Out of petrol on the road: the quickest way back
Why not to keep cranking, why pumps will not fill a bottle, and what we bring.
What to do right now
- 1
Switch to reserve if your bike has it. Older bikes have a petcock with a reserve position. Flip it and try again.
- 2
Stop cranking the starter. Fuel-injected bikes use petrol to cool the pump, so repeated cranking on empty can wear it out.
- 3
Get off the carriageway. If the bike still rolls, move it to the left edge or a footpath and switch on the hazard lights.
- 4
Find the nearest petrol pump. Check your map for the name and the distance. If it is walkable, note which side of the road it is on.
- 5
Do not expect a pump to fill a plastic bottle. Most pumps refuse to sell petrol in a bottle for safety reasons.
- 6
Be ready to prime the bike. After refuelling, it can take several short tries to bring fuel back to the engine.
How we help
Running out of petrol is the most common breakdown there is, and it usually happens in the worst place: a long flyover, a stretch of the Outer Ring Road or a dark section of Hosur Road with no pump in sight.
It is also one of the easiest to fix. This page covers what to do in the first minute, what not to do, and what we bring.
Call us with your location and the nearest landmark. We bring enough fuel to reach the nearest pump, not enough to fill the tank, and you pay for what we bring. Ask for the details on the call.
If the bike does not start after refuelling, we tow it to a garage. A bike that ran dry on a fuel-injected engine sometimes needs a mechanic to check the pump.
We reach most riders along the main roads of South Bangalore, including the Outer Ring Road, Hosur Road and Bannerghatta Road, and we give you a realistic wait time on the phone.
Fuel delivery is part of our roadside assistance: a ₹349 visit charge, plus the fuel at actual cost, as listed on our towing price list. If the bike will not start after refuelling, our bike towing service takes it to a garage.
What to tell us when you call
- Your location, and the direction you were riding
- The nearest landmark or pump
- Make and model, and whether it is fuel-injected
- Whether the bike has a reserve switch you have already tried
- Where you want it taken if it does not start
What not to do
- Do not push a heavy bike a long way. It is slow, tiring and risky on a busy road. Stay in a safe spot and call.
- Do not accept petrol in a random container from a passer-by. Dirty or mixed fuel can damage the engine.
- Do not ignore a fuel light until it is empty. Refuel when the light first comes on, not when the bike stutters.
Frequently asked questions
How much fuel will you bring?
Enough to reach the nearest petrol pump, not to fill the tank. You pay for the fuel we bring. Ask for the details on the call.
My bike will not start even after I refuelled. Why?
It may need several short tries to prime the fuel line. If it still does not start, it needs checking, and we can tow it.
Can I walk to a pump and carry petrol back?
Most pumps will not fill a plastic bottle. It is safer and often quicker to call for help.
Does running out of petrol damage the bike?
Occasionally, on fuel-injected bikes, where the pump relies on petrol for cooling. One incident rarely causes harm, but repeated cranking on empty can.
Related help
Last reviewed: October 2026
Stuck right now?
Tell us where you are and what the bike is doing. You get an honest estimate before the truck leaves.
Find RS Towing Service on Google Maps
Our base is in RBI Layout, JP Nagar 7th Phase. We are open 24 hours, every day.
5, RBI Layout Main Rd, RBI Layout, JP Nagar 7th Phase, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560078Open in Google Maps