03-13-2015, 12:52 AM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
Growin a stash
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 819
Thanks: 417
Thanked 310 Times in 233 Posts
|
Saving mucho dinero at the pump
So I've always saved a lot at the pump. It helps to live in a state that's far away from CA and NY. In fact, I've paid as little as 4c/mile before... which is down in EV territory.
But a recent, cleverly devious scheme might get my fuel costs even lower (as gas prices tick back up...) A grocery chain around here offers fuel discounts based on how much crap you buy in a month, up to $1/gal on up to 35 gallons.
Now, I can only fill 15 gallons at a time in my Cruze. But I bought 20 gallons worth of gas cans on eBay for $75. When they arrive, I'll take advantage of the full 35 gallons. Plus I'll only stop for gas about once/month. Finally, because I buy more groceries in the extended timeframe, my "fuel points" should double.
And these cans are made in the USA, too!
A quick calculation (gas at $2.20/gallon before discount, saving 60c per gallon, 40 mpg) shows that I should be able to maintain my 4c/mile fuel cost. Tack on an additional 5% savings from a rewards card and I'm sitting at 3.8c/mile.
__________________
2024 Chevy Bolt
Previous:
2015 Nissan Leaf S, 164 mpge
|
|
|
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ME_Andy For This Useful Post:
|
|
Today
|
|
|
Other popular topics in this forum...
|
|
|
03-13-2015, 01:41 AM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
Just cruisin’ along
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,183
Thanks: 66
Thanked 201 Times in 171 Posts
|
Nice! I belatedly thought of something like this when I used an almost identical discount to fill my wife's Rio a while back. Shoulda gotten spare gas for the yard machines and Mustang.
Are you factoring in the cost of the jerry cans? Unless you have a "source", those things ain't cheap.
__________________
'97 Honda Civic DX Coupe 5MT - dead 2/23
'00 Echo - dead 2/17
'14 Chrysler Town + Country - My DD, for now
'67 Mustang Convertible - gone 1/17
|
|
|
03-13-2015, 10:09 AM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,534
Thanks: 4,082
Thanked 6,979 Times in 3,614 Posts
|
The Costco approach to fuel purchasing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ME_Andy
Now, I can only fill 15 gallons at a time in my Cruze.
|
Your Cruze needs a garage entry! Add new vehicle It appearing under your username helps give your posts some context (for the times you don't mention it in the post itself).
|
|
|
03-13-2015, 11:25 AM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
...beats walking...
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: .
Posts: 6,190
Thanks: 179
Thanked 1,525 Times in 1,126 Posts
|
But, you have to remember that gasoline eventually goes "stale" during extended sitting periods, especially with alcohol content in it, hence the need for products such as Sta·bil™, etc.
|
|
|
03-13-2015, 11:43 AM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: west TN
Posts: 92
Stream - '16 Volkswagen Jetta 90 day: 33.7 mpg (US)
Thanks: 8
Thanked 33 Times in 24 Posts
|
Good idea!
You could take this a bit further and make mucho dinero. It might even solve the gas crisis! All you need is some barrels, and wait until the gas prices go back up, and sell the gas door to door!
On a serious note, a dollar per gallon discount is huge. Around here it's usually more like 10-15 cents...
|
|
|
03-13-2015, 12:00 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
Rat Racer
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Route 16
Posts: 4,150
Thanks: 1,784
Thanked 1,922 Times in 1,246 Posts
|
Yeah, the cans cost, but they also save. $12 per trip at 60 cents a gallon. Just watch the fill numbers carefully and your logs will still be accurate. Topping off the tank at home would be wonderfully convenient as well.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @∞MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%
|
|
|
|
03-13-2015, 05:04 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
(:
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,556 Times in 2,218 Posts
|
Devise a means of keeping the cans upright and not sliding around/tipping over in the trunk until you get home to offload. You will thank me. Spilled gas in the car really stinks. I use bungee cords.
|
|
|
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Frank Lee For This Useful Post:
|
|
03-16-2015, 08:44 AM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
Rat Racer
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Route 16
Posts: 4,150
Thanks: 1,784
Thanked 1,922 Times in 1,246 Posts
|
I avoid bungee cords. Run a rope through the cans' handles, tying them all together.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @∞MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%
|
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 09:54 AM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
one of thOOOse people
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: the cloud(s)
Posts: 293
Thanks: 0
Thanked 81 Times in 66 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tele man
But, you have to remember that gasoline eventually goes "stale" during extended sitting periods, especially with alcohol content in it, hence the need for products such as Sta·bil™, etc.
|
I think he said he fills his tank once a month. If stale gas is a problem after that short of time I have a bigger problem as I'm only filling my tank 4 to 6 times a year as it is. Pedal power!
|
|
|
03-16-2015, 11:31 AM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
Spaced out...
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dirty Jersey
Posts: 748
Thanks: 142
Thanked 205 Times in 149 Posts
|
Great idea thinking of ways to maximize rewards and fuel savings!
If gas goes stale that fast I have 15gallons of stale gas in my Monte Carlo right now that has been sitting all winter. I just drive it easy for the first tank and have never had a problem. If I had a high HP engine that needed every bit of that 87octane I might be worried...but a stock Silverado engine should handle it no problem.
__________________
-Mike
2007 Ford Focus ZX5 - 91k - SGII, pending upper and lower grill bocks - auto trans
1987 Monte Carlo SS - 5.3/4L80E swap - 13.67 @ 106
2007 Ford Focus Estate - 230k - 33mpg - Retired 4/2018
1995 Saturn SL2 - 256K miles - 44mpg - Retired 9/2014
Cost to Operate Spreadsheet for "The New Focus"
|
|
|
|