Motor Fuel Inspections Ensure Oregonians Get What They Pay for at the Pump

In 2006, less than 5 percent of all Oregon retail dispensers were found to be giving too little or too much fuel.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The job of inspectors from the Oregon Department of Agriculture takes on added importance this spring as gasoline prices continue to rise.

ODA inspection of motor fuel quantity and quality has been part of the agency’s mission for years, but more Oregonians now realize that buying and receiving the correct amount of gasoline and the proper level of octane in motor fuel can either save or cost significant dollars and cents depending upon what the motorist gets at the pump.

“Every day our inspectors test gasoline pumps for quantity and quality to make sure the consumer receives the right amount of motor fuel for the dollars they spend as well as ensure the quality of that fuel,” says Russ Wyckoff, administrator of ODA’s Measurement Standards Division. “Right now, it’s very important to motorists that they get what they pay for at these prices.”

Not that long ago, asking the attendant to fill the tank of an average size car might cost up to $20. That same pit stop can now run a motorist close to $50.

Minivans, SUVs, and trucks are substantially more. That’s why Oregon motorists are wanting to look at the purchase of gasoline a little more closely.

“There are people out there who have been buying 89 or 92 octane for their vehicle that now ask for 87 octane because it is often more than ten cents a gallon cheaper,” says Wyckoff.

ODA’s inspectors routinely conduct field screenings from approximately 31,000 fuel dispensers across the state, making sure that both gasoline and diesel meet national quality standards.

They also measure the amount of water in storage tanks to make sure it does not exceed state standards.

Finally, those same inspectors continue to ensure motor fuel quantity by checking the pumps themselves to determine that the meters are accurately dispensing the fuel.

Ten years ago, Oregon didn’t even have a motor fuel quality program. Wyckoff says part of the value of the inspection program is deterrence. Gas stations are being more careful to be accurate in what they offer.

“When it comes to octane levels, Oregon motorists should generally feel good they are getting what they pay for,” he says.

Statistics for 2006 show that ODA inspectors conducted 2,421 screenings of gasoline routinely sampled from Oregon fuel dispensers.

Using a hand-held octane meter, inspectors found only 32 screenings that failed the initial test of matching up with the octane level posted at the pump. Twenty-three official samples were drawn from those 32 for a closer analysis of the octane level.

Of the 23, only 13 proved to be below the actual octane rating standard listed at the pump. That's about 0.5 percent of the samples screened that failed to meet posted octane levels .

Even though problems are few in terms of correct octane levels being dispensed, motorists may be making the wrong decision about what to purchase.

“Some people buy a higher octane when they don’t need to, which means they are paying anywhere from 10 to 20 cents a gallon more for a grade of gasoline they don’t need,” says Wyckoff. “Their automobile owner’s manual will list what octane level is best. In most cases, 87 octane is fine.”

Paying attention to the sound of the engine will help. If it starts pinging or rattling, it could be that the octane level needs to be increased. If that doesn’t help, it may be time for a tune up of the engine. Even though it is tempting to try and save some money on gas, pinging could end up being a symptom of a damaged engine.

When it comes to the accuracy of the pumps and their ability to deliver the correct amount of fuel to the motorist, ODA is finding a relatively small percentage of problems.

In 2006, less than 5 percent of all retail dispensers were found to be giving too little or too much fuel. Those delivering too little fuel were immediately removed from service until corrections were made.

“The fuel dispensers being used in Oregon generally deliver the quantity they represent,” says Wyckoff.

But motorists can take additional steps to lower fuel costs, including making efficient use of every gallon in the tank. Everything from a clean air filter to proper driving habits can make a big difference in how many miles per gallon a motor vehicle will deliver.

Wyckoff advises motorists to treat the fill up as any other business transaction and take an interest by ensuring the correct grade was selected and the dispenser started at zero. While a majority of operations correctly dispense gasoline, there is nothing wrong with watching closely.

"We do investigate any complaints we get in addition to our routine examinations," says Wyckoff. "We even have an undercover vehicle that goes out and makes sample purchases to make sure you are getting the right quality and quantity of your fuel."

Although there is no indication that the number of complaints will rise with the fuel prices, it is certain that many motorists are paying more attention to the gasoline and diesel they purchase.