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During the past few days, we had heard of reports of gas stations running out of gasoline in some parts of the city due to distribution problems. The timing could not be more annoying with the Christmas break upon us and with gasoline prices the lowest it has been in over five years!
I heard that most of the stations that were affected were fairly far away from when I lived or commuted, so I did not pay too much attention to that piece of news.
However, on our way back from MJNL's parent's place, MJNL wondered if we should fill up. The car was getting close to empty, so I figured that I should fill up before going back home, but the first gas station we found (just before we picked up some groceries) was displaying no price on the sign, and a quick drive through revealed that all of the nozzles on the pumps were covered, indicating that the station had no gasoline available. The station across the street looked the same. I started to get a little worried.
After picking up some groceries, we decided to look for gas at another station I normally frequent, but as we approached, we passed by yet another station that looked dry and I had little hope that the one I was going to would have any gasoline to sell. However, as luck would have it, the station we headed to was displaying the price (of 66.5 cents per litre) and a couple of cars in the station. We drove in and I noticed that all of the pumps were closed except for two. I was able to pull into one spot as soon as one of the other cars left, and I started to fill up my tank.
I was actually joking to myself that it would be funny if the station ran out of gas as I was filling my tank. As soon as that thought finished crossing my mind, the pump started to slow down. Oh dear. Within seconds, the flow reduced down to a trickle and pulling the trigger resulted in no effect. I tried giving the pump several seconds to recover, and I was able to get a few more ounces before the pump gave up for good. I walked over to the attendant, who told me that if the pumps ran out, then the station was out of gas.
Another two cars had pulled into the station but they came up dry. I was lucky that I was able to mostly fill up my tank before the station ran dry. I decided that it was a good time to go home. If I did not have the instant pay fob, the timing was just right so that I probably would not have been able to get any gas!
As such, I thanked my lucky stars and headed back home.
Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 16:59:50 (UTC)
Was the low fuel warning light on? For a fuel efficient car you can easily do 50-100 km when it comes on. My brother-in-law is fairly aggressive and will drive his Versa around for days with the light on.
It's interesting the psychological effect this light has though. It always drives my blood pressure up a notch and makes me anxious when it turns on even if my trip computer says I have plenty of mileage left.
---HKL
Grinning Reaper
Monday, December 29, 2008 at 04:03:50 (UTC)
My fuel light tends to go on when I have about five litres left in the tank. This usually equates to about fifty kilometers, which is plenty for normal use. However, summertime mileage is usually much better than winter mileage. I get under 8 L/100 km during high summer but closer to 10 L/100 km during particularly cold winter spells. Still it generally equates to fifty kilometers, depending on how much accessible fuel is left (assuming that I am not going too fast and the car is level).
Still, a trip to MJNL's parent's place will burn through that much gas, so I like to have something in reserve, just in case I forget to top off the tank..
QYV