When saving a couple of bucks costs you 50

[billrei]

Tried stretching my fillup to make it into NJ to fuel up. My fuel guage does not read below a quarter tank and I did not notice exactly when the reserve light came on so I pressed on regardless. The stations in PA on average charge about $0.40 to $0.50 more per gallon of diesel than NJ so there is a real incentive to hold out.

Anyway on Rt 1 North just off the PA Turnpike I ran out an a 2 lane section with no apron. Pulled over as far as I could to the granite curb but I ended up blocking the slow lane. Just as I coasted to a stop a Police car went by on the service road running parallel and stopped. He put out some flares and said he called for a wrecker. He asked me what happened and not beign sure if running out of gas is a fineable offense I mumbled something about the engine light coming on the engine shutting down. He ended up just making sure I had a valid license and reg.

When the wrecker showed up and had me in tow I told him to take me to a station that had diesel so I could eliminate that problem first. He seemed surprised to see me lift the hood and prime the IP and then start the car right up. I guess he gets a lot of deer in the headlights looks when he recovers most cars. Unfortunately he did not take AAA but he said that AAA might reimburse me because I was in an emergency situation and the police ordered my immediate removal. Anyone have experience with this? So this little lesson in frugality cost me $50.00...