ST. LOUIS — THE QUESTION
Is it true gas from the previous customer gets left in the fuel pump hose?
THE SOURCES
Mike Fox, Gasoline & Automotive Service Dealers of America, Inc.
Scott Lauerman, American Petroleum Institute
Christi Miller, Missouri Department of Agriculture
THE ANSWER
TRUE. We can verify about 1/3 of a gallon of gas from the previous customer is left in the fuel pump hose.
WHAT WE FOUND
Experts tell the Verify team gas lines do contain leftover gas from the previous customer.
“If the person before you got regular or mid-grade, and you’re pushing the premium button you are going to get about 4 cups,” Mike Fox, executive director for the Gasoline & Automotive Service Dealers of America, Inc. said.
The length of the gas hose could make a slight difference, but both of our fuel experts say the average hose retains about 4-5 cups of gas which equals about 1/3 of a gallon.
Our experts say that's not enough to dilute the fuel in your tank.
Inspectors in every state monitor gas stations to make sure consumers get the octane they pay for at the pump.
“They’re always checking with a 5-gallon pail that the amount of product you pay for 5-gallons is what you get. It’s the proper octane,” said Fox.
Christi Miller with the Missouri Department of Agriculture said state inspectors test octane levels at every gas station twice a year. If octane levels don’t measure up, the gas station is warned to fix the problem. Millers said a second offense would require the pump to be taken out of service.
Experts also tell the Verify team that car owners should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding what type of gas to put in your car. Using the recommended octane will give you the maximum miles per gallon.