Gas: Ways to save $
Aug 26, 2005, 11:32 am
#61
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LAX-TPE-LAX
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Posts: 2,003
Originally Posted by Lindisfarne
From what I've heard, if you must either use AC or roll down windows, rolling down windows is more efficient below about 40 mph, and A/C is more efficient over 40 mph. All to do with drag and aerodynamics and I'm sure on every car, the optimal point is slightly different.
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Aug 26, 2005, 11:38 am
#62
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LAX-TPE-LAX
Programs: No more status...just doing my best in burning my points/miles.
Posts: 2,003
I can agree with this
Originally Posted by coachflyer
Comments from Tom & Ray on Cartalk on using lower octane gas in high performance cars:
"Dear Tom and Ray:
We purchased a '97 Nissan Maxima automatic in January and love it! The owner's manual recommends "unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91." It also says, "If unleaded premium is unavailable, unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 can be used." Whenever I fill up the car (which is most of the time), I follow the manual's recommendation and use premium gas. But when my husband fills her up, he uses regular gasoline even when premium is available. So my question is, am I spending money needlessly on premium gasoline? And why would Nissan recommend premium gasoline if regular is OK to use? -- JoAnn
Tom: You're doing exactly the right thing, JoAnn.
Ray: This car has a high-compression engine that's designed to run on premium gas. But since there are places where premium gas is not available, and because premium gasolines can vary in octane, most manufacturers, including Nissan, use a "knock sensor" to protect the engine.
Tom: The knock sensor detects -- that's right -- "knocking" (also known as "pre-ignition" or "pinging")! Knocking is bad for the engine, and it often results from using lower-than-recommended-octane fuel. So when your cheapskate husband puts regular unleaded in the Maxima, the knock sensor kicks into action and retards the ignition timing to protect the engine.
Ray: Retarding the timing prevents the knocking, but it also reduces the engine's power, decreases fuel economy, probably increases the emissions, and may lead to a buildup of residue on the valves. So it's not an ideal situation. It won't hurt the engine if you use regular gas occasionally, but it prevents the engine from performing at the specifications at which it was designed to perform.
Tom: So I'd either take away your husband's keys, or increase his allowance by a few bucks a month so he can afford to buy premium. And if he's unhappy about having to spend the extra money, remind him that a car's fuel requirement (which can add many hundreds of dollars to the cost of owning a car over the years) is one of the things you should find out about before you put down your deposit."
"Dear Tom and Ray:
We purchased a '97 Nissan Maxima automatic in January and love it! The owner's manual recommends "unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91." It also says, "If unleaded premium is unavailable, unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 can be used." Whenever I fill up the car (which is most of the time), I follow the manual's recommendation and use premium gas. But when my husband fills her up, he uses regular gasoline even when premium is available. So my question is, am I spending money needlessly on premium gasoline? And why would Nissan recommend premium gasoline if regular is OK to use? -- JoAnn
Tom: You're doing exactly the right thing, JoAnn.
Ray: This car has a high-compression engine that's designed to run on premium gas. But since there are places where premium gas is not available, and because premium gasolines can vary in octane, most manufacturers, including Nissan, use a "knock sensor" to protect the engine.
Tom: The knock sensor detects -- that's right -- "knocking" (also known as "pre-ignition" or "pinging")! Knocking is bad for the engine, and it often results from using lower-than-recommended-octane fuel. So when your cheapskate husband puts regular unleaded in the Maxima, the knock sensor kicks into action and retards the ignition timing to protect the engine.
Ray: Retarding the timing prevents the knocking, but it also reduces the engine's power, decreases fuel economy, probably increases the emissions, and may lead to a buildup of residue on the valves. So it's not an ideal situation. It won't hurt the engine if you use regular gas occasionally, but it prevents the engine from performing at the specifications at which it was designed to perform.
Tom: So I'd either take away your husband's keys, or increase his allowance by a few bucks a month so he can afford to buy premium. And if he's unhappy about having to spend the extra money, remind him that a car's fuel requirement (which can add many hundreds of dollars to the cost of owning a car over the years) is one of the things you should find out about before you put down your deposit."
Aug 26, 2005, 3:16 pm
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: CO, AA, UA, DL
Posts: 406
Originally Posted by bgmvp
Excuse me? Is this the FLYER talk board for S.P.A.M.?
Moderator - move this lame thread someplace else.
Moderator - move this lame thread someplace else.
I think this topic is quite appropriate.... even more so than the postings on iTunes, Starbucks, and Ensure shakes. I don't complain about those, but at least this thread deals with 1) travel and 2) points.
Aug 26, 2005, 8:02 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Thanks for the tip on Discover and the Gas Program. I just dusted off the card I was sent a few months ago to activate it and join the gas rebate program. Listening to the rep read the t&c including each comma, period and the individual numberswas painful but I'm all set. They are also giving me a bonus of $1 per txn up to 20 txns for the first 30 days. ^ That helps since the rebate program won't kick in until the next cycle.
I'll try to get the Speedpass deal, too but doubt that will work at this late date.
I'll try to get the Speedpass deal, too but doubt that will work at this late date.
Aug 26, 2005, 9:21 pm
#65
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Sun City, CA, USA
Programs: AA,UA,HH,Marriott
Posts: 398
I think the citi gas card sounds better than Discover, since the 5% also includes groceries. I haven't read all the small print, but with our Sam's Discover card, I believe you have to spend $10,000 before you start getting rebates. I don't know about the gas cards. Unless you get the rebate right away, I think I'll stick to my miles cards. Jean
Aug 26, 2005, 9:28 pm
#66
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Originally Posted by Jaybee
I think the citi gas card sounds better than Discover, since the 5% also includes groceries. I haven't read all the small print, but with our Sam's Discover card, I believe you have to spend $10,000 before you start getting rebates. I don't know about the gas cards. Unless you get the rebate right away, I think I'll stick to my miles cards. Jean
According to the rep I had, the Discover card gas rebate starts on the next cycle and you get 5% on the first $1,500 spent on gas, no initial amount you have to spend before the rebate begins to accrue. After the initial fifteen hundred, the percent is reduced for the next level until you are at the standard 1% level. I think it was $5K spending or something like that. I'm hoping not to meet that as I'll only be using this card for gas purchases.
Aug 28, 2005, 4:04 pm
#67
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,054
Originally Posted by GoingAway
According to the rep I had, the Discover card gas rebate starts on the next cycle and you get 5% on the first $1,500 spent on gas, no initial amount you have to spend before the rebate begins to accrue. After the initial fifteen hundred, the percent is reduced for the next level until you are at the standard 1% level. I think it was $5K spending or something like that. I'm hoping not to meet that as I'll only be using this card for gas purchases.
BTW, if you call up and ask questions about these tiers, most reps won't know what you're talking about until you specifically tell them you have reverse tiers and to look up the T&Cs. They're trained to deal with the regular Discover tiers and most reps haven't dealt with these specialty cards often or at all.
In principle, the tiers reset on your anniversary date, but in my particular case, the tier reset didn't happen until two billing cycles LATER, which kinda sucked.
The Citi card is certainly nice. I would recommend using the Discover card for your first $1500 in purchases, and if you happen to exceed that (KEEP TRACK!), then move your gas purchases to the Citi card to continue earning 5%. In my case, I buy gas at Costco so my non-Costco gas purchases are minimal - I just use the Citi card.
If you have a Costco station handy, it will often be more than 5% cheaper than your other stations (it certainly is around here)... check it out on a few different days to see if this is usually the case, and if so, you will save more by gassing at Costco than elsewhere. Keep in mind you can't use your Discover or Citi cards at Costco, of course, but you *CAN* use any AmEx, like your *Wood card or the Costco card. The Costco card earns (up to) 1.5% cashback you'll still be earning some rebate as well! Your *Wood card would earn the usual points, valued however you choose to value them.
Just thoughts to keep in mind, and numbers to crunch.
Last edited by cepheid; Aug 28, 2005 at 4:09 pm
Aug 28, 2005, 5:52 pm
#68
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Thanks. I appreciate it. I'll track the $$s starting next month, right now its 20 txns I need to track (I"m admittedly horrible at the tracking part) for the next 30 days - 1 down, 19 to go.
Unfortunately for the gas, the nearest Costco gas is too far away for me to make it my regular station but I do use it whenever I'm out in that direction. I'll think about Citi, but didn't like them years ago as a company so not sure I"m jumping on that ship now.
Unfortunately for the gas, the nearest Costco gas is too far away for me to make it my regular station but I do use it whenever I'm out in that direction. I'll think about Citi, but didn't like them years ago as a company so not sure I"m jumping on that ship now.
Aug 28, 2005, 8:40 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 454
Join Upromise to save at Exxon & Mobil
Around Memphis, Exxon usually is one of the cheapest options. Join Upromise to save 1 cent per gallon at Exxon & Mobil stations. Its not a lot, but every bit helps! This is 'stackable' with using the Citi Dividend or Preferred Rewards cards to get 5% back on all gas purchases. Its also stackable with the current speedpass promo mentioned above.
You now have to buy 20+ gallons per month at Exxon & Mobil stations to get a rebate. Here are the details:
https://lty.s.upromise.com/8333.do
You now have to buy 20+ gallons per month at Exxon & Mobil stations to get a rebate. Here are the details:
https://lty.s.upromise.com/8333.do
Aug 29, 2005, 9:30 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: NWA, UA Silver. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,395
Originally Posted by ClassCAir
The S.P. of S.P.A.M. stands for sites with points. This posting started out with information on various credit cards & frequent buyer cards offering points toward rebates (specifically gas).
I think this topic is quite appropriate.... even more so than the postings on iTunes, Starbucks, and Ensure shakes. I don't complain about those, but at least this thread deals with 1) travel and 2) points.
I think this topic is quite appropriate.... even more so than the postings on iTunes, Starbucks, and Ensure shakes. I don't complain about those, but at least this thread deals with 1) travel and 2) points.
Aug 29, 2005, 10:45 am
#72
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: CO, AA, UA, DL
Posts: 406
Save 5% at Costco etc.
AmEx Blue Cash can earn you 5% cash back on gas if you use the card a lot. The catch, you only earn 5% after you have already spent $6,500 on the card year-to-date. The good thing is that you would earn cash back with Costco Gas.
Chase Visa also has 5% as mentioned previously, plus there are several other which offer cash back (Google: Gas Rebate Card) and AAA's Visa.
Chase Visa also has 5% as mentioned previously, plus there are several other which offer cash back (Google: Gas Rebate Card) and AAA's Visa.
Aug 29, 2005, 2:29 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bangkok
Programs: CX Gold, UA Silver, AA Gold (1MM), Marriott Plat
Posts: 117
This may seem like a weird one:
I live at the end of a very quiet cul-de-sac. Once I turn onto my street I'll put the transmission in neutral, kill the engine and coast the 30 seconds or so it takes for me to get to my parking spot on the side of the street. This technique is not for everyone obviously and people should be aware that you will only have about 2-3 good brake pumps before the power braking goes away. (likewise, power steering will be gone shortly after killing the engine).
Also, when I fill up at a certain costco, the lines can be long but there is a slight incline towards the pumps. I'll kill the engine and use gravity to pull me forward when the line moves a little bit. I'll turn on the engine only when I'm "stuck" in a flat part of the lot.
I live at the end of a very quiet cul-de-sac. Once I turn onto my street I'll put the transmission in neutral, kill the engine and coast the 30 seconds or so it takes for me to get to my parking spot on the side of the street. This technique is not for everyone obviously and people should be aware that you will only have about 2-3 good brake pumps before the power braking goes away. (likewise, power steering will be gone shortly after killing the engine).
Also, when I fill up at a certain costco, the lines can be long but there is a slight incline towards the pumps. I'll kill the engine and use gravity to pull me forward when the line moves a little bit. I'll turn on the engine only when I'm "stuck" in a flat part of the lot.
Aug 29, 2005, 3:34 pm
#74
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LAX-TPE-LAX
Programs: No more status...just doing my best in burning my points/miles.
Posts: 2,003
A much better deal is to buy gas through Kroger if there is one in your area and you shop there a lot. They are having a huge sale if you already have points on your plus card. I'm not sure of the particulars, but the details are liek this.
Points Earned Award
150-349 10¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
350-549 20¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
550-749 30¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
750- & up 50¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
1 Point = $1.00
Participating Stores and Fuel Centers Only.
Points Earned Award
150-349 10¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
350-549 20¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
550-749 30¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
750- & up 50¢ per gal on 4 fill-ups
1 Point = $1.00
Participating Stores and Fuel Centers Only.
Aug 29, 2005, 5:15 pm
#75
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,054
Originally Posted by ClassCAir
AmEx Blue Cash can earn you 5% cash back on gas if you use the card a lot. The catch, you only earn 5% after you have already spent $6,500 on the card year-to-date. The good thing is that you would earn cash back with Costco Gas.