Jul 06, 2005 03:06 PM
9725 Views
(Updated Nov 28, 2006 11:32 AM)
We really take things like filling petrol and diesel for granted. The only thing we probably ever think about is the high price of fuel and premium vs. regular while filling. There’s definitely more to it. *
Selecting a bunk:** 1) Always fill from a company owned bunk. How to know if it is? Just take a look at the bunk. If it is well equipped with digital pumps and uniformed staff then you are safe. Never fill from a bunk that is has only old pumps and is manned by ‘chokras’. 2) IOC bunks are the safest to use. BP and IBP are the worst. HP is okay while private companies like Shell and Reliance are fair but nothing great. 3) In bunks with a mix of old pumps and digital pumps, always insist to fill at the digital one which has the option to set amount or quantity. These are imported machines and far more accurate than the old ones.
Monitoring fuel quality: **1) An easy way to check if petrol is adulterated: take a few drops on your hand and wait for it to evaporate. If it evaporates within 2-3 seconds and leaves no oily residue, then it is good. If there is any sticky substance and it takes a bit longer to evaporate, stay away from that bunk. If you have the option of buying some in a can or bottle, the colour should be orangeish. A brownish tinge indicates adulteration and possibly old fuel which has diminished in octane value. 2) For diesel, a white tinge indicates good quality. If there is blue, then it has most likely got kerosene in it.
Payment:** 1) Make sure the staffs do not add any amount as ‘phone call charges’ while entering the amount in the credit card machine. 2) Pay by a credit card that offers cash back facility. You can offset some of the expense on fuel. 3) Most cards now offer waiver of the 2.5% petrol surcharge on fuel purchases. But read the fine print. Conditions can be like the following:
Citibank:* The fuel has to be from IOC and the card should be swiped on a Citibank machine. Standard Chartered: Offers 5% cash back but this includes the 2.5% service petrol surcharge. So actually you’ll be getting only 2.5% back and that too only at certain bunks. One thing is clear; you have to get out of you car and off your bike and supervise the process right till the card swipe. Forget about the days of sitting back and letting the bunks do what they want.
28 Nov 2006:
I have shifted to Shell completely from the time I wrote these tips. Happy to say that it IS the BEST so far. A totally trustworthy and courteous experience.(except that they take only HSBC credit cards!). However, one cannot always find a Shell bunk around so the tips are still valid when using of the Govt. brands.
Thanks.
