Gas pump strategies?

[jayctravis]

Anyone able to detail significant change in behavior of filling up the tank, besides wailing and gnashing at the pump?

A friend and I talked last night, and we had come to the same strategy pretty much: We're trying to keep our tank topped off and not get below 2/3rds.

Reasoning:

Less sticker shock at pump - a couple of $17 fill ups is less traumatizing than $40-$50 at once.

"Upper" half of fuel tank in most cars seems bigger - once you hit half the needle often goes down faster, probably the logistics of the sensing equipment in the gauge and tank.

If the pumps near you run out, you're less likely to be stranded or be compelled to wait in a long line or drive across town on fumes.

Can be fickle with gas prices - if you happen to catch a station selling much lower, then fill up. This happened to me today, Had about 3/4 of a tank and got to skip prices for the past couple of days that were 3.49-3.79 and got to top off today at 3.09.

If we do hit a bad period and have to ration gas, you're already using small amounts and a 4-gallon ration will fill you up instead of just get you to the next pump.
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Anyone see any disadvantages to this, other than I'm defying the president's order to "not buy gas if you don't need it"?

[Mutley]

1. I couldn't care less about the president's order.

I'll be doing the same exact thing. And I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who feels the top half of the tank is bigger than the bottom half.

[jayctravis]

2. I figure it's a mechanical phenomenon with the needle.

I assume there's some type of "floaty" thing in the tank connected to the needle. There's probably a highest point it can hit where the gauge reads "full" and you can still fill the tank past that. Until the level gets down to where the needle starts to move, it seems like you are not using any gas. It may be as much as a gallon used before it starts to drop.

[durablend]

3. It's just the way the gauge is calibrated

They do that so that "E" leaves you a gallon or two (which theoretically should be enough to get to a gas station), as opposed to it being entirely accurate, but your being screwed if it goes to "empty".

Another obvious suggestion...if you don't have a locking gas cap, get one ASAP. They seem to be in short supply these days for obvious reasons, but I finally found one place (autobarn.com) that apparently still has some available.

[Mutley]

4. My gas hatch thing can't be opened except from the inside of the car.

Do you think that is adequate? I'm always afraid the static electricity from the key of a locking gas cap will start an explosion. :tinfoilhat:

[jayctravis]

5. Mine's that way too...

It doesn't lock, but the cover doesn't allow access unless I pull lever to the left of the driver's seat or yank a cable that's also accessible from inside the trunk.

I suppose if someone wanted the gas, they could pry the cover open without an extreme amount of difficulty.

[kentuck]

6. I've thought that if we could organize two or three days a weeks...

specifically for buying gas at one gas company only and don't buy from any of the others. They would think their price gauging is really not working. They would lower prices in an attempt to compete, in my opinion. For example, if we could go to CITGO on Mondays and perhaps another company on Fridays, the ohters would be left out. If we could organize somethng like that, I think it might work. Don't go to the same station you always go to. Go to a different station. If they feel it in their back pocket, they will think twice.

[MsTryska]

7. yeah - i'm similar to you....

i'm not planning on going below 3/4 of a tank - and i'll stop over to top off anywhere that it's under $3.

[Jawja]

8. Yes, that is what I am doing.

Not letting the tank get below a certain point. Keep it filled to the MAX at all times. I filled up last Sunday evening before Katrina hit and topped it off again today at $10.

[KerryOn]

9. I have been doing the same thing for...

...about the last two months. I don't see any disadvantage.

In addition to the things you mentioned, I am trying to conserve. I ry to plan my errands out more carefully, to cut down the miles. I'm always forgetting things, so when I think of something I need to do, I have been writing it down. When the list has two or three errands on it, hen I go get them done, or try to stop on the way to and from work.

[RamboLiberal]

10. Keeping an eye on prices and a tad worried about supply

So if I see a station significantly below the others I'll stop if gas is at about half a tank.

Most stations here in Pittsburgh, PA area though are at about $3.19 range.

I'll probably fill up at 1/2 tank no matter the price till I'm comfortable there will be no shortage.

Meanwhile I'm accumulating the .10 a gallon off a local grocery chain awards for each $50 of purchases (nice they give it on prescription drugs as well). So far I'm up to .30 off. So when I'm comfortable with gas supplies I'll let my tank go near empty and cash those in.

[lectrobyte]

11. if everybody runs out to top off their tank, then there is a surge of

demand, but it seems pretty short term. That is, gas stations would be emptied out now, but folks would buying the same amount of gas in a given week, so it should all even out. I'm more worried about hoarding, though, that seems like it could lead to shortages. There was an article in the paper about someone pulling a big-ass boat in and filling up its 200 gallon tanks. The writer called it a private strategic petroleum reserve, although he wasn't sure the owner wasn't going boating. Another article pointed out that gas cans were sold out at local hardware stores.

[kestrel91316]

12. Ummmm, drive less?