One-hose vs. three-hose gas pumps

[dougpaw57]

I went a new Chevron gas station where they just replaced the three-hose pumps with one-hose pumps. The guys were working on the pumps and had the panels removed; I was also able to ask them some technical questions. The hose is 3/4" I.D. and 8 feet long. There's 6 feet of 3/4" I.D. piping inside the pump between the hose and the valve that switches between grades. Calculating the volume of the hose and piping, I came up with 197 cubic inches. That's 0.85 gallons! So whenever I fill up the bikes, I'm really only getting a partial tank of Premium grade fuel. Needless to say, it's time to find another gas station that has three-hose pumps.

[dragonmojo]

It never occured to me that most of the pumps I visit are single-hosers (which I presume is most predominant these days).

How 'bout extending the hose and pulling the trigger until the excess drains? It doesn't cost anything, since it was on the previous patron's nickel. Better yet if you can collect the free gas for your lawnmower, unless of course you use strictly Premium grade for that too.

I filled up my Rock after work today. This time I made sure to tap the nozzle on the ground to clear any liquid remaining in the spout (but until now I haven't thought about pulling the trigger... at current prices, fossil fuel is fossil fuel to me). My previoius experience had a splash of residual fuel that got on my tank before I even pulled the trigger.

75 degrees tomorrow, and the Sierras are full of curves! Woohoo!