Making sure you getting what you pay for at the gas pump…..?

Question

With gas pricing climbing, I am trying to make sure I get every drop I pay for. I live in Illinois, a Chicago suburban, is there a web site that reports gas stations pumping the incorrect amount of gas per gallon? Or where you can report a gas station, if you think you may be shorted?

Answer 1

If it's hot day and you see the tanker off-loading into the station's tanks, pass on by. As temperature increases, so does the volume. I've read about this but if you really want to see what I mean watch what happens to a a non-empty plastic gas can on a hot day. The reverse is true when it's cold so if you see the tanker delivering when it's =< 60 degrees F (or at night) outside it's a good time to fill up.

Wholesale gas/oil distributors factor in temperature when filling tankers so you should too.

Answer 2

Look at the pump your are using.  They are all certified by the state you live in.  There will be a Certification sticker on the front of the pump.  It will include the date it was certified as well as a Serial number.  It will also have the name of the agency responsible for calibration the flow rate.  Write down this information and call if you feel you are being ripped off.  I highly doubt you are, because the fines are extremely high and they are all ready making a killing on the fuel you purchase.

Answer 3

There should be a federal sticker on the pump showing when it was calibrated and contact information. Most stations calibrate to slightly less than a gallon, but still stay in the guidelines.

Answer 4

I used to own a gas station in Illinois. The pumps are certified by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. They have the right to perform unannounced checks of the pump accuracy at any time.  State law states they must be checked every 2 years. Like above said look for the sticker on the pump. If you have ever been at a gas station and seen a yellow or orange plastic bag on the fill nozzle of a pump, that means the pump failed inspection and was locked by the inspector. It can fail for either dispensing too little or too much, within a set margin. The pump has to be re-calibrated by a certified state repairman before it can be turned back on. If you think there is a problem here is the number to call and register a complaint:

800 582 0468

And, by the way, the people making a killing on gas is not the proprietor of the station. Their margin of profit is always the same no matter what the price of gas is. Most stations only make 5 or 6 cents per gallon profit, regardless of the price per gallon.