Chacham's Journal: Question: Gas in the trunk, good or bad.

Ran out of gas today (again). I just seem to forget these things. Luckily, i usually have a gallon of gas in the trunk. People tell me that's dangerous though. I think it's great. It helps me when i run out, and is a nice help should anyone else run out.

Is it really dangerous?

Danger Level

[SiliconJesus]

Assuming that the car is a closed trunks (ie not a station wagon or SUV) it is relatively safe as long as the tank is of reasonable size (1 - 2 gallons). Make sure that you keep the lid TIGHT as its not the actual gas 'fluid' that's flammable, but the vapors.

Back in my old 'redneck' days, we used to put cigarettes out in a tank of gas. Flick it hard enough, and it goes out before it ignites the pan.

I don't know.

[bmetzler]

Is your gas guage busted? I just fill up when my tank is about 3/4 empty. Maybe it helps that there are gas stations on almost every corner around here. Sometimes 2 or 3 on a corner.

-Brent

Re:I don't know.

[Chacham]

No, my brain is busted. I just don't seem to remember to check too often. :)

Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[bubblegoose]

My dad is constantly running out of gas. I got him some stuff at PepBoys. This stuff is supposed to be a lot less flammable than gasoline. It only works in a warm engine and doesn't run that well, but in a pinch it will get you 15 miles to a gas station. He has used it once before and it did fine.

Found a link for it here [widgets.ws] and here [foximas.com]. Its called Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel also an article for something like it here [entrepreneur.com].

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[rkz]

just tell your onboard computer to beep and show the route to the nearest petrol station when you are running low.

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[bubblegoose]

Onboard computer? His 1994 Ford Ranger is analog all the way. He puts a lot of miles on his small company's truck and he's happy his latest work truck now has power steering and A.C.

OK, maybe there's a small computer for running the engine, but all that shows the driver is a check engine light.

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[rkz]

doesn't it have a light that comes on when your down to your last 20 miles? Even my 1989 Nissan Sunny has that!!

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[bubblegoose]

Nope, its a Ford, they don't think of that stuff, at least back in '94.

Plus, my dad is the type who says to himself "I'll be OK for 10 more miles, the needle isn't completely in the red area, there is still some white showing, I'm fine, I don't need to fill up yet". A light would do nothing to deter him.

Ran out of gas with him driving out in the middle of nowhere Montana because of that, you know, where exits are 40 miles apart. Luckily we were traveling with people and their car had a longer range, so th

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[Some Woman]

Even if there's no fancy alert sound, the vehicle should have a reasonable tolerance built into the gas gauge. I have a rather old Ford Tempo that has a little over a gallon of usable fuel left when the gas gauge reached empty. (Note: I found this out the easy way- the owner's manual.)

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[bubblegoose]

My dad is the type to figure out how far he can push the limit on fuel. Maybe he thinks he's a Nascar driver or something, I don't know why he does it. Occasionally he slips.

I can't stand going below 1/4 tank.

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[buffer-overflowed]

Mine comes on in when I'm down to my last 60 miles.

It's highly annoying.

Re:Pennzoil Roadside Rescue Emergency Fuel

[Chacham]

Interesting, thanx.

Rather expensive though for ten miles. One gallong of gas costs about $1.50, and can go 20-30 miles.

Gas in the trunk

[GoRK]

There is really no excuse for running your tank dry. First, it can do terrible things to your engine and your fuel pump, especially if you're fuel-injected (and unless you drive an old beater, you are). Gas guages are meant to make you refill. That's why the needle will go all the way left past the empty line and why you can drive for an hour after your reserve light comes on. The auto makers really want you to fill it back up so that you don't break your car so they have to fix it under warranty. Pushing i

Re:Gas in the trunk

[Chacham]

Interesting. Thanx for the input.