Ran Out Of Gas-Money-Saving Tip

[Fierofool]

I picked up this little gem of a tip from f85gtron a couple of weeks ago when I was down Augusta way.  While we were talking, some way we got to the subject of running out of gasoline.

Have you or someone you know ever ran out of gas and had to walk to a gas station to purchase a few gallons of fuel?  Did the gas station try to take your life savings when you asked to borrow or buy a plastic gas can?  Gas cans are greatly overpriced in the gas stations and convenience stores.  Why?  It's because you're a captive customer.  Most needing gas cans will buy them at an automotive or department store. 

Ron reflected on a time when he was in this situation.  He just couldn't fathom paying their price for a gas can he really needed just once.  SO!  He purchased a gallon of windshield washer fluid for about a buck.  He walked around to the customers at the pumps and offered free windshield washer fillups until he emptied the bottle.  Then he filled it with gasoline and was off on the trek back to his car. 

Thank You, Ron. 

[TopNotch]

Some gas station/convenience stores also sell gallon jugs of water, which may be cheaper than the windshield washer fluid. Drink some water if you are thirsty, pour the rest out (or put it in your coolant overflow bottle), and get some gas.

[Raydar]

Both are good ideas.
Just remember that it's against the law to put gas in an "unapproved" container. Assuming they can stop you in time. :p
(I actually had an attendant at Kroger give me sh!t about leaving my motor running. I normally cut it off, but I was having starter issues.)

[GTRS Fiero]

You don't carry an inflatable gas can in your vehicle?

Some people use a wide-mouth oil container.  It needs to be rinsed with throttle body cleaner, first.  Of course, the washer fluid containers are illegal for gasoline, and I wouldn't want washer fluid in my fuel.

The gas cans at the gas stations here are about $5.  Dunno if that is high.  If it were up to the gas stations, they probably wouldn't carry gas cans, but the cans are a means to help them sell gas.  The overhead is very high, because the cans take a lot of space, and mostly just sit and collect dust.  The retail space is very valuable.  Think how many high-profit, fast-moving items, like lighters, candy bars, or other items could fit  in that space.  When I was traveling, recently, I do not recall seeing any gas cans at any gas stations--not that I was looking for one.