Pump accuracy

[beanoil]

This happens more often than not IMO. I recently got gas for the lawn mower in my 5 gal. The pump registered 5.8, with the corresponding price. I complained to the cashier, and refused to pay for more than 5 gallons. Then I called the weights and measures folks whose number was convieniently listed on the inspection sticker on the pump, and reported the thieves.

 

[PRND3L]

Portable gas containers routinely hold more than the size they're labeled. Example: gallon containers often hold 1.3, 5 gal. containers hold 5.8, etc. Just another variable to account for....

 

[mechtech]

I restate that as: get a container of a known volume and then you're sure.

 

[Kestas]

Somebody got caught doing this in Detroit a couple months ago. He got caught the same way Don reported -- he filled more fuel than he knew the tank would hold. The fine was that the station owner had to sell gasoline at a reduced price for some time.

 

[doctorr]

I got "caught" by a pump as it ran out of gas, got perhaps 3 or 4 gallons in before the pump went dry.
Trouble was that as it ran out it just pumped air - no gas, and very quickly!
By the time I realised what was going on, I had run it up to 40 gallons, and I knew I would be paying for that air.

I just kept my hand on the nozzle until it read 300, then there was no disputing it - went to the booth and told them it was just spinning on empty.

 

[cousincletus]

Check your gas mileage regularly. If you see a sudden drop in mileage after pumping more than your tank's capacity then you can be reasonably sure there is a gas pump calibration problem.

 

[the_oil_dealer]

MORE than likely a pump calibration problem. I once filled a 4.5L gas can (to the indicated line) with 5 litres flat. Tell me thats not ufcked up.