Terrell Williams squeezes the gas pump to the penny and taps the drops of gas he’s paid for into his tank. He hates to see any go to waste.
With average gas prices topping $3 a gallon in Chattanooga, Mr. Williams’ concern is warranted, but he’s not the only one watching the pumps.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture inspects every gas pump in the state at least once a year during unannounced checks. Technicians make sure consumers are getting the right amount of gas, the correct octane and wthout impurities in the fuel.
Even if consumers like Mr. Williams think the prices are too high, the department estimates most consumers are getting what they pay for in their tanks.
Fewer than 3 percent of pumps have inaccurate measurements or give gas that’s not fit for use. Most of the time if there is an error in quantity, it benefits the consumer, officials said.
“Every year more than 16,500 scales and nearly 85,000 motor fuel pumps are inspected,” said Bob Williams, who heads the Agriculture Department’s weights and measures division. “Usually if there’s something wrong, it’s because the gas station is giving gas away, but we tell them about that, too. We’re here to provide equity in the marketplace.”
Inspectors like Eddie Woods pump off five gallons at gas stations all over the state and make sure it’s truly the right amount. He’s been doing that for 28 years.
He uses a special calibrated gas container that allows very little tolerance — just 6 cubic inches. There are 1,155 cubic inches in five gallons of gas, Mr. Wood said.
“There’s a big difference from when I started and now,” Mr. Woods said. “Everything was pretty much mechanical back then; electronic was just getting started.”
Those improvements have made Mr. Woods’ job easier. He said mechanical gauges give away gas over time, but the electronic devices are more accurate.
Fortunately, according to Mr. Woods and Mr. Williams, there are very few dishonest businesses. When pumps are flawed, it’s usually by a small fraction — so little consumers wouldn’t notice. And when warned, gas stations are usually quick to take action, Mr. Williams said. The state has a 90 percent compliance rate.
But over a year’s time, gauges can malfunction, so at some point you might get shorted some gas. Mr. Williams said consumers should tell the store’s operators first. Usually they are quick to make repairs, he said.
If there is an error that persists, Mr. Williams said complaints should be reported to the Agriculture Department.
Terrell Williams, who was stopped at an Interstate 75 gas station last week, said he’s glad someone’s looking after the pumps.
“I drive through here every week, and it adds up,” Mr. Williams said. “Now if they could tell me whose giving away too much gas, that’d be something I’d like to hear.”
TO COMPLAIN
For more information or to register a complaint, contact the agriculture department at (615) 837-5109 or toll-free at (800) 628-2631.
Adam Crisp covers education issues for the Times Free Press. He joined the paper's staff in 2007 and initially covered crime, public safety, courts and general assignment topics. Prior to Chattanooga, Crisp was a crime reporter at the Savannah Morning News and has been a reporter and editor at community newspapers in southeast Georgia. In college, he led his student paper to a first-place general excellence award from the Georgia College Press Association. He earned ...
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