The unreported downside to higher gas prices
Each time the price at the pump goes up a nickel, I know about it. It's always in the news around here because Western WA and OR have some of the most expensive gasoline in the U.S (as I write this, premium is in the $3.55/gallon range at the Chevron station near work). But there's a hidden downside to high prices that never hits the media.
Longer fill time.
Let me start by saying that I don't want to marginalize the actual cost of the gasoline going into the tank. That, by far, is a real issue, while what I'm complaining about is pretty much pointless whining. But hey, this is LiveJournal. If not for pointless whining, what would be left?
The problem comes from the way the gas pumps are set to run. They are designed to meter out gasoline at a constant rate for as long as you hold the lever down. Unfortunately, the rate of flow is tied to the wrong gauge. The gasoline always comes out such that the price of the fuel goes up at a constant speed, not the quantity of fuel. As a result, when the price per gallon goes up 50%, the fuel has to come out 50% slower to make the price gauge go up at the same rate. But my fuel tank doesn't get any smaller. And my car doesn't suddenly get more efficient. I still need the same 14 gallons of fuel regardless of cost. It's just that now that prices are high, I get to stand next to my car at the pump just that much longer with my thumb up my nose to get it.
It's funny. I've already resigned myself to having to pay more money for a full tank of gas. It's like fate. There's little I can do to avoid it. Sure, I don't like it, but I accept it.
Now, wasting my time on top of that? That's just annoying.
Longer fill time.
Let me start by saying that I don't want to marginalize the actual cost of the gasoline going into the tank. That, by far, is a real issue, while what I'm complaining about is pretty much pointless whining. But hey, this is LiveJournal. If not for pointless whining, what would be left?
The problem comes from the way the gas pumps are set to run. They are designed to meter out gasoline at a constant rate for as long as you hold the lever down. Unfortunately, the rate of flow is tied to the wrong gauge. The gasoline always comes out such that the price of the fuel goes up at a constant speed, not the quantity of fuel. As a result, when the price per gallon goes up 50%, the fuel has to come out 50% slower to make the price gauge go up at the same rate. But my fuel tank doesn't get any smaller. And my car doesn't suddenly get more efficient. I still need the same 14 gallons of fuel regardless of cost. It's just that now that prices are high, I get to stand next to my car at the pump just that much longer with my thumb up my nose to get it.
It's funny. I've already resigned myself to having to pay more money for a full tank of gas. It's like fate. There's little I can do to avoid it. Sure, I don't like it, but I accept it.
Now, wasting my time on top of that? That's just annoying.