Do they design fuel station pumps to pump slow so that you feel like you are getting more?

Question

Automotive service station fuel pumps pump 20 gallons like molasses, taking 5 or 6 minutes or more. When I fuel up a boat in a marina, that fuel pump can pump 120 gallons in under 2 minutes.

Why is this? I would tend to believe that rapid refuelling equals more revenue to the fuel station. More customers could get in and out within a shorter time period.

Answer 1

yes, it's like fuel prostitution. you think you get more than your money's worth.

Answer 2

This recently happened near my work where my employee's have to fill up the cars for gas. One day at the gas station we used it took 35 Min's to pump gas the next day it took 10 Min's.  They had to recalibrate the pumps.  Due to the gas prices going up everyday.

Answer 3

It depends on the type of pump installed at the station.   More people pumping at the same time will also slow flow.    Also,  at the marina,   the fuel source is most likely much higher than the pump,   meaning that gravity is your true pump,  what you are seeing is just a measuring device.    Most service stations now have underground storage which means product must be lifted to your pump/vehicle level.    Keep in mind too the diameter of the hose and nozzles used at each location,   smaller diameter means more resistance.