How to Fill Up Cheaper

igotatitan · 12-09-2004, 01:16 PM

I’ve read countless posts about the Titan’s horrible gas mileage – especially at today’s gas prices. Here are a couple tips that I hope will help soften the blow at the gas pump:

1. Buy your gas at a grocery store fuel center that offers gas discounts based on how much you spend in the store.

2. Pay for it with a rewards credit card, and be sure to pay off each month to avoid finance charges that can effectively kill any discount you’ll get.

Here’s how it worked for me:

I bought the week’s groceries at the local Smith’s (Kroger) grocery store and got a gas discount coupon for 15¢ cents per gallon because I spent over $90. Discounts are also available for 5¢ per gallon for $30 to $59 and 10¢ per gallon for up to $60 to $89.

I filled up with 25.0 gallons @ 1.859/gal ($46.48 total). Paid only $42.73 after the 15¢ per gallon discount. Paid with my Citi Dividends card (I highly recommend looking into this one), which gives me 5% cash back on gas, so I got another $2.14 off, which works out to about $1.62/gal, a total savings of close to 13%.

The way I drive, that works out to over $300 a year.

Edit: The Citi Dividends card also give you 5% back on groceries, so if you pay for your groceries with it as well, you save even more.

TitanWannaBe · 12-09-2004, 01:50 PM

Have never see a grocery & gas store...must be a mid-west thing?

Bayou Titan · 12-09-2004, 01:51 PM

Another tip: Turn off the pump before removing the nozzle, then lift the hose to drain the gas left in the hose. You'll probable get another 12 oz each fill up this way.

GETSOMZ28 · 12-09-2004, 02:04 PM

Gas is down to $1.75 here, so it really isnt too bad.

TruckNitz · 12-09-2004, 02:08 PM

Gas at grocery stores is known to be inferior to that of a major Oil/Gas company (Exxon, MObil, BP etc.). Just my .02

soanso · 12-09-2004, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GETSOMZ28

Gas is down to $1.75 here, so it really isnt too bad.

Filled up in Houston today at $1.64 at Citgo, quite nice actually. Hell, it felt cheap.

ColoTitan · 12-09-2004, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruckNitz

Gas at grocery stores is known to be inferior to that of a major Oil/Gas company (Exxon, MObil, BP etc.). Just my .02

Looks like there commercials are working.

Khamburg · 12-09-2004, 02:25 PM

Whatever you do don't try to syphon it from an RV. I accidently hooked into the septic tank and got a NICE surprise.....

TruckNitz · 12-09-2004, 02:40 PM

WHose commercials? The Big OIL co's? I suppose that's what you mean. It is a known fact that our Kroger here in West VA has gas that is cheaply refined and cheaply stored. If it makes you feel better, buy Kroger gas. I will keep "beleiving the commercials" and filling up with Exxon.

sigmapititan · 12-09-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GETSOMZ28

Gas is down to $1.75 here, so it really isnt too bad.

The lowest I have paid for gas recently has been $2.07. I would gladly pay $1.75

Bayou Titan · 12-09-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruckNitz

Gas at grocery stores is known to be inferior to that of a major Oil/Gas company (Exxon, MObil, BP etc.). Just my .02

This isn't always the case. There is a refinery in my town and you can see all brands, major and minor, filling up at the same place.

NSTiGaT0R · 12-09-2004, 02:56 PM

The only big difference from one gas station to the next is the detergents they add and the storage of the gas at the station. It all comes from the same refinery in a given area, despite what "brand" you buy...

NSTiGaT0R · 12-09-2004, 02:57 PM

haha, you beat me to the punch Bayou Titan

PuvMan · 12-09-2004, 03:31 PM

just curious....i will be aquiring a titan soon

what octane level are you all using? I believe nissan recommends regualr octane (87)....

i know the difference between the levels being the temperature at which they burn at, etc etc. I even have a friend who was a aeronautical engineer major in college who went into MUCH more detail about it. hehe....however, i have heard some people say higher octane will give you better mileage etc etc

So basically, i would like to hear everyones thoughts, opinions, and experiences with octane levels. Thanks

puv

igotatitan · 12-09-2004, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanWannaBe

Have never see a grocery & gas store...must be a mid-west thing?

Dunno. Utah is considered to be either Intermountain West or Southwest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruckNitz

WHose commercials? The Big OIL co's? I suppose that's what you mean. It is a known fact that our Kroger here in West VA has gas that is cheaply refined and cheaply stored. If it makes you feel better, buy Kroger gas. I will keep "beleiving the commercials" and filling up with Exxon.

Hmmm... Where's the Kroger refinery? Didn't know they were in the petroleum business. Most of the gas you buy - regardless of brand - comes from only 1 or 2 refineries nearest to your area. The major brands typically buy the gas wholesale, have their additives put in, and ship it out to their big-name company-branded stations.

(Edit: I guess I should have read through the posts - that was already covered.)

Here in Utah, Smith's is our Kroger subsidiary, and the gas station out front is "Smith's Conoco."

All gas is stored in accordance with federal and state standards, no matter which brand. Even then, you must use common sense. I wouldn't trust a station that looks run down and still has those pumps that go "ding" every gallon.