Cross the border into Mexico for cheap gas at your own risk. Texas's Del Rio News-Herald reports that Mexican customs officials sized a 2006 GMC pickup owned Texas residents Andy and Bobby McCulley last Thursday "as the couple was returning to Del Rio after eating lunch, shopping and buying diesel fuel in Acuña."
Some residents of the Southwestern U.S. have been crossing into Mexico to purchase gasoline and diesel this summer, since Mexican government subsidies keep the cost of the fuels lower than what is typically found on the U.S. side of the border. The drivers, like the McCulleys, often fill not only their vehicles, but also secondary gas tanks and canisters, bringing the fuel back to the U.S. But Mexican customs officials told the McCulleys that, under Mexican law, drivers are only allowed to bring a limited amount of fuel out of the country.
The News-Herald notes, "McCulley said when he asked to see the law in writing, the customs officials refused to produce it."
Fernando Valdez, deputy consul for the Mexican Consulate told PickupTrucks.com "It's against Mexican federal law to (fill) containers not attached to the fuel system of a car or truck and travel across the international border." Valdez says the regulation is "not a new law, but it hasn't been enforced until recently." He adds, "We've had a public campaign on both sides of the border to warn diesel buyers before they purchase fuel (for auxiliary fuel tanks)."
Autoblog adds, "If found in violation, owners face stiff fines."
Jalopnik adds, "Anyone busted filling an extra tank will have to wait at least four days to get their truck back, in addition to paying a fine."
The McCulleys did get their truck back, and they didn't have to wait four days. The couple had help from a group of Mexican citizens who oppose enforcing the law…gas station owners and Mexican tourism officials who want American customers to continue lining up for Mexican gas.
The News-Herald explains, "The standoff began when the McCulleys, unlike a number of other Texans whose trucks have been quietly confiscated in the past week or so, refused to leave Mexico without their vehicle. … The operators of several of Acuña’s Pemex gas stations and state and local tourism officials joined the McCulleys at the customs offices here in an attempt to convince officials to return the McCulleys’ truck." After nine hours, customs officials gave it back.
We should also note that Mexican diesel does not meet U.S. regulations requiring low sulfur content. Trucks manufactured after 2007 could theoretically suffer some engine damage from filling up with Mexican diesel, though it isn't clear how significant the damage could be.
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