Get Free Gas

Unless you have an electric car, use mass transit or commute under your own power, you have to pay for gasoline. And no matter how thrifty you are or how carefully you plan your trips in advance, as the price of crude oil goes up, the price of gasoline rises too. But isn't there some way to get free gas? Maybe. You can learn a few tricks to try at the pump, as well as how to get free gas rewards cards to take some sting out of filling up.

Steps

Getting Extra Gas at the Pump

  1. Print out your receipts and check the pumps. Some pumps don't give you what you pay for. If you want to get free gas, it's important to make sure that the gas you are paying for matches up with what is advertised. Sometimes the pumps can be miscalibrated, and if they are, you can get some extra gas for free.[1]
    • Try filling up a container you're sure of the dimensions of, like a gas can, instead of your tank. Use a calculator quickly to make sure that the price that you're paying matches the amount that went in. If it doesn't, go in and ask for a refund, or for extra gas.
    • If you find a pump in your town that's reliably wonky, keep going back to it and complaining every time it messes up. Print your receipts every time and double-check.
  2. Shake the hose. At some pumps, even newer multi-pump dispensers, you can take the nozzle out of the dispenser with one hand and grip the hose 2-3 feet above the nozzle with your other hand, and shake firmly downward, as if you were cracking a whip. A small amount of gas will squirt from the nozzle every time you do this, and it won't show up on the counter.
    • Warning: This can be extremely dangerous, resulting in damage to the dispenser or personal injury. It's also a good way to you into trouble and a super-ineffecient way to fill your tank.
  3. Keep the dispenser in your tank for as long as possible. Often, a little gas will keep coming after you cut off the flow. Shake the hose gently and get the rest of the gas out of it and into the tank. It won't be like getting a full tank for free, but you'll be getting a little extra than what you paid for.
  4. Try the secret agent hack. The story goes that, during the Nixon Administration, government agents tracking mafioso were given a secret trick to use at gas pumps that allowed them to get free gas. According to this legend, some of these pumps still exist, and will pump gas for free, if you know the trick.[2]
    • The trick is to place the nozzle in your tank, then pump the handle three short times, two long times, two long times, and three short times, then pump normally.
    • This trick has been pretty thoroughly debunked. Gas stations in the 70s were all analog, where most multi-port dispensers today are digitally operated. Still, it's worth a shot?

Other Methods

  1. Stay at a hotel that offers free gas rewards. Book a hotel stay directly with a chain that offers gas cards as a reward for frequent bookings, such as Choice Hotels.[3] Some hotel booking services, like Hotels.com and Expedia.com, have also offered gas cards as a reward for booking through them.
    • A few smaller chains or individual hotels also offer gas cards to visitors. Some Kensington Hotels or Personality Hotels offer a complimentary $10 gas card per night's stay.
    • If the hotel you're planning to stay at doesn't have an advertised gas card or free gas offer, inquire. Sometimes the gas-card package costs a little more than the standard room package, but you might still save money once you factor in the money you save on gasoline.
  2. Offer your vehicle as a moving billboard. "Drivertising" companies pay you a monthly fee in return for the right to place advertisements, ranging from rear-window decals to full-car covers, on your vehicle.
    • "Drivertising" companies to investigate include gasforfree.com and freegashelp.com. Often, these offers are only extended to frequent drivers that average more than {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per month. However, some agencies will make exceptions, especially if you live near a university or areas with high pedestrian activity.[4]
    • Other requirements include having a late-model vehicle in good repair, a clean driving record and valid insurance. You may get a bonus, or qualify for special advertising, if you drive a specialty vehicle or have an occupation, such as pizza delivery, that requires you to drive long distances every day.[5]
  3. Be a cop. Ever notice that you've never seen a patrol car filling up at a gas station? That's because police officers in metropolitan areas usually get to fill up for free at specific guarded locations. This only applies to the unit cars, not their daily drivers, but it's an effective way at getting gas for free and getting around town on the city's dime.
    • Other jobs that let you use vehicles with gas in them include parks departments and other city jobs. You usually don't have to pay for gas, or you'll be reimbursed after the fact.
  4. Give people rides and make them pay. Carpooling can be a great way of getting someone else to spring for the gas. If you give someone a ride somewhere, ask if they wouldn't mind springing for a little extra in the tank, or giving you some cash to help cover it. Totally fair request.
    • Some state and local governments also offer gas cards as an incentive for carpooling.[6] Sometimes, the offers will be for other kinds of bonuses, like gift cards to restaurants or coffee shops. Still, free stuff!
  5. Ask about free gas the next time you rent a car. If you're traveling and need a car, you can sometimes get a little in the tank for free. Some rental companies offer a free tank of gas with select rentals, or as a part of other offers. If you don't have a strong opinion about what car you drive, or are willing to negotiate, you might luck out.
  6. Participate in survey rewards programs and credit card rewards programs. You can usually redeem reward points for gift cards at the merchant of your choice, which sometimes includes gas stations, or fillable gas cards that will come with some money already loaded on. These can be a great and hassle free way of getting some extra gas at the pump.
  7. Open a new checking or savings account. Some banks offer free gas as an incentive to draw new members. Keep an eye out for these kinds of offers and try signing up for a new savings account to keep all the money you're saving at the pump.
    • Research the terms and conditions of opening an account with that bank before you march in and ask for your gas card. In some cases, you may be required to maintain a minimum balance, or you may be charged a maintenance fee for keeping the account open.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/cheating.asp
  2. ↑ http://www.musclecarszone.com/unbelievable-how-to-get-free-gas-see-the-40-years-old-trick-with-mechanical-codes/
  3. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/28/news/la-trb-gas-cards-hotels-20110324
  4. ↑ http://www.savingadvice.com/articles/2006/03/10/10416_car-advertising-for-free-gas.html
  5. ↑ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-get-gas-for-free/
  6. ↑ https://rideshare.511.org/vanpool/rewards.aspx
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