DRIVERS may be shelling out more money than they should at the gas pump thanks to a major oversight, overworked inspectors have warned.
Regulators in Washington revealed that each tank fill-up is a gamble due to a system-wide failure.
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The Weights and Measures program under the state’s Department of Agriculture is responsible for ensuring fuel pumps are accurate.
But many pumps aren’t being checked as often as they should be.
The department is supposed to inspect each gas station at least once every two years.
But with 1,055 stations across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in Washington, officials say they’re falling behind, CBS local affiliated KIRO 7 reported.
“We have not been able to make those inspections in that timely 18-month time frame,” said Tahis McQueen, program manager for Weights and Measures.
KIRO 7 requested gas station inspection reports from 2023-2024. Out of 1,055 gas stations, just 75 were checked.
Of those, 26 had issues with accuracy and usability.
That means only 7% of stations in those counties were inspected in the past two years, and a third of them failed.
Drivers can check for an inspection sticker on the pump. It should have a hole-punched month and year.
But many pumps in the Puget Sound county area didn’t have a sticker at all, reported KIRO 7.
If a station hasn’t been inspected in years, there’s no guarantee what’s on the screen matches what’s going into your tank.
McQueen said gas pumps are allowed a margin of error, six cubic inches, or just under half a cup of gas.
But some stations were found shorting drivers by up to two full cups per transaction.
In rare cases, some stations were actually giving away more gas than customers paid for.
How To Pump Gas
There are several steps you can take to safely pump gas.
Find Your Pump
Drive up to a pump, aligning your car’s fuel tank with the nozzle. Look for the fuel indicator arrow on your dashboard or the manual to know which side your gas tank is on.
Pay for Your Gas
You can either pay at the pump with a credit/debit card or pay inside. If paying inside, give the attendant your pump number and the amount you want to spend.
Open Your Fuel Lid
Use the lever or button inside your car to open the gas tank lid, or open it manually if your car doesn’t have a lever. Unscrew the gas cap.
Pick the Right Nozzle
Grab the correct nozzle from the pump (regular, premium, or diesel). Insert it securely into your gas tank.
Select Fuel Grade
Choose the fuel grade (usually regular, mid-grade, or premium). Check your car’s manual for the recommended fuel type.
Start Pumping
Pull the trigger to begin pumping. Most nozzles have a lever that locks in place so you don’t have to hold it.
Wait for Automatic Shutoff
Keep an eye on the pump. It will automatically stop when your tank is full. You’ll hear a click when this happens.
Remove the Nozzle and Close the Tank
Carefully remove the nozzle, return it to the pump, and make sure the gas cap is tightly secured.
Get Your Receipt
If you paid at the pump, decide if you want a receipt. If you do, print it; if not, finish the transaction.
Reset Your Odometer
Inside your car, reset the fuel odometer to track your mileage. Usually, turning your car back on will reset it.
Source: AAA
Out of the 26 stations that failed inspection, 12 were under-dispensing fuel, while 14 were over-dispensing.
McQueen said most gas station operators likely aren’t aware of the issue.
“It’s usually a problem with the actual meter. It’s not tampering or anything like that,” McQueen said.
When a station fails, inspectors issue a report and give the owner 30 days to fix the problem.
After that, officials must return to ensure it has been resolved.
If a pump failed an inspection, the station was flagged and often fined.
