Running on Empty...

More weight=less speed??

Otherwise I couldnt possibly understand the reasoning

 

I have never understood this either. I can only assume that money is really tight, and they cannot spend the additional dollars to actually fill the tank. It just doesn't make sense, since you waste so much more time, looking for a station, and taking the time to wait in line, prepay (if needed) then pump the gas. They may do this four times, versus the one time to just fill the damn tank.

 

I actually do this often. Reason is sometimes my cars/bikes don't get driven for 4-6 months at a time. They sit on trickle chargers and are started once in a while. I don't want the old gas just sitting there.

Thus I usually buy a bit more than what I use.

I had a gf who would do this. Whenever I would stay over at her place or whatever, she would always say "oh just take my car" in hopes that I would wash it and fill it up (since I did that once). Well after seeing that I took her up on her offer but never filled up (don't like spending my money on hos), she wisened up quickly, and never made the request again.

 

She does not like to pump gas. She will put in only enough to get home and then, when I need to run an errand, ask me to take her car. I know this means she is out of gas.

 

They have to save enough for the Dime Bag at the next corner, man....


Whattaya...new? LOL!

 

Actually wouldnt this be an ideal scenario for actually keeping your tank full. Less chance of corrosion? I remember reading on some guides for storing your sports car through the winter - they mentioned gassing it up...

Anyone else know which is the right approach.

 

If I do keep my tank full (not sure which is the right approach), I would still have to take $3-$7 dollars of gas each time, to fill it up after my drive.

So in Urotrash's eyes, I would be doing the same thing either way

 

I dont know why but i was obsessive about keeping the tank full, if i went out in the car on my return i would call into a garage and top it up, some times it would only take £5.00 - £10.000, maybe there are others like me.

 

It is better to keep it full....especially in the Hurricane Season....it's a long way to Austin.......

 

on older cars without sealed fuel systems yes fill the tank. on sealed systems it is still an issue and that is why the iso-heat. Thing is why fill up the tank then a year later have to drain old gas out. With only a 1\4 tank full you will use it up in less than a year with periodic start-ups. this allows you to treat the tank again. on sealed fuel systems moisture won't enter the tank unless you open the gas cap.

Alan,

Whats a hurricane?

 

I will use this line on my wife next time she asks me to drive her car. You may have a new roommate.

 

It's what we use to generate waves....on the Third Coast...

 

All people on F chat welcomed at my abode. Just pick the location you want to live in

 

More weight = less speed.

Also, the gas station is a great place to get phone numbers from lovely young ladies

 

Well, here's a common reason for New Jersey folks such as myself...

Gas is so much cheaper in NJ that NY or PA, and if you're in Philly or NYC and need gas, you save money to put in only enough gas to get you back to NJ.

I can also see it if a person lives paycheck to paycheck (many people really DO), its late in the week, the funds are tight, and the 5 or 10 will get the person through until he/she gets their check on Friday.

Lastly, I've heard of the following, which would piss me off to no end if I worked at a gas station... Discover is offering a card with 0% financing on balance transfers for life. The only caveat is that you have to make 2 purchases a month, for any amount. I've heard of people buying a dollar worth of gas, twice a month, just to satisfy this requirement. Though I'm sure this particular situation accounts for a miniscule amount of people buying $1 or $5 or $10 worth of gas, I'm equally as sure that there are people that have similar schemes for similar rewards.

 

Like Mike suggested I think it has to do with many people poorly managing their finances.

Ryan, that line is a classic, I'm gonna use it.


While were on the subject of gassing cars up. Why do many people continue to squeeze the pump handle repeatedly to get a few extra drops of fuel in the tank after the automatic shut-off??

 

Back in my college days, I had little cash. I would put a couple of bucks in because that was all I had.

Someone suggested that those who do that are irresponsible fiscal managers; I would suggest the opposite, and further suggest that they have forgotten leaner days, or were born with a silver spoon.

 

I don't necessarily mean just people who are poorly managing their finances... anyone living paycheck to paycheck (like college kids ) might only be able to squeeze out a few bucks at a time.

Re: squeezing the pump for an extra few drops of fuel... I do that not to top off my tank; rather, to have an even purchase (ie. $29.50 instead of $29.48).

 

Anything I can do to help.

Geez it seems like this thread is pointed directly towards me. LOL. Yes, I squeeze repeatedly after the automatic shut off, because I drive long distances. I drive Los ANgeles to Seattle very often, so an extra bit of gas, means less stops for me. I like to do LA to SF with no stops, and SF to Seattle with one stop. That few extra sqeezes goes a long way.


**note to self**
make sure not to be seen in a gas station with either Dr. Stribling or Tyler, as they will both be severely annoyed by your gas station etiquette.

 

I dunno in your area, but here, gas prices can go up or down 10c (that's in canadian bucks per liter) in one shot. Usually bumps up 10, and goes down in notches of 2-3 cents.
So when you hear the rumor that gas prices might drop tomorrow, you just put in the minimum, and fill it up the day after. This way you can save a whopping 1.50$cdn
I never do it. While I'm at it, I'll fill it up and hope it lasts the longest. I hate standing there with gas fumes and the pump greasy from the old guy before you ... BLEH!

 

That is not uncommon around here. Everytime I try this it backfires. I usually wait and the price goes up.

I only use the mom & pop by my house. I also only buy enough for the week. Every Monday I buy a full tank which lasts me a full week. If I need a midweek fill-up, I only put in enough to last me to Monday morning.