Mark P

I've found that a full tank of diesel at today's prices is just over the $75 pre-approval limit that most stations put on my credit card. This is really annoying because I've had it multiple times now shut off at $75, but I want to get it full, so I start a new transaction and get not even $1 in and then it overfills (presumably because it starts filling full blast while already near full)

Today it stopped again due to that limit, and I decided no longer to try again, but now I'm potentially throwing off my MPG calculations (at least in the short term - long term, it will be correct in aggregate).

$3.829/gal * 19.587 gal = $75.00

If only the fuel price would drop again/more, then I could fill up before hitting the $ limit.

I could choose to fill it part way (ie $25), then start again a new transaction and go until it hits the full limit, so it will shut off naturally without overfilling. But that's a pain if not needed.

Thanks for listening to me vent

GBadger

You could just fill up before you see the light come on. That would prevent you from having to put in 19+ gallons.
My fill ups are usually around $60-65 because of this.

GBadger

I should say that by "fillups" I mean the one fill up that I've had in the 1.5 months since purchase !

Parsec

I would just fill it up when you see the meter go down to a little past 1/4 empty.

Mark P

True. But I'm aiming for 500 miles per tank

Mark P

No way, that would leave likely 200+ miles of used fuel in the tank. No sense in carting that around all the time and never use it. :P

When fuel light comes on, I recall it being around 45miles remaining (depending on your recent economy). When it gets to 0 miles remaining, there's roughly another maybe 50 miles (I'm chicken to test that out) remaining. So even waiting until the light comes on still has nearly 100 miles possible. That's the earliest I'd fill up if not for some other reason (filling up before roadtrip, etc). The only other thing often mentioned is 1/4 tank is a good rule of thumb for the winter (depending on your climate), to keep from freezing, risk of running out, etc.

Mark P

LOL

josedebardi

Ironically I have the same issue here!
I full tank is £100 (yes, that's right, $161!!!), and the pre-approval limit on most stations is £99 so I run into the exact same thing of, do I leave it a squirt off full, or risk overfilling with a new transaction!

soonerfan

I filled up last Friday (15th) and diesel was $3.459/US gallon here in Tulsa. Took 15.564 gallons…and calculated 26.5 mpg. Audi computer calculated 29 mpg. I usually fill up when I have 1/4 of a tank. Old habit. Most of those 411 miles were city driving.

We lucky Tulsa folks enjoy some of the lowest fuel prices in the Country, primarily due to the fact we have 3 refineries here and have very small fuel transportation costs. Secondly, competition is stiff due to the % of fuel sites to population.

If you aren't using an app like GasBuddy, it might benefit you.

Mark P

I do, and have been tracking prices for almost a year before getting my Q5 TDI to see how the prices compared to my A3's 93oct & considering MPG ...