They're selling a gallon of gasoline. The temperature at the time of the sale is known by the buyer who agrees to the price.
If you want cheaper gas, move where it's cold.
At least now I understand why the evil oil companies conspired with Bush to cause global warming...
;-)
I think someone might countersue, claiming the users were taking more gas in cold weather, but not paying for the temperature-adjusted volume!
The end result will probably be a settlement where the Lawyers get millions in fees, and the consumer gets the compensation of a warning label on all pumps saying "CAUTION: Volume may be different in hot and cold weather".....
Like many in these United States.
The fuel is being pumped up from underground tanks.
The ambient air temperature may change markedly, but the ambinet temperature of soil six feet down changes only very slowly, if at all.
Not enough to significantly change the volume of a gallon of gasoline within a matter of a few minutes.
Now after the tank is filled, the volume WILL expand, sometimes enough so that fuel will run out out of the fill spout. That is why the fuel stations tell you not to "top off" a tank after the automatic fuel stop on the nozzle trips off. Sitting for even just a few minutes in hot sun, the car tank will absorb enough heat to significantly expand the volume of the gasoline. If you pay and go, getting out on the road, the fuel will be burned out of the tank quickly enough so expansion is not a problem.
But if you fill first, then go in to sit down to lunch, the gasoline could be expanded that much.
I don't know if this negatively affects the sensors in the engine controls or not. It could set off the "check engine" light.
Just what you need, a $60 charge to get the light turned off down at your "friendly" auto service. And really, nothing was wrong.
Notice they aren't saying anything about the trucks that transport fuel - the owners have to *eat* the shrinkage that temperature fluctuations cause, and it's not insignificant.
It would be difficult to improve on that observation.
There is a change in the volume of gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, etc with temperature. This change can occur at any stage of the distribution process.
The consumer purchases gas from an underground storage tank that usually maintains a temperature between 50-57 degrees Fahrenheit. For the most part the consumer's storage tank is the fuel tank provided by the vehicle’s manufacturer. The volume will vary according to the ambient temperature.
This means that the consumer can have more or less gasoline by volume than the volume he paid for at the pump. If you doubt this you only need fill your car’s tank to the top on a hot summer day and then let it sit. The fuel’s temperature will increase and the tank will overflow. The car’s manufacturer and the gas distributors usually warn the motorist of this fact. The opposite is true if you buy gas at the pump and the ambient temperature is 20 below zero.
consumers get less energy for each gallon they buy.
The only time the fuel actually gives up energy is when it burns. What is the temperature that gasoline burns in an internal combustion engine?
accusing them of overcharging customers at the pump
The lawsuit seems to insinuate that actual fraud is being committed even though every state’s department of weights and measures has for decades approved this method of gasoline delivery.
So again, I agree with you; what an asinine lawsuit.
then ya burn more.