Tips on how not to get scammed while refuelling at the petrol pump

Cars with an analog gauge will rise proportionally while filling, while a digital gauge will take some time.

BHPian CarguyNish recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My advice to all BHPians who have been scammed.

How not to get scammed:

When filling fuel:

Always look around the MPDs(Multi Product Dispensers) before heading towards one.

Most of the outlets have more than 2 MPDs, always go for one which has lower traffic.

Next, make sure that you either step out of car or sit inside and look towards the meter. Open the fuel Lid while stepping out.

Tell the quantity to be filled, it might be 1000/3000 or 30L whatever you wish. Now, the serious part starts. Leave wallet and mobile inside the car. Even key for that matter.

You have right to ask attender to reset zero before inserting nozzle into the fuel filler. If he has taken out the gun before filling ask to reset. If he has filled other vehicle and keeps continuing the same gun, ask him to reset it again.

After mentioning the quantity, keep your eyes on the meter reading. Most modern MPDs have STPs and hence the fuel is dispensed fast initially and slows down at end.

Tip: Always keep the car in idle when filling the fuel. Cars with an analog gauge will rise proportionally while filling, while a digital gauge will take some time.

Higher the amount/quantity will lead to gauge turning towards full.

Before stepping out, look out for bars/quarter marks in the gauge. Post filling, the gauges should turn provided the sensor is alright and fuel dispensed is correct.

Once the vehicle is filled, ask for immediate print of the receipt. If the attender doesn't give one, don't pay him. Why, because, he has to submit the total amount collected at end of the day, now if you don't pay him, it'll stay as credit and he has to pay from his pocket.

After obtaining receipt, calculate the total fuel filled, next up divide the bars/quarter gauge by total capacity of tank of your vehicle. The fuel filled should be proportional to the gauge reading.

Eg: My car has a 35L capacity, and has 12 bars (Digital).

Yesterday I filled just 5L and 2 bars were displayed. Which is correct.

Similar calculation has to be done in your vehicle. Some outlets dispense less fuel than normal.

Now, make the payment only after the above conditions are satisfied and you are good to go.

Any questions or queries related to this topic will be answered by me. Please feel free to ask.

Thank you.

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