Strange Petrol Filling Query.

[mose]

I've mentioned this to one or two peeps recently, but am still none the wiser as to what is really happening.

OK....I mainly use either Optimax or BP Ultimate depending on who has what at the time. I also use Texaco Hi-Octane on occassion.

I've noticed that if I fill up with Optimax, roughly between 50 and 55L, the fuel guage reads MAX. If I fill up with the same amount BP Ultimate, or dare I say other BP Ultimate from Sainsbury's, the guage reads about 75% even though I have put in the same amount.

Is there any logical explanation for this?? Its just confusing and becoming annoying!

[mackie1]

Most odd. Well either the boyancy of the level float is different in different brands of petrol or BP areactually not giving you 55l of fuel.

[VXR_Daz]

I have never really taken that much notice of how much fuel I put in but I have noticed that at some pumps it is impossible to fill it up to "Max"

Strangely though for me it seems to be the Shell garages I have most problem with!

[baz7175]

I thought I was going mad with this myself mose

I find that if I fill it until it simply hits the shutoff it will read 7/8ths almost exactly, whereas if I then remove the nozzle and replace it and continue from then it will hit the full marker...I'm guessing there's an air pocket or something in there causing this to happen - the question is whether or not this issue is only affecting the "where the hell did my boot go" facelift models and maybe has to do with the re-positioning of the tank...

[ringram]

Could be how they calibrate the pump shutoff.
Either that or you enjoy inhaling the fumes of them more than the other brand, resulting in a state of altered reality.

Edited by ringram on Wednesday 25th October 17:09

[mose]

ringram said:

Either that or you enjoy inhaling the fumes of them more than the other brand, resulting in a state of altered reality.

That particular avenue of pleasure has long gone mate

[BO55 VXR]

I experience the same problem....and even at the same exact pump...

Don't suppose there's some sort of vapour-lock problem is there?

[bigwheel]

Strangely, I noticed if I let go of the nozzle trigger and re-started part way through re-fueling, I couldn't completely fill the tank. The nozzle then just kept clicking off. I found best technique is to hang onto the trigger in one go, until the click. Then round off to the whole £. Completely full every time for me. Mines is a 05 with the wing shoulder filler cap.

[Demolition Man]

I've also had the same problem. I'd worked it out to be an airlock in the tank.

If you fill up as much as you can, needle shows 7/8 full. Drive 2 minutes round the block and fill up again - a few more litres goes in and needle shows FULL.

Strange