Does anyone refuse to get gas when the tanker is there making a delivery?

Question

My gas tank was empty yesterday and the only gas station I was near happened to be getting a delivery as I pulled in. I know a few people who make it a point not to get gas if they see the tanker there. Something to do with the quality of gas/sediment that may get mixed as the tanks are being filled...Just thought I would post to see what others thought! (By the way, I filled up...it doesn't matter to me!)

Answer 1

when they fill up there tanks all the dirt is being moved around and by you filling up, you could get some of that trash in your tank

Answer 2

I've refueled when the truck is sitting there, and I have never had problems. This is most likely an urban legend that came from the days of yore when it probably was more of a problem. The fuel is filtered before it gets to the pump. It's not like it goes straight from the underground tank to your car with a bunch of c**p in it. If it did, it would also damage the pump. Besides, thousands of people refuel every single day while the truck is sitting there. If it was a problem, those thousands of cars would be sitting by the side of the road with clogged fuel filters and injectors. Are they? I didn't think so.

Answer 3

The point is that any sediment at the bottom of the tank at that gas station is getting churned up by the flow from the tanker.  That residue will take time to settle back down to the bottom of the tank.  While the tanker is still pumping gas into that station's tank, the residue will remain suspended, and therefore likely to end up in your car's fuel system.

I myself have had less-than-optimal performance the few times I've been forced to refuel while the tanker was there.  So no, I'd rather not get gas at those times.

[Edit Added For Clarification]

The mistake most people are making when they answer is in regards to the refining process.  We are not talking about the refinery product here.  This an issue with the GIANT GAS TANK BURIED UNDER EACH GAS STATION that the tanker fills!  That tank is NEVER cleaned unless it proves to be too filthy to be used.  It becomes filthy because of poor human work practices in handling the gasoline when filling the tanker and when transferring to the gas station.  When the system is breached dust and debris may enter the GIANT GAS TANK under the gas station.  THAT may get churned up when new fuel is added, and the churned up debris needs to settle before you use the pump.

Whatever happens at the refinery is irrelevant to the asker's question!

Answer 4

You are right, it does not matter.  If there is going to be any sediment mixed in, it will get there during the refining process.