dwbf11

First of all, like others, I don't think Hertz is systematically modifying gas gauges on their cars. Besides all of the consumer issues such a move would cause, the expense of modifying the fuel systems for hundreds of thousands of cars would certainly negate any profits to be earned from overcharging customers for an extra gallon or two of gas.

If the car is actually full when you return it, you won't get billed. If Hertz is actually doing what you say (fill up to top at time of vacuum and cleaning), and you returned the car full, you should not be charged anything regardless of what the gas gauge reads, especially if you have your receipt from a nearby gas station.

I can't see how a greeter would even be able to do what you say in the first place. Say the gauge is down 1/8, and reads 7/8, even though you just filled up. There is no way the greeter would even know how much to charge you for that 1/8; they would note it in the system as "not returned full" and then you'd be assessed the charges for what it takes to top the car off. For example, 1/8 of a tank on a Ford Taurus is not the same as on a Town and Country or a Dodge Ram. In such a scenario, what would you be billed? 2 gallons? 3 gallons? Greeter's choice? You can see how arbitrary this would be and how in practice impossible to implement. In truth, this is no different than the other reported cases on this forum of Hertz charging for fuel when it shouldn't. The same advice given in those threads holds true here. Save your receipt and the charges will be dropped in almost every case. If you're especially concerned, start taking a picture of the fuel gauge and the time stamp on there will verify the full tank.

The only possible way that this makes sense would be for them to charge whatever fuel it takes to top it off at cleaning time.