Accuracy of fuel pumps in different garages

[MrPlum]

Filled up my motorbike from two different garages in two days. Shell and Jet. The first, my tank reading was in the middle of the red band. The second not quite reached it. Yet, I was charged 85 for the first and 91 the second. The reverse should have been the case.

My calculation is there is at least a 10% difference in price for the same fuel. I'll check again over the next few days and see if I get similar results.

Anyone else have this experience?

[STEVE G]

I've been asked to buy petrol for people up in the Issan village in marked 25 litre plastic jerry cans and the local independent service stations are often a bit shy of filling them right up to the top!

[VincentD]

Mr.P

All the fuel dispensers should have a calibration sticker (looks like a garuda). I don't think they can put them into operation unless they have that sticker.
It's similar to metered taxis in Bangkok, they have to get their meters re-checked for calibration once every three months.

As to your experience with different levels of fuel, Shell have three grades of gasohol (V-power, 95 and 91 - not sure if they still carry benzine 91) while Jet (now PTT) has two grades of benzine (95, 91) and two grades of gasohol (95, 91).

You could have gotten a different grade (or type) when you filled up.

[MrPlum]

Thanks. Could be right but I've got my 25 ltr drum at the ready to put it to the test.

[almirante82]

Could depend on the flow rate of the fuel going into the tank and the amount of evaporation that was created also the outside air temperature. I'm pretty sure this wouldn't make up a 10% difference though.

[SunandFun]

Your doubts are over 6 Baht? Very "un-scientific." You could have a Baht 25 difference just because the "middle of the red mark" is not the same or your bike was not level and not filled to the same spot. Many variances. Also the different cost of each grade of fuel. 6 Baht seems a bit trifle to complain about. You must be on a VERY limited income. Good luck with your budget though. I wish I could manage mine as tightly.

[MrPlum]

Your doubts are over 6 Baht? Very "un-scientific." You could have a Baht 25 difference just because the "middle of the red mark" is not the same or your bike was not level and not filled to the same spot. Many variances. Also the different cost of each grade of fuel. 6 Baht seems a bit trifle to complain about. You must be on a VERY limited income. Good luck with your budget though. I wish I could manage mine as tightly.

Try managing your assumptions a little better. I am hardly complaining by asking a question. I don't worry about such trifles usually because a) watching fuel gauges is for train-spotters and b) I tend to use the same garage, so wouldn't be aware of differences between providers.

This subject has cropped up in the past on other forums where accuracy of pump meters has been questioned. It's worth asking if this kind of thing still goes on and whether Hua Hin has an issue.

[ste860]

ive also heard temperaure can play a part in how much fuel you get at certain times of the day but that was back in europe where temps differ a great deal in a day ie morning minus 4 and late evening plus 4

[STEVE G]

It definately goes on out in the countryside, you'll see these very basic looking service stations advertising very cheap petrol and the locals will tell you that the reason it's so cheap is that the pumps are fixed.
Once in another SE Asian country, I went into a service station on empty, just after a large fuel price hike and they managed to get 60 litres into a car with a 50 litre tank. This was a large highway service station and I got the cashier over and complained. They denied all knowledge of any wrongdoing up until the point where I got the handbook out of the glovebox and pointed at the tank capacity and the pump at which point they changed their minds and adjusted the price.

[STEVE G]

ive also heard temperaure can play a part in how much fuel you get at certain times of the day but that was back in europe where temps differ a great deal in a day ie morning minus 4 and late evening plus 4

This is certainly true; I work in Aviation and the system on a large aircraft that measures how much fuel you have onboard measures both volume and density for this very reason. This is important as you need to know how much the fuel weighs so that you don't overload the aircraft and the fact that the energy that you get out of it is directly proportional to it's mass, not it's volume.
It's not unknown for an airliner to be fueled up to it's maximum capacity in the middle of the night and for it to start venting fuel if it's left standing in the sun during the day. This get's the airport fire brigade very excited as they have to interupt their snooker tournament!

[SunandFun]

Try managing your assumptions a little better. I am hardly complaining by asking a question. I don't worry about such trifles usually because a) watching fuel gauges is for train-spotters and b) I tend to use the same garage, so wouldn't be aware of differences between providers.

This subject has cropped up in the past on other forums where accuracy of pump meters has been questioned. It's worth asking if this kind of thing still goes on and whether Hua Hin has an issue.[/quote]

Mr. P, Apologies please. I was so "stuck" on the difference in Baht I missed the point. Assumptions indeed were made. I note your concerns and will also be on the lookout. One easy way to check calibration is to stop the pump at either 1 or 10 full exact liters. This should be equal to the price per Liter or x10 as the case may be. Thanks for giving me the benefit of doubt.

[MrPlum]

Thanks for giving me the benefit of doubt.

[Takiap]

I can't really comment because I don't pay much attention - I'm usually only filling my bike. I do know though that different gas stations have different prices. Whether this is actually legal or not I don't know. Also, the cost of fuel can fluctuate from day to day, so if you're concerned, check the notice board before filling up.

[Pleng]

I do know though that different gas stations have different prices. Whether this is actually legal or not I don't know.

Why on earth would it not be legal?!

[PeteC]

I do know though that different gas stations have different prices. Whether this is actually legal or not I don't know.

Why on earth would it not be legal?!

The government sets the price of all petrol products. My understanding is that all suppliers have to comply. You'll see in the news quite frequently a government announcement that fuel prices will go up or down the next day. Pete