primitives offer tips on pumping gasoline

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x927847

Oh my.

elleng  (1000+ posts)        Wed Apr-20-11 11:19 AM
Original message
 
TIPS ON PUMPING GAS

forwarded by a friend:

I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here in California we are paying up to $3.75 to $4.10 per gallon. My line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon:

Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline.. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.

Only buy or fill up your car or truck 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 more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.

A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

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. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas 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 gallon is actually the exact amount.

Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up; most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

ChairmanAgnostic  (1000+ posts)        Wed Apr-20-11 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #1
 
2. except, a physicist measured the so called savings and called them utter bunk. Or as he put it, conventional wisdumb.

ChairmanAgnostic  (1000+ posts)        Wed Apr-20-11 11:34 AM
Response to Reply #5
 
10. slow starts, and coasting to a red light does far more for fuel efficiency

FSogol  (1000+ posts)        Wed Apr-20-11 11:29 AM
Response to Reply #2
 
6. I agree. If you find some pennies in the street, you've found more than you have saved.

The part about the truck filling up the station is true however, all gas dispensers have filters so you are not getting anymore dirt than usual.

Cali_Democrat  (1000+ posts)      Wed Apr-20-11 11:41 AM
Response to Reply #2
 
15. You mean I won't save any money following the tips in the OP?

madokie  (1000+ posts)      Wed Apr-20-11 07:12 PM
Response to Reply #15
 
36. yup its bunk

upi402  (1000+ posts)        Wed Apr-20-11 11:26 AM
Response to Original message

3. Good tips, thanks. One more

I drain the drip loop in the fill hose into the tank after it shuts off.

Star (742 posts)       Wed Apr-20-11 06:46 PM
Response to Reply #3
 
33. Doesn't that cheat the next person?

When the next car fills up with that hose, they are missing the gasoline that would normally fill the hose, so isn't that person getting less gas than they would have if you hadn't drained the line?

cleanhippie  (1000+ posts)      Wed Apr-20-11 11:30 AM
Response to Original message
 
7. How many fill-ups would the average consumer need to see any measurable difference?

100? 1000?

I think that id the standard gas tank is 15-20 gal, using the techniques you outlined, a consumer would see a difference of a an ounce or less per tank.

Not that you have bad ideas, just that they are not practical for any type of measurable difference.

MineralMan  (1000+ posts)        Wed Apr-20-11 11:58 AM
THE ANTI-OSTEOPATHIC PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

19. Better tip. Drive less.

The tip described here will save pennies. My tip will save real dollars.

Think about what you're doing every time you go to your car. If you don't really need to go, don't. If you need to go, minimize your route. Is there a place nearer that has what you need? Do you need anything else? If you pick up everything you need on a single trip, you'll save the cost of another trip.

*Need something at the store? Make a list and shop for a week's worth of stuff every time.
*Want some coffee? Don't drive to Starbucks. Make your own.
*Want to go to a movie? Reconsider. Watch that NetFlix DVD you haven't watched yet.
*Have a hankering for some takeout? Get it delivered. Let the Pizza place or whatever pay for the gas.
*Planning a trip? Look for somewhere closer to go. What have you missed that's nearby?

Those are tips that will save real money. This thread saves almost nothing.

[Chris_]

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. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

I see this circulated as an email every time gas prices rise significantly.  Somone from the local ABC station must have seen it too, because he contacted the State Department of Weights and Measures.  Gas station owners are required to have their pumps inspected every year to ensure that they are accurate and functioning correctly.  Regardless of how fast or slow you pump, you still get the same amount.

Also, most cars include an emissions evaporation canister which collects and recycles tank evaporation by routing it back into the intake manifold.  Do you really think whatever evaporation happens during pumping is significant enough to make a dent in the cost of filling your tank?

[GOBUCKS]

madokie  (1000+ posts)      Wed Apr-20-11 07:12 PM
Response to Reply #15
 
36. yup its bunk

It's a pretty inept scam if even a DUmmy can see through it.

[Rebel]

It's a pretty inept scam if even a DUmmy can see through it.

Kinda like, "Let's all protest the oil companies on Friday! Don't buy gas. Fill up on Saturday instead. That'll show those evil Rethug corporatists!"

[Texacon]

When I was welding and we were building tanks in the refineries the floating roofs alluded to in the article weren't for evaporation.  They were to keep the fumes down so you have less chance of an explosion.  If you had a tank without a floating roof anything above the liquid level was explosive gas vapors.

KC

[jukin]

Star (742 posts)       Wed Apr-20-11 06:46 PM
Response to Reply #3
 
33. Doesn't that cheat the next person?

When the next car fills up with that hose, they are missing the gasoline that would normally fill the hose, so isn't that person getting less gas than they would have if you hadn't drained the line?

I was in Alaska in the mid 90s and went to go get a $12 beer. A huge sign behind the bar said "We screw the next guy and pass the savings on to you." That is still one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

[GOBUCKS]

When DUmbass elleng posted this copy-and-paste job, she left out the last paragraph, which said something about forwarding copies of this note to ten friends.

[Karin]

Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground.

Duhhh, ya think?

If you pick up everything you need on a single trip, you'll save the cost of another trip.

Ya don't say!

Get it delivered. Let the Pizza place or whatever pay for the gas.

What's this "fuel surcharge" on my bill? 

What did I ever do without DUmmie advice before I found the cave? 

Mineralman's list reads like those lists in Cosmo...10 naughty ways to drive him wild in bed! 

[Rebel]

Duhhh, ya think?

Ya don't say!

What's this "fuel surcharge" on my bill? 

What did I ever do without DUmmie advice before I found the cave? 

Mineralman's list reads like those lists in Cosmo...10 naughty ways to drive him wild in bed! 

That's why Sociology is such a coveted degree at the DUmp. It's the study of the blatantly obvious.

[thundley4]

Star (742 posts)       Wed Apr-20-11 06:46 PM
Response to Reply #3
 
33. Doesn't that cheat the next person?

When the next car fills up with that hose, they are missing the gasoline that would normally fill the hose, so isn't that person getting less gas than they would have if you hadn't drained the line?

How the hell can you "drain the hose" , when the valve to control the flow is in the handle?

[VelvetElvis]

Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon.

Bullshit.  The ground heats up extremely slowly, since it is an enormous heat sink, which takes gobs of energy to raise its temperature.  Way more energy than will penetrate to that depth on even the hottest day to heat it to the point that it might make a difference.

[GOBUCKS]

Get it delivered. Let the Pizza place or whatever pay for the gas.

I guess the DUmbass doesn't tip the delivery boy.
I usually give him five bucks. For that much fuel, I could drive past at least a couple dozen pizza joints.
Pizza delivery is a convenience, not a cost saver.
And if you stiff the delivery boy, you'll wait a looonnng time for your next pizza.

[JohnnyReb]

Bullshit.  The ground heats up extremely slowly, since it is an enormous heat sink, which takes gobs of energy to raise its temperature.  Way more energy than will penetrate to that depth on even the hottest day to heat it to the point that it might make a difference.

The ground temperture pretty well stays constant the year round... but if the DUmmie is worried, he should buy his gas in Alaska where the ground stays frozen all year round...and he could say hello to Sarah for us while he's up there..

[Randy]

I guess the DUmbass doesn't tip the delivery boy.
I usually give him five bucks. For that much fuel, I could drive past at least a couple dozen pizza joints.
Pizza delivery is a convenience, not a cost saver.
And if you stiff the delivery boy, you'll wait a looonnng time for your next loogie pizza.

Fixt 

[jukin]

I guess the DUmbass doesn't tip the delivery boy.
I usually give him five bucks. For that much fuel, I could drive past at least a couple dozen pizza joints.
Pizza delivery is a convenience, not a cost saver.
And if you stiff the delivery boy, you'll wait a looonnng time for your next pizza.

I got a hunski that says the primitives don't tip the pizza delivery guy anymore than the change from the $13.99 pizza.

[LC EFA]

...
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. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping.
...

When I fill the truck - I go to the Hi-flow diesel pumps (filling 190 odd litres with a conventional pump is very tedious)  and because of the detergents that are a component of the diesel it tends to froth on the higher flow rates. I don't get "less for my buck" - I just can't fit as much in the tank when a bunch of the fuel is foam.

No biggy - I just switch over and fill the other tank while the froth subsides and get the last few litres in on a lower flow rate.

[BEG]

Quote
Get it delivered. Let the Pizza place or whatever pay for the gas.

I guess the DUmbass doesn't tip the delivery boy.
I usually give him five bucks. For that much fuel, I could drive past at least a couple dozen pizza joints.
Pizza delivery is a convenience, not a cost saver.
And if you stiff the delivery boy, you'll wait a looonnng time for your next pizza.

Also, the pizza place charges a fee to deliver it (that is not considered a tip).

[BlueStateSaint]

I guess the DUmbass doesn't tip the delivery boy.
I usually give him five bucks. For that much fuel, I could drive past at least a couple dozen pizza joints.
Pizza delivery is a convenience, not a cost saver.
And if you stiff the delivery boy, you'll wait a looonnng time for your next pizza.

I tip at least five dollars.  And word gets around--I get my pizzas quickly.

[Ballygrl]

We're not allowed to pump our own gas in NJ.

[Chris_]

We're not allowed to pump our own gas in NJ.

There's one other state that has the same law (I think it's Oregon but I am probably wrong).  What a ridiculous law.  Do they run your card and ask you for your PIN, too? 

Hell no.

[franksolich]

We're not allowed to pump our own gas in NJ.

I guess Oregon's the other state where that's not allowed.

What drives me nuts about self-service pumps is when I see some guy, usually drunk, leaning over filling up the tank.....with a lighted cigarette dangling out of his mouth.

[Ballygrl]

*Need something at the store? Make a list and shop for a week's worth of stuff every time.
*Want some coffee? Don't drive to Starbucks. Make your own.
*Want to go to a movie? Reconsider. Watch that NetFlix DVD you haven't watched yet.
*Have a hankering for some takeout? Get it delivered. Let the Pizza place or whatever pay for the gas.
*Planning a trip? Look for somewhere closer to go. What have you missed that's nearby?

Those are tips that will save real money. This thread saves almost nothing.

Soooooooo condescending, what makes you think we don't do this already?

[Ballygrl]

There's one other state that has the same law (I think it's Oregon but I am probably wrong).  What a ridiculous law.  Do they run your card and ask you for your PIN, too?  

Hell no.

The debit card goes through as a Visa and they stick it in the pump and hit whatever price I ask for.

I guess Oregon's the other state where that's not allowed.

What drives me nuts about self-service pumps is when I see some guy, usually drunk, leaning over filling up the tank.....with a lighted cigarette dangling out of his mouth.

I'm actually kind of glad we're not allowed to do it, 1st of all I'd have no idea what to do, and 2nd of all I don't want oil leaking on my hands, I'm a slight germaphobe and clean freak and I'd have to find a sink and soap to wash my hands, the antibacterial lotion wouldn't suffice.

[Chris_]

I remember when the company I worked for last year bought out part of Hess' fleet services.  You can't run a fleet card as a credit card... you HAVE to enter a PIN (and usually a driver code too) and these truckers would be driving through New Jersey.  I'd get a phone call from some angry-as-hell trucker because the station owner hired some Somali or Kenyan immigrant that doesn't speak a word of English to do the pumping.  It was a nightmare.

[Ballygrl]

I remember when the company I worked for last year bought out part of Hess' fleet services.  You can't run a fleet card as a credit card... you HAVE to enter a PIN (and usually a driver code too) and these truckers would be driving through New Jersey and I'd get a phone call because the station owner hired some Somali or Kenyan immigrant that doesn't speak a word of English to do the pumping. It was a nightmare.

That's so weird because I've never been asked for my pin # at the gas station. Most of the attendants don't speak English or speak very little English.