Investigative Journalist, gooo/news/dirty-tricks-petrol-stations-attendants-use-to-cheat-customers/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Tunde AJaja has just uncovered the dirty tricks petrol stations and attendants use to cheat customers.
Read below:
Mrs. Bisola Ayeni, a businesswoman in
her early 40s confidently left her house at Egbeda (Lagos) with an
almost empty tank heading for Ikeja. The red light of the fuel indicator
was blinking nonstop but Ayeni knew the quantity of fuel in her tank
would take her to the next available filling station where she had hoped
to fill up her tank.
her early 40s confidently left her house at Egbeda (Lagos) with an
almost empty tank heading for Ikeja. The red light of the fuel indicator
was blinking nonstop but Ayeni knew the quantity of fuel in her tank
would take her to the next available filling station where she had hoped
to fill up her tank.
Indeed, as she got to the Lagos-Abeokuta
Expressway, Ayeni drove into the filling station and told the attendant
to fill her car with N5,000 worth of fuel while she rummaged her
handbag to bring out the money as well as pick a call. That was her
undoing.
Ayeni would tell our correspondent that
she didn’t bother to look at the pump while the sale was on because she
didn’t envisage any foul act, besides she knew the level a N5,000 worth
of fuel would rise to on her fuel gauge. Ayeni only managed a quick
glance at the meter and when she saw that it was reading, she relaxed
and enjoyed her discussion on the phone.
she didn’t bother to look at the pump while the sale was on because she
didn’t envisage any foul act, besides she knew the level a N5,000 worth
of fuel would rise to on her fuel gauge. Ayeni only managed a quick
glance at the meter and when she saw that it was reading, she relaxed
and enjoyed her discussion on the phone.
She said, “When I finished, I looked at
the pump and I saw N5,000 on the price column, I paid him and drove
away. I expected the light indicating low fuel to go off and the
indicator to rise, but it didn’t happen.
the pump and I saw N5,000 on the price column, I paid him and drove
away. I expected the light indicating low fuel to go off and the
indicator to rise, but it didn’t happen.
“Even if the rise in the fuel indicator
would be gradual, I expected a major shift. Lo and behold, the light
never went off and the indicator never rose.
would be gradual, I expected a major shift. Lo and behold, the light
never went off and the indicator never rose.
“Oh my God, I was confused and very
angry, so I turned back, while praying that the car wouldn’t run out of
fuel. By the time I got to the petrol station, I was fuming.”
angry, so I turned back, while praying that the car wouldn’t run out of
fuel. By the time I got to the petrol station, I was fuming.”
Ayeni said she had almost slapped the attendant who attended to her having shouted on him when the station manager came out.
“On hearing what happened, the manager
gave the sales boy a resounding slap, apologised to me and ordered him
to sell the fuel again, and I heard him saying the N5,000 would be
deducted from his salary. We both stood by him while he sold the fuel,
the gauge rose even before I left the station, which means he cheated me
earlier. I still wouldn’t know how he did it,” she said.
gave the sales boy a resounding slap, apologised to me and ordered him
to sell the fuel again, and I heard him saying the N5,000 would be
deducted from his salary. We both stood by him while he sold the fuel,
the gauge rose even before I left the station, which means he cheated me
earlier. I still wouldn’t know how he did it,” she said.
Ayeni’s experience is common among
vehicle owners, who had at one time or the other thought they had bought
fuel but later found out they either bought nothing or were
short-changed in terms of the quantity. A cross section of vehicle
owners who spoke to our correspondent alleged that they had noticed same
at one time or the other but said that there was nothing they could do
since they really could not establish any foul play.
vehicle owners, who had at one time or the other thought they had bought
fuel but later found out they either bought nothing or were
short-changed in terms of the quantity. A cross section of vehicle
owners who spoke to our correspondent alleged that they had noticed same
at one time or the other but said that there was nothing they could do
since they really could not establish any foul play.
In case you once bought fuel from a
filling station and it seemed like nothing was added to your fuel tank
after you have left, or you felt what was sold to you wasn’t
commensurate with what you paid for or expected, you may have been
cheated under your close watch even with your eyes wide open.
filling station and it seemed like nothing was added to your fuel tank
after you have left, or you felt what was sold to you wasn’t
commensurate with what you paid for or expected, you may have been
cheated under your close watch even with your eyes wide open.
Saturday PUNCH had a revealing
chat with fuel attendants of some popular filling stations in Lagos and
they explained how they make quick but huge cash from unsuspecting
customers.
chat with fuel attendants of some popular filling stations in Lagos and
they explained how they make quick but huge cash from unsuspecting
customers.
One of them who identified himself
simply as Owolabi John, said there are many ways fuel attendants cheat
customers who have come to buy fuel, which many people are not aware of.
simply as Owolabi John, said there are many ways fuel attendants cheat
customers who have come to buy fuel, which many people are not aware of.
Devouring a massive plate of hot and
spicy pepper soup and a bottle of chilled beer our correspondent bought
for him, John readily exposed all the tricks on how they make money.
spicy pepper soup and a bottle of chilled beer our correspondent bought
for him, John readily exposed all the tricks on how they make money.
By the way, John earns N10,000 as a fuel
attendant. He wants to pursue a university education. There is no other
help from anywhere else, as such John admitted leaving no stone
unturned to take advantage of gullible customers to make some money from
what he described as “the customers’ carelessness.”
attendant. He wants to pursue a university education. There is no other
help from anywhere else, as such John admitted leaving no stone
unturned to take advantage of gullible customers to make some money from
what he described as “the customers’ carelessness.”
“Ideally, when we resume, we take the
reading on the meter on the fuel dispenser, which we call the opening
meter, and when we close, we take the reading, which we also call the
closing meter. Then, we multiply the difference in the readings by the
cost per litre, which is the amount we deliver to the manager. If there
is any surplus, it belongs to the attendant, and if there is loss, the
attendant will look for money to make it up. If the shortage is a lot of
money, the manager may allow that the money be deducted from the
person’s salary if the person is not sacked,” he explained.
reading on the meter on the fuel dispenser, which we call the opening
meter, and when we close, we take the reading, which we also call the
closing meter. Then, we multiply the difference in the readings by the
cost per litre, which is the amount we deliver to the manager. If there
is any surplus, it belongs to the attendant, and if there is loss, the
attendant will look for money to make it up. If the shortage is a lot of
money, the manager may allow that the money be deducted from the
person’s salary if the person is not sacked,” he explained.
However, that surplus money may not have
been a miracle or manna from heaven; it could simply be a product of
manipulation by the attendants.
been a miracle or manna from heaven; it could simply be a product of
manipulation by the attendants.
According to John, there are different
types of fuel dispensers, such as Marathon, Sanki, Eagle Star, etc, and
each machine has its peculiar way of being adjusted. “On the keyboard of
some of them, where we enter the number of litres or amount, which is
either in front or on the side, there is usually a button labelled
‘Recall, TIM/CAL’ or any other label, depending on the machine. The
essence of the button is to enable the attendant to see the past sales.
If you want to see your last ten sales, you just press Recall, then the
number you want to see etc, depending on the number you want, and it
shows you the amount. Beyond seeing our past sales, we use it to make
money.
types of fuel dispensers, such as Marathon, Sanki, Eagle Star, etc, and
each machine has its peculiar way of being adjusted. “On the keyboard of
some of them, where we enter the number of litres or amount, which is
either in front or on the side, there is usually a button labelled
‘Recall, TIM/CAL’ or any other label, depending on the machine. The
essence of the button is to enable the attendant to see the past sales.
If you want to see your last ten sales, you just press Recall, then the
number you want to see etc, depending on the number you want, and it
shows you the amount. Beyond seeing our past sales, we use it to make
money.
“If I sell N2,000 worth of fuel to a
customer, and the next customer also wants to buy N2,000. If I observe
that the second customer Isn’t paying attention, I will sell some
quantity, maybe N1,500 and press Stop or Cancel, depending on the
machine press Recall, 1, then press Ok. With that, N2,000 will appear on
the screen and that is what the customer will see on the meter,
believing the sale is complete. This can be done in less than one
second. That is one of the ways, and at the close of business I remove
mine which is the excess of the actual litre sales.
customer, and the next customer also wants to buy N2,000. If I observe
that the second customer Isn’t paying attention, I will sell some
quantity, maybe N1,500 and press Stop or Cancel, depending on the
machine press Recall, 1, then press Ok. With that, N2,000 will appear on
the screen and that is what the customer will see on the meter,
believing the sale is complete. This can be done in less than one
second. That is one of the ways, and at the close of business I remove
mine which is the excess of the actual litre sales.
“Imagine if I do that for about ten
customers in a day, with varying gain from each case, which depends
largely on the amount of fuel the customer is buying and how sensitive
the person is. I could make up to N10, 000 in one day,” he explained.
customers in a day, with varying gain from each case, which depends
largely on the amount of fuel the customer is buying and how sensitive
the person is. I could make up to N10, 000 in one day,” he explained.
According to him, attendants could go to
the extent of writing out some past sales on a paper where they can
easily have a glance to know which number to recall when a customer is
distracted or looks away, since many people prefer to buy based on price
and not litre.
the extent of writing out some past sales on a paper where they can
easily have a glance to know which number to recall when a customer is
distracted or looks away, since many people prefer to buy based on price
and not litre.
“When customers come, we observe them
and see if they are tired or we try to distract them, sometimes with the
help of our colleagues by engaging them in a chat or doing things that
could easily distract them. As soon as they look away, if the seller has
made an appreciable sale, he/she would have mastered or checked his
paper to see the last time he sold that particular amount, as soon as it
is possible, he will press it, and press OK. Before the customer looks
back, the sale will appear complete,” John explained.
and see if they are tired or we try to distract them, sometimes with the
help of our colleagues by engaging them in a chat or doing things that
could easily distract them. As soon as they look away, if the seller has
made an appreciable sale, he/she would have mastered or checked his
paper to see the last time he sold that particular amount, as soon as it
is possible, he will press it, and press OK. Before the customer looks
back, the sale will appear complete,” John explained.
John’s revelation explained one of the
ways Ayeni might have been cheated. Another fuel attendant, who simply
identified himself as Owode Kabir, told our correspondent that the use
of Recall or TIM button is the easiest way to make quick money because
the customers would think the machine was fast, so they wouldn’t always
suspect anything, even though some come back to complain.
ways Ayeni might have been cheated. Another fuel attendant, who simply
identified himself as Owode Kabir, told our correspondent that the use
of Recall or TIM button is the easiest way to make quick money because
the customers would think the machine was fast, so they wouldn’t always
suspect anything, even though some come back to complain.
However, Kabir stressed that not all
attendants are involved in the act, but that many of them do it as long
as there is opportunity and that in some cases, they settle the station
manager at the close of work if they are able to make some money, which
they do everyday anyway.
attendants are involved in the act, but that many of them do it as long
as there is opportunity and that in some cases, they settle the station
manager at the close of work if they are able to make some money, which
they do everyday anyway.
But ‘Recall or TIM/CAL’ button is not
the only way to make money from customers, Kabir would tell our
correspondent. There is yet another way!
the only way to make money from customers, Kabir would tell our
correspondent. There is yet another way!
Even though many people know that when
the nozzle is hanged on the pump, the readings revert to zero, he said
they (fuel attendants) have also found a way to manoeuvre it to make
some money.
the nozzle is hanged on the pump, the readings revert to zero, he said
they (fuel attendants) have also found a way to manoeuvre it to make
some money.
“What we do is to gently place the
nozzle, such that it won’t click to rub off the old sales and revert to
zero, so, we fake it, which means the dispenser is still running, so if
anyone comes, we simply continue from where we stop and that is why
sometimes it seems like we are rushing the customers. It is easier when
the last sale is a small quantity.
nozzle, such that it won’t click to rub off the old sales and revert to
zero, so, we fake it, which means the dispenser is still running, so if
anyone comes, we simply continue from where we stop and that is why
sometimes it seems like we are rushing the customers. It is easier when
the last sale is a small quantity.
“Even though the use of the Recall or
TIM/CAL’ button on some of these machines is the easiest method, faking
the nozzle is another viable way to make money.
TIM/CAL’ button on some of these machines is the easiest method, faking
the nozzle is another viable way to make money.
“If the previous sale is about N200 maybe by a Keke NAPEP and Okada rider, or even commercial buses (danfo)
drivers, because they are the ones who buy fuel in bits, we will gently
place the nozzle, and naturally, when you see that we remove the nozzle
from the hanger, that is, from the engine, you believe that it started
from zero. However, it is not always the case,” he said.
drivers, because they are the ones who buy fuel in bits, we will gently
place the nozzle, and naturally, when you see that we remove the nozzle
from the hanger, that is, from the engine, you believe that it started
from zero. However, it is not always the case,” he said.
Kabir was quick to add that some station
managers or managements know about their tricks but that once they are
caught or reported by a customer, such person could be sacked. He added
that attendants usually sell in all cases but such sales might not start
from zero or could be recalled to a previous sale that had the same
amount, which would be an incomplete sale for the customer.
managers or managements know about their tricks but that once they are
caught or reported by a customer, such person could be sacked. He added
that attendants usually sell in all cases but such sales might not start
from zero or could be recalled to a previous sale that had the same
amount, which would be an incomplete sale for the customer.
“Sometimes we could gain up to N1,000
from one sale, it depends on the quantity that the consumer wants, and
those that are caught are usually the greedy ones,” he noted.
from one sale, it depends on the quantity that the consumer wants, and
those that are caught are usually the greedy ones,” he noted.
He added that in filling stations where
their dispensers do not have Recall or TIM/CAL only the last sale could
be recalled, hence, once the last sale is not the same with the current
sale, faking the hanging of the nozzle might be the only way to make
money through such pump.
their dispensers do not have Recall or TIM/CAL only the last sale could
be recalled, hence, once the last sale is not the same with the current
sale, faking the hanging of the nozzle might be the only way to make
money through such pump.
Station owners and managers also dupe customers
A female attendant with a major oil
marketer company in Lagos Island, Seun Jegede, told our correspondent
how station managers and filling station owners also cheat their
customers.
marketer company in Lagos Island, Seun Jegede, told our correspondent
how station managers and filling station owners also cheat their
customers.
She alleged that most filling stations
alter their meters to under-dispense fuel at the detriment of customers,
which is a known phenomenon among consumers. Even though this could be a
product of greed and inadequate regulation, she said they also do that
to make up for some loss they might have incurred during sales.
alter their meters to under-dispense fuel at the detriment of customers,
which is a known phenomenon among consumers. Even though this could be a
product of greed and inadequate regulation, she said they also do that
to make up for some loss they might have incurred during sales.
“Based on experience, I can tell you
that almost all filling stations, including the ones being run by
government, adjust their meters and what they do is to settle the
officials from the Department of Petroleum Resources if or when they
come for inspection.
that almost all filling stations, including the ones being run by
government, adjust their meters and what they do is to settle the
officials from the Department of Petroleum Resources if or when they
come for inspection.
“No attendant can alter the meter on his
own, except the manager sanctions it because it involves the engineer
changing the panel and doing some mechanical readjustment. That is why
many filling stations that alter their meters have to bribe their way
through because the engineers are not always there, except the manager
recommends a trusted attendant to be trained so as to put the pumps back
to normal if DPR comes.
own, except the manager sanctions it because it involves the engineer
changing the panel and doing some mechanical readjustment. That is why
many filling stations that alter their meters have to bribe their way
through because the engineers are not always there, except the manager
recommends a trusted attendant to be trained so as to put the pumps back
to normal if DPR comes.
“The adjustment is easier with the
marathon machine because it has a key in front of the meter. This allows
for quick readjustment of the meter so as to scale through the due
diligence check by the DPR, which could be once in six months,” Jegede
explained.
marathon machine because it has a key in front of the meter. This allows
for quick readjustment of the meter so as to scale through the due
diligence check by the DPR, which could be once in six months,” Jegede
explained.
She added that the decision to alter the
meter could either come from the owner of the station or the station
manager in connivance with the engineer, adding that whoever orders the
adjustment takes the money made from the unsold quantity.
meter could either come from the owner of the station or the station
manager in connivance with the engineer, adding that whoever orders the
adjustment takes the money made from the unsold quantity.
Station attendants also cheat their employers
According to John, not only customers
are open to this fraud, even the management that the attendants work for
are not immune to their fraudulent acts, through what he called ‘no
reading’. In this case only the price meter reads while the litre
reading does not move. He said this could be a product of frequent
repairs of the pump or any other mechanical fault, which could make it
malfunction.
are open to this fraud, even the management that the attendants work for
are not immune to their fraudulent acts, through what he called ‘no
reading’. In this case only the price meter reads while the litre
reading does not move. He said this could be a product of frequent
repairs of the pump or any other mechanical fault, which could make it
malfunction.
“When there is ‘no reading’ on the litre
menu, and the management is not aware, there is no way the management
will know the actual number of litres that have been sold.
menu, and the management is not aware, there is no way the management
will know the actual number of litres that have been sold.
“What we do in such cases is to sell on
the basis of amount only and we sometimes negotiate with the customer
for settlement because we can sell more to make money. I can even call
someone from home to come and buy and keep for me, before the management
finds out that the litre is not reading.
the basis of amount only and we sometimes negotiate with the customer
for settlement because we can sell more to make money. I can even call
someone from home to come and buy and keep for me, before the management
finds out that the litre is not reading.
“Even though the ‘no reading’ issue
rarely happens, it becomes a free for all if it happens to the diesel or
kerosene pump that usually has no attendant attached to it. With that,
tracing who sells what quantity may be difficult, even though an
attendant must be smart to avoid being penalised.
rarely happens, it becomes a free for all if it happens to the diesel or
kerosene pump that usually has no attendant attached to it. With that,
tracing who sells what quantity may be difficult, even though an
attendant must be smart to avoid being penalised.
“Another form of ‘no reading’ is when
some attendants, especially those attached to diesel or kerosene that
have lesser patronage compared to petrol, gently press the nozzle (just
like a one-touch press) that may not read on the meter whereas some fuel
will still come out. It can also happen when they finish selling and
instead of hanging the nozzle, they place it inside the keg for the
little quantity to drip into their kegs. It may appear little, but over a
long time, the gentle one-touch press and the leftovers become a large
quantity. That is why you see some attendants having kegs beside them,”
John explained.
some attendants, especially those attached to diesel or kerosene that
have lesser patronage compared to petrol, gently press the nozzle (just
like a one-touch press) that may not read on the meter whereas some fuel
will still come out. It can also happen when they finish selling and
instead of hanging the nozzle, they place it inside the keg for the
little quantity to drip into their kegs. It may appear little, but over a
long time, the gentle one-touch press and the leftovers become a large
quantity. That is why you see some attendants having kegs beside them,”
John explained.
The attendants further explained that
they make more money when there is epileptic power supply which force
people to buy fuel in kegs. “When there is no power supply and people
struggle or force your nozzle in their kegs, many of them don’t care
about starting from zero, which is a plus for us,” he said.
they make more money when there is epileptic power supply which force
people to buy fuel in kegs. “When there is no power supply and people
struggle or force your nozzle in their kegs, many of them don’t care
about starting from zero, which is a plus for us,” he said.
They however said station attendants
find it difficult to cheat if the customer comes out of the vehicle to
stay with them, adding that those who sit in their vehicles can easily
be distracted or shortchanged.
find it difficult to cheat if the customer comes out of the vehicle to
stay with them, adding that those who sit in their vehicles can easily
be distracted or shortchanged.
A Director in DPR, Mr. George Osahon,
had strongly advised in a television programme recently that it was
better for vehicle owners to buy specific amount of fuel rather than
using number of litres as a yardstick.
had strongly advised in a television programme recently that it was
better for vehicle owners to buy specific amount of fuel rather than
using number of litres as a yardstick.
“When you go to a modern filling station
and you ask for N5,000 worth of fuel, they simply punch a pad and when
it’s complete it stops by itself, and it is better to stand by the
seller or keep a close watch from your car if you choose to sit in the
car.
and you ask for N5,000 worth of fuel, they simply punch a pad and when
it’s complete it stops by itself, and it is better to stand by the
seller or keep a close watch from your car if you choose to sit in the
car.
“The reason the same worth of fuel would
vary in quantity at different filling stations is because some
under-dispense. Nobody will ever over-dispense, people will either
dispense normally or under-dispense, so if you see such differential, it
is very necessary for you to call the attention of the DPR to it,” he
had said.
vary in quantity at different filling stations is because some
under-dispense. Nobody will ever over-dispense, people will either
dispense normally or under-dispense, so if you see such differential, it
is very necessary for you to call the attention of the DPR to it,” he
had said.
Osahon had also said people should stop
using statements like ‘fill-up the tank’ not minding how much fuel was
inside their tank or the quantity coming into it, saying there is a lot
of wastage in that, which is not necessary.
using statements like ‘fill-up the tank’ not minding how much fuel was
inside their tank or the quantity coming into it, saying there is a lot
of wastage in that, which is not necessary.
However, while some filling station
attendants who spoke to our correspondent denied the fraud allegations, a
few others admitted that some attendants do it and that it depends on
the circumstance and the type of pump, as pointed out by John.
attendants who spoke to our correspondent denied the fraud allegations, a
few others admitted that some attendants do it and that it depends on
the circumstance and the type of pump, as pointed out by John.
A cross section of station managers who
spoke to our correspondent also dissociated their filling stations from
those who cheat their customers, adding that none of their staff would
survive such an attempt.
spoke to our correspondent also dissociated their filling stations from
those who cheat their customers, adding that none of their staff would
survive such an attempt.
Mr. Adebola Durojaiye, who is a manager
of a filling station in Ikeja, said, “People say all filling stations
under-dispense but that is not true. One good way to identify those who
do it is that they don’t have good patronage because whether we like it
or not, customers know the good and bad stations, so, the generalisation
is wrong.”
of a filling station in Ikeja, said, “People say all filling stations
under-dispense but that is not true. One good way to identify those who
do it is that they don’t have good patronage because whether we like it
or not, customers know the good and bad stations, so, the generalisation
is wrong.”
The Chairman of the Independent
Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Ejigbo Satellite, Mr. Ajayi
Adebayo, said recently that any member of the association found
indulging in sharp practices would have his/her office sealed off
alongside other sanctions, while urging members to be transparent and
objective in their business transactions.
Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Ejigbo Satellite, Mr. Ajayi
Adebayo, said recently that any member of the association found
indulging in sharp practices would have his/her office sealed off
alongside other sanctions, while urging members to be transparent and
objective in their business transactions.
In a telephone conversation with our
correspondent, the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association
of Nigeria, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, said no member of the association could
be involved in under-dispensing or fiddling with the pump, adding that
anyone with proof of such malpractice against any MOMAN member should
feel free to contact the association to complain.
correspondent, the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association
of Nigeria, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, said no member of the association could
be involved in under-dispensing or fiddling with the pump, adding that
anyone with proof of such malpractice against any MOMAN member should
feel free to contact the association to complain.
“I am not aware that any MOMAN member
engages in under-dispensing. However, I cannot swear an oath or beat my
chest and say there is no such thing by those that we contracted to run
the stations, that is, the dealers. I am not saying they do it, but
anyone with proof that it happens should contact us and we will take
immediate action,” Olawore added.
engages in under-dispensing. However, I cannot swear an oath or beat my
chest and say there is no such thing by those that we contracted to run
the stations, that is, the dealers. I am not saying they do it, but
anyone with proof that it happens should contact us and we will take
immediate action,” Olawore added.
DPR Spokesperson, Ms. Dorothy Bassey,
said the agency was doing its best to check the fraudulent practices by
some filling stations through its random inspection, while describing
the bribe allegations against DPR officials as untrue.
said the agency was doing its best to check the fraudulent practices by
some filling stations through its random inspection, while describing
the bribe allegations against DPR officials as untrue.
“I am confirming to you that it is not
true that officials of DPR collect bribe, what kind of money are they
going to pay DPR staff? That is why we shut down stations once we have
any indication that they carry out any malpractice.
true that officials of DPR collect bribe, what kind of money are they
going to pay DPR staff? That is why we shut down stations once we have
any indication that they carry out any malpractice.
“It happens but not as rampant as people
make it look because nobody is a fool or wants to be cheated. That is
why we do a lot of public engagement for people to watch out.
make it look because nobody is a fool or wants to be cheated. That is
why we do a lot of public engagement for people to watch out.
“We may not be 100 per cent, but
certainly, we are working to ensure that everybody is happy. We have
operation offices nationwide where people can go to complain,” Bassey
said.
certainly, we are working to ensure that everybody is happy. We have
operation offices nationwide where people can go to complain,” Bassey
said.
Meanwhile, a report culled from dailyfinance.com
says filling up the tank may be another way to lose money and fuel,
because when the pump clicks off automatically, no additional fuel
enters the tank. “Instead, fuel is likely being diverted through the
pump’s vapour recovery system and back into the station’s tank, which
means you are paying for gas that you are not getting.
says filling up the tank may be another way to lose money and fuel,
because when the pump clicks off automatically, no additional fuel
enters the tank. “Instead, fuel is likely being diverted through the
pump’s vapour recovery system and back into the station’s tank, which
means you are paying for gas that you are not getting.
“More importantly, the car needs space
in its tank for fuel vapours to expand. Overfilling can force gas into
the car’s carbon filter, leading to poor performance, reduced mileage or
costly repairs. So, the next time you want to buy fuel, don’t top off
your tank, it’s good for your car and even better for your wallet,” the
report said.
in its tank for fuel vapours to expand. Overfilling can force gas into
the car’s carbon filter, leading to poor performance, reduced mileage or
costly repairs. So, the next time you want to buy fuel, don’t top off
your tank, it’s good for your car and even better for your wallet,” the
report said.