From a guy who works with a petroleum company

Tips on pumping gas.

I don’t know what you guys are paying for gasoline… but here in California we are also paying higher, up to $4.23 per gallon. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money’s worth for every gallon..

Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose,CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.

Pump in the early AM

Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening….your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

Ask the Attendant to Pump Slow

When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor.
Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less worth for your money.

Fill up when HALF-FULL (HALF-EMPTY)

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY . The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.

Gas Truck? Don’t gas up just yet

Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up –most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.

DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS!

Thanks to Sheila of ButterNToast Toastmasters for letting us in on these tips.

Tags: tipson how to save gas, savings tips

1. Order tap water when dining out.
   Beverages are marked up by 50-80%. You can save a few hundred off your bill and your waistline too.
2. Take the public transport.
   You don’t have to worry about driving. The difference from taking a car could range between 15-45 minutes. That’s not so bad considering your savings.
3. Take a walk.
   We can’t walk as much as we like because of the heat but whenever you can, save yourself the fare and sweat a little! You may actually save your P3,000 monthly gym membership.
4. Is it a matter of life or death?
   Ask yourself that every time you feel the urge of stopping by Starbucks… for the 3rd time today. Or dining out or watching a movie.
   You need your caffeine fix but do you really have to buy that P150 of whipped cream and sugary sweet coffee?
   P150 x 30 days = P4,500 that could go to your emergency fund or investments.
   Those coffees and pesos add up!
5. Start your own business.
   Find a hobby you can make a business of and register as self-employed. (Just go to DTI and BIR).
   As a business owner (even part-time) you can deduct business expenses (maybe you use your DSL subscription or cellphone for business) for tax purposes. That could effectively lower your tax payable.
6. Find a payphone or landline.
   In Glorietta, there’s a hub of payphones near the escalator by Nautica. You only need P1 to make a call. Duh. Confirm your appointments at the office or at home using your telephone rather than texting while driving or maxing out your cellphone.
7. Hang out at home or a friend’s house
   Instead of meeting up friends at the mall, you can avoid parking fees, lessen gas and dining out expenses by having a snack at home. You can watch DVDs or just lounge on your sofa. You won’t have to tire your legs and you save yourself from impulse shopping.
8. Take baon instead of eating out.
   Better to eat homemade than eat fast food (prices are way way up!) Did you know you can actually only cook once a month and feed yourself! This involves devoting one whole day to grocery shopping and cooking.
9. Stock up on apples or fruit in season and soda crackers (Skyflakes or BluSkies) for snacks.
   So you have less reason to go to the canteen for merienda and splurge on drinks and other snacks.
10. Treat your friends at Dampa!
    If you’ve planned a “blowout” or special treat for your friends for your birthday or raise… P2,000 can feed 15 hungry mouths at Dampa. At Greenbelt, P2,000 would feed 2 people.