I just filled up my tank at a local mobil station. My gas light was not even on yet, but I knew it was about to. I drive a honda civic, and the tank holds 13.2 gallons according to the manual. Accroding to the pump and my receipt I just put in 13.37 gallons of gas!. How is this possible?!?!
2007-07-17 04:23:28 · 10 answers · asked by D H 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Dear Ripped-
No you did not get ripped off. Fuel Cells on today's cars are designed to only fill to about 80% capacity to allow expansion of the gasoline fumes. This is why on some hot days when you remove the fuel cap you hear a hiss. This is the compressed fumes in your tank. That is another reason they tell you not to remove the cap on a full tank.
If your tank is rated at 13.2 gallons this means that the tank totally full will hold about 17 gallons of fluid. But that is with the tank tipped up and out of the car with the filler spout pointed straight up.
Just for your information, its also not a good thing that you are waiting to fill your tank when the gas light is coming on. You should be filling your tank when it reached 1/4 tank mark.
The reason is that sediment in your tank sits around the pump pick up screen. When you allow the fuel to get that low it pulls all of that trash into the screen and clogs it up. Sometimes the screen collapses and cracks, then this garbage gets pulled into your pump, destroying your fuel pump. Then that same material gets sent to your fuel filter and plugs that up too. Well after the fule filter element fails the next stop is your fuel injectors. You can imagine what will happen it that garbage gets to your injectors.
Not only that but you are taking a chance that your fuel pump will cavetate in the tank. The gasoline acts as a cooling fluid for the fuel pump. If the pump should pull air instead of fuel when you swing the corner, you will burn out the fuel pump.
In either case this will be a big bill.
Besides you did not go over your 13.2 gallons by much either. .17 of a gallon is only about a pint.
I hope that helped you out!
2007-07-17 05:30:50 · answer #1 · answered by Teknoman Saber 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The information in the manual is most likely a bit off. The fuel tank may hod more than the manual says, because they base the number on a design, not actually measuring the tank! The car is designed to hold 13.2 gallons of gas, but if you fill it all the way, it will hold more!
I have had vehicles that took almost 2 gallons more fuel than the listed capacity I know that the pump that I was using was correct, because it had been checked the day before and the owner of the station was honest.
There are ways to have the pumps short change customers. Most pumps now are computer controlled, and we all know that computer systems can be hacked! If you think they are shortchanging you, call the local office of weights and measures and ask them to investigate!
2007-07-17 04:54:03 · answer #2 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You were just driving around, the lines to the engine and return were full and at pressure. Plus when you filled up I'd bet the filler neck also filled up with some gas. That would account for the overage. The tank itself may only hold 13.2 but the hoses and filler neck can definately take .17 gallons.
2007-07-17 04:36:19 · answer #3 · answered by iwingameover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i do no longer think of which you obtain ripped off, thinking all maintenance are costly. I wager that the quantity you payed there could be akin to different fix shops. The gas pump on my own expenses around $260 in case you purchase one from checker. in case you prefer you could call a motor vehicle dealership and ask how lots it expenses to substitute a gas pump and sender.
2016-10-19 05:26:39 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, I saw on the news once that cops and inspectors see if they are legit. They said the most simple meathod they use is they take a 5 gallons of gas and pump it into a 5 gallon container and see if it the pump says 5 gallons or not
2007-07-17 04:34:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
my honda book says i have an 11 gallon tank in my 94 civic but i swear it wont hold over 9 gallons. i think hondas messin up
--good luck
2007-07-17 06:20:59 · answer #6 · answered by mr.z28 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wonder if there was a state inspection sticker on that pump? They're supposed to be inspected and certified periodically for accuracy. You may very well have been ripped off...but then, I think we're ALL getting ripped every time we buy gas...K ;o)
2007-07-17 04:28:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to keep in mind that when they build these fuel tanks in vehicles they only measure from point "A" to point "B" well our point "A to point "B" is from dry to the very top of the fuel neck which is more than what they measure. Remember your reserve too.
2007-07-17 05:06:38 · answer #8 · answered by equipartsdude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I smell price gorging.Better call your local state attorney generals office as soon as possible.
2007-07-17 04:28:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
gas compresses in the summer heat. 'you did pay for what you got.
2007-07-17 04:26:53 · answer #10 · answered by Michael M 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋