Oil Companies Are Using a Simple Trick to Bilk Consumers out of Billions

Oil Companies Are Using a Simple Trick to Bilk Consumers out of Billions

www.alternet.org

It's probably intuitive to most people that the gasoline in their fuel tank expands in the heat -- just like doorframes and cookware and everything else on the planet. What's probably less intuitive is that, in the United States, this physical phenomenon pumps a nearly $2 billion annual windfall out of consumers' pockets and into oil company coffers, according to numerous calculations, including a recent House of Representatives study.

(visit the link for the full news article)

It shouldn't surprise anyone that this happens - after all, these companies, with the collusion of governments (through the oil lobby) have been fleecing citizens for years.



www.alternet.org
(visit the link for the full news article)

Unless your gas station has above ground fuel tanks this isn't an issue. Underground fuel tanks are buried deep enough that they are relativly unaffected by changes in air temperature, except in extreme events.

Something that should be of more concern is the Vapor Reclaimation Systems that remove the evaporated gasoline from your tank and pump it back into the storage tank where it condenses.

The allowable error in the gas pump measurement system involves a far greater amount of gasoline than either of the two issues mentioned above.

Get your own back!

For many years now, every time I fill up, I ALWAYS overfill by about 2-5 centimes (euros) and pay cash. Most pump attendants can't be bothered to mess with small change, round it down, and just give you notes.

Works every time but only for cash. Tot it all up over the years and I've had a free couple of gallons to make up for "expanded" volumes (and prices).

Just doing my little bit to fight the bloodsuckers!

[edit on 14/8/2007 by nerbot]

Originally posted by JIMC5499
Unless your gas station has above ground fuel tanks this isn't an issue. Underground fuel tanks are buried deep enough that they are relativly unaffected by changes in air temperature, except in extreme events.

Something that should be of more concern is the Vapor Reclaimation Systems that remove the evaporated gasoline from your tank and pump it back into the storage tank where it condenses.

The allowable error in the gas pump measurement system involves a far greater amount of gasoline than either of the two issues mentioned above.

Don't shoot the messenger mate If you think that what was reported is wrong, then click the link and tell them where the article was published.

The point is, that multi nationals and large corporations will pull any trick in the book to try and grab a few more pennies of your hard earned.

Originally posted by JIMC5499
Something that should be of more concern is the Vapor Reclaimation Systems that remove the evaporated gasoline from your tank and pump it back into the storage tank where it condenses.

How would one go about utilizing this system to an advantage?