Running out of fuel while driving a rental car in Spain can be embarrassing, inconvenient and, depending on where the vehicle stops, potentially dangerous.
You might have missed the last petrol station, misunderstood the vehicle’s remaining-range display or simply underestimated the distance to your destination.
Whatever the reason, if your Blanca Cars rental vehicle runs out of petrol or diesel, the most important thing is to concentrate on getting yourself, your passengers and the vehicle somewhere safe.
Do not panic.
And do not repeatedly try to restart an engine that has stopped because the fuel tank is empty.
Blanca Cars includes roadside assistance with its rental service and provides emergency contact information for customers who experience problems during their rental.
Here is what you should do.
How Do You Know You’re Running Out of Fuel?
Modern cars normally give plenty of warning before the fuel tank becomes completely empty.
You may notice:
- The low-fuel warning light
- The fuel gauge approaching empty
- A remaining-range warning
- A message asking you to refuel
- Reduced remaining kilometres on the dashboard
- Engine hesitation immediately before the vehicle stops
Some drivers rely heavily on the remaining-range figure displayed by the vehicle.
However, treat this as an estimate rather than a target.
Driving conditions, hills, traffic, air conditioning and driving style can all affect fuel consumption.
If the low-fuel warning appears, start looking for a petrol station rather than trying to use every last kilometre of range.
Step 1: Stay Calm if the Engine Starts Losing Power
If the vehicle begins losing power because it is running out of fuel, keep control of the car.
Do not make sudden steering movements.
Check your mirrors.
If your speed begins dropping significantly, switch on the hazard warning lights so that other drivers realise you have a problem.
Use the remaining momentum of the vehicle to move towards the safest available location.
Where possible, try to reach:
- A petrol station
- Service area
- Motorway exit
- Lay-by
- Safe parking area
- Wide area away from moving traffic
Do not stop in a live traffic lane unless you have absolutely no alternative.
Step 2: Move the Vehicle as Far Away From Traffic as Possible
If the engine stops completely, steer the vehicle towards the safest position available while it is still moving.
Be aware that steering and braking can feel different after the engine stops.
Keep firm control of the steering wheel and avoid sudden manoeuvres.
Once stopped:
Apply the parking brake.
Switch on your hazard lights.
Switch off the ignition.
Then assess your surroundings before getting out.
What If You Run Out of Fuel on the A-7 or AP-7?
This situation requires particular care.
The A-7 and AP-7 are frequently used by Blanca Cars customers travelling between Alicante, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Moraira, Jávea, Dénia and Valencia.
If you run out of fuel on one of these high-speed roads, getting yourself away from moving traffic is more important than immediately finding petrol.
Do not start walking along the motorway looking for a petrol station.
Do not stand behind or beside the vehicle where passing traffic could put you at risk.
Move the car away from live traffic as far as possible and follow Spain’s roadside-emergency procedures.
Step 3: Use the V-16 Emergency Beacon
If your rental car becomes immobilised on the road, use the emergency warning equipment provided with the vehicle.
Spain now uses the connected V-16 emergency beacon to signal an immobilised vehicle.
The DGT says the V-16 should be kept somewhere accessible, such as the glove compartment, and when needed should preferably be placed on the roof of the vehicle.
Activate the beacon and place it on top of the car where it can be seen by approaching traffic.
Do not walk along the motorway to position warning equipment behind the vehicle.
For a complete explanation, read our Blanca Cars guide:
V-16 Emergency Beacon in Spain: What Rental-Car Drivers Need to Know
Step 4: Get Yourself and Passengers Somewhere Safe
Assess the traffic situation carefully.
If you can safely exit on the side away from traffic and move to a protected location, do so.
A position behind a safety barrier and away from the carriageway may be safer than standing beside the vehicle.
However, do not step into moving traffic simply because you believe you should leave the car.
Children should be kept under close supervision.
Never allow passengers to wander along a motorway or busy roadside.
If an immediate emergency exists, call 112.
Step 5: Contact Blanca Cars
Once everyone is safe, contact Blanca Cars.
Blanca Cars currently includes 24-hour emergency contact and roadside assistance with its rental service.
The emergency number currently published by Blanca Cars is:
+34 653 221 333
If your rental has been supplied through one of Blanca Cars’ partners, check the emergency information provided in the vehicle. Blanca Cars states that the relevant emergency number can be found in the glove compartment.
When calling, explain:
- Your name
- Which vehicle you are driving
- Your exact location
- That the vehicle has run out of fuel
- Whether it is petrol or diesel
- Whether the vehicle is safely off the road
- Whether you are on a motorway
- Whether anyone is in danger
Then follow the instructions provided.
Tell Blanca Cars Exactly Where You Are
Precise location information is especially useful when roadside assistance needs to find you.
If possible, provide:
- Road number
- Direction of travel
- Nearest town
- Nearest motorway exit
- Kilometre marker
- Petrol station or service area
- GPS location from your phone
For example:
“We are on the AP-7 travelling north towards Valencia, approximately two kilometres before the Calpe/Benissa exit.”
This is considerably more useful than saying:
“We’re somewhere near Alicante.”
Should You Walk to a Petrol Station?
If you are stopped on a motorway or another high-speed road, do not walk along the carriageway or hard shoulder looking for fuel.
Contact roadside assistance instead.
Even if you can see a petrol station in the distance, reaching it on foot may expose you to fast-moving traffic.
If the car is safely parked in a town or another completely safe location, the circumstances are obviously different.
However, because you are driving a rental vehicle, it is still sensible to contact Blanca Cars before deciding how the car will be refuelled and restarted.
Don’t Keep Trying to Restart the Engine
If you know the fuel tank is empty, repeatedly operating the starter motor will not solve the problem.
Do not keep turning the key or pressing the start button.
Once the correct fuel has been supplied, some vehicles may restart normally while others may require a particular procedure.
This can be especially relevant with certain diesel vehicles.
Do not attempt to dismantle fuel-system components or carry out your own mechanical work.
Allow Blanca Cars or the authorised assistance provider to advise you.
Petrol or Diesel? Make Absolutely Sure
If fuel is going to be added to the car, you must know which type the vehicle requires.
Do not guess.
Check the fuel information supplied with the vehicle or ask Blanca Cars.
Putting the wrong fuel into the vehicle creates a completely different and potentially much more serious problem.
If you accidentally put petrol into a diesel vehicle or diesel into a petrol vehicle:
DO NOT START THE ENGINE.
Contact Blanca Cars immediately.
You can also read our guide:
Put the Wrong Fuel in a Rental Car in Spain? What to Do Immediately
Don’t Use a Random Container for Fuel
Do not improvise by filling an unsuitable bottle, water container or other household container with petrol or diesel.
Fuel needs to be transported and handled safely.
If roadside assistance is being arranged, follow their instructions rather than attempting your own solution.
This is particularly important if the vehicle is immobilised in a dangerous location.
Will Roadside Assistance Bring Fuel?
The correct solution will depend on your location, vehicle and circumstances.
Blanca Cars includes roadside assistance with its rental agreements, but customers should contact the emergency service and allow the team to determine what assistance is appropriate.
This might involve assistance reaching the vehicle or another suitable solution.
Do not independently authorise a tow truck or mechanic without first contacting Blanca Cars.
Is Fuel Included in the Blanca Cars Rental Price?
No.
Customers are responsible for the fuel they use during the rental.
Blanca Cars currently operates a full-to-full fuel policy.
The car is supplied with a full tank and should be returned with a full tank.
This means monitoring the fuel level during your holiday is the driver’s responsibility.
The easiest way to avoid running out is to refill before the gauge becomes extremely low.
Don’t Wait Until the Range Shows Zero
If the dashboard says you have 40 kilometres remaining, do not automatically assume you can safely travel exactly another 40 kilometres.
Remaining-range displays are estimates.
When travelling somewhere unfamiliar, you may also discover:
- The expected petrol station is closed
- You take a wrong turn
- A motorway exit is farther away than expected
- Traffic causes delays
- Your destination is in a remote area
- A petrol station does not sell the fuel you expected
Refuelling earlier gives you a useful safety margin.
Be Especially Careful in Rural and Mountain Areas
On the Costa Blanca, it is easy to travel from busy coastal resorts into quieter inland areas.
A journey towards mountain villages or rural accommodation may involve longer distances between petrol stations than you are used to.
Before heading into less populated areas:
Check the fuel gauge.
Check where the next petrol station is.
Do not begin a long mountain or rural journey with the low-fuel warning already illuminated.
What If the Car Doesn’t Start After Adding Fuel?
Do not repeatedly crank the engine.
Contact Blanca Cars or remain in contact with the roadside-assistance provider.
Explain that fuel has been added but the vehicle still will not start.
The next step will depend on the vehicle.
Do not assume there is now a second serious problem.
Follow the instructions provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do First If My Rental Car Runs Out of Fuel?
Move the vehicle away from traffic as safely as possible, activate the hazard warning lights and contact Blanca Cars.
Should I Use the V-16 Beacon?
If the vehicle is immobilised on a Spanish road and the warning device is required, activate the V-16 and place it preferably on the roof.
Can I Walk Along the Motorway to Buy Fuel?
Do not walk along a motorway or other high-speed carriageway looking for petrol or diesel.
Contact roadside assistance.
Does Blanca Cars Include Roadside Assistance?
Yes. Blanca Cars currently lists roadside assistance and 24-hour emergency contact among the services included with its rental vehicles.
What Is the Blanca Cars Emergency Number?
The current emergency number published by Blanca Cars is:
+34 653 221 333
What Fuel Should I Put in the Vehicle?
Always use the fuel specified for your particular rental vehicle.
If you are unsure whether it uses petrol or diesel, contact Blanca Cars before refuelling.
What Happens If I Put in the Wrong Fuel?
Stop using the vehicle immediately and contact Blanca Cars. The company’s current FAQ specifically instructs customers who have misfuelled a rental car to stop and contact the emergency service.
Run Out of Fuel? Remember These Steps
If your Blanca Cars rental vehicle runs out of fuel in Spain:
STAY CALM.
MOVE AWAY FROM ACTIVE TRAFFIC IF POSSIBLE.
SWITCH ON YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS.
USE THE V-16 BEACON IF THE VEHICLE IS IMMOBILISED ON THE ROAD.
DO NOT WALK ALONG A MOTORWAY LOOKING FOR FUEL.
DO NOT REPEATEDLY TRY TO RESTART THE ENGINE.
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHETHER THE CAR TAKES PETROL OR DIESEL.
CONTACT BLANCA CARS ON +34 653 221 333.
Running out of fuel is inconvenient, but the priority is always safety.
Do not take unnecessary risks simply to get the vehicle moving again quickly.
Get yourself and your passengers somewhere safe, make the car visible to other road users and contact Blanca Cars so the appropriate assistance can be arranged.
The easiest solution, of course, is prevention.
Keep an eye on the fuel gauge throughout your holiday and refill before the tank becomes critically low — particularly before longer trips on the Costa Blanca or journeys into rural parts of Spain.
For official information about roadside warning equipment in Spain, see the Dirección General de Tráfico guidance on V-16 emergency beacons.