Beware the Chevron Gas Pump

[Underdog]

I have been indoctrinated to the standard configuration of all gas pumps that I have used, so perhaps this is my own fault. I am used to the lowest octane and cheapest gasoline always being the leftmost selection on the gas pump buttons. While on a trip in the west US west, I pulled into a Chevron station and habitually punched the leftmost octane selection without looking at the octane numbers. After filling the tank, and noting the price, I saw that I had used the premium gas and spent an extra $27+as a consequence. I just wonder if Chevron reversed from the most common button position to get marginal revenue from mistaken octane selections.

[JohnBj]

I don't recall particular brands, but I find you do have to check which hose pumps what. Some stations have regular, but 100% gas (no ethanol). Some have that E85 stuff for flex fuel engines. I remember one station in Oklahoma had a bunch of different choices, from on and off-road diesel to various octanes, with varying levels of ethanol.

I like Costco - two levels of octane, ("up to") 10% ethanol, low prices.

[Bama Rambler]

You have to watch. I've seen pumps with the lowest octane buttons on the left and on the right. I don't think I've seen it in the middle, but I'm sure that's possible.

And that doesn't take into account the different color diesel nozzles.

[eye95]

There is a de facto (not de jure) standard. Not every station follows it.

Diesel should be green. The three main grades should be organized from left to right, low octane to high.

Always read carefully before pumping. However, to prevent mistakes when distracted, I recommend avoiding brands that do not follow the de facto standard.

[Tapex]

Originally Posted by eye95

There is a de facto (not de jure) standard. Not every station follows it.

Diesel should be green. The three main grades should be organized from left to right, low octane to high.

Always read carefully before pumping. However, to prevent mistakes when distracted, I recommend avoiding brands that do not follow the de facto standard.

X2...

[KyDan]

You have choices and you need to look at what you're doing.
I filled my 04 Silverado with E85 once upon a time because I didn't read the pump.
It was not a flex fuel truck and I didn't do it again.... and yes you have to pay attention. I once saw a station where the MIDDLE button was regular. If you pushed either end you got either mid grade or premium. They were at an interstate exit and I figured they were fishing for folks who didn't look before they pumped.

[Jim34RL]

Never assume anything with any vehicle you are using and servicing. It is your responsibility that you need to read everything you add to a vehicle. Just my feelings.

Even at the same service station I use for 90% of my fuel needs in the local area. I always make sure that I am using the proper fuel hose and control button before I add fuel to my vehicle. The reason I say fuel is that I use diesel fuel for both of my vehicles.

The same island pumps dispense diesel and gas, but into different fuel hoses. So, when I fill up I always check to insure that the one I need is diesel.

[TitanMike]

Like the old PSA said, " Reading Is Fundamental".

[hobienick]

Originally Posted by eye95

There is a de facto (not de jure) standard. Not every station follows it.

Diesel should be green. The three main grades should be organized from left to right, low octane to high.

Always read carefully before pumping. However, to prevent mistakes when distracted, I recommend avoiding brands that do not follow the de facto standard.

Where is this standard published?

[Jeffjeeptj]

We used to have a “STAR” program in my industry. stop, think, act, review.
Stop - focus on the job at hand (getting fuel), shift away from other distractions
Think - am I in the right place, do I have the right tools, do I have the right paperwork, are my “clearances” in place and active, have I selected the right fuel, etc.
Act -deliberately perform the job, checking along the way
Review - did things go as expected. Are inspections complete, gas cap on and tight.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by hobienick

Where is this standard published?

De facto, not de jure.

Standards, of either type, are no substitute for taking care. They are another level of safety that reduces mistakes.

I prefer to deal with people/systems/businesses that follow commonly practiced standards.

[Mr. Dan]

We recently had an active thread along these lines.
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...rs-217162.html.
The general consensus seemed to be "Buyer Beware".

[Tapex]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

We recently had an active thread along these lines.
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...rs-217162.html.
The general consensus seemed to be "Buyer Beware".

The general consensus seemed to be "Buyer Beware".

So very true....

[Scrapper]

Just wait until you go to fill up and some wiseguy crosses the nozzles at the hooks. Years ago, when the my friend switched his pumps from individual pumps to all-in-one, I saw someone stand there for 10 minutes before trying to find out why the gas wasn't pumping.

[D W]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Like the old PSA said, " Reading Is Fundamental".

X2. Over the past 25 years, the public has been "brainwashed" with color codes and pictograms in lieu of actual words.Someone got the idea that nobody has to actually read anymore. Remember when a check engine light actually said "CHECK ENGINE" ? Now we have to have a picture of an engine. Ridiculous!

As far as fuel dispensing pumps go, I believe the only "standard" is what that dispenser manufacturer decides is their standard, i.e. Gilbarco, Tokheim etc.

[NMWildcat]

I'm betting that if through your own inattention you are 'tricked' into dispensing unwanted fuel and it causes financial/mechanical damage, you will only do it once
True, a lot of stations use the same identifying characteristics for fuel, but we have seen many, many that use all variations of color, nozzle size, and position. It's Buyer, Pay Attention!

[BehindBars]

The best effort I have ever seen for a fuel station to catch customers off guard is at Conoco in Ogallala, Nebraska. The big sign shows the price for regular gas. The station has ten pumps. The small wording at the bottom of the sign says “regular at pumps 9 and 10 only”. Those are the pumps at the far end of the station. The unobservant customers zip in to the conveniently located pumps 1 through 8, closer to the entrance, and pay a significantly higher price for gas as a penalty for their lack of attention to the price sign. I sit there and watch customers come and go. This deceptive system seems to work very well, or else most people really don’t care what price they pay.

[SailorSam20500]

Yup, you need to pay attention. I've seen more than a couple of posts from folks who accidentally put gas into a diesel.

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

The best effort I have ever seen for a fuel station to catch customers off guard is at Conoco in Ogallala, Nebraska. The big sign shows the price for regular gas. The station has ten pumps. The small wording at the bottom of the sign says “regular at pumps 9 and 10 only”. Those are the pumps at the far end of the station. The unobservant customers zip in to the conveniently located pumps 1 through 8, closer to the entrance, and pay a significantly higher price for gas as a penalty for their lack of attention to the price sign. I sit there and watch customers come and go. This deceptive system seems to work very well, or else most people really don’t care what price they pay.

There is a station in Orlando called SunCoast Energy- it is the closest one to the airport if you are coming in the north entrance from the east. Their price sign is not readily visible from the main road, and many people returning rental cars have been caught off guard. Their typical price is 2-3x the going rate elsewhere in the area.

A few years ago I stopped there on the way back to the airport and found that all grades of gas were priced at $4.99/gal. A half mile down the road was a Wawa with regular at $2.35. I see some recent stories that say that they have had premium as high as $6/gallon.

It's somewhat infamous in the area: https://www.google.com/search?q=orla...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Qwkynuf

There is a station in Orlando called SunCoast Energy- it is the closest one to the airport if you are coming in the north entrance from the east. Their price sign is not readily visible from the main road, and many people returning rental cars have been caught off guard. Their typical price is 2-3x the going rate elsewhere in the area.

A few years ago I stopped there on the way back to the airport and found that all grades of gas were priced at $4.99/gal. A half mile down the road was a QT with regular at $2.35. I see some recent stories that say that they have had premium as high as $6/gallon.

It's somewhat infamous in the area: https://www.google.com/search?q=orla...hrome&ie=UTF-8

The simple fact that they are near a rental car place is why they have higher prices. People don't want to pay the extra charge for returning a car without a full tank of gas and just stop at the closest place on the way back.

It's the same reason I can drive a few miles down the road for a gallon of milk and pay $1.99 or I can go to the gas station 2 blocks away and pay $4.99.

How much extra are you willing to pay for "convenience"?

As Mr. Dan posted above... caveat emptor.