Don't top off your fuel tank!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Don't top off your fuel tank! (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:22:46 PM EDT

The President has said this but the doubters do not understand. Why? If everyone were to top off their tanks tomorrow, we would run out of gasoline in a matter of MINUTES.

Here is why:

The average fuel tank is somewhat less than 1/2 full. While your may be full because you feared the shortages or just needed to fill, someone else is nearly empty. But the average is somewhat less than half full due to the ever-increasing prices.

With 203 million cars on the road, each having an average 18 gallon fuel tank means every car could take about 10 gallons if the media caused a panic. That would mean 2030 million gallons of gas would be sold that day. Guess what? THERE ISN'T THAT MUCH GAS IN THE SYSTEM! Daily consumption is 383 million gallons per day. That is what the refineries have been producing BEFORE the hurricane. The actual dialy production is somewhat less considering the outages.

So you see, supply can be drawn down RAPIDLY. Matter of fact, each car on the road would only get less than 2 gallons per day.

Think about that if you use more than 2 gallons per day. And if you want price controls, expect a daily ration of about a gallon per day.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:23:48 PM EDT

[#1]

Well, that idea's fucked. I've gotta drive to galveston to go to work tomorrow.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:24:32 PM EDT

[#2]

I agree. Gas stations here are starting to run out due to people topping off their tanks. It's up to $3.18 also. Not looking good friends.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:27:08 PM EDT

[#3]

dupe

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:27:53 PM EDT

[#4]

Well hell, let's just loot the stations then! I mean it's a crisis, and we NEED the gas!

I guess that's why I always fill the tank when it dips below half!

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:27:57 PM EDT

[#5]

I topped off my civic and motorcycle today at 3.05. I'm taking my dad fishing this weekend. I have 20+ gallons to top off the truck and about 10 to fill up the boat. Will probably re-top off the boat and not use it for a while to keep the extra 10 gals for an emergency if need be. Keep the lawn mowers full as well as the gas cans.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:28:09 PM EDT

[#6]

Gas lines are crazy long on the west coast too.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:30:04 PM EDT

[#7]

I have several hundred gallons that says "Fuck that shit"

Im gonna go fucking top off every last fucking machine that burns gas.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:31:52 PM EDT

[#8]

I filled up yesterday.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:32:42 PM EDT

[#9]

Screw that. I need the go juice to get to work, and I have a hot date set up for Saturday night.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:32:54 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
I have several hundred gallons that says "Fuck that shit"

Im gonna go fucking top off every last fucking machine that burns gas.

haha, If I my old oil tank in my back yard wasnt filled in with sand I would probably fill that up with 200 gallons.

I also just put 1800 gallons of diseal into my friends boat, so that doesnt help either!

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:35:50 PM EDT

[#11]

Well, if that is it, we are heading toward rationing. Hope you guys can live on a gallon per day because that is what we are facing.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:37:08 PM EDT

[#12]

For once I'm ahead of the curve. I filled up Monday at $2.68 which was low in our area. The suburban,truck a total of 67 gallons, ouch! The wifes van was full already.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:38:48 PM EDT

[#13]

So, if everyone waits until next week before putting in 7/8ths of a tank, things will be much better?

Oh, wait, I get it - This sort of like warning everyone not to jump up and down at the same time because it might alter the earth's orbit, right?

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:38:55 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
I filled up yesterday.

So did I.
To the top.

However I have a 25 mile one way commute to and from work each work day.
That's 150 miles per week.

If I'm lucky I have to fill my car only evey other week.

I'll probably have to fill up again next week.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:39:02 PM EDT

[#15]

Don't top off your tanks if you don't want to, but topping off those magazines is whole 'nother story.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:40:34 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Well, if that is it, we are heading toward rationing. Hope you guys can live on a gallon per day because that is what we are facing.

You sound like you're getting off on the thought of rationing.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:42:19 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I filled up yesterday.
So did I.
To the top.

However I have a 25 mile one way commute to and from work each work day.
That's 150 miles per week.

If I'm lucky I have to fill my car only evey other week.

I'll probably have to fill up again next week.

Yep, I needed gas yesterday anyway. Hopefully it will carry me through the spike.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:43:40 PM EDT

[#18]

I thought "topping off" was always considered a small amount added to your tank to top it off. Not just filling up from 1/2 or less.

I plan on topping off every 2 days. My tank is full and has been since last week,when gas is at the $3 a gallon level id much rather put $10 in to "top it off" then wait just because others are low.

I also drive a 95 Ford Probe with 4-banger and only drive about 16miles total per day with only 2 traffic lights to deal with.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:47:30 PM EDT

[#19]

I THINK WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE DO THINGS FOR A WHILE.i know no one wants to hear it but before i filled my buddies boat with 1800 gallons,i could think of alot more important places that fuel coulda went.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:56:03 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
So, if everyone waits until next week before putting in 7/8ths of a tank, things will be much better?

Oh, wait, I get it - This sort of like warning everyone not to jump up and down at the same time because it might alter the earth's orbit, right?

No. If you are down to less than 1/4 tank, by all means fill. However, don't be filling up every day.

The scale of the demand to supply was well stated in the orignial posting. We have less than 383 million gallons per day of supply but we have a potential demand of 2030 million gallons if everyone filled tomorrow.

Funny thing is the same effect is present in our electrical grid, our water supply systems and natural gas. If everyone were to turn their electric stove right now, most of the US would go dark. And that is exactly what has happened in light of the hurricane.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:56:30 PM EDT

[#21]

I've got a 5 Gallon Jerry Can for the yard equipment, I filled it up early last week when it was only $2.57 per Gal. I've now got that can sitting on a pedestal, surrounded by a velvet rope, in a specially built room with a single overhead light shinging down upon it.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:58:27 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
dupe

Damn dupe police. Please stop this crap until the crisis situation passes.

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:59:16 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
I filled up yesterday.

+1 Also I have limited myself down to 2 destinations now. Home and work

And just incase SHTF i'm armed!

Posted: 9/1/2005 8:59:58 PM EDT

[#24]

In another hour I will be making my way toward the gas station and filling the truck, and every gas can that I can get my hands on...i'll be set for a month at least.

-Derek

Posted: 9/1/2005 9:01:00 PM EDT

[#25]

I've used up 4 gallons out of the 45 that my car holds since I filled up friday.

Yup, I'm an unrepentant sinner...

Posted: 9/1/2005 9:01:47 PM EDT

[#26]

Having lived through the Phx gas outage in 02, I can say that panic buying will kill the system and drive up prices. I got in a thread yesterday that people here were buying multiple 5 gal cans just to fill as well as thier vehicles. That is panic buying and will drain the system. Been there and done that.

What will happen then is people will start looting your tanks on your cars and trucks and some even punch holes in the tanks to get your gas. Seen it before.

So, go top off every two days, go fill all the tupperware bowls in the kitchen, buy ten packs of 5 gal gas cans and fill your hearts content. When most stations are drained dry and the ones who have gas left are selling it for $10 or more a gallon, you'll then understand.

Me? I'm putting gas in the tires and filling the hub caps. Maybe even the glove box.

We will never see gas under $2.50 again.

Posted: 9/1/2005 9:02:16 PM EDT

[#27]

If people are riding around on empty tanks then it is their own damn problem.

Posted: 9/1/2005 9:04:12 PM EDT

[#28]

Too late - I topped off both my car and truck on Monday prior to the $0.35 price increase.

Posted: 9/1/2005 9:10:52 PM EDT

[#29]

Being stationed in Germany, gas is already almost $5 a gallon unless you can get affes coupons but those are based on the average US price.

Being deployed sucks for ever reason but hey, at least I dont have a car to use gas in and it doesnt matter how much fuel we burn in out army vehicles either as I live right next to the camp fuel point.

Not to flame you all but hell, you pay $$$ for gas but you have freedom. I dont pay shit for gas and I have 0 freedom, fuck I even have a fucking curfew, the only unit at Camp Liberty that has one.

I have seen a change in the american way of life since I moved to germany partly cause that is when I discovered this site. We had a lot of social problems and a lot of other problems. I hope that they will somewhat go away because of all this. What happened in NO will never be forgotten, its not 9-11, it anarchy.

Posted: 9/1/2005 11:23:42 PM EDT

[#30]

6 5gallon cans full. Both my car and the wife's jeep are full and I have an extra 2 10gallon cans for the jenny. Besides the car, the other gas I have was purchased BEFORE the huuricane came through our area. Guess it pays to plan ahead. Lesson learned after Charlie 2004.

Posted: 9/1/2005 11:38:01 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
I've got a 5 Gallon Jerry Can for the yard equipment, I filled it up early last week when it was only $2.57 per Gal. I've now got that can sitting on a pedestal, surrounded by a velvet rope, in a specially built room with a single overhead light shinging down upon it.

Posted: 9/1/2005 11:55:20 PM EDT

[#32]

If everyone tops off, then all the gas stations should be deserted for the next week or so right?

Posted: 9/2/2005 12:20:05 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
If everyone tops off, then all the gas stations should be deserted for the next week or so right?

No, every car could only get 1.89 gallons if the supply was divided equally. But since the average tank top off would require 10 gallons, only 1 out of 5 cars would get gas. The rest would get nothing.

It is simple math. People think in terms of the "big" fuel tanks at the retail outlets. In reality, this inventory is minor. With all the inventory from refiners to retailers, we have a 15-20 day supply in the loop and most of that is pipeline inventory. A 200 mile pipeline, 8" in diameter has about 2.8 million gallons in inventory. Most pipelines are longer and larger.

Take your choice, A or B. Either you have massive price hikes or you have shortages. And many retail outlets are currently DRY!

Sure, the poor people will not be able to afford that Labor Day trip to the lake but they also cannot afford Parma Prosciutto for brunch.

I am tired of having to explain to socialists that there is no fairness doctrine in economics.

Posted: 9/2/2005 12:35:38 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
...panic buying will kill the system and drive up prices. I got in a thread yesterday that people here were buying multiple 5 gal cans just to fill as well as thier vehicles. That is panic buying and will drain the system...

Exactly. Similar in a fashion to the Great Depression when everyone panicked and took all there money out of the banks making an laready bad situation much, much worse.

Posted: 9/2/2005 12:44:07 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Quoted:
If everyone tops off, then all the gas stations should be deserted for the next week or so right?

No, every car could only get 1.89 gallons if the supply was divided equally. But since the average tank top off would require 10 gallons, only 1 out of 5 cars would get gas. The rest would get nothing.

It is simple math. People think in terms of the "big" fuel tanks at the retail outlets. In reality, this inventory is minor. With all the inventory from refiners to retailers, we have a 15-20 day supply in the loop and most of that is pipeline inventory. A 200 mile pipeline, 8" in diameter has about 2.8 million gallons in inventory. Most pipelines are longer and larger.

Take your choice, A or B. Either you have massive price hikes or you have shortages. And many retail outlets are currently DRY!

Sure, the poor people will not be able to afford that Labor Day trip to the lake but they also cannot afford Parma Prosciutto for brunch.

I am tired of having to explain to socialists that there is no fairness doctrine in economics.

Yep since you have a short supply you need to increase the price to drive down demand.

Posted: 9/2/2005 12:50:37 AM EDT

[#36]

I am going to have to top mine off this morning. I live in delaware along a major route people from PA DC MD use to get to the beach. I have a feeling they will dry us up on the holiday weekend.

Posted: 9/2/2005 5:41:07 AM EDT

[#37]

I have to drive 3 hours this weekend to an event. I prepaid for it, as well as a hotel room, so I have to go, or lose nearly $200 worth of tickets and room. The car only needs a 4-gallon topoff, and it'll get me there and back with a comfortable margin. If I had a gas-guzzling SUV or truck I might be up shit's creek.

But I won't be panicking and buying alot of gas.

Posted: 9/2/2005 5:44:47 AM EDT

[#38]

glad I topped off mine yesterday before they ran out, let the other people run out of gas not me!

Posted: 9/2/2005 5:46:04 AM EDT

[#39]

I already filled up before the prices went up 'cause I learned my ABD's.

Seriously though, this is an opportunity for Texas to grab MORE energy market share. Quadruple shifts at the refineries, hire more rig workers, send out more wildcatters!

Posted: 9/2/2005 5:50:25 AM EDT

[#40]

They're talking about rolling blackouts here in FL because of the shortage of NG for the generating stations. They'll cut power to the rural areas so the rich folks in town with the 5000+ sq.ft homes can run their 3 air condition units and their plasma TV's.

Posted: 9/2/2005 5:54:07 AM EDT

[#41]

Unless you have a huge reserve of gas in storage (over 100 gallons) topping off your tank won't do you a hell of a lot of good. That gas is going to run out sooner or later, an extra few gallons will only delay the inevitable and will contribute to the supply crisis.

Posted: 9/2/2005 5:58:41 AM EDT

[#42]

I've got a 5 Gallon Jerry Can for the yard equipment, I filled it up early last week when it was only $2.57 per Gal. I've now got that can sitting on a pedestal, surrounded by a velvet rope, in a specially built room with a single overhead light shinging down upon it.

Phfffffffffffft!!!! Where's your passive, infrared, weight-sensitive, motion detection capable alarm system? Amateur!

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:02:51 AM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
Having lived through the Phx gas outage in 02, I can say that panic buying will kill the system and drive up prices. I got in a thread yesterday that people here were buying multiple 5 gal cans just to fill as well as thier vehicles. That is panic buying and will drain the system. Been there and done that.

What will happen then is people will start looting your tanks on your cars and trucks and some even punch holes in the tanks to get your gas. Seen it before.

So, go top off every two days, go fill all the tupperware bowls in the kitchen, buy ten packs of 5 gal gas cans and fill your hearts content. When most stations are drained dry and the ones who have gas left are selling it for $10 or more a gallon, you'll then understand.

Me? I'm putting gas in the tires and filling the hub caps. Maybe even the glove box.

We will never see gas under $2.50 again.

Gas cans and gasoline are selling out here. I guess being limited to a gallon per day wouldn't be all that bad. At least I'd have an excuse not to go to work.

I, for one, am thankful for the hoarders. If the SHTF, I know where I can commandeer some gasoline

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:03:30 AM EDT

[#44]

I took some shit from a guy at work yesterday b/c I visited the gas station at lunch. I went to "top-off" my tank. The fuckin' low fuel light is blinking in my wife's car...I topped it off with 16 friggin gallons @3.47/gallon ($55

)

I get back and the guys says, "Why do you have to add to the chaos". After spending $55 (of course I told my wife on last sunday to fill it up

), I told him to go %%^&& himself. He couldn't have picked a worse time, and I don't like the asshole anyhow.

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:04:14 AM EDT

[#45]

Don't top off your fuel tank!

Why the hell not? I always 'top off' my tank. I usually refill when it dips below 3/4 of a tank, and I rarely if ever let it get to 1/2 full.

What you really mean is "don't change your fueling habits." Okay, I won't.

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:06:08 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
Screw that. I need the go juice to get to work, and I have a hot date set up for Saturday night.

Just how far do you have to drive to find your right hand?

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:10:44 AM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
Don't top off your fuel tank!

Why the hell not? I always 'top off' my tank. I usually refill when it dips below 3.4 of a tank, and I rarely if ever let it get to 1/2 full.

What you really mean is "don't change your fueling habits." Okay, I won't.

I'm with you. I live 12 miles from a Nuclear Power Plant. I always want enough fuel in the car to ensure I can get out of the area, in massive traffic jams. 1/2 tank is empty to me in my car. My wife, on the other hand, practically drives her car dry. I'm using this New Orleans disaster to motivate a change in this, OR I'll just have to take care of it myself.

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:14:54 AM EDT

[#48]

I saw oil storm on FX a couple months ago. I knew how this story ended, and decided to fill up last Friday at pre-hurricane prices. Both cars and my (only) 5 gallon jug. If I had known it would be THIS bad, I might have bought some more jugs...

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:15:17 AM EDT

[#49]

What's the big deal. If we ALL top off our tanks and they run out of gas, we won't need any more for a week or so. That'll give em more time to find some more.

Maybe if we have a national no crank day, the prescient governors of Florida, California and Oregon will change their minds about drilling off their coastlines.

And we can build some more damn refineries.

Posted: 9/2/2005 6:16:18 AM EDT

[#50]

I told my wife to fill up both cars LONG before Katrina even hit. Working in the oilfield, you tend to find out where refineries and pipelines are. I knew this would happen long before it did. I'm not psychic, just mildly observant. Besides, every hurricane season for the last 20 years, the Times-Picayune in LA has several stories about what could happen if a storm did just what this one did. They've known about it and known there was no defense against it. I guess being told that for so long made people numb to the idea and they chose to stay.

Course, most of the coon asses South of I-10 are doing fine anyhow. Their webbed feet are helping them get around.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Don't top off your fuel tank! (Page 1 of 2)

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