Two weeks ago, a piece under my car came loose on one side. It's this large piece of rubber/plastic that's supposed to be protecting something or other. Since my parents aren't here and their cars are, I stopped driving it until I had a chance to deal with it. That was supposed to be last week . . . but ended up being Monday.
I tried to start in Monday morning, and it didn't want to. I think this is simply a question of it being out of gas (it's way lower than I generally let it get, and had planned to fill it up on the way to the mechanic), possibly compounded by not starting the car for two weeks.
I need to get it to the mechanic. AFAIK, the only problems it has right now (other than the no gas thing) are minor and should not affect its running. It had a full tune-up a few months ago.
I need to fill the tank of my parents' car anyway, so I was thinking about getting half a gallon or so of gas in a container at the same time . . . but the gas can my parents used to have seems to be but a memory. Is there some type of container that I can safely transport gasoline a couple miles in? And then can I just use a plastic funnel (large) to put it in my tank?
I should know the answer to this, but I would feel extremely stupid if I blew something up.
Oh, and the other alternative is to call AAA and have the van towed to the mechanic. They probably have gas, and they're across the street from a gas station. Not sure if this would be free; the mechanic I have been using may be a bit farther than my "free tow" distance.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Oooh, milk carton hadn't even occurred to me! And I have an empty one right here. Perfect!
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Um, rivka, check your state laws first. Here it's illegal to transport gas in anything but an approved container. I can't imagine California being less restrictive on this point. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I am aware of this, ElJay. Thanks for the heads-up, though.
*whistles innocently*
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Ah. Okay.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I have a gas can permanently in the trunk of my car. I use it five-six times a year. *sigh* I hate getting gas. Dumb car hasn't figured out how to run without it yet.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I am aware of the dangers, and have every intention to be reasonably cautious.
Hey, my lab TA when I was in college brought in samples of three different grades of gasoline in "non-approved" containers, and we didn't blow anything up.
That time . . .
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
An "approved" container is relatively cheap, maybe $5-10 last time I checked You have to have one if you have a gas lawnmower too. (maybe your parents would have one floating around?) I'd buy it, it also comes with a nifty little pour spout so that you don't have to mess with funnels. I believe the polymer they use in those things is more cross linked than other plastics to make it safer.
AJ
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
The last time I checked they were over $15, and were not available for sale at the gas station I'm planning on heading to.
My parents do not own a mower -- the gardener who comes every couple weeks does.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Where were you checking?
AJ
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Gas stations, a few months ago, when I was thinking it would be a good thing to have on hand.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Seriously, check a hardware store or auto parts place, gas stations will gouge you because they can.
AJ
[ April 20, 2005, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
AJ, I really don't have the time/energy to deal with a hardware store as well today, if I can get away with not doing so. Do you see a real problem with transporting half a gallon of gas in a gallon milk jug? Less than one mile, to be poured immediately into the car in question.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
I've heard there not good for long term storage, but I would think it would be OK for a little while.
Not that I'm advocating the use of unapproved containers or anything.
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Do not store gasoline in plastic milk containers. Unless there have been changes -- by appearance, there haven't been -- that particular plastic will first soften then transform into a gasoline&polymer gel.
While the container has remained stable when I have used such a container to transport gasoline in the past, I also can't guarantee that the formulation hasn't changed in a manner making the plastic more unstable in the presense of gasoline. ie Presentday milk containers might weaken more rapidly, and you might end up with a gasoline spill.
And yep, I did deliberately experiment to obtain that gasoline&polymer gel after noticing that the milk carton had softened. I later found out that the particular polymer is mixed with diesel to make napalm. So storing diesel in plastic milk containers may be even less advisable.
[ April 20, 2005, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Absolutely NO storage (for longer than the 10 minutes or so it will take me to get it home) is planned.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
aspectre, how long does that softening take?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Good question!
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I'd call AAA and find out if your mechanic is in the free towing range. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*sigh* It's under serious consideration, mack. It would probably be the quickest, actually, since I can then drive another car there, and not need to be driven back home.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
Wait, doesn't AAA also provide a free gas service for when you run out?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Good point. I don't know -- I never had to call them for that.
*goes off to check website*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
They do. Now the question is, would I rather just get towed? The range is actually 7 miles, not the 4 I thought, so it would be fine.
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
I'd say you should find the nearest big linebacker sized guy you can and have him push you to the nearest gas station. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Ok, called AAA and the mechanic.
No gasoline will be getting placed in unauthorized containers, and I won't need a ride home.
It's all good. Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Brilliant!
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I have done that as well..a soda bottle works better, as it is harder and takes longer to "melt", of so I have heard. I found that it was easy to pour the gas from a soda bottle into the tank too.
I have not, and will never, store it in anything other than an approved gas can though.
Also, be careful if you use a gas can froma lawn mower...a lot of mowers use two cycle oil, which is put right in the gas, and that is NOT good for your car!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
>_<
New fuel pump. Gah!
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Wait, doesn't AAA also provide a free gas service for when you run out?
Hmmm...is there a limit to how often they'll come out and put gas in your car? And how much do they put in at a time? Am I just a AAA membership away from never buying gas again?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
The coming out part is free. The gas itself is not (unless you have one of the high-level, expensive memberships).
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
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