Car took 9.562 gallons!!! Pump out of calibration?

[cwatkin]

My 2015 just took 9.562 gallons of gas tonight. I know I was low but the car was still running and I think the pump might be out of calibration. Does this seem like it could have happened or is this the sign of a pump that ripped me off? I took a picture of the pump and the gas station. I might report this to the state if you think it is bad.

Conor

[Wallythacker]

Don't forget the pumps are calibrated to dispense precisely 1 gallon @15C.

As the temps drop the density of gas increases and suddenly you get more in a gallon @-15F than at +15C.

That's your answer.

[Space Wolf]

Don't forget the pumps are calibrated to dispense precisely 1 gallon @15C.

As the temps drop the density of gas increases and suddenly you get more in a gallon @-15F than at +15C.

That's your answer.

Wait. Are you saying the pump actually measures the weight of the fuel? How?

[Space Wolf]

So the fuel is (relatively) warm when it passes to the measuring tool, and cools down in the hose & tank quick enough to make the difference?

When we take the 9.295 gallon from Eggman as reference, the density of the fuel should increase 9.562/9.295 = 1.029 = ~3%. According to this table you need a temperature drop of 24C to accomplish that.

@cwatkin: What was the outside temperature?

[Eggman]

@cwatkin: What was the outside temperature?

Gosh, I hope cwatkin wasn't scared away by all our arguing and mansplaining.

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25Plus, good to see you around! Long time no see. I hope you'll give us an update.

Folks, in case you don't know 25Plus is one of the forum's all-time fuel economy leaders.

[Mark]

@cwatkin: What was the outside temperature?

Like 25Plus already stated, I don't know if outside temperature is all that relevant when filling up. The gas is coming from underground tanks that would have more a constant temperature year round.

[Eggman]

My 2015 just took 9.562 gallons of gas tonight. I know I was low but the car was still running and I think the pump might be out of calibration. Does this seem like it could have happened or is this the sign of a pump that ripped me off? I took a picture of the pump and the gas station. I might report this to the state if you think it is bad.

Conor

That's a lot of gas to put in your tank! According to other forum members reports, it looks like you hold the record for a single fill:

What's the most gas you've ever filled your Mirage?

Others have come close to your numbers. I'm going to assume you topped off your tank when filling, rather than stopping at the pump's auto shut-off.

Also, how's your fuel gauge - do you think it's accurate? There's been reports of fuel level sensors malfunctioning, and the quality of the fuel used is a suspected factor.

[Mark]

Also, how's your fuel gauge - do you think it's accurate? There's been reports of fuel level sensors malfunctioning, and the quality of the fuel used is a suspected factor.

Whether his gas gauge read 1/2 full or completely empty at the time of filling up, it doesn't change the fact that he pumped 9.562 gallons of gas into his Mirage.

So when you look at the Mirage's specs, you get numbers like these

MPG: Up to 37 city / 43 highway
Warranty: 5 yr/60,000 mi basic, 10 yr/100,000 mi powertrain
Curb weight: 2,018 to 2,117 lbs
Horsepower: 78 hp
Fuel tank capacity: 9.2 gal
Engine: 1.2 L 3-cylinder

Mitsubishi may consider 9.2 gallon to be a full tank of gas. It may hold a little extra? I don't see this as a big deal.

Overfilling is not a good practice with modern cars. I could list numerous articles that cover that topic, but anyone can google that themselves.

[Eggman]

Whether his gas gauge read 1/2 full or completely empty at the time of filling up, it doesn't change the fact that he pumped 9.562 gallons of gas into his Mirage.

But a malfunctioning fuel level sensor can cause an operator to run Real Low on fuel. The subsequent fill-up at maximum stated capacity plus the filler neck might possibly explain how it took 9.562 gallons.

Sorry for not spelling this out earlier.

[Fummins]

Agreed. I've filled my truck up with more than the mfg stated capacity more than once. It has a 34 gallon/128L tank. I filled up once at 34.3 gallons, and 35 gallons. Both times took a few extra minutes of filling up the filler next, shacking the truck then filling up some more. But it's a diesel with no evap crap so no worries about plugging a charcoal canister. I wouldn't do the same to a gas job though, unless I had spare parts handy......