A car that runs out of gas or diesel in Detroit gets just enough fuel to reach the nearest station, not a full tank — the truck carries portable containers, not a pump. Detroit Towing runs this call across all 20 of its Detroit-area service zones, with both gasoline and diesel stocked depending on the vehicle.
Most fuel calls come from a gauge that reads wrong, not bad luck. The tank runs dry a few miles sooner than the driver expected, usually on a stretch with no station in sight. The fix is the same either way: enough gas or diesel to get moving again, plus a reminder to fill up properly at the next pump instead of running it down again.
Diesel trucks and vans need a different container and nozzle than a gas sedan, so the driver taking the call needs to know which fuel type is involved before dispatch, not after arrival. A wrong guess means a second trip.
Does the delivery finish the trip, or just restart it?
Enough to reach a nearby gas station — this is a rescue delivery, not a fill-up. The driver still needs to stop and top off the tank properly once the car's moving again, since what's carried on the truck is meant to restart the trip, not finish it.
What if the tank was run completely dry?
A gas engine that's been bone dry for more than a few minutes can draw air into the fuel line, and it may take a few extra cranks to catch even after fresh fuel goes in — that's normal, not a sign something else broke.
A diesel engine is less forgiving: air in the fuel line usually means the system needs to be bled before it will start at all, which is a mechanic's job, not something fuel delivery alone fixes.
What should I do before the truck arrives?
Pull as far onto the shoulder or into a lot as the car can manage on momentum alone, and leave the hazards on — a car stalled out of gas still needs to be visible to traffic the same as any other roadside stop. Keys in the ignition and the fuel cap accessible saves a few minutes once the truck pulls up.
What if I already put the wrong fuel in by mistake?
That's a different problem than running out — a car with the wrong fuel already in the tank needs a tow to a shop for a drain and flush, not a top-off with the correct fuel. Mention that when you call so a tow gets sent instead of a fuel delivery.
Will the fuel delivery get me all the way home, or just to a station?
Just to a station — the fuel delivered is meant to get the engine running and moving again, not replace a fill-up. Plan on stopping at the first station along the way, since the truck isn't carrying enough to finish the trip.
Can you make a fuel delivery any day of the week?
Detroit Towing runs Mon–Sat Open 24 hours, Sun 12:30 – 5:30 PM, and fuel delivery goes out on the same schedule as any other roadside call.