ask for assistance. Thankfully, the roadside assistance service can help you with these important tasks, which is another reason to be sure to tell the operator that you have a diesel engine when you call for roadside assistance.