Hot gasoline is less of a bargain
I guess I never thought of this, but filling up the gas tank is a better deal in the winter than summer. The temperature of gasoline plays a big part in how much fuel is actually going into your car. The United States standard for measuring gasoline is at 60 degrees, which means that the price we pay for a gallon of gas is meant to be for the volume of that gallon of gas at 60 degrees. Like all liquids, gasoline expands when it gets warmer, and contracts when it gets colder. This is basic high school physics... remember the Ideal Gas Law? PV=nrT? Assuming the air pressure is about the same, the volume of gasoline depends on the temperature.This is important, especially in a warm climate like South Carolina. It is hot in the summertime, and how much do you want to bet that the gasoline coming out of the pump is more than 60 degrees? That means you are getting less fuel than if the gas was 60 degrees, but you are still paying for 60 degrees fuel. It is estimated that consumers lose an average of three cents per gallon due to hot gas.
One more thing.... there is a temperature correcting device that can be installed at gas stations, but in hot climates the consumer is the one losing money. In Canada where cold gas contracts, costing the seller money, gas stations are quickly installing the device.
Posted by
on 09/17 at 07:18 PM
