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So, someone explain to me how I could manage to pump 22.9 gallons of fuel into a vehicle that has a 21 gallon gas tank, and I didn’t push it to the gas station ( nor did I have any red fuel tanks to fill, just the one in our Explorer ). Stupid America’s response when I brought in my vehicle manual that clearly states 21 gallons and my receipt for 22.9 gallons? ” we don’t calibrate the pumps, that certified by the state”
Well, no shit, but you might want to look into it dumbass…you’re ripping people off. They didn’t even offer to make an adjustment on the price. I’m glad I cancelled my SA credit card.
It seemed like it was taking too long to fill the tank, so I had gotten back out of my truck and checked on it. It didn’t sound like the usual rushing of fuel into the tank. It sounded more like it was aerated. I even went so far as to pull the nozzle out a bit and dispense fuel just to see the fuel coming out. It LOOKED aerated. I’m calling the state’s measures and weights division that certifies the pumps with the pump number and inquiring about it on Monday.
23 gallons in a 21 gallon tank is troll science IMHO.
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Not sure but I think the volume of gasoline changes with temperature changes. I know when I fill up a portable plastic tank I fill it all the way up to the neck where the cap screws on every time. I think in warmer weather the volume expands so I get less measured fuel into the tank and when it’s cold I get more measured gas in the same tank. Not sure how the pumps are calibrated where you are but it could be worth complaining enough to get them checked. I know that here in Michigan there have been some gas stations that have been caught tampering with the pumps. Good luck. Hope they catch ’em there if they tried to cheat you and others.
Petroleum products are sold on the market at a volume based on a temperature of 60 degrees F. I don’t know if the pumps at gas stations are calibrated to run a conversion factor though. Never worked in that small a volume. I do know the fuel they buy is sold based on that temperature correction though. What they do is take a sample from their tank and check its specific gravity and temperature. From that they use a conversion factor chart to get a true reading from what their meter reads. That ends up being the net sale. I doubt this is the case here though. Most conversion factors are only percent or two. The volume wouldn’t be noticeable until you hit a few thousand gallons. I wish I could give you an exact figure but I haven’t worked as a tankerman for 9 years now. On a 100,000 gallon delivery I almost never had to adjust my stop number more than maybe 800-1300 gallons depending on temp. If you’re an oil company selling millions of barrels at a time that adds up quick, right? Hence the reason for the 60 degree standard.
You can contact your government agency that handles this and ask them to look into it. Pumps can wear like anything else. I think its a division of the department of commerce you would talk to. I think with your receipt you would have reason for them to check the calibration of that station’s pump and get it corrected if they have an issue. They also could tell you if the gas station pumps are correcting themselves to 60 degrees. Please post back with your findings on this. I’m curious to see how this comes out.
a cars tank capacity is the tank only. my truck has a 35 gallon tank according to specs but i continually can put 37 in it. the filler neck will hold 2.5 gallons itself. Also if a pump is running slower it will take longer, and the air will have more chance to escape the tank through the vent. i know at chevron if they put the nozzle wide open it will click off and spew all over everything. the slower the nozzle is set the more gas i get before it clicks off. Maybe its a combination of these things?
Haven’t had a chance to make any phone calls as I’ve been sick, but the discussion is interesting. The reason this threw up a red flag to me is that I’ve filled up at this service station before and many others in our neighboring cities. I’ve never put more than 18-19 gallons in the tank, including when the low fuel gauge has come on. My wife usually runs the truck pretty low before she finds a way to get me to drive it so I’ll fill it up with gas ( aren’t they the sneaky ones about that? ). I keep records on my phone to the mileage and fuel put in our vehicles, so I know how much normally goes in. This includes my work truck, which I don’t even pay the gas for…I know how much fuel it should need when I fill up the tank. I always let the pump run until it clicks off. Putting in more fuel than an EMPTY tank of gas doesn’t add up to me, no matter what way it is presented knowing my vehicle like I do, which is why I brought it up to the manager and also brought it up here. I’m hoping to be able to make a phone call on Monday if they state weights and measures dept isn’t closed for new years and I’ll report back when I find out anything.
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