How much is a tank of petrol

[Katies Dad]

We are hiring just what they class as a small compact car from Dollar. We have not taken out the insurance that includes a tank of petrol. Please could someone give me an idea how much Dollar charges (ish) for a tank of petrol if you decide to pre-pay for it.

I appreciate any info you can give me.

 

[Lewisc]

It's based on the actual capacity of the car. $20-$25 is a good guess.

You'll almost always save $ if you just return the car full.

 

[Frozenfingers]

I suspect the actural rates are variable according to the season and other factors, so you won't know till you get there. We rented Alamo last April, and their rates were terrible! The agent stretched the truth a tish about local gas prices, but the bottom line is it would cost dearly to bring the car back unfilled.. he quoted $4 something/gallon.

The insurance he was hawking was $1.60/gallon. He didn't say that you pay for the full tank capacity regardless of how much one actually needs to put in. So a 14 gallon compact will cost you at least $22 regardless of needing one gallon or a complete fill.

Ask for an Orlando area map when you pickup the car, there is a nice route from DTD to the airport that avoids the tolls There is a nice shopping area just outside the airport (before the beeline) with gas stations.. cheap too!

Have a magical time!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Gas is running approx. 1.49 per gallon in the Orlando area.
I am renting a full size car with the prepaid gas option (which means I can bring it back on fumes with no penalty) and the cost is 27.57. A compact car will have a capacity of approx. 13-14 gallons. Most places list the tank capacity.

 

[XStAnt]

The problem with the prepaid fuel option is that if you don't bring the tank back completely empty you're paying for gas you did not use.

Here's an example: Assume a tank holds 14 gallons. If you only use half a tank, you have only used 7 gallons of fuel. However, with the prepaid fuel option you are paying for the full 14 gallons. You've paid for 7 gallons you've never used.

You are better off filling up before you return the car. Last time I filled up in DTD. When I got to the airport it still said "Full" and I wasn't charged for gas. Some companies "require" you to fill up within 5 miles of the return lots. There are always gas stations near rental car lots. Even if it is more expensive at those stations (by a few cents), it is still cheaper than paying for an entire tank.

If you don't use the prepaid option and you don't return the car with a full tank Dollar (and every other company) will charge you an outrageous amount to fill the tank. DO NOT do this.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by XStAnt
The problem with the prepaid fuel option is that if you don't bring the tank back completely empty you're paying for gas you did not use.

Here's an example: Assume a tank holds 14 gallons. If you only use half a tank, you have only used 7 gallons of fuel. However, with the prepaid fuel option you are paying for the full 14 gallons. You've paid for 7 gallons you've never used.

You are better off filling up before you return the car. Last time I filled up in DTD. When I got to the airport it still said "Full" and I wasn't charged for gas. Some companies "require" you to fill up within 5 miles of the return lots. There are always gas stations near rental car lots. Even if it is more expensive at those stations (by a few cents), it is still cheaper than paying for an entire tank.

If you don't use the prepaid option and you don't return the car with a full tank Dollar (and every other company) will charge you an outrageous amount to fill the tank. DO NOT do this.

I use all the gas and then some. Trust me, if it were not to my advantage, I would not do it. The gas, btw, is within about 3-5 cents of what they charge at Disney. For me, that is not worth the hassle of worrying if the tank is full upon return.

 

[XStAnt]

Gail,

I'm sure you get your money's worth. From reading your posts I can tell you know how to get the most bang for the buck I agree that if you can return the car on fumes the prepaid fuel option is great. Whenever I rent a car I'm never able to run the tank that low. On my last trip to Disney I only used half of one tank. Any tips on how to bring the tank back on "E"?

 

[NotUrsula]

If you are staying a long time and/or are likely to refill the tank during the course of the trip (going to the beach, for example), then the pre-pay option may be a good deal for you. Being as how you are British, I'm thinking that you are likely to be staying for at least 2 weeks; maybe offsite?

The pre-paid option is usually a bad deal for those who are staying less than a week and are spending almost all their time in the various parks; it is very unlikely that one would use an entire tank of gasoline with such a small amount of driving. In my opinion, returning a pre-paid rental with anything over 1/4 tank is a waste of money.

The rental company will be able to tell you the fuel capacity of the cars available when you arrive; the average compact will hold between 10 and 13 gallons. With Dollar, the biggest peril is the pressure to upgrade to a larger car; they tend to be especially pushy with UK visitors about this, I've noticed. From my experiences driving in the UK, I'd say stick to the smallest vehicle that can comfortably hold you and your luggage; less risk of inadvertently hitting something.

Oh, one other thing if you decide not to take it. Another poster said, "There are always gas stations near rental car lots."
In Orlando, this is only true if you rent from an offsite rental company, as those are located north of the airport. If you rent from a company that stores its cars in the airport garage, such as Dollar, it is not true. Coming from the south entrance (read as "from the tourist areas") there are no stations within about 10 miles of the airport that do not require getting off a toll road and back on, thus incurring a extra road toll. If you don't refuel before getting on the motorway, you will have to go through the airport and out of the north exit to find gasoline near the airport. (Thanks to security issues, none of the regular surface roads which abut the southern boundaries of the airport actually give access to it; they are all dead ends.)

 

[XStAnt]

Gail,

I'm sure you get your money's worth. From reading your posts I can tell you know how to get the most bang for the buck I agree that if you can return the car on fumes the prepaid fuel option is great. Whenever I rent a car I'm never able to run the tank that low. On my last trip to Disney I only used half of one tank. Any tips on how to bring the tank back on "E"?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by XStAnt
Gail,

I'm sure you get your money's worth. From reading your posts I can tell you know how to get the most bang for the buck I agree that if you can return the car on fumes the prepaid fuel option is great. Whenever I rent a car I'm never able to run the tank that low. On my last trip to Disney I only used half of one tank. Any tips on how to bring the tank back on "E"?

LOL, at the risk of sounding like a wise-a**, drive around and look at stuff. There is more to that area than WDW.
I will admit, it does not work for everyone, but, for me, it has been great.

For less expensive gas, go on RTE 535(south) past Ponderosa and at the BP station you will find some of the cheapest gas around.

 

[Lewisc]

Gail--My wife likes to fill up whenever the gauge gets to half. Not sure she has what it takes to allow me to drive around with the low fuel light on for the last day or two of the trip. Last time we flew out of Tampa I bought the prepaid fuel. My wife was nervous the entire drive to TPA and the light didn't come on until we entered the airport. I figure I gave them too much fuel, my wife didn't agree.

Not everyone has the adventure to try to run an unfamilar car as low as possible (without running out).

For those who want to know how to run the car to E:
1) trip to Kennedy space center
2) fly into Tampa
3)2 week trip with vists to outlet shops, off site dinner shows, supermarkets, Wal Mart...
4) trips to other Orlando attractions (Universal, Sea World...)
4)trip to beach
5) drive instead of taking bus transportation to parks, DTD, PI...

 

[seashoreCM]

But when you do run the gas gauge to "E" or when the low fuel light comes on, it is still unknown how much gas (petrol) is still in the tank.

It is convenient, but not cheapest, to buy a tankful of gas up front for your rental car. I never buy it.

Returning to the airport via I-4 (tricky from the Epcot Disney exit) and then 528 (Beeline) get off at Exit 9 Tradesport, turn left and cross under the Beeline and there is a quite low priced gas station on your left. To go the last mile to the (north) airport entrance, don't cross back under the Beeline to get back on it but instead take McCoy Rd. which parallels the Beeline, so close you can see a toll booth you will be skipping.

Or, fill the tank to the brim the night before, so you will only have to pay the rental company for a small amount of gas if you don't have time to fill it at return time.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Once I rented a car with 3/4 tankful in it and was told I could bring it back with 3/4. I miscalculated and put too much in on the last day, so I spent time cruising around quite aimlessly, sightseeing. Then I ran out of time and had to get back to the airport with a little more than 3/4 tankful.

 

[PammyK]

Originally posted by NotUrsula
Oh, one other thing if you decide not to take it. Another poster said, "There are always gas stations near rental car lots."
In Orlando, this is only true if you rent from an offsite rental company, as those are located north of the airport. If you rent from a company that stores its cars in the airport garage, such as Dollar, it is not true. Coming from the south entrance (read as "from the tourist areas") there are no stations within about 10 miles of the airport that do not require getting off a toll road and back on, thus incurring a extra road toll. If you don't refuel before getting on the motorway, you will have to go through the airport and out of the north exit to find gasoline near the airport. (Thanks to security issues, none of the regular surface roads which abut the southern boundaries of the airport actually give access to it; they are all dead ends.)

This is actually somewhat inaccurate.

If you are coming from the 417 (which is the way the Disney signs direct you to go) take the airport exit off of the highway but instead of turning left at the end of the ramp, turn right. You will go between 1 and 2 miles and will find a Circle K gas station on the right. Then go back the way you came, pass back under the 417 and follow the signs to the airport terminals.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Gail--My wife likes to fill up whenever the gauge gets to half. Not sure she has what it takes to allow me to drive around with the low fuel light on for the last day or two of the trip. Last time we flew out of Tampa I bought the prepaid fuel. My wife was nervous the entire drive to TPA and the light didn't come on until we entered the airport. I figure I gave them too much fuel, my wife didn't agree.

Not everyone has the adventure to try to run an unfamilar car as low as possible (without running out).

For those who want to know how to run the car to E:
1) trip to Kennedy space center
2) fly into Tampa
3)2 week trip with vists to outlet shops, off site dinner shows, supermarkets, Wal Mart...
4) trips to other Orlando attractions (Universal, Sea World...)
4)trip to beach
5) drive instead of taking bus transportation to parks, DTD, PI...

Lewis, I am a chance taker. You generally have about 2 gallons of fuel when that little light comes on and I don't even take is seriously until it really glows and stays on. Then, depending on the day of our vacation, add fuel accordingly. We always seem to manage to return it with the little light glowing happily away.

Also, if you fill up before you hit the Greenway, you will not even come close to a gallon consumption by the time you get to the airport. They don't even question anything that reads full ( unless you are driving one of those gas guzzling polluting SUVs or Mini Vans).

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Lewis, I am a chance taker. You generally have about 2 gallons of fuel when that little light comes on and I don't even take is seriously until it really glows and stays on. Then, depending on the day of our vacation, add fuel accordingly. We always seem to manage to return it with the little light glowing happily away.

You are 100% correct, but my wife doesn't see the logic. I'd love to get the pre-paid gas and return it so low that the car runs out of gas before they can move it but then I am accused of having a sick sense of humor.

I don't understand the importance of finding a gas station by the airport. I just fill up (overfill) before I get on the highway. The guague still reads above F (same as when I got the car). Never had a problem.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Lewisc
You are 100% correct, but my wife doesn't see the logic. I'd love to get the pre-paid gas and return it so low that the car runs out of gas before they can move it but then I am accused of having a sick sense of humor.

I don't understand the importance of finding a gas station by the airport. I just fill up (overfill) before I get on the highway. The guague still reads above F (same as when I got the car). Never had a problem.

We must have the same sick sense of humor. I would find it terribly amusing.
BTW, the guage will read full even if you don't "top it off". We have done this once or twice when we forgot to get the prepaid option.

 

[gm]

Hi,

I just got back and i had a compact car. We did not prepay our gas since that is way too expensive. I told them I will bring it back filled up like always.

I had a compact car-Dodge Neon and i always stop at the same place to fill my gas up on the way to the airport. Exit Orange Blossom trail(easy to get back on and off). When you exit you either make a right or a left. Just make a left and there are several gas stations with $1.35 gas. We filled our car up when it was totally empty for exactly $11.50 for a full tank of gas. If you go further down you will be Florida Mall also for fun shopping.

 

[paulh]

Standard rates for a tank of gas from hire firms is $4.75 per gallon that what was on my voucher this is where they try to make a bit of extra cash out of you decline paying for the full tank they say you should and they make a song and dance about it but tell them you will return it full as you are entitled that’s what we do fill up just out side airport or the dollar of site car park at about $1.55 per gallon (in Georgia we got $1.12) if its on empty that would cost at the most $12.00 as against $44.00 that they try to charge you
Also make sure that they check that fuel is in when you get back with car and get confirmation ticket from the car checkers as they will ask for an imprint of the credit card as not to charge you
Regards PaulH