Fueling Tips

Post date: Sep 06, 2018 3:27:12 PM

Fuel-Saving and Fuel-Purchasing Tips 

Important: Fill up your car or truck in the morning when the temperature is still cool

Fuel is an important household expense. Understanding how fuel is stored, measured, and dispensed can help you make informed decisions when purchasing gasoline or diesel.

Does Temperature Affect the Amount of Fuel You Receive?

Gasoline expands as its temperature increases and becomes denser as its temperature decreases. Because gasoline is sold by volume, temperature can affect the relationship between the volume and the amount of fuel by weight.

Service stations commonly store fuel in underground storage tanks, where temperatures are generally more stable than outdoor temperatures. However, fuel temperature can still vary.

Some fuel distribution and commercial transactions use temperature compensation to account for changes in fuel volume. Retail fuel dispensers, however, are not universally temperature-compensated. Therefore, consumers should not assume that purchasing fuel at a particular time of day will always result in receiving more fuel.

Important: The amount displayed by an accurate retail fuel dispenser represents the volume of fuel delivered under the conditions of the transaction. A temperature difference, by itself, does not mean that a dispenser is inaccurate.

Consider Waiting While a Station Is Receiving a Fuel Delivery

If you arrive while a tanker truck is delivering fuel to a service station, you may want to consider waiting until the delivery is complete before purchasing fuel.

Fuel deliveries can disturb sediment and other material that may have accumulated in the station's storage tank. Although fuel stations have systems designed to manage contamination and protect fuel quality, consumers may choose to avoid fueling during a delivery as a precaution.

Keep Your Tank Adequately Filled

Some consumers prefer to refuel when the tank is around half- full rather than routinely allowing it to become nearly empty.

Gasoline naturally produces vapors, and vehicle fuel systems are designed to manage those vapors. Keeping an adequate amount of fuel in the tank may also reduce the likelihood of running completely out of fuel.

However, there is generally no need to keep your tank completely full solely to prevent fuel evaporation. Modern vehicles have evaporative-emissions systems designed to control fuel vapors.

Pump Fuel at a Moderate Rate

When fueling, avoid unnecessarily forcing the nozzle to its highest flow setting.

Fuel dispensing equipment and vapor-recovery systems are designed to operate within specified conditions. Depending on the station and equipment, higher flow rates may produce more fuel vapor.

Using a moderate flow rate can also help reduce splashing and may make it easier to monitor the dispenser during the transaction.

Pay Attention While You Fuel

While purchasing fuel:

• Confirm that you selected the correct fuel grade.

• Check the price per gallon before beginning.

• Make sure the dispenser starts at zero.

• Watch the gallons and total price displayed on the dispenser.

• Avoid distractions while fueling.

• Keep your receipt - the dispenser must provide a receipt that documents the purchase. 

• If something appears unusual, document what happened before leaving the station.

One More Important Tip

If you suspect that you received contaminated fuel, keep your receipt and document the station location, date, time, pump number, fuel grade, and vehicle symptoms. These details can be important if you need to file a complaint or seek reimbursement for vehicle damage.

Bottom Line

You cannot control every factor that affects fuel prices or fuel delivery, but you can control how carefully you purchase fuel.

Know the price. Watch the pump. Keep your receipt. Know what you purchased and know where to report a problem.

We hope these tips help take some of the “pain at the pump” out of your next fuel purchase.