Motorists Sue Over 'Hot' Fuel

That's just stupid. I'm not saying that fixing the pump doesn't need to be done, but to actually sue someone because YOU got jipped maybe $100 over your lifetime is just dumb. I could see this being legit if it was measured at 40-50 degrees, but at 60, come on. What about the millions of people who buy it WAY below 60 degrees, like those in Alaska? I'm sure they've bought gas at well below 0 degrees before. I'm sure that the gas/oil companies are losing about as much money as they "gain" off of this problem.

They should fix the pumps to calculate the size of gas by the temperature outside, but that's just one more thing to go wrong, since temperature sensors die a lot faster than other components.

 

There was actually a series of articles on this in the local newspaper last year.

Yesterday, my patio thermometer was measuring 121.9 in the shade. The backyard thermometer was at 120, it doesn't go any higher.

So yeah, we probably are paying more for gas here in AZ. The article went on to say that in other places (Canada) they fixed the pumps for temperature adjusted-pumping. Of course in places that are cold, the gas companies would end up losing money - so they were all for it. Here in AZ, they basically said "well, we don't really see it as a big enough problem to warrant converting the tanks."

Of course they didn't - they were making a little extra, not losing it. You can bet if the next ice age starts and it's 30 in AZ, they will be changing out those pumps pretty darn fast.

 

Isn't the gas stored underground? If so that would mean the the tank is somewhere around 55 deg F maybe a little higher. Now the fuel in the pump would be higher but that may only be a cup or two.

 

True.

Also, Alaska may be small, but it sure isn't the only state that see below freezing temps during winter.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alexstarfire @ Jul 6 2007, 10:11 AM) [snapback]473955[/snapback]</div>

Hmm, I agree with the "STUPID FACTOR", kinda like suing because the McDonalds coffe burned your lap.. (cup says caution hot)..

The best one I've seen was a woman poured a little water out of her cup on to the floor in a mall, then walked away. Only to return and slip in the same puddle, it was caught on tape. The mall settled out of court! :huh:

 

Add to all of this nonsense the fact that gasoline prices are arbitrary and unregulated. If there were fixed prices for gas and one brand or station was trying to cheat with temperature, then you would have a legitimate complaint. As it is, they all use the same standard, so it all works out the same, unless someone has a heater in their underground gas tank. This is really only an issue for bulk transportation, when the volumes are large and tankers are exposed to heat and cold. Retail prices will adjust to any changes in pump metering; it's a tempest in a teapot.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Essayons @ Jul 6 2007, 07:39 AM) [snapback]473973[/snapback]</div>

Gasoline expands 1% for each 15* F rise in temperature. According to the Los Angeles Times, the average temperature of dispensed gasoline in California is 75* F. That means that on average I am overcharged 1% on each and every gas purchase. It does add up. I prefer that the money remain in my pocket, not in big oil's.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Jul 6 2007, 04:32 PM) [snapback]474216[/snapback]</div>

If you change the pumps to compensate, the stations will simply charge 1% more to make up for the loss. Don't be so naive that you think the money will remain in your pocket. If big oil wants you to save money, the prices would already be lower.

Tom

 

Wow, gonna b!tch out 1% of $200-$300 spent on gas every year, depending on how much you drive and your MPG or course. Over the course of your lifetime that probably wouldn't even mount up to $200. In other words you are probably throwing a couple pennies out the windows every day.

How about you collect all those pennies that are just laying around and stop complaining.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alexstarfire @ Jul 7 2007, 07:51 AM) [snapback]474616[/snapback]</div>

First of all, our monthly fuel bill for both vehicles is over $200. We spend approximately $2,500 annually on gasoline. One percent of that sum is almost enough to pay for a full tank of gas for the Prius.

Secondly, it has been estimated that California consumers are overcharged $0.03 per gallon, or a total of $480 million a year, due to hot gasoline. That is no chump change.

Los Angeles Times - Not just inflated prices but inflated fuel

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Essayons @ Jul 6 2007, 10:39 AM) [snapback]473973[/snapback]</div>

What about this point? Wouldn't the gas that you PUMP be accurate and would it not change volume until it sat in your tank for awhile?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(diamondlarry @ Jul 7 2007, 01:28 PM) [snapback]474747[/snapback]</div>

From the above linked Los Angeles Times article:

 

Interesting.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Betelgeuse @ Jul 6 2007, 09:49 AM) [snapback]473942[/snapback]</div>

Everyone is buying gas by the gallon. The pump is inspected by the state and certified to be accurate. www.onlineconversion.com verifies that there are 231 cubic inches in a US liquid gallon. It doesn't matter if the gallon is at 40F or 200F it still measures 231 cubic inches. Based on this argument plaintiffs should be kicked in the butt before the case is thrown out.

If the pump states 1 gallon and 231 cubic inches isn't received then there is a legitimate complaint.

Those who believe this case has merit should have the industry convert to selling the product by weight. Presuming gas is 6 pounds per gallon at $3 per gallon one pays 50c per pound.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Jul 7 2007, 07:33 PM) [snapback]474890[/snapback]</div>

You happen to be wrong because in these United States the legal definition of a gallon of gasoline is 231 cubic inches at sixty degrees Fahrenheit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Jul 8 2007, 12:16 AM) [snapback]474929[/snapback]</div>

It is still metered by the gallon, and no claim or warranty is made or implied that each gallon of gasoline has exactly the same content of chemical energy. As long as everyone plays by the same rules and we all know the rules, then it makes no difference.

Tom

 

Wow! The last thing we want is to have station owners required to modify pumps to comensate for feul temperature. The cost of the mod would be pass right on to the customers and would undoubtably be significantly greater then the 1% potential error. This type of concern is what is known as penny wise and pound foolish.

Also, I think the 75 deg temps taken in CA must have been faulty. THere is no way a tank of gas 6 feet underground could be 75 deg. They must have taken the temperatures from the feul sitting in the hoses. If they ran out a gallon of gas first into their tank, and then took a temperature at the nozzle, they would have gotten pretty close to 60 deg.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jul 8 2007, 09:27 AM) [snapback]475070[/snapback]</div>

Sorry, government regulators say that you are wrong. Here is the Connecticut statute for example. Just about every other state has similar laws or regulations.