Scratch and Win Free Gas

Wouldn’t it be great to fill up your car for free? One gas station has a promotion to win free fuel through a scratch and win game.

Here’s the tip of the day: (*New addition - If you're looking for a bargain, see the end of the blog for information on a great sale at J.C. Penney.)

Shell is offering customers the chance to win up to $2,900 in free Shell fuel. The promotion lasts from Aug. 4 to Sept. 28. To enter the contest, bring in your fuel purchase receipt at Shell, and you’ll receive a game card. There are two ways to win:

1. In-store: Scratch off the material on the “Play Now” side of the card. If the two icons match, you win free gas. Call the toll-free number on the winning game card to claim your prize.

You will win a Shell Refillable Gift Card in the amount revealed on your card. Here are your odds of winning free gasoline:

In total, there are (20) $2,900 Shell refillable gift cards, (500) $50 Shell refillable gift cards, (1,250) $25 Shell refillable gift cards and (20,500) $10 Shell refillable gift cards.

*Even if you don’t win free gas, there are other prizes. For instance, customers can win a free medium beverage instantly.

2. Online: Scratch the game card to reveal two 12-digit game codes. Then, enter the codes online at shell.us/gasgiveaway. You’ll be able to play a racing game for a chance to win free gasoline or additional instant win prizes. You may enter up to 4 codes each day.

Here are your odds of winning free fuel online. There are (56) $2,900 Shell refillable gift cards, (200) $50 Shell refillable gift cards, (1,250) $25 Shell refillable gift cards and (2,000) $10 Shell refillable gift cards.

Instant prizes include a 105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson gear (helmets, leather jackets, etc.) and Shell car care kits.

In order to win, you must be a legal resident of the United States and have a valid driver’s license. Limit one game card per customer for each fuel purchase. If you’re already a Shell customer, it’s worth a try to win, right? Good luck!   

The Shell station near I-20 on Washington Road and other participating Shell stations have game cards available. Check with your local Shell station for further information.

How to Stretch a Gallon of Gasoline

Here are some tips from Shell Oil Co. on stretching your vehicle's gasoline. Improving your gas mileage helps your wallet and relieves the strain on the earth’s natural oil reserves.

These driving tips can help you use less fuel without drastically changing your lifestyle, according to Shell Oil Co.:

1. Drive smoothly and avoid heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent at lower speeds around town and by 33 percent on the highway.

2. Replace dirty or clogged air filters. Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter can improve gasoline mileage by as much as 10 percent. The air filter helps protect the engine from impurities.

3. Keep your engine well-tuned and repair any problems immediately. If your car has failed an emissions test or is out of tune, repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by 4 percent.

4. Check your tires - make sure they’re not over or under-inflated. Proper air pressure reduces fuel usage while driving. Keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve your gasoline mileage by more than 3 percent.

5. Minimize vehicle drag. Keep your trunk and back seat clear of unnecessary items that add extra weight. This can improve your gasoline mileage.

6. Use the recommended grade of oil in your engine. Following your manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by up to 2 percent. Look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to ensure it contains friction-reducing additives.

7. Choose a high-quality gasoline. Top automakers report that carbon deposits can build up on critical engine parts. These deposits can decrease the power, performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

8. Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic. Maintaining a constant speed can improve gasoline mileage.

9. Avoid idling your vehicle. When your vehicle idles, you get zero miles per gallon.

10. Avoid higher speeds. Gasoline mileage typically decreases when driving at speeds over 60 miles per hour.

Source: Shell Oil Company

Do you know any other gas stations or retail stores offering a chance to win free gas? Write in to The Pinch to let me know.

Looking for a Bargain?

If you need any new clothes or household items, J.C. Penney is having a huge sale on Saturday (August 16). The doorbuster sale is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Customers can get an extra 10 percent off already reduced items.

The store is also having a storewide clearance with 75 percent off original prices.