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

2Serve Many Consumer Fueling Tips

Getting What You Pay For at the Fuel Pump

Know the price. Watch the pump. Keep your receipt. Know where to report a problem.

Gasoline and diesel are important household expenses. Understanding how fuel is stored, measured, priced, and dispensed can help you make informed decisions when purchasing fuel.

Why This Matters

When you purchase fuel, you are paying for a measured quantity at a posted price.

A retail fuel dispenser is designed to measure and display the amount of fuel delivered and the total price of the transaction.

Consumers can protect themselves by paying attention before, during, and after each fuel purchase.

Consumer Tip: Does Temperature Affect Fuel?

Yes. Temperature can affect the volume of gasoline and other petroleum products.

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

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

Some fuel transactions use temperature compensation to account for changes in fuel volume. Retail fuel dispensers, however, are not universally temperature-compensated.

What Does This Mean for Consumers?

Don't assume that buying fuel at a particular time of day will automatically give you more fuel.

An accurate retail fuel dispenser measures and displays the volume delivered under the conditions of the transaction. A difference in fuel temperature, by itself, does not mean that a dispenser is inaccurate.

Consumer Tip: Is the Station 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 fueling.

A fuel delivery can disturb sediment or other material that may have accumulated in a station's storage tank. Service stations have systems and procedures intended to protect fuel quality, but some consumers may choose to avoid fueling during a delivery as an additional precaution.

If you decide to wait, allow the delivery process to be completed before purchasing fuel.

Consumer Tip: Don't Routinely Run Your Tank Nearly Empty

Some drivers prefer to refuel when their tank is around half full rather than routinely allowing the tank to become nearly empty.

Running out of fuel can leave you stranded and may create unnecessary problems.

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

A good practice is to monitor your fuel level and refuel before you are close to running out.

Consumer Tip: Use the Fuel Nozzle Properly

When fueling, follow the instructions on the dispenser and vehicle owner's manual.

Avoid unnecessarily forcing the nozzle or using equipment in a manner that is inconsistent with the station's instructions.

Fuel-dispensing equipment and vapor-recovery systems are designed to operate within specified conditions. Depending on the equipment, fueling at a very high flow rate may increase splashing or vapor production.

Using a reasonable flow rate can also make it easier to monitor the dispenser while you fuel.

Pay Attention While You Fuel

A few seconds of attention can help you catch problems before you leave the station.

Before You Start

1. Select the correct fuel.
Make sure you have selected the fuel grade and type recommended for your vehicle.

2. Check the price.
Look at the posted price per gallon before beginning your purchase.

3. Check the starting display.
The dispenser should indicate that the transaction has started at zero.

While You Fuel

4. Watch the dispenser.
Pay attention to the gallons delivered and the total price.

5. Avoid distractions.
Stay attentive while fueling and follow the station's safety instructions.

After You Fuel

6. Keep your receipt.
Your receipt provides important information about the transaction and can be useful if you later have a question or problem.

7. Check your purchase.
Make sure the fuel grade, quantity, and price shown on your receipt are consistent with your transaction.

What If You Suspect a Fuel Problem?

If you believe you received contaminated fuel or experienced another problem with a fuel purchase, document the transaction as soon as possible.

Keep your receipt and record:

• Station name and location

• Date and time

• Pump number

• Fuel grade

• Amount purchased

• Price per gallon

• Vehicle information

• Symptoms or problems experienced

• Any other information that may help establish what happened

If you believe the fuel may have caused vehicle damage, consider having the vehicle inspected by a qualified automotive professional and keep documentation of the inspection and any related expenses.

Before You Leave the Station

Use this quick checklist:

☐ Correct fuel selected

☐ Price per gallon checked

☐ Dispenser started at zero

☐ Gallons and total price monitored

☐ Fuel purchase completed normally

☐ Receipt obtained and saved

☐ Unusual problems documented

Remember

Know the price.

Watch the pump.

Check the gallons.

Keep your receipt.

Document problems.

Know where to report a complaint.

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

2Serve Many Consumer Tip

Take the "Pain" Out of the Pump

A few simple habits can help you become a more informed fuel consumer:

Check the price. Start at zero. Watch the pump. Keep your receipt. Document problems.

Most importantly, know what you purchased and know where to report a problem.

Consumer Awareness: What Should I Do?

If you believe a fuel dispenser may not be accurately measuring fuel, you were charged incorrectly, the price displayed was different from what you expected, or you have another weights and measures concern, document the transaction and contact the appropriate local or state Weights and Measures authority.

Your receipt and transaction information can provide valuable evidence when reporting a concern.

Know Your Rights. Check the Facts. Get What You Pay For.

2Serve Many Weights & Measures Group

Consumer Education • Marketplace Fairness • Weights & Measures Awareness

www.2servemany.com
info@2servemany.com

Price Posting vs. Pump Price

When buying fuel, it's important to understand the difference between the posted price and the price displayed on the pump.

The Posted Price

The posted price is the fuel price advertised by the station. It is commonly displayed on a roadside sign, price board, or other prominent location where consumers can see it before entering the station.

Posted prices typically identify the fuel grade and the price per gallon. Some stations may also advertise different prices depending on the payment method, such as cash, credit, debit, or a station-specific payment program.

The Pump Price

The pump price is the price per gallon displayed on the fuel dispenser for the fuel grade and payment method you select.

Before you begin fueling, check the pump to make sure the displayed price is what you expect based on the station's posted pricing and any applicable payment-method requirements.

What Consumers Should Check

Before pumping fuel:

• Check the station's posted price.

• Identify the fuel grade you intend to purchase.

• Check the price displayed on the pump before starting the transaction.

• Pay attention to any cash, credit, debit, membership, or other pricing conditions.

• Make sure the price per gallon remains visible during the transaction.

• Review your receipt after completing the purchase.

If the Prices Appear Different

If the price advertised on the station's sign appears different from the price displayed on the pump, stop and ask the station attendant for clarification before fueling, when possible.

If you believe you were charged a price that was not properly disclosed or you cannot resolve the issue with the station, keep your receipt and document:

• Station name and location

• Date and time

• Fuel grade

• Pump number

• Posted price

• Pump price

• Payment method

• Amount of fuel purchased

• Receipt or other transaction record

These details can be useful if you need to report a pricing concern to the appropriate regulatory or consumer-protection authority.

Remember

The roadside sign tells you the station's advertised price. The pump tells you the price being applied to your fuel purchase.

Check both before you pump.

2Serve Many Consumer Tip

Don't assume the advertised price is the final price for every customer. Check the fuel grade, payment method, and pump display before you begin fueling. Keep your receipt and document any pricing concern.