Busted: Seven Most Commonly Told Myths about Using Fuel Cards
Submitted by Andy_B on Tuesday, 18 January 2022 Page Views: 161
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But despite these glaring advantages, there are some myths that are doing the rounds and probably stopping many people from making the switch to fuel cards. In this post, we debunk these myths and set the record straight.
MYTH #1: You Get More Fuel When you Fill Up Your Tank in the morning
This is one of those myths that have been taken up by a surprising section of the population, yet it has no basis at all. If you were thinking of disturbing your sleep in the morning to go and line up to gain this advantage, I’m sorry to burst your bubble. According to those that spread this lie, fuel tends to be denser when it’s early in the morning. This will cause more of it to find its way into your gas tank. The principle behind this hypothesis states that cold ground makes petrol to be denser, which translates to more fuel than if you filled up later in the day after the temperatures rise.To be fair to those that subscribe to this ism of thought, there is a grain of truth in the claim. But the problem is that any saving you make is so negligible that it is not worth leaving your comfy blankets for. If anything, the morning traffic jam will most certainly negate any small advantage you were due to get.
MYTH #2: You must purchase premium-rate fuel
Then there is this false assertion that fuel card companies force their customers to buy only premium fuels. It goes on to claim that the high cost of premium fuel will most likely cancel any savings you made by switching to fuel cards. If that were to be true, then there would be no reason to use fuel cards in the first place.Premium fuels are only slightly different from ordinary fuels. But unless you drive a fuel guzzler or a high-end sports car, the difference will be very negligible. Standard fuel works just fine and there is no need to feel the guilt of giving your car sub-standard fuel.
MYTH #3: A Gadget can save you Fuel
Switching to fuel cards provides many ways to manage your fleet more efficiently. Once you have them set up, they will let you see the drivers that are covering fewer miles but spend more fuel. Straightforward as it is, some people still think it is too much to ask. They, instead, use a gadget that promises to cut their fuel consumption.The irony is that there is no study that backs this argument. If there are any savings, it is so insignificant it’s not worth stressing about.
MYTH #4: You won’t be able to refuel at a supermarket
The propagators of this myth spread a really scary fear, that you will need to drive several miles just to find a station that accepts your card. But like the myths already discussed, nothing can be further from the truth. The plain truth is that most fuel cards will be accepted at nearly all pumps. If anything, even supermarkets will be glad to serve you.There is no fuel card that alienates you and restricts you to only a few outlets to purchase fuel at. Fuel cards give you flexible fueling options by offering a wide range of stations anywhere you go. It even includes motorway services and supermarket outlets.
MYTH #5: There is additional room in the tank after the clicking of the nozzle
This is one misconception that a lot of drivers seem to have fallen for hook, line, and sinker. Even after hearing the click to turn the nozzle on, you continue momentarily in a bid to coax the last drops.The thinking behind this is that continuing to fuel tops off the tank. However, this doesn’t happen and you only end up paying money for nothing.
This is wasting cash as the additional fuel only goes to waste. The tank is full and that’s that. You cannot invent non-existent space in the fuel tank.
MYTH #6: Filling up right after the replenishment of the pumps gets debris into your engine
This has got to be the most baffling myth. The naysayers propagating it aver that if you pull up at a gas station and find a tanker replenishing the fuel stock, you should not be the first customer to be served right after the refilling. Those who believe in this myth say that this freshly poured fuel has debris, grit, and dirt that will be circulating in your engine.In support of the hypothesis, scaremongers say that replenishing the fuel disturbs the silt at the bottom, which makes it flow out of the nozzle.
The very idea that considerable particles can escape through the pump is preposterous if not stupid. Today’s crop of pumps come with filters that ensure no particle can find its way to the engine of a car. Therefore, don’t waste your precious time waiting for some people to fuel first before you do.
MYTH #7: It is better to leave your engine idle than switching it on and off
We have all been there. You find yourself in a jam and are torn between switching the engine off completely or letting it idle as you move through the traffic.A sizeable number of people believe in the latter. To them, switching off the engine and starting it is what eats up fuel. But that’s not true. Leaving the engine idling is the enemy of fuel conservation. When you let your engine run, it requires that fuel be pumped to the engine. But no fuel is required to start and stop the engine. It’s recommended to kill the engine anytime you have to stop for thirty seconds or more.
