Car Borrowing Ettiquite

So I wanted your guys opinion, because some people that I live with (the wife) feel different

My brother-in-law needed to borrow our Durango today to move some stuff to his new apartment. I knew where he was going and how far it was (15-20 mi round trip). We are really tight on money and with gas being $4.19 where I live, I ask my wife if my BIL is going to out some gas I'm the tank. Her reply was she wouldnt expect him too because he is also tight on money and it's her brother so no she doesn't expect him to.

Now, if I borrowed someones vehicle to move stuff, I would have the decency to put some gas back in, especially to fill it back up with the amount I had started with. If you don't want to fill it up, give the person a 10 or 20 and call it good.

Am I being a jackass about this?

Nope, not being a jackass.

Absolutely correct! Borrow somebodies truck, and not put gas in it equals not a single favor in the future. You will learn something about his character from what happens.

+1 for not being a jackass.

When I moved, I borrowed my dad's truck, and a few other family members chipped in. We paid for gas, and on top, anyone that helped us move got pizza and beer. Everyone was a happy camper. Our money was (and is) tight too. It's cheaper than hiring a moving company, and those people still talk to us.

Personally, I think you're correct, but given that she's your wife...there's a certain amount of peace to be made. A tank of gas is a small price for not picking the fight with someone you love. :D

If the dude doesn't flip you some cash to use your gas hog, no gas hog for him, that simple.

Trade cars for the day...

Drive his car far enough that it uses the same amount of gas.

friends yes should but family ehhhhh no,

Just make sure it's empty when he picks it up and problem is solved.

EastCoastMojo wrote: Just make sure it's empty when he picks it up and problem is solved.

LOL THIS.

Whenever I borrow anyones car I fill it back up at least to where it was, usually I fill it all the way. I would expect anyone borrowing my car to do the same.

EastCoastMojo wrote: Just make sure it's empty when he picks it up and problem is solved.

Stupid MINI dealer did that to me once. It was literally so empty it was physically impossible for me to make it to the nearest gas station. Try explaining to people why you're blocking up their rush hour........

At least fill it to where it was when he picked it up. Most of the time the offer is enough for me, YMMV !

I recently borrowed a vehicle from my BIL because our family vehicle was totalled in an accident. It had a half tank when I got it. I was planning on leaving it with a full tank, but on my first drive I noticed his oil change was overdue. I changed his oil, filter, and reset the maintenance light. I then filled his tank back up to half full. I figured the money and time saved by doing the L.O.F. for him was even better than a full tank of gas. Broke or not, I always show appreciation for someoene willing to take the risk and liability of loaning a vehicle.

I just keep it simple and don't loan out my car. Then again, it's not anything anyone wants to drive haha.

Only the fiancee can drive my car, and good friends I've known for a while. But even then I'm riding shotgun.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: ...and it's her brother so no she doesn't expect him to.

Your tile says "borrow" but your wifes statement above says "gift".
So, which is it?
For borrow, yes, fill up at least what you used and maybe a little more as a thank you and payment.
For gift...well, that is kind of like giving him a toy but making him pay for the batteries back to you.

Youy may just take this as a lesson to get more clarity in the future.

Generally when I borrow my moms boyfriends truck I make sure that it is returned with at least as much gas as I got it with.

I usually also wash it, and/or scrub out the bed, and/or clean the interior.

Whenever I borrowed a car, I always filled the tank and ran it through a car wash, and vacuumed, regardless of how long I had it--more than "round the block". OK, well, money is tight for him and you, too. Then take it out in trade of some kind. And tha'ts onlyIF it's only one 20 mile round trip, and that's all, then, you may want to see you're wife's POV. More than that, though, and there's gas to be bought. And he's getting off cheap.

If he complains, he can always tie the items to the roof of HIS car, or take the item apart and put it back together.....

If I borrow a car it goes back to the owner with a full tank and washed. An exception is when I borrow a drunkard's car for a beer run.

As previously posted, BIL SHOULD have at least offered a few bucks for the use of your vehicle, but being family you are better off forgetting it ever happened...or at least wait until you can borrow his car, then return "the favor".

If he drove 20 miles @ 15 MPG, that's what, 1.3 gallons of gas? Five bucks? Good etiquette for him would have been to fill it back up (or at least spot you some cash for it), but considering it's a your BIL good etiquette for you is to not make a big deal out of it. You are, however, more than within your rights to expect a return favour in the future, and bring up the time you oh-so-kindly lent him your truck if he doesn't want to do it.

pilotbraden wrote: If I borrow a car it goes back to the owner with a full tank and washed. An exception is when I borrow a drunkard's car for a beer run.

Eh, that's different. If I'm too polluted to drive (and you're not), you're doing me a favor. I think of it as using the barter system..

Always return a car with more gas in the tank and more change in the ash tray. Them's the rules.

FILL the tank.

Thats worth at least a case of beer