Getting the Most out of Petrol

[EvoVIIIJDM]

Hi all

Got sent this in an email, wanted to get everyones opinion on it.

ONLY BUY OR FILL UP YOUR CAR IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN THE GROUND TEMPERATURE IS STILL COLD. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground, the denser the fuel, when it gets warmer petrol expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening.... your litre is not exactly a litre.

to me this has some logic to it.

WHEN YOU'RE FILLING UP, DO NOT SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER OF THE NOZZLE TO A FAST MODE. If you look, you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low,
middle, and high. In slow mode, you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapours that are created, while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapour return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapour. Those vapours are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

Sort of agree, i wonder how much difference it would make if any.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TIPS IS TO FILL UP WHEN YOUR TANK IS HALF FULL. The reason for this is, the more fuel you have in your tank, the less air occupying its empty space. Petrol evaporates faster than you can imagine. Petroleum storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the petrol and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.
Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated, so that every litre is actually the exact amount.

Meh.

ANOTHER REMINDER, IF THERE IS A FUEL TRUCK PUMPING INTO THE STORAGE TANKS, WHEN YOU STOP TO BUY, DO NOT FILL UP - most likely the petrol/diesel is being stirred up as the fuel is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

Agree with this point.

Fuel isnt a huge issue for me, PULP prices are always high so it makes buckleys if i fill up mon, tues, wed etc. Plus my car isnt a daily anymore, got a honda civic to run around in. Do these claims ring any truth? They make sense except the handle holding point and half tank bizzo, what are your views? All BS?

[ProphetVX]

You do realise that these tanks are 5-10m underground at a minimum and that temperature that deep will barely fluctuate if at all. That deep the ground temperature stays at a constant in line with the average atmospheric temperatures. Not to mention they're buried under concrete which is a poor conductor.

As for fuel evaporating, the only time you lose it when it evaporates is when you open the fuel cap, so again another thing that won't save you fuel, if anything you may lose some topping it up frequently.

[EvoVIIIJDM]

You do realise that these tanks are 5-10m underground at a minimum and that temperature that deep will barely fluctuate if at all. That deep the ground temperature stays at a constant in line with the average atmospheric temperatures. Not to mention they're buried under concrete which is a poor conductor.

No im not familiar with petrol storage hence the thread.

[1991_Vn2nV]

lol @ saving on petrol vapours. You'd probably waste more going slowly, allowing more vapour to escape than pumping it in faster.

[Tom_1569]

They all make sense. and are perfectly logical, but i highly doubt the amount of fuel you would save would be very much, if at all.
The inconvenience of doing all that would out way the benefit unless you lived a very boring life. For me, i need petrol, i cant drive without it, i need to drive, so i buy petrol its a vicous cycle really lol.
If your really that tight with petrol, either work an extra hour a week, or pussy foot more often, heck even turn your car off and roll into your driveway if you feel its necasary.

[EvoVIIIJDM]

They all make sense. and are perfectly logical, but i highly doubt the amount of fuel you would save would be very much, if at all.
The inconvenience of doing all that would out way the benefit unless you lived a very boring life. For me, i need petrol, i cant drive without it, i need to drive, so i buy petrol its a vicous cycle really lol.
If your really that tight with petrol, either work an extra hour a week, or pussy foot more often, heck even turn your car off and roll into your driveway if you feel its necasary.

Agreed mate. I dont understand why people would go to these measures.

[Emackulation]

There is one trick that I always do, once the bowser clicks off and your done, dont let go of the lever handle, keep it held open and grab the hose and lift it up so the remaining fuel left in the hose runs into your tank! I was told this does nothing from the lady inside the petrol store, but I have tryed doing that with the nozzle outside my car and the fuel in the hose comes out. Your paying for fuel and its going to the next person who fills up.

[ProphetVX]

There is one trick that I always do, once the bowser clicks off and your done, dont let go of the lever handle, keep it held open and grab the hose and lift it up so the remaining fuel left in the hose runs into your tank! I was told this does nothing from the lady inside the petrol store, but I have tryed doing that with the nozzle outside my car and the fuel in the hose comes out. Your paying for fuel and its going to the next person who fills up.

I always do that, not to save fuel, just so I make sure I don't drip fuel over my paintwork lol.

That's the only suggestion in here though that would really give you any fuel. The rest are just complete speculation.

[vy_storm]

Surprised Current Affair haven't done a beat up story on it claiming massive savings to be had for all......

[BANKS]

There is one trick that I always do, once the bowser clicks off and your done, dont let go of the lever handle, keep it held open and grab the hose and lift it up so the remaining fuel left in the hose runs into your tank! I was told this does nothing from the lady inside the petrol store, but I have tryed doing that with the nozzle outside my car and the fuel in the hose comes out. Your paying for fuel and its going to the next person who fills up.

I do that, when you think about it that line must hold what 250ml? So for the first 250ml or so the previous person has paid for it because its sitting in the line, then you fill up, then lift the hose up, your just putting fuel in that you've paid for + 250ml for free! hey, its probably equal to the 4c vouchers lol

[Emackulation]

I do that, when you think about it that line must hold what 250ml? So for the first 250ml or so the previous person has paid for it because its sitting in the line, then you fill up, then lift the hose up, your just putting fuel in that you've paid for + 250ml for free! hey, its probably equal to the 4c vouchers lol

On that note, so many people DONT do it, I also get a stare or two like "wtf is this guy doing??" and im like "yeah bitch, none of you's are getting my fuel...gigidy"

[CSP]

Not this again!!! When will people learn? I see that on a forum or via amail at least once a month...

[BANKS]

On that note, so many people DONT do it, I also get a stare or two like "wtf is this guy doing??" and im like "yeah bitch, none of you's are getting my fuel...gigidy"

i know what you mean! ive gotten so many wired looks, ay. One time this guy was looking at me exactly like this :my: then he looked at his hose and started to do it, then smiled. Made me laugh! that 250ml costs 35c!!

[EvoVIIIJDM]

Not this again!!! When will people learn? I see that on a forum or via amail at least once a month...

First time ive seen it.

[CSP]

Um... Noobs! Holding the hose up does nothing... The cut-off is in the nozzle. So if you just tilt the nozzle up for a few more ml after it cuts off that's the best you're going to do.

I used to laugh when I was working at a servo at all the tight arses that think they're getting extra out of the hose.

[CSP]

First time ive seen it.

Don't believe this sorta **** mate... It's going to mean you might save 20 cents per tank of fuel.

[EvoVIIIJDM]

I dont believe it, what it states is logical though in THEORY.

Didnt think much of the hose thing either.

[andrewmac]

Ive heard of them all but the one im not to sure about would be the one about filling up when a tanker is filling the storage tanks.
Now the logic there is that the fuel gets stirred up and you get the sediment in your fuel as well which is fair enough.
But if anyone on here could confim do the tanks feed from the bottom of the tank (i.e gravity feed) and if it is done this way, would'nt the sediment settle to the bottom of the tank and get fed first anyway ?
This is only if they do feed from the bottom ofcourse otherwise it makes sense.

[BANKS]

Um... Noobs! Holding the hose up does nothing... The cut-off is in the nozzle. So if you just tilt the nozzle up for a few more ml after it cuts off that's the best you're going to do.

I used to laugh when I was working at a servo at all the tight arses that think they're getting extra out of the hose.

Yeah but the counter wouldnt be...

[1991_Vn2nV]

There is one trick that I always do, once the bowser clicks off and your done, dont let go of the lever handle, keep it held open and grab the hose and lift it up so the remaining fuel left in the hose runs into your tank! I was told this does nothing from the lady inside the petrol store, but I have tryed doing that with the nozzle outside my car and the fuel in the hose comes out. Your paying for fuel and its going to the next person who fills up.

On that note, so many people DONT do it, I also get a stare or two like "wtf is this guy doing??" and im like "yeah bitch, none of you's are getting my fuel...gigidy"

What CSP said below !

At the servo, we just laugh at the people that hold the hose up, some people do it for ages too swinging it around... Before they come in and then pay $5.90 for a 2L coke lmao

What I really laugh at though... Is the people that always aim for 2 cents over so it rounds back to an even number (i.e. $20.02) but they accidentally go too far and end up on 3 cents over and then frown when I give them a handful of change.

Um... Noobs! Holding the hose up does nothing... The cut-off is in the nozzle. So if you just tilt the nozzle up for a few more ml after it cuts off that's the best you're going to do.

I used to laugh when I was working at a servo at all the tight arses that think they're getting extra out of the hose.

[EvoVIIIJDM]

Ive heard of them all but the one im not to sure about would be the one about filling up when a tanker is filling the storage tanks.
Now the logic there is that the fuel gets stirred up and you get the sediment in your fuel as well which is fair enough.
But if anyone on here could confim do the tanks feed from the bottom of the tank (i.e gravity feed) and if it is done this way, would'nt the sediment settle to the bottom of the tank and get fed first anyway ?
This is only if they do feed from the bottom ofcourse otherwise it makes sense.

thats a quality post and good insight. This was more along the lines of what i was looking for.

[Emackulation]

Well, ill be sure to test this out again next time i go and fill up, ill wait untill the bowser click off and stops pumping, ill keep the nozzle open and then tip it on the ground, ill see how big the puddle is.

[CSP]

This is how you TRUELY get the most out of your petrol and have an awesome time at the servo!!!

YouTube - Derek Zoolander - Exploding Gas Station - 'Wait...Noooooooo'

Sadly it's a one time experience

[1991_Vn2nV]

Ive heard of them all but the one im not to sure about would be the one about filling up when a tanker is filling the storage tanks.
Now the logic there is that the fuel gets stirred up and you get the sediment in your fuel as well which is fair enough.
But if anyone on here could confim do the tanks feed from the bottom of the tank (i.e gravity feed) and if it is done this way, would'nt the sediment settle to the bottom of the tank and get fed first anyway ?
This is only if they do feed from the bottom ofcourse otherwise it makes sense.

The tanks are situated on a slope in the ground, and the fuel is pumped from above the bottom corner of the tank. We're talking hundreds of litres above the bottom of the tank. So the tank is never bled completely dry.

There are guidelines which stop any sediment being disturbed. At Mobil and other corporate owned sites, they no longer sell fuel from that tank once it gets below X amount of litres... I think its 2,000 litres in our tanks (it depends on the size of the tank). Once it dips below this level we are to stop selling fuel from the tank and when we receive a delivery we must wait 4 hours before selling fuel from that tank again (to ensure the sediment has once again settled at the bottom of the tank).

This is why I NEVER purchase fuel from independant servo's. They are small, they have smaller tanks, their deliveries are not as regular (they actually have to pay for theirs including transport costs which aren't cheap, so its basically done only when it really needs it... Where as we get deliveries often with half the tank still full). They lack the guidelines that ensure the petrol is kept safe from contamination. Corporate sites dip their tanks daily, including for water. Pumps are calibrated regularly by third party companies (gilbarco). So on and so forth. Independants aren't so highly regulated and often skimp on these (especially pump calibratios)...In fact the 2 people I know who own independant servo's don't even really have regulations. They have never calibrated their pumps and very rarely dip for water afaik and they definitely have no regulations tank volume, they will sell fuel until there is nothing left to sell and they will resume selling as soon as they get a delivery.

[EvoVIIIJDM]

The tanks are situated on a slope in the ground, and the fuel is pumped from above the bottom corner of the tank. We're talking hundreds of litres above the bottom of the tank. So the tank is never bled completely dry.

There are guidelines which stop any sediment being disturbed. At Mobil and other corporate owned sites, they no longer sell fuel from that tank once it gets below X amount of litres... I think its 2,000 litres in our tanks (it depends on the size of the tank). Once it dips below this level we are to stop selling fuel from the tank and when we receive a delivery we must wait 4 hours before selling fuel from that tank again (to ensure the sediment has once again settled at the bottom of the tank).

This is why I NEVER purchase fuel from independant servo's. They are small, they have smaller tanks, their deliveries are not as regular (they actually have to pay for theirs including transport costs which aren't cheap, so its basically done only when it really needs it... Where as we get deliveries often with half the tank still full). They lack the guidelines that ensure the petrol is kept safe from contamination. Corporate sites dip their tanks daily, including for water. Pumps are calibrated regularly by third party companies (gilbarco). So on and so forth. Independants aren't so highly regulated and often skimp on these (especially pump calibratios)...In fact the 2 people I know who own independant servo's don't even really have regulations. They have never calibrated their pumps and very rarely dip for water afaik and they definitely have no regulations tank volume, they will sell fuel until there is nothing left to sell and they will resume selling as soon as they get a delivery.

Also very insightful Dylan. Great post. I didnt know any of that. Id never buy from an independant.