Vehicle Problem - Out of Gas

Today I started my work day like any other normal work day that I do at work. My job as a armed response security officer is a twenty four hours seven days of the week operation. So arriving at work I had to take over from the night shift. What we normally do is ask for any unusual occurrences that might have happened overnight, then my partner and I did a vehicle check, which includes, checking for any damage on the vehicle, checking engine oil, water, brake fluid, and the condition of the lights.

From observation I had only a little above quarter tank of gas, but base on the fact that the work load is normally minimal on a Sunday I new that could carry me through. So I headed off on the road.

Being an armed response security officer, my job entails me to check all clients residence and business places under our jurisdiction or that are contracted to us. People on the streets like to see us because we work hand in hand with the police and help with patrolling the streets which in turn helps to deter crime.

I was three quarter into the journey of my patrol, when upon leaving a business residense and climbing a hill the vehicle shuts off on me. At first I thought it was the battery, which is the first line of thought for most drivers. So I waited a little and started it again, gave it some rev and moved off, but less than quarter of a mile it shuts off again. I then realize it wasn't the battery, because the engine would not start or turn over if it was. Inquiring from the previous shift when the last time the vehicle was gassed, I was told no gas was place in the vehicle on their shift due to the quarter tank syndrome. Hence I found out the problem.

The vehicle needed gas. The needle was showing a little above quarter tank, but actually it was almost empty. The vehicle eventually ran out of gas a little distance from the base, so my partner and I came out and pushed it as far as we can to the the base entrance, locked it up and left it.

We eventually called our area manager who came to our assistance by fulling up a one gallon bottle of diesel oil, just enough to get us to the gas station. He is the one authorized to use the company gas card, so after putting in the one gallon we made our way to the gas station and filled up.

I now know that once the vehicle reaches a quarter tank it is time to tap up. As they say in my country, once bitten twice shy. It was quiet an experience, but we were able to complete our patrolling, but only with a little delay