Running out of fuel is more common than most drivers admit — and it can happen to anyone. Whether you've misjudged the range on a long journey, the fuel gauge stuck without warning, or you simply forgot to fill up, the result is the same: your car stops moving and you're stuck. Here's exactly what to do if you run out of petrol or diesel in Coventry, and how our emergency fuel delivery service gets you back on the road fast.
Step 1 — Get Safe Immediately
When your car runs out of fuel, you'll notice the engine losing power before it cuts out entirely. You typically have a few seconds of momentum. Use them:
- 1Signal and steer to safety. Aim for a lay-by, side road, car park, or the left-hand lane hard shoulder. Don't stop in a live lane of traffic.
- 2Switch on your hazard lights immediately, even before you've fully stopped.
- 3Put the car in neutral if you're still rolling and need to coast further to a safer spot.
- 4Apply the handbrake once stopped on level ground. On a slope, use a gear as well.
- 5Do not attempt to push the car on a busy road. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened, or exit away from traffic to a safe position.
Motorway: If you run out of fuel on the M6 or M69 near Coventry, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and hazard lights running. Use the SOS phone or call 07514 699169. Do not stand on the hard shoulder. We attend motorway fuel emergencies 24/7.
Can You Walk to a Petrol Station?
In Coventry city centre, a petrol station may only be a short walk away. But carrying fuel in an unsuitable container is illegal — you can only legally carry petrol or diesel in an approved metal or plastic jerry can with a maximum capacity of 10 litres. Most people don't have one in the boot. If you're on a dual carriageway, a fast A-road, or the motorway, walking is dangerous regardless.
In most cases, calling for emergency fuel delivery is faster, safer, and cheaper than the alternatives.
How Our Fuel Delivery Service Works
1. Call Us
Call 07514 699169. Tell us your location and fuel type. We give you a fixed price and ETA instantly.
2. We Dispatch
We head straight to you. Average arrival time in Coventry is 15–30 minutes, day or night.
3. Fuel Delivered
We deliver enough fuel to get you moving safely — typically 5–10 litres to reach the nearest station.
4. Back on the Road
You're moving again in minutes. No tow, no garage, no lengthy wait.
We deliver unleaded petrol (E10) and diesel to any location across Coventry and within a 20-mile radius. If you're not sure which fuel your car takes, check inside the fuel filler flap, your handbook, or call us — we'd rather you check than put in the wrong type.
Wrong Fuel — The Most Expensive Mistake
Misfuelling — putting petrol into a diesel car or diesel into a petrol car — is surprisingly common, with around 150,000 cases reported in the UK every year. Diesel into petrol is less damaging, but petrol into diesel can destroy your fuel pump, injectors and engine within minutes of starting.
What To Do If You've Put in the Wrong Fuel
- Do not start the engine if you realise before turning the key — this is the most important step
- If you've already started the engine, turn it off immediately and do not restart it
- Put the car in neutral and push it clear of other vehicles if possible
- Leave the keys out of the ignition and call 07514 699169
Wrong fuel drain: We can arrange a full fuel system drain and flush to remove the contaminated fuel. The cost of a drain is a fraction of the cost of a new fuel pump or injectors. Act fast — the longer contaminated fuel sits in the system, the more damage it can do.
Petrol into Diesel vs Diesel into Petrol
- Petrol into diesel: High risk. Petrol removes lubrication from the diesel fuel pump. Starting the engine even briefly can cause pump failure (£1,000–£3,000 to replace). Stop immediately.
- Diesel into petrol: Lower risk but still a problem. Diesel clogs petrol injectors and can cause misfires and engine smoke. Don't drive it — get it drained.
- AdBlue into diesel: Highly corrosive. Do not start the engine under any circumstances — AdBlue can crystallise and cause severe damage to the fuel system within minutes.
How to Avoid Running Out of Fuel
It sounds obvious, but the warning signs are often ignored or missed. A few habits that prevent the problem entirely:
- Fill up when the gauge reaches a quarter tank — not when the warning light comes on
- The fuel warning light typically gives you 30–50 miles of range depending on your car, but this drops sharply at motorway speeds
- If you're planning a long journey, check your range before leaving and identify fuel stops on the route
- In cold weather, fuel consumption increases — your normal range estimate may be optimistic
- Older fuel gauges can stick — if your car hasn't been fully serviced recently, don't rely on the gauge alone