Consumer Watch: The Truth About Pain At The Pump

News 9's Consumer Watch Team put gas saving tips to the test - and we found one that will have you changing the way you pump gas.

Friday, May 20th 2011, 10:30 pm

By: News 9


Amanda Taylor, Consumer Watch

OKLAHOMA CITY – If someone told you only fill up your tank in the morning, fill up on the slowest setting possible, and don't top off your tank because it would save you money at the pump - would you do it?

There are e-mails claiming the way you fill up could get you more out of each gallon of gas.

So News 9's Consumer Watch Team decided to put their tips to the test.

Tip #1 Pumping Slower Versus Faster

  • The claim: pumping your gas too fast causes some of the gas to turn into vapors.
  • The verdict: it made absolutely no difference if we pumped fast or slow.

Tip #2 Pumping In The Morning

  • The claim: pumping gas in the morning, when it's cooler, helps you get more gas for your dollar.
  • The verdict: no difference whatsoever.

Tip #3 Topping Off The Tank

  • The claim: topping off the tank wastes gas.
  • The verdict: you're wasting that fuel. It goes right into your vapor recovering system.

Tip #4 Filling Up When Half Full

  • The claim: the more gas you have in your tank, the less air occupies its empty space.
  • The verdict: that was true 50 years ago when gas caps were vented. The gas caps in modern cars are sealed so he said this one is a myth.

Tip #5 Don't Buy Gas When Fuel Truck Is There

  • The claim: fuel trucks pumping into storage tanks cause settled dirt to end up in your gas tank.
  • The verdict: gas stations have filtration systems that would stop any dirt from getting through the pump.

Source: Matt Skinner, Oklahoma Corporation Commission

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