With Gas..
Using a credit/debit card…
without going inside, or pumping twice???
1) my truck runs like shinola on 87 so I use plus or superduper
B) at 3.18 / gallon and a 26 gallon tank that is err mmm ahhh … alot!!!
III) when I swipe my card at the pump I can only pump 49$, 50$, or 75$(rarely 75 )
SOOOO….
anyone know who I gotta call beg plead swear at to be able to fill my tank ???
or am I dreaming of the good old days???
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I found my Pants….
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I found my Pants….
Replies
I may be wrong, but I believe the dollar limit is set by the gas stations (to minimize the loss in the case of gas theft).
back when this first started I asked the manager of a gas station ans was told it was the bank.So I went to my bank and they said it was the gas station.I gave up trying to understand...But now it is the rule rather than the exception....
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I found my Pants....
Don't ya love it when inflation bumps into bureaucracy?
What you can do to get a full fill is to go to the limit, shut off the pump, and then swipe your card again. Then continue filling. Some of the pumps that I visit actually have those instructions right next to the "don't blame us--it's the credit card folks" sign.
yea on my F-450 with two twenty gallon tanks I have to shut off the pump and reswipe the card to fill both tanks...with deisel.
Daniel Neumansky
Restoring our second Victorian home this time in Alamdea CA. Check out the blog http://www.chezneumansky.blogspot.com/
Oakland CA
Crazy Homeowner-Victorian Restorer
daniel,lmao you drive a f450 and your worried that your gas stove will cost too much to run!!! a fill up would probably cook all the meals you will eat in a year.did you decide on utilitys yet? hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
get a fuelman credit card, they also discount on what the pump says.
It's a problem that a lot of folks are having now. I believe that it's generally a policy of the "service" that the pumps are connected to that establishes the limit -- the go-betweens between the station folks and the credit card co. You'd think that it would have been raised automatically by now, but as typical some folks have their heads mislocated and are only now saying "Duh, who? Me?".
Fill up before the tank gets that low.
An added bonus is that the fuel pump in the tank will last longer, the more gas in the tank, the cooler the pump runs.
An added bonus is that the fuel pump in the tank will last longer, the more gas in the tank, the cooler the pump runs.
Ya know I've heard that but I just dont believe it! I'm the biggest abuser of driving on fumes - I hate stoping to fill up so I dont do it until I'm down to that last 1/4 gallon, its almost a game to me, see how much I can run the tank down without running out!
In all the years I've been driving and that'd be about 40+ I've never had a fuel pump go out on me.
Doug
Had a fuel pump go out once. 1963 VW convertable. Must have been about 1970.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I will attest to this--I am again five hundred dollars lighter after going almost empty.My mom ran hers low--killed the fuel pump.
I did mine a few weeks ago--next day--new fuel pump.
Few years ago, ran mine almost out--new fuel pump.
One more for good measure.My mechanic says to fill up at a quarter and I do now.These are all 1999 Chevrolets Half Ton.I am a believer now--I used to like to get the tank low, almost as a game--it ain't funny no more.
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.Nobody is as good as they seem, nobody is as bad as they seem either.
Sounds like you should invest in the company that makes Chevy fuel pumps.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
These are all 1999 Chevrolets Half Ton.
I am a believer now--I used to like to get the tank low, almost as a game--it ain't funny no more.
My last truck was a chevy 1/2 ton, 2000, this one is a few years newer. I still dont buy the the idea that the fuel pump will go out. I have 40 plus years of doing it and as I mentioned, still havnt replaced a fuel pump! Maybe I'm just lucky..................... sometimes its better to be lucky instead of good.
Doug
yeah, you are lucky. I put 3 in my van over the yrs. And was with Dale when his quit. Both his mech and mine verified that low fuel in the tank shortens the life of the pump.
I guess you and I should both be knocking on wood.(Did you reach for your noggin as I said that ? I reached for mine. ;o) )The only two fuel pumps I have replaced have been a mechanical pump on the side of a chevy small block, and the electric fuel pump on a plymouth arrow.And I run very low, very often. Neccessity, most of the time, not just a game.
Yeh... That'll work.
the difference in fuel pumps old and new is the old ones were a diphram and if there was gas it was going to suck it up.
now they are a little electric motor that is in the tank with the gas. as all electric motors do the create heat,the gas sloshing around helps cool them. now you run out of gas once,shouldn't be a big deal. but if you keep this up you will shorten the lifespan of your pump.
another difference in old versus new. old stlye new cost 20.00.new one will set you back 200.-700. ouch! larryhand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
Was there a problem with ethanol added for some of them?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I doubt that you have been driving 40+ years with submerged electric fuel pumps though. There are many GM owners that would probably disagree with you. Their owner's manuals caution this situation. I replaced one on the Tahoe, when I took delivery (used with 78k) it was on the low fuel light. It was pretty noisy. I used to run the Blazer pretty low on very few occasions, shot for 1/4 tank, and it has orig pump at 125k.
When the Hoe would not start one time it just happened to be at the shop when wife had dropped me off to pick up another vehicle. My mech thumped the tank and it started. I had just filled the beast up. Ordered a pump from "Global Automotive" on eBay for about 130. Went ahead and changed it. Since it still worked I unhooked the fuel pressure port and ran hose to five gallon cans and put it in the truck.
It is almost impossible to siphon gas out of that vehicle. The fill tube neck on the tank has an offset hole. You can take off the vent line and suck it out though.
Your right, I havnt been driving 40 + years with a low tank. Actually as I was driving to work I realized that I havnt been driving for 40+ years but more like 38, I dont need to be any older then I already am.
Sure I dont always drive with a low tank but I dont think that I fill up before the tank is on or near empty more then one in 50 fill-ups, only time I do fill up without the tank really low is if I'm traveling and dont know where the next station is.
For most of my life I have had GM's and still no fuel pump failure, guess I'm doing something right cause all you guys are having problems and I'm not, maybe you should switch to my method!
If you guys think that you need to fill up when the tank is on 1/2 full then by all means do so but so far I'm not convinced that my method is faulty.
Doug
I was not talking about your years of driving low on fuel, I was referring to when they started putting in the submerged electric pumps. (:-) Do not think anyone is advocating filling up at the 1/2 tank point. I try to not go too much below 1/4.
Bob
Edited 7/25/2007 9:21 pm ET by rasconc
Bob
I was referring to when they started putting in the submerged electric pumps.
I wouldn't know a submersible electric pump from a power steering pump, I'm mechanically inept so none of this stuff really means to much to me, I wasn't trying to make an argument out of the whole thing just noting that my dumb luck has provided me with a certain sense of security! I probably shouldn't even be talking about the whole thing - I'll probably have to replace 6 fuel pumps over the next three years!
Doug
Edited 7/25/2007 9:42 pm ET by DougU
I'll probably have to replace 6 fuel pumps over the next three years!
oh man, you went and said it.
you shouldn't have said it
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."-Thoreau
Yea I should know better then to even bring it up!
I got a guy Jose, he can fix em for me though. Nothing he wont tackle, the lack of knowledge required to do the job doesn't bother him either.
Doug
ya, gone are the days of leaning over the fender to swap out a part.
be nostalgic
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."-Thoreau
I've had this problem only at a few places....and when I re-swipe my card(after hitting the $75 cut-off) I wind up topping off with only a couple gallons. I my opinion, waste of time.
I have no idea if running a tank low kills a fuel pump, buy I don't wanna find out. I usually run my gauge 'til 1/8 tank then fill it. I had to replace a fuel lift pump and injector pump last year to the tune of $2k...not wanting to do that again. Who said deisel's were cheap?
I run into that once in a while, not that often though. I have a 1 ton chevy extended van and even when the pump shuts off I still get almost full.
If it really bothered me i'd just restart the pump or go somewhere else.
mister T
Here's an answer to the question you didn't ask but should..
Part of the reason you may have to use mid or premium grade is either the on board computer in your truck or it's tune up..
Your computer has a memory of how it's used and believe it or not, it teaches itself to make maximum use of whatever fuel tends to be feed to it.. Thus you've taught it to use mid or premium grade and so it advances it's timing enough to take maximum advantage of that grade..
You really should wean it off the mid grade stuff..
Not just becuse it's cheaper but because you'll actaully get better mileage. (and have more peak power) If you'd like a boring technical discussion I'll gladly provide it..
The way to wean it is a little complex but good for the truck. Ask and I'll explain it to you..
The other possiblity is the trucks tune up.. assuming you don't have a chip in it, the need for higher grade fuel usually has to do with either fuel delivery system not up to snuff, or a misfire due to an electrical problem in the primary system..
Again I can walk you thru the process of determining which it is if you want, but I suggest that you don't do the work yourself.. there are several land mines involved where unless you have the right equipment and technique you can screw things up a lot!
I saw a sign on a pump saying that VISA was limited to $50, MasterCard to $75. I think this must be how much liability the credit card companies will take on. Some gas stations seem to allow a bit more, I assume they must be taking on some of the liabilities themselves. I don't have any verification on this, it's just the most educated guess I've been able to put together and the amounts seem to hold fairly true.
Note that there's not really such a thing as "Visa" and "MasterCard" as a homogeneous organization. It's really quite a bit like with checks, where you deposit a check in one bank and they (now electronically) shipt the check to the other bank for payment. So you have two banks involved in each transaction, plus the retail organization.My understanding is that it's the first bank, possibly tied in with some of their contract terms with the retail shop, that is setting this limit. And of course they're the ones who have zero interest in making things convenient for the customer.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
don't go all the way to E.
bad for an in-tank fuel pump anyway.
fill @ 1/4 tank
Bing
install a smaller gas tank
Using a card I fill up one morning on the way out of town to work and decide to fill up at same place when returning that night to be ready for the next day
when the pump won't take my card. Clerk says new policy only one fillup a day to combat theft or some such thing.
Friggin had to pay cash or stop again someplace down the street.
be it's a gas!
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."
-Thoreau
I'd start stopping down the street in the morning too.George Patterson
"Clerk says new policy only one fillup a day to combat theft or some such thing."My reply -
"Tell your manager that I consider it a policy to stop me from buying my gas here. Anything that adds to my inconvenience is telling me you don't want my business. Here is my card. Let me know when you want me to start buying here again. Have a nice day"
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
All the gas stations I've been to in the last few years have a credit card system that requires the customer to input his zip code before the card is approved for that purchase. Then there's no limit. I haven't seen anyone mention the zip code verification here. Is that not part of your cc gas purchases?
I've not seen it in our part of the country. I have seen it elsewhere.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Not here in Maineyet
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
why cant a PIN get you authorization for as much gas as you need???I can go to a dept store and buy 5000$ worth of stuff that way why not gas???.
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Pants???I Don't need No Steenking Pants!!!
Duh!! Because dept stores don't sell gas.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Why didn't I realize that?????????DUH!!.
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Pants???I Don't need No Steenking Pants!!!
I can go to a dept store and buy 5000$ worth of stuff that way
Then why don't you get $5000 worth of pants?
View Imagehttp://grantlogan.net/
I've never met a man that was owed as much as he thought he was.
how do you know I haven't??.
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Pants???I Don't need No Steenking Pants!!!
how do you know I haven't??
Because I'm from the internet.
View Imagehttp://grantlogan.net/
I've never met a man that was owed as much as he thought he was.
I really thing fuel pump failure is due to fuel filter problems, I change mine every six months.
I really thing fuel pump failure is due to fuel filter problems, I change mine every six months.
Summer and winter or spring and fall?
View Image
http://grantlogan.net/
I've never met a man that was owed as much as he thought he was.
"Then why don't you get $5000 worth of pants?"Uhh...'cause he don't need no steenking pants.
Rich BeckmanComing to the Fest? Don't forget pencils!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T
I don't know if this will be the same for you as it is for me but when I use my debit card as a debit card(meaning I chose that from the list on the pump screen) I can only put in $50 but if I use that same debit card and chose "credit card" I can go to $75, no reason why but it works for me.
Doug
we use fuelman card, it a credit card the keep track of your mileage and mpg and has a id number so if someone steal it, they cannot use it. its only good for gas so no employee beer.also gives a rebate so if pump read 2.76 a gallon, you buying it for about 2,52 a gallon. you can get read out on the net so you can tell where each employee filled up
Mister T,
I don't know what brand of gas you have in your area, but here I buy mine at Speedway. They have a prepaid gift card that you can buy. I usually get them in $250 amounts. Pay with a credit card that gives you rebates. You can then recharge them before they run out.
An additional bonus that they do is give a certain dollar discount when you purchase the card. Right now it is save a dollar for each $50 you put on it. So, when you get a $250 card, it costs you $245. Last month, I saved $10 on that same amount as they were giving $1 discount on every $25.
Only thing is, if you lose it, too bad. It's not like a credit card. It's like cash. If someone else gets it, well, they will probably spend it, and I don't think you can do anything about it.
Bryan
"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."
Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio - just south of the Glass City
I don't think they have Speedway's in NY - at least, I don't remember seeing any. Right now I'm getting gas for $.10 less than the price on the sign if I scan my Speedway card 1st, but I can only get $50 worth at a time. I may try your prepaid card trick.
View Imagehttp://grantlogan.net/
I've never met a man that was owed as much as he thought he was.
I like the idea of the prepay cards.I haven't been able to afford one yet, but if I were working everyday I'd certainly get one in a heartbeat.Not only do you save up front, so much per gallon... But think about it... If the price goes higher, you are saving even more. At least for the remainder of that card. (unless they somehow tie it to the price, and not to the gallon, on the card ???)
Yeh... That'll work.
unless they somehow tie it to the price, and not to the gallon, on the card
That's how it works. You can buy gas or beer or anything they sell at the current price for a total of how ever many dollars you put on the card. The company I use has a rewards card that'll give you a free cup of coffee if you buy 5 and so on if you get it scanned when you purchase. You get so many points per $ spent and when you get so many, you can redeem them for free gas or just about anything they sell (except beer and cigs).
Right now, if you scan your rewards card at the pump, the price drops $.10.
I buy my gas there because it's right around the corner, but carrying that rewards card and scanning it is worth the trouble.
View Imagehttp://grantlogan.net/
I've never met a man that was owed as much as he thought he was.
I'm talking about prepaid gas ONLY cards.I think the cheapest is like 250 dollars. But you save 25 dollars immediately. When it runs out, you buy another.Maybe we don't have the same cards here that you do ???
Yeh... That'll work.
Maybe we don't have the same cards here that you do ???
Probably do have the same cards, but I'm just ignorant of the type you're talking about. I'll have to check into it. Thanks.
View Imagehttp://grantlogan.net/
I've never met a man that was owed as much as he thought he was.
Buy you fuel someplace where they are interested in selling a full tank.
I have a dual tank and often spend more than a hundred and never have a problem no matter which card I use.
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Around here, some gas stations are putting limits on how much gasoline you can buy, as a result of people stealing. One station near me limits purchases (even with a credit card) to $20 per transaction. Really sucks when you have a 38 gallon fuel tank.
I seek out and patronize stations where they will just turn on the pump when I drive up, and pay inside at the end. Unless I'm desperate.
I have a few places around that do this still. I just wave if they don't notice me waiting for the pump to come on.
WITH A SHOVEL...
MANUAL OR MECHANIZED...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!