Driving to the Bottom of the Tank

An unforeseen consequence of high fuel prices has been a bump in activity for roadside assistance programs, as drivers attempt to squeeze every last drop out of their gas tanks. Automobile clubs and towing services across the country are getting more calls from stranded motorists who’ve run out of gas.

AAA has seen a 14% increase in out-of-gas calls for the Mid-Atlantic states, beginning in May of this year when gas prices began to spike. The regional office that covers Northern California, Nevada and Utah has seen a 6.5% increase. The CVS Samaritan Van Program, which offers free roadside assistance to several cities in the Midwest and East Coast, has seen a whopping 30% to 40% increase in stops to help motorists with empty tanks.

Most of these cases involve drivers who simply did not want to stop and pay to fill up. However, an unidentified chunk of these calls come from people trying to scam a free gallon of gas. Many of the agencies have begun to ask drivers to try to start their cars before they offer assistance.

A warning to drivers: Don’t drive too long on empty. Running out of gas can overheat the fuel pump, and replacing a fuel pump for $500 to $1,000 is going to hurt far more than filling up your tank.

With Gasoline Prices Up, Drivers Push Closer to the End of the Tank (New York Times)