The Half Tank of Fuel Rule is a rule that all preppers should strive to achieve. We treat the halfway mark on our gas tanks, as though it were empty. We do this as a matter-of-fact, not because gasses build up in the gas tank, nor because they believe it will provide them with greater preparedness in case of an emergency or disaster.
Half Tank of Fuel Rule
Yes, it can help you in an emergency, and you never know when that emergency will come to pass. As a precaution, we habitually fill our gas tanks in case of a widespread emergency such as a tsunami, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, zombie outbreak, or nuclear disaster, enabling faster escape without waiting in long fuel lines. If we need to quickly evacuate from an area due to a crisis, having a full tank of gas can give us the ability to travel further and reach safety without needing to stop for fuel. It also gives us a longer time we can go, before needing to refill, allowing us to be more picky on where we fill up.
A great illustration of the concept is traveling along the 40 from Barstow, CA towards Needles, CA, and needing gasoline after passing Ludlow. Although gas in Needles is the most expensive in the nation, you can drive another 22 miles (35.41 km) past the exit to Highway 95 South (heading towards Lake Havasu, AZ) and pay almost half the price for gas. This minor detour before refueling can double the amount of gas obtained for your money.
During a devastating or critical situation like a natural disaster, gas stations may exhaust their fuel reserves or become unavailable to refill your vehicle. These unpredictable challenges can impede your travel or evacuation plans, leaving you stranded and imperiled. Therefore, as proactive “preppers,” we regularly top up our fuel tank after reaching the half mark, to ensure a suitable amount of gasoline in case of emergency.
Subsequently, this precautionary measure of the “Half Tank of Fuel Rule” guarantees that we don’t encounter unanticipated depletion of fuel supplies, which could impact our ability to perform pre-planned transportation needs.
Caution: Storing spare fuel in your vehicle’s cabin or trunk is hazardous, as it may result in gas leakage or even explosion due to elevated temperatures. This method is not advisable for preparing for a lengthy journey. If you have concerns about potential fuel scarcity, you can utilize a fuel stabilizer to maintain fuel stability for a prolonged period, provided that it is stored in a location separate from your residence interior or vehicle cabin.
Did you know that when an evacuation is declared, the majority of individuals hurriedly rush to fuel stations to fill their gas or diesel fuel tanks, hoping to make it out of the affected area before the impending disaster occurs? By adhering to the Half Tank of Fuel Rule, these people could potentially be well on their way out of town when the disaster strikes, instead of waiting in long queues at fuel stations to prepare for departure. Additionally, having a 35 gallon (132.49 l) fuel container filled and treated with a fuel stabilizer could significantly reduce the time spent waiting in line, allowing for a more efficient and timely evacuation.
There are moments when it can be challenging to adhere to the Half Tank of Fuel Rule, which is a guideline that suggests maintaining a fuel level in a vehicle of at least half a tank. This may be due to various factors, such as stringent time constraints or monetary constraints. Whenever faced with such circumstances, it is understandable to deviate from the rule. Nonetheless, it is highly advantageous to return to the rule’s adherence as soon as possible to ensure that we are adequately prepared in case of emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
