| Pages:
1
2 |
dtutko1
Nomad
Posts: 341
Registered: 8-26-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
Litros complete
Here is something I found on the Baja Western Onion.
Gasoline Situation In TS And Area - Last year I did a extensive research project into whether we were getting what we paid for at the various Pemex
stations in TS, Pescadero, La Paz, Cabo, and Los Bariles. Two things got me started; One was a comment by a lady in TS as to the poor fuel economy she
was getting. The other was a the stations at La Paz Los Bariles and north of El Centenario which advertised "Litros completos" as something special. I
realized that a fast and accurate and repeatable method was to buy "veinte litros" and then to weigh it with a good quality digital bathroom scale I
had. Some research indicated that 20 litres in my plastic gas can should weigh very close to 34.5 lbs on my scale. Last years test verified that the
station that were advertising "Litros Completos" in fact were!!! And all the stations in there area were to (no surprise really). The Ejido gas
station just north of TS was only a little "light" at about 4-5%. The station in TS was the most light varying from 18% to about 9% and averaging
about 12%. To put this in context, if they did 200 sales of 50 litres each it would amount to about US$1,000,000.00 over a 3 year period of "extra
profit" to the station franchisee. Pescadero was less ambitious at about 9% light (both pump islands were the same. It is educational when you realize
that every station has a carefully calibrated test tube to verify there pump's accuracy. There is a certain station in LaPaz that delivers "litros
completos y pocito mas" and my test verifies this claim of there's.
Anyway this year I decided to see what the situation was. was pleased to see that the station north of TS in fact now delivers "litros completos"
(right about 34.4-34.5 lbs) The station in town seems to be at about 9% light. Interestingly the same as Pescadero. If they did the same 200 sales of
50 litres each it would take more than 4 years to achieve US$1,000.000.00 in extra profit. In the current economic situation that is not likely.
Anyway i hope you find this entertaining. What pleased me the most is exposing this can cause a change is illustrated by the station north of TS and
the stations in La Paz that all seem to be spot on. -
The author of this article has asked to be anonymous
Dorado Don
|
|
|
monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
The Pemex in Pescadero and the one on the corner in Todos Santos have been ripping us off for years. The last time I filled my 19L gas can in
Pescadero they managed to put 24.45 liters in it. I refuse to buy gas from either of those stations unless it's an emergency.
|
|
|
k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
Member Is Offline
|
|
I don't know anything about gas pumps but the implication here is that station owners can adjust the pump calibration and that they are intentionally
doing so in their favor.
Maybe.
During my last trip south in October I had an unusually expensive fill-up. I forget where.
Found this on another website.
Few people will take the time and write a letter of complaint to Pemex if they are ripped off in a station. The best thing to do is to try to
explain the problem to the station manager and if that tactic doesn't work, copy down the station number, time and date and circumstances. The next
time you encounter a Green Angel ask them to provide a form complaint letter. Fill it out and hand it over to them. You may not get your wrong
righted, but the station owner must fill out and sign the lengthy form and send it back to Pemex. It is rumored that the process is a pain-in-the-ass
for station owners.
[Edited on 2-4-2010 by k-rico]
|
|
|
monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
I think that the problem is with PROFECO. They are responsible for checking the accuracy of the pumps, many complaints have been made to them and they
do nothing. The only explanation that makes any sense to me is that they are on the take and in collusion with the rip-off Pemexes.
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
The best thing to do is to try to explain the problem to the station manager |
Sounds like a good way to get your a$$ thrown in jail. 
|
|
|
mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19934
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
When tempted to worry about fuel scams, take a deep breath and think:
Always look on the bright sight of life
C'est la vie
Que sera, sera
What goes around comes around
and
Don't worry, be happy!
|
|
|
BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
|
|
The problem with weight measurement is that gasoline varies in composition. It is not an exact formula but a mixture of hundreds of hydrocarbons and
volatile organic compounds. It's density may vary and so may the weight of a liter of gasoline. You buy gasoline by the volume so your best bet is to
get a calibrated container like this one:
http://www.buygpi.com/calibrationcontainer5-gallon.aspx
They make them in metric as well. Let us know how it goes...
|
|
|
monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
My method of checking is less than scientific but I don't think that fuel density can explain how one station can put 3.5 liters more than another in
the same container.
|
|
|
BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
|
|
You're right but it just looks so official when you are using one of those calibration cans. All the stations know them and you won't even have to
explain to them your dismay...
|
|
|
monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
What's surprising to me is how all the locals here know what's going on and just accept it. Well, I guess, they are used to getting ripped off on a
regular basis.
|
|
|
wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
When tempted to worry about fuel scams, take a deep breath and think:
Always look on the bright sight of life
C'est la vie
Que sera, sera
What goes around comes around
and
Don't worry, be happy! |
must agree with you on that 
|
|
|
Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
|
|
Whatayagonnado?
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
What's surprising to me is how all the locals here know what's going on and just accept it. Well, I guess, they are used to getting ripped off on a
regular basis. |
Hitch up to San Ysidro and fill up a can?
|
|
|
monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
I just fill up at the station north of Todos Santos that is honest.
|
|
|
Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
|
|
At peak hours, you get a choice in Loreto:
Go to the station that everyone knows gives full liters, and be prepared to wait in line.
Or, go to the station that gives short liters and drive right up to the pump.
I bet the station that sells the full liters makes more money, but the other stations are part of a big BCS chain.
|
|
|
ELINVESTIG8R
Select Nomad
Posts: 15882
Registered: 11-20-2007
Location: Southern California
Member Is Offline
|
|
I trust BajaCactus' Pemex Station in El Rosario. I don’t know if he has any others. The crew in El Rosario are a good bunch of guys and gals. When I
go to get gas with my brother Sany while visiting Mama I like to kid around with them. Recently when I was there Antonio had just put in new gas pumps
and I physically saw them calibrating everything with digital equipment. I always stop by his hotel to see if he has Baja Nomad Calcomanías. This last
time they were out. I go back to see Mama in May, 2010. If I am needed to drop some off let me know!
David
|
|
|
mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
I always figure when I get gas in Baja that when I arrive I have so many pesos and they have so many liters of gasoline and when I leave I have less
pesos and they have less gasoline. Other than that you are just going to make yourself nuts. Just my humble take on the whole thing.
|
|
|
monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegejim
I always figure when I get gas in Baja that when I arrive I have so many pesos and they have so many liters of gasoline and when I leave I have less
pesos and they have less gasoline. Other than that you are just going to make yourself nuts. Just my humble take on the whole thing.
|
It's a little different when you live in a town and they have two dishonest stations and one honest one.
Pretty easy choice I'd say.
|
|
|
mulegejim
Nomad
Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegejim
I always figure when I get gas in Baja that when I arrive I have so many pesos and they have so many liters of gasoline and when I leave I have less
pesos and they have less gasoline. Other than that you are just going to make yourself nuts. Just my humble take on the whole thing.
|
It's a little different when you live in a town and they have two dishonest stations and one honest one.
Pretty easy choice I'd say. |
True in that case!!
|
|
|
BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 5006
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: INTP-A
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
It's density may vary and so may the weight of a liter of gasoline. |
The density or "specific gravity" of
automotive gasoline is within a fairly tight range - otherwise there's the potential of driveability issues. Oxygenated gasoline has a (slightly)
higher specific gravity because it's carrying "air" with it. Most non-oxygenated automotive gasoline I believe will fall in the .73-.76 range, and
oxygenated gasoline (and it depends on the oxygenate used) is (I think) somewhere more like .75-.79.
Essentially, automotive gasoline should weigh-in right about 3/4ths of the weight of water.
You have to allow for temperature variations.
Not certain, but this may be specified in ASTM D4814.
I'm no chemical engineer, but did carry around a kit (for business purposes) a number of years ago that contained a beaker, thermometer, and
automotive gasoline hydrometer to test such things.
-
Doug
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
https://www.regionalinternet.com
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting - since 1999 |
|
|
comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
Just remember one thing, water is heavier than gas.( I hope I don't have to explain)  
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
