Stretch that litre

We are never sure of the quantity and the quality of fuel that goes into our vehicles. Some handy tips on buying fuel for your vehicle.

Many a times we have gone to buy petrol or diesel from a service station and come away with a feeling of being shortchanged. This is because we are never sure of the quantity and the quality of fuel that goes into our vehicles. While nothing much can be done about quality except to try and buy from more reputable pumps in the city, at least quantity and measure wise we can ensure that we are getting our money’s worth.

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Here are a few simple tips to make sure you get what you pay for.

Try and go to a fuel station when you are not in a hurry. Most pump attendants will sense your urgency and dispense you a little lesser fuel that you actually realise. This is done by manipulating the dispensing switch.

When the attendant fills fuel, ask them to take their own time. Remember, the faster the fuel flows, the more will stay in the hose and the machine than what flows into your car.

What the meter on the pump shows, is not necessarily what has gone into your vehicle. A faster running meter is simply a function of how hard the switch at the nozzle is pressed.

Always use the ‘auto cut-off’ when filling fuel. After the fuel stops flowing, ask the attendant to wait 10 seconds before removing the hose and nozzle. If you fill more than after the auto cut-off, not only are you endangering the fuel supply line of the vehicle, but you are giving the pump attendant an opportunity to manipulate the actual quantity flowing into your car.

Whenever you put in fuel, try to go in for a full tank, rather than a smaller quantity every two to three days. Not just this help maintain the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, it ensures there are no air-locks in your tank but also the quantity of fuel that has gone in at correct standards.

From time-to- time, conduct random checks at the fuel station. According to regulations, every pump is supposed to be equipped with a fuel measure. Ask the attendant to put in a litre of fuel in the standard measure and check it. If possible, carry your own standard measure vessel for checking quantity.

 Just follow these simple tips the next time you buy fuel. Remember that petrol and diesel are expensive commodities and all of us are trying to stretch that litre!