Rental Cars, What is it?

The_Polly_Roger · Post by **The_Polly_Roger** » December 12, 2005 3:59 pm

So my car is in the shop (long story) and I needed a rental this week.

I pick it up and it has a full tank. I drive less than 5 miles to work and the fuel gage reads 7/8ths.

Of the three cars I've owned as well as the three my wife has had, when I fill up the tank the needle stays on full for 20 to 40 miles.

It seems like rental companies use special pumps or have a knack to get the gage to just hit "F" and then stop pumping. I guess they could do this if they have one guy watching the needle while another (slowly) fills the tank.

Anyone else seen this? Anyone work as a pump jockey at a rental agency?

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » December 12, 2005 4:01 pm

The_Polly_Roger wrote:Anyone work as a pump jockey at a rental agency?

I think Shane works as a pump jockey in the subway.

z-man · Post by **z-man** » December 12, 2005 4:03 pm

The_Polly_Roger wrote:I pick it up and it has a full tank. I drive less than 5 miles to work and the fuel gage reads 7/8ths.

Anyone else seen this? Anyone work as a pump jockey at a rental agency?

You can probably blame whoever had the car last. If it was turned in "Full", the rent company is not going to put more gas into the car. You can complain to the car rental company and have them track the last renter, but it probably isn't worth the trouble for a dollars worth of gas.

The_Polly_Roger · Post by **The_Polly_Roger** » December 12, 2005 4:08 pm

z-man wrote:
The_Polly_Roger wrote:I pick it up and it has a full tank. I drive less than 5 miles to work and the fuel gage reads 7/8ths.

Anyone else seen this? Anyone work as a pump jockey at a rental agency?
You can probably blame whoever had the car last. If it was turned in "Full", the rent company is not going to put more gas into the car. You can complain to the car rental company and have them track the last renter, but it probably isn't worth the trouble for a dollars worth of gas.

WOW! Where do you live that you can get more than 1/2 gallon for a buck?

mings · Post by **mings** » December 12, 2005 4:36 pm

rental cars s*** because people like me rent them and drive them into the ground - althougth the SMART car I rented in France was not that SMART and neither was I or my ex-gf as we put leaded in an unleaded car. I feel sorry for the poor French goober who buys that car.

NOTM Dec 2005

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » December 12, 2005 4:40 pm

mings wrote:rental cars s*** because people like me rent them and drive them into the ground - althougth the SMART car I rented in France was not that SMART and neither was I or my ex-gf as we put leaded in an unleaded car. I feel sorry for the poor French goober who buys that car.

NOTM Dec 2005

Using leaded fuel in a car rated for unleaded isn't that big a deal. The real problems lies in using unleaded fuel in a vehicle made for leaded.

mings · Post by **mings** » December 12, 2005 4:47 pm

rednekkPH wrote:
mings wrote:rental cars s*** because people like me rent them and drive them into the ground - althougth the SMART car I rented in France was not that SMART and neither was I or my ex-gf as we put leaded in an unleaded car. I feel sorry for the poor French goober who buys that car.

NOTM Dec 2005
Using leaded fuel in a car rated for unleaded isn't that big a deal. The real problems lies in using unleaded fuel in a vehicle made for leaded.

It's a big deal when Frenchies won't let you start the car and it doesn't like to run in low gears in ubber rural France when you don't speak a word of French other than kiss, toast, and (my ex-gf knew) braid. Then its a huge deal.

NOTM Dec 2005

z-man · Post by **z-man** » December 12, 2005 4:47 pm

rednekkPH wrote:
mings wrote:rental cars s*** because people like me rent them and drive them into the ground - althougth the SMART car I rented in France was not that SMART and neither was I or my ex-gf as we put leaded in an unleaded car. I feel sorry for the poor French goober who buys that car.

NOTM Dec 2005
Using leaded fuel in a car rated for unleaded isn't that big a deal. The real problems lies in using unleaded fuel in a vehicle made for leaded.

you've obviously never had to replace a catalytic converter! ($$$$)
the lead eventually fouls the converter, leading to the car stalling out and the converter being replaced (you can bypass the converter if you do your own work, but it is illegal for a licensed repair shop to bypass it. If your state has vehicle inspections, a bypassed converter will usually result in failing inspection)

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » December 12, 2005 4:50 pm

The_Polly_Roger wrote:
I pick it up and it has a full tank. I drive less than 5 miles to work and the fuel gage reads 7/8ths.

I would complain to the car renter.... if its a reputable place they will most likely offer you a solution... epecially if you can show a receipt.

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » December 12, 2005 4:54 pm

z-man wrote:you've obviously never had to replace a catalytic converter! ($$$$)

You're right, I haven't. I've removed the CC from every vehicle I've ever owned.

Besides, replacing a CC is still cheaper than the complete valve job necessitated by running unleaded fuel in a motor set up for lead.

CadiRita · Post by **CadiRita** » December 12, 2005 5:01 pm

Don't be gentle, it's a rental.

mings · Post by **mings** » December 12, 2005 5:05 pm

CadiRita wrote:Don't be gentle, it's a rental.

See. I'm not alone in this.

NOTM Dec 2005

Burny Charles · Post by **Burny Charles** » December 12, 2005 5:13 pm

z-man wrote:You can probably blame whoever had the car last. If it was turned in "Full", the rent company is not going to put more gas into the car. You can complain to the car rental company and have them track the last renter, but it probably isn't worth the trouble for a dollars worth of gas.

wZs

I used to work for a rental company and that is most likely the reason.

Actually, we would see if it was really full. We'd see if it would take a gallon, and anything over that the customer would get charged.

sy · Post by sy » December 12, 2005 5:17 pm

mings wrote:
CadiRita wrote:Don't be gentle, it's a rental.
See. I'm not alone in this.

NOTM Dec 2005

No, you're definitely not alone.

My heart goes out to every car we've ever rented in Vegas. May you all RIP.

Burny Charles · Post by **Burny Charles** » December 12, 2005 5:21 pm

sy wrote:
mings wrote:
CadiRita wrote:Don't be gentle, it's a rental.
See. I'm not alone in this.

NOTM Dec 2005
No, you're definitely not alone.

My heart goes out to every car we've ever rented in Vegas. May you all RIP.

Thats why we bought Fords, there fate was the same no matter what

. Brand new, focuses(foci?), and escorts, driven right off the lot, 5 miles on them and the engine sounded like a lawn mower. On the 02 escorts(that only rental agency could buy), the transmission shifted so badly you'd a thought it was about to fall out.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » December 12, 2005 9:58 pm

John I know I have filled up a Car and then driven for .. a while

as I did not know the area that I was returning the Car to..
fill it up and drive it like 20 miles??

the tank might say F but........

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