ALT-2 How to get more Gasoline per Dollar
By knowing how gasoline is sold and burns, you can get more gasoline for the same dollar.
~ Only buy gasoline in the early morning while the ground is still cold.
As gasoline heats, it expands. Since all gas stations have their tanks underground, the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline will be. While oil companies weigh gasoline for specific gravity, gas stations do not have any compensation for temperature changes. They make more money for lighter weight gas. Denser gasoline means that your gallon will actual be a full gallon.
~ Pump at the slowest flow rate.
Slowly pumping gas into your tank reduces the amount of fumes produced. The EPA mandated that all gas pumps have a vapor return to stop the fumes from escaping. When you pump fast, the vapors (which are still gasoline) are vacuumed back into the gas station's tank, to be sold again to someone else.
This ensures that you are getting less gasoline for your money. You are charged for what goes out the nozzle without getting credit for the gasoline that returns to the storage tank.
~ Keep your tank full.
Gasoline evaporates at a remarkable rate. The more air in your tank, the faster the gasoline evaporates and breaks down into poorly burning fuel. Lower temperature burning gasoline reduces fuel economy considerably. By design, your tank backfills with air as you burn out the gasoline. When your gauge reaches half, get to a pump.
Gasoline storage tanks have a floating ceiling to keep zero atmosphere from touching the gasoline. With minimal exposure, the gasoline neither evaporates or degrades before it is trucked to gas stations. If the oil companies take this measure to preserve their gasoline, take this advice- keep it full.
~ If the truck is filling the station's tank, pump somewhere else.
As the truck sprays the gasoline (creating and vacuuming vapors the way the pump does) into the tank, it disturbs the debris that settles to the bottom of the tank from the evaporation degradation and decay of the tank. This dirt, rust and incombustible material will certainly reduce the fuel economy of your vehicle and may cause serious damage to your fuel pump and fuel injectors.
~ Change that fuel filter.
It is impossible to avoid evaporation degradation. Before you change your oil, clean your fuel with a product approved by your vehicle's manufacturer. When the oil is changed, change the fuel filter. Preserve your fuel economy by removing the most material that will reduce your gas mileage.
Make your gasoline dollar drive you farther. You can save enough to drive to your Senator's office to demand equity with the oil companies when it come to preserving your fuel investment.
