This has been a concern of
mine for some years.
I've had many instances where the amount of
fuel displayed on the pump meter is way OVER what I got!
I do realise that if I'm topping up a
tank and only going on the vehicle
fuel gauge (which is NOT linear) then I'm lucky to estimate to the closest 10L the amount that is needed to fill the
tank. I accept this.
However - when I'm filling an empty
tank or container of known capacity, then I feel that the dispensing pump should give me correct measure.
A few examples ....
Filled a 20L 'Spectre" red jerrycan, which has a number of 'guide' calibrations moulded into the opaque plastic. I stopped at the top '20L' line and was amazed when I turned to see the
fuel bowser displaying 27 Litres!!! The pump was definitely zeroed prior to starting by the console operator. When I questioned the accuracy and wanted to know when the pump was last checked for calibration - I simply got a blank stare from the junior console operator. I had to pay for 27 litres!
The 'Sub'
tank in our Nissan Patrol is shown as 30L in the vehicle specs. Most times it 'clicks' of at 30.2 to 30.6 litres to fill the
tank. There have been many instances where the bowser indicates figures up to 36 Litres!
Our dual
fuel Ford F150 had 2 gas tanks. When empty, the normal amount to fill them was 78 to 79 litres before the nozzle auto clicked off. To my dismay one day it was showing 100 litres and still pumping!!
I can accept that there may be times where the pumps get out of calibrtion due to error or adjustment of some sort - but how come these innacuracies are always in the
fuel suppliers favour? Simple logic and averages say that there should be some that short supply and some that over supply.
All the questionable suppliers have been Woolworths or Coles sites !! Have never had the occurence happen at an independant.
I'm in Queensland and tried to contact the Department of Weights and Measures - only to find it seems that they no longer exist and 'self certification' is now the go!
Something fishy here - the major supermarkets are supplying 4c
fuel discount on purchaes >$30 which on $1.50
fuel equates to a 2.66% discount - then they jack up the price by fiddling the calibration by up to (in my case) 7 litres extra in a 20 litre container =35% !!!
ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCE ???