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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No petrol

161 replies

Yikerswhatalife · 30/11/2023 14:34

I have to pick up Dd from school ( very close by) then Dh (15 minute drive) from work. His car is in the garage so has been using mine (our other one) he drove to work the last couple of mornings, when he got out of the car, I started to drive home and saw there was literally no petrol in the car, it was on one last bar that means it’s low but ok, that bar has gone now…does this mean zero petrol or enough for me to pick him up (15 min drive) stupidly he has the wallet with cards and cash in (one of those days)
Will I be able to make it to him?

OP posts:
TheHawkisHowling · 30/11/2023 16:21

CharlotteBog · 30/11/2023 16:00

It's not proving a point, it's entirely accurate.
We've all let our cars run too low on fuel I'm sure, but it's less common for someone to take your purse to work with them leaving the other person high and dry.
If he has his wallet plus her purse he should at least have many options to get home!

I wouldn't risk driving on less than no bars, certainly no when it's below freezing and dark, and not when he's only 15 mins away.

Show quote history

I've worked a lot with cars. If it starts, it's really unlikely it'll cut out on a short drive. If it starts, there's fuel in there.

Fuel gauges regularly say there's less in there than there actually is. It usually jumps up a bit once you've driven it a way.

It's also highly unlikely it used every drop of remaining fuel on the previous journey either.

It's not fabulous for the engine to be running it so low, of course.

Original poster
Yikerswhatalife · 30/11/2023 16:23

@MrsMenmen Are you sure?! Only need to get me there, then he has the money and petrol station not far
Theres no bars, light was on ages ago
It got me to Dds school and back, have to go in ten minutes to pick him up.It’s risk it or try at the petrol station, which sounds really embarrassing

OP posts:
KingsleyBorder · 30/11/2023 16:23

Really hope you’re home in the warm getting on with making your DD’s tea while your husband makes his own way home.

KingsleyBorder · 30/11/2023 16:24

Cross post. DO NOT GO. Why are you being such a doormat?

It’s risk it or try at the petrol station, which sounds really embarrassing

These are not the only two options.

You would be insane to take a child out in a car that could get stranded.

gotomomo · 30/11/2023 16:24

When the light comes on you have a good few miles left, around 30 in my car. I've driven 15 on 0 miles left, though this is very car dependent. Do you have your phone? If so you can load a card onto it for apple/google pay

TheHawkisHowling · 30/11/2023 16:26

Yikerswhatalife · 30/11/2023 16:23

@MrsMenmen Are you sure?! Only need to get me there, then he has the money and petrol station not far
Theres no bars, light was on ages ago
It got me to Dds school and back, have to go in ten minutes to pick him up.It’s risk it or try at the petrol station, which sounds really embarrassing

The petrol station won't care that you've 'lost' your purse. It'll be a regular occurrence for them.

Just pop back in on your way back and pay. It's not the end of the world!

KingsleyBorder · 30/11/2023 16:27

By the time you piss about at the petrol station filling in forms for non payment he could be home in a cab.

But if you really must pander to him, just call him to get the card details to add to your phone.

BarbaraofSeville · 30/11/2023 16:29

I'd probably just fill up at the petrol station, make a show of looking in all my pockets, bag and car cubby holes and then go 'whoops, really sorry, forgot my purse'. They'll make you fill in a form and you have 2 weeks I think to pay up before they report you to the police.

I've never done this, but it's an option if you think you might run out.

HollaHolla · 30/11/2023 16:29

He's a grown man. He didn't do the necessary to get the car fuelled up. He gets his own way home.

YourNameGoesHere · 30/11/2023 16:30

KingsleyBorder · 30/11/2023 16:24

Cross post. DO NOT GO. Why are you being such a doormat?

It’s risk it or try at the petrol station, which sounds really embarrassing

These are not the only two options.

You would be insane to take a child out in a car that could get stranded.

Edited

Agreed! You've presumably got your daughter home. He can get himself home. I wouldn't be risking it when there's absolutely no need to do so. He can take it this evening once he's got himself home and fix his mistake.

keye · 30/11/2023 16:34

Yikerswhatalife · 30/11/2023 16:23

@MrsMenmen Are you sure?! Only need to get me there, then he has the money and petrol station not far
Theres no bars, light was on ages ago
It got me to Dds school and back, have to go in ten minutes to pick him up.It’s risk it or try at the petrol station, which sounds really embarrassing

Why can't you add a card to Apple Pay (or android)

Pluvia · 30/11/2023 16:37

I was going to ask what was going on and why you, an adult in charge of children, don't have access to money. I see you've answered that. Make your husband find his own way home.

kitsuneghost · 30/11/2023 16:37

Can you add a card to apple pay if you don't have the card number though?

kitsuneghost · 30/11/2023 16:38

Pluvia · 30/11/2023 16:37

I was going to ask what was going on and why you, an adult in charge of children, don't have access to money. I see you've answered that. Make your husband find his own way home.

Edited

She explained earlier

MrsMarzetti · 30/11/2023 16:40

gotomomo · 30/11/2023 16:24

When the light comes on you have a good few miles left, around 30 in my car. I've driven 15 on 0 miles left, though this is very car dependent. Do you have your phone? If so you can load a card onto it for apple/google pay

Not great for your car, you will drag any crud in the bottom of your tank through the pipes.

GrumpyPanda · 30/11/2023 16:47

GladioliandSweetPeas · 30/11/2023 15:01

I don't mean to be annoying but it genuinely has to be said - if you don't know this then I'd be questioning your competency to drive tbh. I'd say the same to anyone who didn't know how to add air to tyres, top up screen wash or check oil levels

I'd be questioning the competency of anyone who DOES know exactly.... because it means they routinely let the petrol get low enough to serious risk being stranded!

OP just pick up your daughter and tell your feckless partner he'll have to make his own way home. Just not worth it in the cold.

Jaxhog · 30/11/2023 16:56

Nicknacky · 30/11/2023 14:42

In that case I would be telling him he will need to find his own way home.

This.

KingsleyBorder · 30/11/2023 17:04

Are you afraid of him OP?

CharlotteBog · 30/11/2023 17:05

MrsMarzetti · 30/11/2023 16:40

Not great for your car, you will drag any crud in the bottom of your tank through the pipes.

Show quote history

And she's already way past the light being on.

CharlotteBog · 30/11/2023 17:09

keye · 30/11/2023 16:34

Why can't you add a card to Apple Pay (or android)

Show quote history

On my iPhone I can either scan a card or enter the details manually, so you either need to have the card or know the long card number. Her husband could tell her the long number over the phone.

FreshWinterMorning · 30/11/2023 17:28

Of COURSE you will make it with the petrol on the 'final bar!'

Even when the little light is flashing you still have a gallon!

MigGirl · 30/11/2023 17:36

Often when the red light comes on cars will either reset the milage or will show you how.many miles are left in the tank. Does it not say this on the dash somewhere. I know DH has driven our focus for 50miles with the red light on and been fine.

And considering I've been driving a Nissan leaf which only has a max range of 95miles, I don't tend to panic when the red light comes on now.

littlefireseverywhere · 30/11/2023 17:57

This issue aside, you need your own access to money. Use Apple Pay, as others have said.

Gnomegnomegnome · 30/11/2023 18:05

If it’s a 15 minute drive it can’t be that long a walk for him? An hour?

WeeOrcadian · 30/11/2023 18:09

Why are YOU shouldering the stress of this? HE left the car without fuel and you without access to cash

HE can call a taxi or walk

Fuck that right off