Ran Out of Gas in the Cold? How to Get Help in Calgary

If you’ve run out of gas in Calgary’s cold weather, you can request fuel delivery from AAA Towing instead of walking to a gas station. Tell dispatch where your car is and whether you need gasoline or diesel. If your vehicle is safely away from traffic, stay sheltered while you wait.

Before booking, ask how much fuel can be delivered and whether your vehicle needs any special steps to restart. Some cars need more than a small refill after the tank runs dry, so it’s worth checking while you arrange help.

Ran Out of Gas in Calgary? What Should You Do First?

If you’ve run out of gas, check where your car has stopped before arranging fuel delivery. You and your passengers need to be somewhere safe, especially if you’re on a busy road or highway.

• If your car can still move: Pull over somewhere safe, away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see your vehicle.
• If you’re stuck near moving traffic: Don’t step onto the road or try to walk along the highway to find gas. Stay in a safe place and call for roadside help.
• If you’re in immediate danger: Call 911. The Government of Alberta recommends calling 911 when someone’s life, health or safety is at immediate risk.

Once you’re safe, you can arrange fuel delivery. If you’re not sure whether the car ran out of gas or stopped for another reason, explain what happened when you call. The dispatcher can help determine what kind of roadside assistance you may need.

How Can You Stay Safe While Waiting in Freezing Weather?

If your car is parked away from traffic, stay inside while you wait for fuel delivery. Even without heat, it offers some shelter from the wind and snow. Transport Canada advises drivers to stay with their vehicle when it’s safe from passing traffic.

Put on any extra layers you have and use a blanket if one is available. Keep your phone close in case the roadside team calls. Turn off the radio and other things that use battery power, but leave your hazard lights on if they’re needed to warn other drivers.

With an empty fuel tank, you can’t rely on the engine to keep the car warm. Don’t walk along an icy road or highway to find a gas station. If you or someone with you is in immediate danger from the cold, call 911.

If you’re stranded on a highway, you can also check 511 Alberta for road closures or poor conditions that may affect access to your location.

How Do You Request the Right Fuel Delivery in Calgary?

When you call for fuel delivery, the dispatcher will ask where you are, what car you drive and whether you need gasoline or diesel. You don’t need to have every detail ready, but it helps to know a few things:

• Your location: Give the address or nearest intersection. If you’re on a highway, mention the closest exit and which direction you’re travelling.
• Your vehicle and fuel type: Share the make, model and year. Mention whether you need gasoline or diesel and any fuel-grade requirements.
• What happened: Tell them if the fuel gauge was empty when the engine stopped, or if you’re unsure why the car won’t start.

If you don’t know which fuel your vehicle takes, check the fuel-filler label or owner’s manual rather than guessing. Putting gasoline in a diesel vehicle, or diesel in a gasoline vehicle, can cause serious damage.

For example, you could say:

“I’m on Deerfoot Trail, heading north near the McKnight Boulevard exit. My Honda Civic ran out of regular gas, and I’m parked on the shoulder. Can you bring fuel?”

Before booking, ask how many litres they can bring, what the service costs and how you can pay. If your owner’s manual gives special instructions for starting the car after running out of fuel, mention those too.

Further Reading: How Fuel Delivery Services Support Modern Roadside Assistance Operations

How Much Fuel Does Your Vehicle Need to Start Again?

Not every car will start with the same amount of fuel after the tank runs dry. AAA Towing offers fuel delivery of up to 10 litres, but the amount your vehicle needs can vary.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 diesel owner’s manual, for example, says to add at least 10 litres of diesel after running out. It also explains that air can enter the fuel lines, making the engine harder to start.

Those instructions apply to the Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D 2.2 diesel engine. Your vehicle may have different requirements, so check its owner’s manual before trying to restart it.

Let the dispatcher know if your car is parked on a slope, and confirm how much fuel can be brought before booking. If your vehicle needs more fuel than the delivery service can provide, ask what other options are available.

What Happens After Fuel Is Delivered?

After the fuel is added, try starting your car as the owner’s manual directs. Some diesel vehicles may need several short starting attempts, with pauses between them. Don’t keep trying continuously if the engine won’t start.

Tell the roadside operator what’s happening. Does the engine turn over but fail to start? Do the dashboard lights come on? Mention any warning lights you noticed before the car stopped.

If the battery is weak, you may need battery boosting services in Calgary. If the car still won’t start or isn’t safe to drive, towing services may be needed to get it to a repair shop.

Further Reading: 5 Battery Issues That Should Never Be Ignored in Winter

Need Emergency Fuel Delivery During a Calgary Cold Snap?

If you’ve run out of fuel, contact AAA Towing or call 403-287-9612. Tell us where you’re stranded and whether your car needs gasoline or diesel. You can ask how much fuel we can bring, what it will cost and how long it may take for help to reach you.

AAA Towing provides towing and roadside assistance services in Calgary. If adding fuel doesn’t get your car started, let our team know what happened. We can discuss whether you need further roadside assistance or a tow.