Katerina Swanson
There is some discrepancy over how much fuel is left in the pump hose after use. Some sources claim that there is no fuel left in the line, while others suggest that there could be up to 2 gallons of fuel remaining. The American Petroleum Institute estimates that a gas pump hose retains about one-third of a gallon of fuel. This has led some people to pump the first half a gallon of fuel into a separate container to avoid mixing octanes. Those with smaller tanks, such as mopeds, are more likely to be concerned about the amount of fuel left in the hose, as it can make up a larger proportion of their overall fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of fuel left in the pump hose | 1/3 of a gallon, up to 2 gallons, or 1-2 quarts |
| Impact on octane rating | Yes, if there is leftover fuel in the hose from a previous user, it can impact the octane rating of the fuel being pumped |
| Workarounds | Using a 5-gallon container to pump fuel and then refuelling from the container |
| Fuel in the nozzle | About 0.1L or 0.026 gallons of fuel may be left in the nozzle |
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What You'll Learn
Estimates vary from 1/3 of a gallon to 2 gallons
The amount of fuel left in a pump hose after use varies, with estimates ranging from one-third of a gallon to two gallons. This variation may be attributed to several factors, including the type of pump, the presence of residual fuel, and individual usage patterns.
Gas pump hoses typically retain about one-third of a gallon of fuel, according to the American Petroleum Institute. However, some users have reported amounts as high as two gallons, suggesting that the actual volume may differ from the estimated one-third of a gallon. This discrepancy could be due to differences in pump design, fuel type, or other factors.
The residual fuel left in the hose can be a concern for vehicle owners, especially those with specific fuel requirements. When switching between octanes or fuel types, the previous user's choice may result in a mix of fuels in the hose, potentially affecting the performance of certain vehicles. This is particularly relevant for motorcycles and scooters, where fuel type and octane rating can impact engine performance and fuel efficiency.
To address this issue, some individuals adopt strategies such as filling up their vehicles first and then using the remaining fuel for their motorcycles or scooters. Others may opt for separate pumps for premium fuel or utilise a container to store fuel of a specific octane rating for their motorcycles. These approaches help ensure that the vehicle receives the appropriate fuel type and reduce the potential impact of residual fuel in the pump hose.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the practice of manually extracting residual fuel from the hose, as described by some users, may no longer be feasible with modern pumps. While this was a common occurrence in the past, improvements in pump technology and siphoning mechanisms have made it challenging to access significant amounts of leftover fuel in the hoses.
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The American Petroleum Institute says it's about 1/3 of a gallon
The American Petroleum Institute estimates that about 1/3 of a gallon of fuel typically remains in the gas pump hose. This residual fuel can be a concern for vehicle owners, especially those with specific fuel requirements, as it can result in a mix of different octane ratings. For instance, if a previous user pumped 87-octane gasoline and you require 90-octane or higher, you may inadvertently end up with a blend of the two.
This issue has led to creative solutions, such as carrying a 5-gallon container to ensure the vehicle receives the correct fuel type and octane rating. Some individuals have even resorted to draining fuel from multiple pump hoses at closed gas stations to obtain sufficient fuel for their vehicles, a practice that is unlikely to be feasible today.
While the amount of residual fuel in the hose might be a concern for some, it is important to note that it may not significantly impact the overall fuel mixture in larger vehicles. Additionally, the practice of lifting the hose after filling to collect the extra fuel is common, ensuring that the fuel doesn't go to waste.
The impact of the residual fuel in the hose depends on the vehicle and its fuel requirements. For smaller vehicles like mopeds or motorcycles, even a small amount of lower-octane fuel can affect performance. However, for larger vehicles with bigger fuel tanks, the impact may be negligible.
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Gas pump tech says you get 1-2 quarts
There are varying estimates of how much fuel is left in the pump hose after fuelling. A gas pump technician on Reddit states that you get 1-2 quarts of what's left in the hose. This is backed up by another user who says that for their moped, the leftover fuel in the hose was a lot. However, estimates from other sources range from 0.1 litres to one-third of a gallon.
The amount of fuel left in the hose can be an issue for those with high-performance engines, as it can result in lower-octane fuel being added to their tanks. This can be a particular problem for motorcycles, where even a small amount of lower-octane fuel can reduce performance.
Some people try to get around this by filling up a separate container with fuel and then using this to fill their bikes, to ensure that they are getting pure high-octane fuel. Others try to fill up behind someone who they believe will be using high-octane fuel, so that any leftover fuel in the hose is of a higher grade.
It is worth noting that the gas industry uses ethanol as a solvent to suspend detergent and other conditioning agents in fuel, and this is present in all gasoline fuel to some extent.
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Gasoline contains ethanol and detergent/conditioning agents
Gasoline, also known as petrol, contains ethanol and detergent/conditioning agents. These additives serve an important purpose, such as improving the quality and safety of the fuel.
Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from plant materials known as biomass. It has a higher octane number than gasoline, which helps to prevent engine knocking and ensures drivability. In the United States, 94% of ethanol is produced from corn grain. Gasoline typically contains E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), which helps to reduce air pollution. Ethanol can, however, cause compatibility issues in older vehicles.
Detergents are surfactants, chemicals that contain both polar and non-polar groups in their molecular structure. They help break down insoluble solids that could block and damage car engines. Common gasoline detergents include amine-based detergents, such as polybutene amine (PBA), polyether amine (PEA), and polyisobutylene amine (PIBA). Alcohol-based, sulfur-based, and zinc-based detergents are also used in gasoline. These detergents help keep engines clean and prevent the build-up of combustion byproducts.
The amount of fuel left in the pump hose after a previous sale can vary. Some sources claim that there is no fuel left in the line, while others estimate that about one-third of a gallon of fuel remains. This residual fuel can be a concern for some vehicle owners, as it may result in a mix of different octanes in their tank. However, the actual impact of this is debated, with some stating that it doesn't really matter.
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Octane ratings vary, affecting performance
Octane ratings are measures of fuel stability. They indicate the pressure at which a fuel will spontaneously combust (auto-ignite) in a testing engine. The higher the octane number, the more stable the fuel. The octane number is the average of two different octane rating methods: the motor octane rating (MOR) and the research octane rating (RON). The RON is determined by testing the fuel under engine idle conditions with a low air temperature and slow engine speed, while the MON is tested under more stressful conditions of higher air temperature and engine speed.
The octane rating of fuel can impact the performance of a vehicle. Most gasoline vehicles are designed to run on 87 octane, but some vehicles are designed to use higher octane fuel. Engines that use a higher compression ratio or supercharging/turbocharging to force more air into the engine require higher octane fuel to prevent pre-detonation. Higher octane fuel can improve performance and fuel economy in these engines.
Using a lower octane fuel than required can cause the engine to run poorly and can damage the engine and emissions control system over time. Lower octane fuel can also result in reduced engine performance and fuel efficiency, as the engine's timing and fuel delivery systems are optimized for higher octane fuel to prevent knocking and maximize performance. Knocking occurs when the air-fuel mixture ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber, causing a knocking sound and potentially leading to long-term damage if left unchecked.
In some cases, using the wrong octane fuel may trigger the vehicle's on-board diagnostics system to illuminate the check engine light, indicating issues such as engine knocking or sensor readings outside of the expected range. Therefore, it is essential to use the octane rating recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, which can be found in the owner's manual.
It is worth noting that while higher octane fuel may improve performance and gas mileage during severe duty operations, such as towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads, the benefits may be minimal under normal driving conditions. Additionally, the fuel components that boost octane are generally more expensive to produce, resulting in a higher cost for higher octane fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
Estimates vary, with some sources claiming that there is no fuel left in the line, while others claim that there could be up to 2 gallons of fuel left. The American Petroleum Institute estimates that a gas pump hose typically retains about one-third of a gallon of fuel.
The amount of fuel left in the pump hose can affect the octane rating of the fuel being pumped. If there is leftover fuel in the hose from a previous customer, it can mix with the fuel being pumped, resulting in a lower octane rating.
Some people suggest lifting the hose up after filling to ensure that any leftover fuel drains into the tank. Others recommend shaking the hose to get the leftover fuel out.
The amount of fuel that can be obtained from shaking the pump hose is relatively small, estimated to be around 0.1 liters or less. However, with today's fuel prices, even a tiny bit of fuel can be worth it.
