If someone borrows your vehicle...

[Daisy14'sDH]

Is it assumed that you are supposed to have fuel in it? Or is it assumed that they will put there own fuel in it?

I ask this because I am busy cooking dinner for my wife, and a friend called and asked if she could use our van to pick up an item at a store that would not fit in her car in the next city over, about a 30 mile round trip. My gas light came on on our way home from visiting my MIL in the hospital this morning, and I didn't want to stop for fuel because I have a large meal planned.

Our friends called and complained about the van being on empty! She then said she put $7 in it!!! lol, gas is about $1.37 a litre here right now, ( $5.20 a gallon) my math tells me it will come back with even less fuel than was in it.

In your Humble opinion what should I have said? Sorry I'll give you some money for gas? Lol

 

[dzorn]

On the rare occasion I have had to borrow a vehicle it has always been returned with more gas in it than when I had recieved it. If I have had it for a extensive time it would be returned with a full tank.

Denise in MI

 

[hereyago]

Is it assumed that you are supposed to have fuel in it? Or is it assumed that they will put there own fuel in it?

I ask this because I am busy cooking dinner for my wife, and a friend called and asked if she could use our van to pick up an item at a store that would not fit in her car in the next city over, about a 30 mile round trip. My gas light came on on our way home from visiting my MIL in the hospital this morning, and I didn't want to stop for fuel because I have a large meal planned.

Our friends called and complained about the van being on empty! She then said she put $7 in it!!! lol, gas is about $1.37 a litre here right now, ( $5.20 a gallon) my math tells me it will come back with even less fuel than was in it.

In your Humble opinion what should I have said? Sorry I'll give you some money for gas? Lol

Wow, that one has some nerve. Tell her next time that she borrows the van let you know in advance so you can put a full tank of gas and have it detailed for her. NOT!!!!!! that would be the last time I would loan it out to her.

 

[dodukes]

Unless its preplanned I wouldnt worry about it. It has what it has and for her to complain to you that she had to put fuel in it is very tacky, you are doing her the favor of letting her borrow the car, she should fuel it anyway, either before she uses it or after she was done to replace your fuel. her borrowing your car shouldnt be hey friend free fuel too. just imho.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Is it assumed that you are supposed to have fuel in it? Or is it assumed that they will put there own fuel in it?

I ask this because I am busy cooking dinner for my wife, and a friend called and asked if she could use our van to pick up an item at a store that would not fit in her car in the next city over, about a 30 mile round trip. My gas light came on on our way home from visiting my MIL in the hospital this morning, and I didn't want to stop for fuel because I have a large meal planned.

Our friends called and complained about the van being on empty! She then said she put $7 in it!!! lol, gas is about $1.37 a litre here right now, ( $5.20 a gallon) my math tells me it will come back with even less fuel than was in it.

In your Humble opinion what should I have said? Sorry I'll give you some money for gas? Lol

Tell her you don't expect her to fill it up.

 

[kamik86]

I have borrowed my parents cars and will put gas in if they need them. (and I'll fill it then, to make up for the times where I take it and it had gas already so I never put any in). However they always tell me before I take it that the tank is empty and that I'll have to get gas.

In the future it may be good when someone asks you to borrow the vehicle to say something like "Yeah you can but there isn't any gas in it so you'll have to fill it" something like that. It isn't really necessary though.

 

[hereyago]

Like when she started up the van, she didn't see the gas gauge or light?

 

[Mommee]

I have borrowed my parents cars and will put gas in if they need them. (and I'll fill it then, to make up for the times where I take it and it had gas already so I never put any in). However they always tell me before I take it that the tank is empty and that I'll have to get gas.

In the future it may be good when someone asks you to borrow the vehicle to say something like "Yeah you can but there isn't any gas in it so you'll have to fill it" something like that. It isn't really necessary though.

Perhaps that was really the complaint..that she didn't know it needed gas. if she weren't prepared to put gas in it she potentially could've been in a bind.

I would never expect someone to replace the gas for that short of a trip. If I needed them to I would let them know up front before borrowing the car.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I don't let people borriw my vehicles under any circumstances. So much simpler that way

 

[ICF]

no you should not have had gas in it for them....especially on such short notice.

I'd also except it returned with the same amount (or more) gas than it had when it was picked up.

 

[Mandychelle79]

When I borrow my parents cars they usually tell me if they need gas or not.

When they borrow mine they fill it up

Grandma usually gives us money to put gas in her truck if we are using it to haul and are going to need to get it. However when we take hers we usually have it for less then 30 miles. Just to the store and back home and then back to her house.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would *hope* someone would replace the fuel because that is the polite thing to do. If there is a financial constraint, I would certainly say I would not mind as long as they filled to where it was. But I wouldn't say anything for a one time borrow unless it was a lengthy distance.

I would replace someone's fuel if fuel use was noticeable. I.e. I won't put a couple of dollars in--but if I was using a good chunk, I would fill the tank when I Am done.

I do not typically loan or borrow cars though.

I last loaned a vehicle 2 years ago and it was only for a close close family friend for a one time deal.

 

[Cinderella94]

What???

You were nice enough to lend them your car--she should not have said a word to you about it being close to empty.

 

[frijolefrito]

I don't let people borrow my car also but you could have told her "Sure but I'm low on gas."

 

[LisaNJ25]

yes, for a 30 mile trip she should not of complained about putting $7.00 in. Heck she should of given you a $20 as a thank you. You did her a favor by letting her borrow your car and getting an oversized item home.

 

[clh2]

Wow - just wow. I would have been speechless. (which doesn't happen often.)

Upon second thought - maybe you could have suggested that next time, a car rental would come with a full tank of gas

 

[ilovemk76]

Is it assumed that you are supposed to have fuel in it? Or is it assumed that they will put there own fuel in it?

I ask this because I am busy cooking dinner for my wife, and a friend called and asked if she could use our van to pick up an item at a store that would not fit in her car in the next city over, about a 30 mile round trip. My gas light came on on our way home from visiting my MIL in the hospital this morning, and I didn't want to stop for fuel because I have a large meal planned.

Our friends called and complained about the van being on empty! She then said she put $7 in it!!! lol, gas is about $1.37 a litre here right now, ( $5.20 a gallon) my math tells me it will come back with even less fuel than was in it.

In your Humble opinion what should I have said? Sorry I'll give you some money for gas? Lol

If I were to borrow a friend's vehicle I would return it with a full tank of gas. Per the IRS every mile driven cost 51 US cents. That includes gas, oil changes, insurance, tires and all other costs of vehicle ownership.

 

[John VN]

PSA Most vehicles have fuel pumps in the gas tank and it is VERY IMPORTANT not to have the gas level go too much below 1/4 tank. A fuel pump will BURN OUT because it needs the gas around it to keep it cool. To replace the pump can cost up to $500.00!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

PSA Most vehicles have fuel pumps in the gas tank and it is VERY IMPORTANT not to have the gas level go too much below 1/4 tank. A fuel pump will BURN OUT because it needs the gas around it to keep it cool. To replace the pump can cost up to $500.00!

I have driven my van over 100,000 miles. As much as a problem she gives me, the fuel pump is not a problem. I run my tank to less than 1/4 of a tank regularly.

*my van issues tend to be electrical.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Wow, I never expected such a large response! Her finances arent the best right now and I know that, I was just really shocked that she called to complain about "Having" to put gas in~! I normally run my van from full to an eigth, and have done so with most of my vehicles over my lifetime. Had fuel pump problems on 2 vehicles. one was a Buick at 320,000 and the other on my Windstar at 270,000.

So not so worried about fuel pumps right now. Lol thans for the PSA, wish I had read the TSB's on the Intrepid before I bough that mistake 10 years ago! But that car is long behind us now...