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...

[aklim]

Why didn't you try the 1-800-FOR-MERC? I uysed their service and they brougnt 3 gals of gas for free.

[billrei]

Originally Posted by aklim

Why didn't you try the 1-800-FOR-MERC? I uysed their service and they brougnt 3 gals of gas for free.

Because the nice officer was in no mood to let me sit there blocking rush hour traffic for a good mile while I wait for some courtesy service to show up. He wanted me out of there NOW!!

[Hatterasguy]

It happans to all of us! NJ has cheap fuel I would have waited to! Everytime I drive through NJ I top off before I hit tax crazy CT. This is killing the truck stops in CT btw we are now a drive through state.

[Scott98]

Several years ago I was driving my dad's truck which didn't have a properly functioning gas gauge. It read fine until you got below a half a tank and then it wasn't accurate. I usually reset the tripometer to give me some idea of how many miles I could go but I don't think he usually did the same. Anyway, I was coming home very late at night from Richmond (my parents lived out in the middle of nowhere) and was super tired. I didn't want to stop to fill up and looking at the gas guage I guessed that I probably had enough to make it home. Luckily, rational thinking kicked in and I decided that the risk wasn't worth it and I should just pull over. Well, I did and the truck took 17.5 gallons in an 18 gallon tank. Talk about getting lucky.

Scott

[Wodnek]

$50 is a bargain. Try needing a tow off the Illinois tollway sometime. In the 80s
it cost me $150. Dont wanna know what it costs now.

[billrei]

Originally Posted by Wodnek

$50 is a bargain. Try needing a tow off the Illinois tollway sometime. In the 80s
it cost me $150. Dont wanna know what it costs now.

If I was closer to Philly I would have been paying the mayor's brother in law $250 at least!

[aklim]

Originally Posted by billrei

Because the nice officer was in no mood to let me sit there blocking rush hour traffic for a good mile while I wait for some courtesy service to show up. He wanted me out of there NOW!!

Be a man about it. Tell him to go fawk himself. Grab your crotch and shake it. Tell us what happens from jail when you get there.

[redghost]

In that situation I not only have AAA, but also keep a gallon of spare cheap fry oil in the trunk. Not the most bestest solution but beats the heck out of $50 and I am on my way for another 26 miles or until fuel station shows up. 1-800 merc is a waste, as they send AAA anyway and you get charged for the fuel.

Cold weather may make it harder, but you have an already warm engine, so the canola will not gel too fast.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by redghost

1-800 merc is a waste, as they send AAA anyway and you get charged for the fuel.

I got them to send their tech there with 3 gals of free fuel. Did this more than once before I decided to fix the faulty sensor.

Originally Posted by aklim

I got them to send their tech there with 3 gals of free fuel. Did this more than once before I decided to fix the faulty sensor.

DId you have to request their people or do they automatically choose AAA if its the closest over their people?
I have considered using this...but if we get raped by AAA, then thats not chill....

[aklim]

Originally Posted by Brandon314159

DId you have to request their people or do they automatically choose AAA if its the closest over their people?
I have considered using this...but if we get raped by AAA, then thats not chill....

I called the 1-800 number and a MB service person called me back. They told me that based on my location, they would be there in XX minutes, give or take. I suppose that if you are in the middle of nowhere they would have to use AAA seeing as you are probably not going to want to have them come to you in 3 hrs.

Originally Posted by aklim

I called the 1-800 number and a MB service person called me back. They told me that based on my location, they would be there in XX minutes, give or take. I suppose that if you are in the middle of nowhere they would have to use AAA seeing as you are probably not going to want to have them come to you in 3 hrs.

And if AAA has to come out for them, you have to pay for fuel?

[aklim]

Originally Posted by Brandon314159

And if AAA has to come out for them, you have to pay for fuel?

I don't know. Never had that before but I would speculate that you do. I have to ask.

[JamesStein]

Why not just keep a small can of fuel in the trunk? Each time you fill up dump it in the tank and refill it so it stays fresh.

I've always got around 7 gallons of diesel in my main tank and 20 or so gallons of WVO on me.