Getting ripped off at the pump? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Fatboy_sq'd · 08-18-2008, 10:21 PM

While discussing fuel with my brother the other day I mentioned that I filled up with 94 octane (3 gal.) from a certain national gas station. He asked me if they had had separate nozzles or just one.

I answered one!

He informed me that probably half my gas was whatever octane the person before me bought.

According to him, the fuel hose which doesn't empty due to check valves can hold up to 1.5 gallons from the nozzle to the pump.

So my 3 gallons of 94 probably started out as some one else's 86 economy for half of it!

Your thoughts?

gtnot · 08-18-2008, 10:26 PM

I've heard it is more like 1 to 2 quarts, don't know for sure.

mungo · 08-18-2008, 10:34 PM

I don't think much of it when filling up my truck that takes 27 gallons. But I do think about it when filling up my Harley. I do try to go to stations that have the three pumps versus just one.

trooper113 · 08-18-2008, 11:51 PM

From NBC4.com in Maryland:

Q: How much gas is left in the hose after the pump is used?

A: We asked the Maryland Department of Weights and Measures. It says about two-tenths of a gallon of gas is left in the hose after you pump.

Seahag · 08-19-2008, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trooper113

From NBC4.com in Maryland:

Q: How much gas is left in the hose after the pump is used?

A: We asked the Maryland Department of Weights and Measures. It says about two-tenths of a gallon of gas is left in the hose after you pump.

Thanks trooper...it drives me nuts to see these myths continue to be perpetuated.

About five years ago this was well covered over on harleytechtalk by an engineer who worked at one of the companys that makes gas pumps.

NELS · 08-19-2008, 08:00 AM

TWO TENTHS OF A GALLON? Isn't that about as much as two cans of Beer?

FLHTDan · 08-19-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trooper113

From NBC4.com in Maryland:

Q: How much gas is left in the hose after the pump is used?

A: We asked the Maryland Department of Weights and Measures. It says about two-tenths of a gallon of gas is left in the hose after you pump.

I find that very hard to believe. I'm doing some checking also from the manufactures of pump hoses.
I'll post the info when I get it.
I did get ripped off from a pump once. My tank was pretty low and I put in 5.8 gallons of gas in my 5 gallon tank. I have completely run out before and was only able put in the 5 gallons it holds. I questioned the manager and he said they check it regularly by pumping a gallon into a jug. He couldn't explain how I got that "extra" gas that I had to pay for!! At $4.35 a gallon.

kwb377 · 08-19-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLHTDan

I did get ripped off from a pump once. My tank was pretty low and I put in 5.8 gallons of gas in my 5 gallon tank. I have completely run out before and was only able put in the 5 gallons it holds. I questioned the manager and he said they check it regularly by pumping a gallon into a jug. He couldn't explain how I got that "extra" gas that I had to pay for!! At $4.35 a gallon.

I had the same experience with my car several years ago. I set the latch on the nozzle and went into the store...pump shut off after putting 23 gallons into my 18 gallon tank (with no spillage). Hmmm...

hotshotfxdl · 08-19-2008, 10:30 AM

I have a racing fuel jug that I fill with premium when ever I can. That way I am sure to get more premium then not. This way I top off my tank before I ride. Here in Maine and many other States you can now only buy 91 octane (max). So I have become a bit more concerned about what octane level I get. I try to never puichase anything less then 2 gallons at the pump.

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/v-...e-booster.html

route66paul · 08-19-2008, 10:59 AM

A gallon is 124 oz, so .2 of a gallon is 24.8 oz. BTW, since you paid for the gas, you can empty out the hoses if you want, it is yours. I would really be suprised if it is that much, I remember being out of gas on my Triumph and pushing to a closed gas station. They hadn't locked their hoses up and I was able to get just enough fuel to make it about 2 mi to the next station.

RoadKingRon1 · 08-19-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NELS

TWO TENTHS OF A GALLON? Isn't that about as much as two cans of Beer?

I prefer to look at it as a fifth of whiskey....

after all 2/10 = 1 fifth

Old Curmudgeon · 08-19-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by route66paul

A gallon is 124 oz.

Damn! The oil companies are following the lead of the ice cream companies!! I can remember when a gallon was 128 oz!!!

mungo · 08-19-2008, 02:22 PM

Well, one other thought here too...

On the "three" handle pumps out there and the decrease in demand for premium gas, how long does that gas sit there in the hose?

Not that I refuse to buy from single handle pumps, but there is a lot of things that can go wrong. Dirt, bugs, etc can crawl into the nozzle, gas can get old sitting in an unused nozzle/hose.

I suppose there are pros and cons to either, but the pros and cons really aren't that big of a deal.

YorkHogRider · 08-19-2008, 02:34 PM

Life is too short and, the riding season much shorter, to worry about such things. Ride, relax, enjoy. It all balances out in the end.

Bluzmn59 · 08-19-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkHogRider

Life is too short and, the riding season much shorter, to worry about such things. Ride, relax, enjoy. It all balances out in the end.

Exactly. I have been filling my tank with premium from whatever delivery system there is and have never had a fuel-related problem, Now how to pay for $4+ gas is something to worry about.