Many of us assume that when we ask a fuel station attendant to “fill up the tank,” our car will only accept fuel up to its specified tank capacity. A previous incident shows that there can be exceptions. Deepesh Babu, a resident of Kochi and the owner of a 2018 Volkswagen Polo, discovered this firsthand when his car, with a fuel tank capacity of 45 litres, was filled with 53 litres of petrol! Why and how did this happen?
Volkswagen Polo Filled Beyond Capacity: The Incident
Deepesh regularly filled up at an Indian Oil Corporation Ltd(IOCL) fuel station in Chembumukku. One day, he was stunned as the pump dispenser showed 53 litres.
Given that the Polo’s manufacturer-stated tank capacity was just 45 liters, Deepesh soon raised his brows. He suspected potential scam by the fuel station, thinking that the dispenser could be overcharging him.
He soon reported the discrepancy to both the Volkswagen showroom and the pump owner. He also filed a complaint with IOC, requesting a thorough investigation to be done to clarify the issue and determine if there was any fraudulent activity involved at the station in question.
Verification Process: Testing the Tank
IOC responded proactively and initiated an investigation. It conducted a verification experiment on the same car, in the presence of Deepesh and the owner of the fuel station. The Polo’s tank was first drained empty. Then they started refilling it using a five-litre certified container monitored by IOC officials and the fuel station manager. The results surprised them. The actual capacity turned out to be 57.83 litres, whereas the 2018 Polo had a manufacturer-stated tank capacity of just 45 litres. This makes for a major discrepancy!
So, How Did This Happen?
Let us get this untangled for you. Automakers mention an official fuel tank capacity in the vehicle spec sheet- 45L in this case. The actual tank capacity is often set higher than this, including ‘overfill margins’. In this case, the margin was a substantial 12.83 litres. These primarily serve the purpose of holding the fuel safe, without spillage, when the refuelling is done in extreme temperatures or on uneven surfaces, where fuel expansion can occur.
It is, however, not recommended (and is risky) to fill beyond the manufacturer-specified limit. Overfilling might cause spillage, fuel vapour leakage, and even damage to the car’s vapour recovery systems. Coming back to Deepesh, the fact and findings along with proper explanations from knowledgable officials soon made him convinced. Both parties resolved the matter, confirming no fraudulent activity had been done.
Common Fuel Station Scams
Although Deepesh’s case turned out to be a misunderstanding, there are genuine fuel pump scams going on across the country. Here are a few of the most common ways you could get scammed while refuelling:
- Manual Interruption: Some attendants manually interrupt the pre-set fuel amount by delivering fuel in small bursts, which can lead to a shortfall in the quantity dispensed.
- Long Dispense Pipes: Stations may use extra-long fuel hoses where fuel remains as residual. The un-dispensed fuel returns to the pump, meaning customers end up paying for fuel they don’t receive.
- Distraction During Fueling: Attendants may distract customers by engaging in unrelated conversations. This allows another attendant to reset the fuel meter, giving the customer wrong impressions about the amount dispensed.
- Partial Fill and Resume: Attendants might also stop the fuel flow before reaching the desired amount, then resume without resetting the meter, making it appear as if more fuel was dispensed than actually was.
Tips To Avoid Fuelling Scams:
While Deepesh’s experience highlighted an unexpected design feature rather than fraud, it underscores the importance of staying vigilant at fuel stations. Regularly checking fuel receipts, monitoring the dispenser readings, and being aware of common scams can help ensure a fair refuelling experience. This incident also serves as a reminder for car owners to be aware of their vehicle’s specifications and be wary about overfilling.
