Refilling tank exceeds card authorization at the pump?

Well that was an unexpected problem.

Just filled my new Tundra’s tank for the first time.

The Chevron station’s pump pre-authorized my card for $100, as most pumps in California do. Of course at almost $5 a gallon here that got eaten up in the first 21 gallons. But the pump cut off at exactly $100. So I had to finish off, wait for the pump to reset, run my card again, and then pump the next 8 gallons. (I thought the trucks had a 38 gallon tank…guess it’s about 30).

Anyway. Just an interesting problem I didn’t expect to have. What do y’all do - stand out there and pump twice? Or do you skip payment-at-the-pump and just go inside and pay?

 

Yeah I have the same issue. I can't remember but I think at Valero it didn't do that to me.

 

Im in cali too. It does have a 38 gallon tank. 8 is saved for reserve.

 

I move on cuz sometimes if you try more than once at a pump, the debit or credit card company can lock the card due to multiple tries. Infrequent, but it’s happened to me.

also, tank is def 38 gallons, you just will never have to fill that much. I think the closest I’ve gotten is putting in nearly 32, and I’m notorious for getting perilously close to having to walk home after running a vehicle empty. It must hold loads of gas in its belly

 

With our prices during the summer, I could get within a gallon or 2 of filling it up with $100 so I just left it at that. Only happened twice and then prices fell enough I could fill.

 

Same here in Indiana. Just fill up more frequently I guess to keep it under $100

 

$100 limits on most pumps. At this point I just get gas when it drops to around 1/2 tank.

 

Fill up between 1/3 and a half. Too damn ez to get stuck in traffic due to a wreck or similar. Back in the 90's in the middle of the night and the middle of nowhere in Eastern N.M. on I 40 I was stuck for hours because some clown beheaded his kid and LEO's were scouring ditches looking for the head cuz dude said he threw it out the window. Later found it in the van. True story! You just never know! Had dual tanks and was able to take a two lane from Clines Corners to Santa Fe and then drop S. on I 25. Learned my lesson that night!

 

Some gas stations do this. I believe its to curb people selling fillups with stolen credit cards. Just don't let it go empty and you'll be fine.

I've had the pump stop for me at $75 at a few stations. Could be worse.

 

I've found that most the time if you run it as credit instead of debit it will authorize up to $125 instead of the $100. I've also noticed that the grocery store gas stations or Costco does the $125 on debit or credit, rather than the regular standalone gas stations. Not sure about out in Cali though.

 

Did it to me at a Shell station once recently. That’s the only time it happened and the guy said I could just start another pump.

Never had the issue at Kroger or Costco.

 

Hmm. I’m unclear. I had a full tank driving away from the dealer. Down to basically zero. Filled it full, about 21 gallons the first pump and then 8.5 on the second. That’s about 30. Where’s the reserve gas sitting? And why would I be at basically an empty tank if there’s another 8 gallons hiding somewhere?

 

Holy crap. that’s quite a story.

 

I don’t use debit ever unless a merchant requires. I’m a points whore, so I put basically all daily expenses except my mortgage payment onto my Amex every month and pay it off every month. My card is consistently run at $100 and has almost everywhere I’ve traveled. Just didn’t think about that on this truck. no problem. Just a curious unintended consequence.

 

The tank is really long. In order to keep you from not being able to start it if you park on an incline or something. It's called a reserve but I is just a safety net built in by Toyota. Those 8 gallons are in your tank.

 

I fill up 99% of the time at costco and use the costco citi visa, no $100 limit.

 

Interesting. Is that 8 gallon reserve counted in the info display’s distance to empty measurements?

 

Also keeps the fuel pump submerged so it doesn't overheat.

 

No, I don't believe it is.

 

So, at least in theory, you could keep going another X number of miles (say 13mpg*8 gal Reserve) even beyond when the truck thinks the tank is truly empty? Or, are those 8 gallons really not usable?

 

This fill up took 30 gallons and my display said I had 30 miles left.

 

I've never pushed beyond empty to find out and don't plan on knowingly doing so. Could fry your fuel pump if it overheats.

 

I've gone about 50-60 miles after my light came on. Put about 33-34 gallons in. I wouldn't recommend doing it all the time as I think it will burn your fuel pump up.

 

Depends how lazy I am at that current moment. I’ll either say screw it and leave a little short or reswipe and spend five more minutes standing there. First world probs.

 

I first thought this wall was due to the bank having a restriction but it's up to each individual gas station to set the limit. I've hit $50, 52, 55, 57 & 75 limits. PITA for those of us pulling a trailer and a 38 gallon tank. So, yeah. Two transactions does it for me. Generally if the pump starts slowing and stops at an even amount, it's the gas station limiting the amount you can purchase.

 

I ran mine down to 4 gallons recently towing, but I don't make a habit of this. Figure out what mpg you are getting in a configuration and multiply x 38 gal and you'll know about what you can do. IIRC the light comes on with about 8 gallons left in the tank. Having two different credit cards will take care of the $100 limit issue.

 

yeah no kidding. Total first world problem. Not complaining. Just curious.

 

26.4 gallon tank here. When I start having fill ups that hit the $100 limit, that's when I know gas is getting expensive (like my last one ).

 

32 gallon tank here. I’m in Texas and it lets me fill up past $100 almost anywhere. About $120 these days.