Hot Gasoline Dispensing

Soon you'll be seeing labels on gas pumps in certain markets in California and soon in some other States. This is due to (13) or more lawsuits that are ongoing in the "hot fuel" fraud across the Nation. The labels will read;

"This pump dispenses motor fuel by volume measured in standard gallons (231 cubic inches), as certified by the California Division of Measurement Standards, without adjustment for possible variations due to temperature or other factors which may affect the energy content of each standard gallon dispensed."

People will read these labels and probably say "huh"?

California has ok'd the use of temp. compensating nozzles made by Gilbarco, but the company under pressure from the oil companies refuses to sell these in the US. The nozzles are used in Canada. The oil companies prefer the extra dough during the summer.

Kind of like a telescope maker claiming your 120mm apo is really a 122mm apo in the summer (thermal expansion) and should cost another $100.

In the summer you lose about 50 cents a tank because of expanded fuel vs. temp. Not much you say? Multiply that for every car in America each day. The retailers are breaking the law for not selling fuel and collecting taxes on a temp. base set at 60 degrees F. according to the lawsuits.

So the oil companies are marching into your representative's office and asking them to "hold this briefcase for a little bit" while this battle ensues.

However, the lawsuits may not go well for retailers and they're frightened, thus the labels. The oil companies are pissed at those retailers using these labels because the attention of the consumer on this issue will grow over time and the brief cases may have to be returned.

"Ask your Congressman if he sees his briefcase as half empty or half full". Joe

edit: here's the total for summer 2007 from the House subcommittee for all States. This is the estimated number of gallons or plus gallons the oil companies make from thermal expansion.

(518,731,828.40)gallons. Now multiply that times $3 Sweeeeeet

Joe,
I didn't know that there are ongoing lawsuits but it's a common fact to me that most pump owners increase temperature more than the recommended over the year. I am aware that in winter it’s recommended just to avoid freezing caused by moisture contamination. There is also another trick that most applies; it’s to charge first 10-25cents faster than the gas pumped out each time you start the pump.
There are also some pumps flow tuning tricks (not really known to me how) that makes the pump meter go faster. I have noticed it long time and hence avoid certain pump stations and also certain pumps within a station.

You all may have missed something here.

The oil companies "forced" the Canadians to use temperature regulating pumps because the gas being dispensed was too cold and thus they were losing money because of the temperature rated standard vs. cost.

Now the Americans with hot climates are asking the oil companies to use the same pumps here. The oil companies are claiming foul for us asking for the same pumps. They don't want fairness, just profits. The oil companies threatened the pump manufacturer when California approached the pump manufacturer to start installing pumps here.

It's all about who really controls the market and how much money's in the brief cases going to Congress. You all know this anyway. Joe