How gas pump meter creep can cost drivers money
State inspectors in Arizona check hundreds of gas stations annually for equipment malfunctions
PHOENIX, Ariz. (InvestigateTV) — Most gas pumps function as expected, stopping the meter when the nozzle is hung up. But when equipment malfunctions, customers can get short-changed through a problem known as meter creep.
Eric East noticed something strange while filling up work trucks. The pump was off, but the numbers kept rolling.
“I’ve seen hundreds of people come to this pump right here at Circle K and get beat out of a few cents, 10 cents, 20 cents or whatever it is while the pump is still rolling on them,” East said.
He reported the problem to Circle K.
State inspectors monitor for meter creep
Mike Brooks, who leads the team that inspects hundreds of gas stations across Arizona each year, said meter creep is fairly unusual.
“If we were to see that during an inspection, we would take the pump out of service and they would have to have somebody come out and fix it because it can’t keep doing that,” Brooks said.
Brooks said customers who notice meter creep should hang up the nozzle immediately to stop the counting, then go inside to alert the store and call the state. The phone number is on every gas pump.
Inspectors like Cory Gandara check for safety hazards, leaks and meter creep. They also measure to ensure customers get the right amount of gas by pumping five gallons into a tank called a prover.
Pumps fail inspection if they short consumers or give away too much fuel.
About 80 percent of gas pumps pass inspection, Brooks said. Of the 20 percent that fail, most are giving away too much gas.
“We’re talking tablespoons on gallons. The tolerances are very tight to protect the consumer and the business,” Brooks said.
The pump East reported was inspected after the complaint. According to the report, the pump was fixed right before the inspection and passed.
State inspectors said they don’t have a way to track how much meter creep costs customers.
Circle K sent a statement saying, “We conduct routine maintenance and calibration of our fuel dispensers and repair or replace equipment when we discover meter creep or meter jump. We take these concerns seriously, aim for continuous improvement to ensure our customers are always getting what they pay for at our pumps, to the penny, and welcome the Department of Agriculture’s involvement in those efforts.”
Circle K said customers who spot a problem should tell the store manager so the company can help resolve it.
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