Tesco's petrol stations - Please boycot! [Archive] - SV650.org

johnnyfartpants

27-10-11, 01:50 PM

Hi All,

Been a while since I've been on here, but last night I had a run in with a Tesco's petrol attendant which really got my goat.

After pulling up to the fuel pump, and removing my helmet (As always!), I started to fill the SV with a nice drop of dinosaur juice, when all of a sudden the pump stopped. I waited, clicking the pump trigger to see if it was just me, but still nothing. I then noticed the attendand walking toward me, and them started telling me that it was Tesco policy not to allow motorcycles to be filled up whilst the rider is still straddling the bike.

I asked when this policy was introduced, to which the answer was "It's always been in place". I immeadiatly questioned this as I've been filling up at this station for 2 years now, and have never had to get off my bike before, but the attendant refused to switch the pump back on unless I filled up from the side of the bike. I then asked if it was ok to fill the bike up holding it upright with my right hand, whilst dispensing fuel with the left? The answer was "As long as your not on the bike!"

I then pointed out the dangers involved in filling up in that manner, over the much safer method I have employed over the last 2 years, but the atendand just kept stating that it was policy.

I have since been onto the complaints dept of Tesco's, who state that it is in the APSE Blue Book, and the guidelines state that motocyclists should not be on the bike when they fill up. Again I pointed out that in my 8 years of riding I have never been asked to get off my bike to fill up, and that over those 8 years spillages from me filling up that way would ammount to less that a cup full, and when you compare that to the ammount of diesel I come across on forecourts, its an insignificant.

Also as the sv is not fitted with a centre stand, I am unable to completely fill the tank, if it is leant over on its side.

The complaints department, to their credit are taking this further, with the "Officer in charge", but I also pointed out that, i would be taking it further as well.

Well this is me taking it further. Can you all if possible boycot Tesco's fuel stations, and also pass the message on to any other bikers you know. I have e-mailed MCN, and once I have Tesco's policy in writing (As requested earlier today), I will be forwarding that to the rag as well.

Thanks for reading, I'll stop the rant now.

sv4me

27-10-11, 01:57 PM

Pay at pump is your friend :thumbsup:

I've filled up at Tesco in Southport and Formby that way for years, sat on the bike, helmet on

HoL

27-10-11, 02:00 PM

Wow that got you proper annoyed didn't it? It usually just depends who's working there at the time doesn't it?

johnnyfartpants

27-10-11, 02:05 PM

I'd use pay at the pump, if it was available at the station near me. Unfortunatly the 2 closest stations are Tesco, and neither do pay at pump!

The next nearest is on the A40 so silly prices. I now plan to fill up during lunchtimes at work, where I'm about 5 miles from an Asda with Pay at Pump.

The thing that gets me most is the fact that I've been using that station regularly, and now they go an throw this at me.

Its got me that wound up I might make up a banner, and some leaflets, and stand on the public path just outside the entrance with my own little picket line!

Reeder

27-10-11, 02:06 PM

Boycotting tesco is going to make no difference at all. So many people use it they wouldn't care less if a few hundred people from a forum didn't bother going. Plus most people will go nearest to them, and if it's tesco I doubt they'll go out of their way to go else where.

Dicky Ticker

27-10-11, 02:10 PM

I suppose from a Health and Safety point of view the are correct.
Should you have a spillage that ignites while straddling the bike you are liable to be engulfed in flame by the spillage from the open tank when you drop the bike to escape.
If you are off the bike at least you have a better chance.

A lot of fuss over 1/2lt of petrol but you are entitled to have your views over safety as Tesco are

toby_smith

27-10-11, 02:16 PM

I wish my only concerns in life were tesco petrol station attendants! Be happy if thats as bad as it gets!

kellyjo

27-10-11, 02:19 PM

I honestly dont see what the problem is with getting off the bike.

jonny.boyd

27-10-11, 02:25 PM

Dicky Ticker

27-10-11, 02:33 PM

Sorry mate but it all comes from the same storage facility and Shell's promises have just been slated as untrue. Providing it is RON95 specified fuel it goes in as cheap as I can get it without going out of my way.
You very rarely find a cheap Shell filling station

HoL

27-10-11, 02:38 PM

Dicky Ticker

27-10-11, 02:43 PM

I believe it was not just Tesco,it was with a batch of refined fuel which an additive had been omitted affecting the Lamba sensors on some vehicles but not all

HoL

27-10-11, 02:44 PM

Fair doos for some reason Tesco just stuck in my head

Messie

27-10-11, 02:48 PM

I'm not sure about Tesco fuel but I will never use Asda again, albeit for deisel rather than petrol.
I've got a gizmo thing in my car which I can set to show me average miles per gallon. When I fill up at a branded station - usually Texaco - it reads steadily between 58 and 61 miles per gallon.
Whenever it has Asda deisel in - when my daughter borrows it and puts it in for me - it reads a steady 51-53 mpg. And I do a regular 50+ miles per day so changing driving conditions don't account for it.
In my opinion, the cheaper price in no way makes the fuel consuption worth it, and that's without any consideration of other things that may or may not be in there and which might affect my engine
Supermarket fuel - just not worth it!

dyzio

27-10-11, 02:55 PM

I honestly dont see what the problem is with getting off the bike.

Not much of a problem to be honest, it's making up stupid rules just like this one that's annoying.

metalmonkey

27-10-11, 03:04 PM

Fuel is pretty much all the same, the main difference over supermarket v oil comapany fuel is that the later has different/more additivies in it. With a bike like the SV it won't much difference, my bike/car have had both fuels in them. It hasn't affected how they function. Its more how I ride, tyres temperature ect that effects how the fuel efficent the actual engine is.

Oh dude, why get so worked up about something so small? I would suggest it was some douche bag on a power trip. It is actual safer probally to get off the bike, I'm sure u don't want to covered in petrol which is a bad idea...Tho I don't get why ppl have so many issues getting fuel, the biggest fuel problem I have found is that it takes an age for the staff to turn the pump on.

loonytoon

27-10-11, 03:12 PM

i never use supermarket fuel unless i need it desperatly its to watered down and gives crap mile per gallon.
i have done a certain amount of riding on super market fuel then on shell, same route same amount of miles, very simalar times and speeds an i found the i used a litre more on the supermarket crap, plus a couple of shell garages around me are at 132.9 when tesco is 131.9 but its false econemy you spend a penny less per ltr but end up having to put more in each fill.
as for getting off the bike i never do theres no real point, the likely hood of a fuel fire is very very small its just some bulls**t rule they have made up to cover incompetent staff unable to watch a forecourt

Dicky Ticker

27-10-11, 03:14 PM

Messie that is a huge difference,which being honest I have never come across.
Irrelative of where I fill up and over the last month I have been up and down to Lancs and Scotland and my fuel consumption has been between 47-49mpg over the last 3000 miles so I can only speak as I find. I have been using supermarket,branded and even on one occasion Jet petrol

mister c

27-10-11, 03:17 PM

Had the same type of issue with Morrisons in Crewe. They wouldn't serve me because I had a crash helmet on, but they did serve a lad wearing shades & a baseball cap. Haven't been back since, but as somebody said earlier, it won't make a blind bit of difference.
The only plus point is that I've found a much cheaper place to buy mine from now :)

Dicky Ticker

27-10-11, 03:21 PM

SV650Racer

27-10-11, 03:31 PM

To be honest I wouldn't touch supermarket fuel with a barge pole. Supermarket fuel is utter carp! I filled up my SV once with Morrisons fuel and the bike idled horribly and ran erratically... never again! It's Shell every time for me now!

Nonsense. I used Tesco super unleaded, filled up 3 gerry cans and took them to Cadwell for a race meeting. The chief scroot used my fuel to test and use as the base sample for any fuel testing carried out at that race meeting. It came up very good on the tests and in fact was the best fuel he had tested all weekend in the end.

Getting one bad batch from one fuel station isnt enough to label all supermarket fuel as crap. In fact I prefer to use our local tesco (barring the 5P a litre they do off with your shopping) as its a very well used station and has regular fill ups so you know the fuel isnt sat in the tanks for long.

Messie

27-10-11, 03:38 PM

This has happened 3 times now and I had to check it quite thoroughly because the first time it happened I accused poor daughter of driving like a loon! I can't explain the difference - and even I know it's not 'watered' down ;) - but it is a consistent difference.

As for the OP (sorry to have drailed your original intent) whilst I can appreciate your annoyance I do think your reaction is a little OTT. As someone else elsewhere on the org has said today, the are children starving, wars happening, etc, and maybe this isn't the most important thing to be getting so hot under the collar about! Or why not transfer some of the angst to something a bit more worthwhile, like ... well, pick your issue, really!

appollo1

27-10-11, 03:46 PM

i always sit on my bike when filling up and am always careful when the fuel starts to reach the top to avoid spillages.

my father in law did an experiment once with his diesel car. he filled it up at a supermarket then drove until it needed filling again. then he filled up with shell diesel and did the same route / driving and he got mor mpg with the shell fuel. i believe it is to do with the additives in the fuel as there are more in supermarket fuel.

Dave20046

27-10-11, 04:05 PM

It's just daft, it's not a huge risk but there's a minuscule risk I guess* so as a big international company liable to many court cases they've taken steps to avoid it. If people weren't money grabbing unscrupulous pircks then I guess we wouldn't have so many day to day annoyances like this.
I do agree it'd probably **** me off unless then phrased it right, did you complain about the attendant at the same time too out of interest?

I'm guessing they've had an isolated case of someone nearly burning down a forecourt from spilling fuel on something hot or slipping on diesel and going over or something. It's like the mobile phone thing its bollogs in real terms.

Had the same type of issue with Morrisons in Crewe. They wouldn't serve me because I had a crash helmet on, but they did serve a lad wearing shades & a baseball cap. Haven't been back since, but as somebody said earlier, it won't make a blind bit of difference.
The only plus point is that I've found a much cheaper place to buy mine from now :)

This is more like discrimination rather than 'elf n safety gone mad' though. I'd never go back to a station that did this to me.

johnnyfartpants

27-10-11, 04:11 PM

@ Messie - No worries.

My reaction may seem a bit OTT, but with a company as big a Tesco's they should have guidance that is generic to all stores, and apply it consistantly. On top of that to misquote HSE and APRE (?) guidance, as regulations is wrong. I work in local government, and if I was to go around making up rubbish, or misquoting legislation, I would be out of work, or in court as quick as, well a quick thing!

On top of that regulation has it's place in law, guidance means exactly that. If it was illegal to fill up whilst still on the bike I would'nt do it, but it isnt, and I wont be bullied into thinking it is! (No one here - Tescos again)

hardhat_harry

27-10-11, 04:14 PM

I believe the latest APSE Blue book doesnt have the not to fill up while sitting on the bike entry anymore it was revised last year and that was removed

Stuuk1

27-10-11, 05:39 PM

I fill up with my bike on the side stand. It's nice to get off the thing sometime.

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.980330,-1.525083
Member of the 1 litre club...

Jayneflakes

27-10-11, 08:23 PM

I made a serious complaint against ASDA in Weston Super Mare yesterday after an incident that nearly had me sticking one on the Security Moron. This was due to the ridiculous Helmet rule that they have, I would not mind but I was actually leaving the store, it was raining outside and I put my helmet was on as I was leaving. Sadly the Security Guard took it to another level and got abusive before then using a homophobic slur at me. Once I was back home it was a very angry Jayneflakes who e-mailed ASDA Customer Services demanding that the man I complained about was sent on Diversity training as soon as possible.

A while back I used Morrisons and was asked to remove my helmet as I entered, however as soon as they realised that it was a Flip Front, they said no problem and let me carry on.

As far as I am concerned, ASDA can F*** Off.

In regards to Tesco, have any of you had problems buying bike Mags there? My Step Son, who is very nearly sixteen years of age (and has his first Bike sat in the Garage waiting for him to be able to get his license.) was refused a sale when he tried to buy a copy of Ride Magazine. Tesco have a new policy that does not allow the sale of Bike Mags to anyone who is under twenty five and cannot produce ID that shows they are over eighteen. I was never aware that Bike Mags were age restricted.

Frankly, I find all of the big supermarket chains are in some ways revolting.

Stonesie

27-10-11, 08:37 PM

In regards to Tesco, have any of you had problems buying bike Mags there? My Step Son, who is very nearly sixteen years of age (and has his first Bike sat in the Garage waiting for him to be able to get his license.) was refused a sale when he tried to buy a copy of Ride Magazine. Tesco have a new policy that does not allow the sale of Bike Mags to anyone who is under twenty five and cannot produce ID that shows they are over eighteen. I was never aware that Bike Mags were age restricted.

This is rediculous, its a bike mag not a grot mag FFS... But I know somone who works on the checkouts at Morrisons and if the order comes from up high they have no real choice, some of the other employees are brown nosed back stabbers who will report them if they do not follow the rules to the letter and that could cost her job.. Not an easy thing to replace at the moment.

Personally I always get off the bike, if its pay at the pump I still take my lid off sometimes, not so much now it's a bit cooler though.

andrewsmith

27-10-11, 08:43 PM

I believe the latest APSE Blue book doesnt have the not to fill up while sitting on the bike entry anymore it was revised last year and that was removed

Yep that is the case.
The research was redone by the fire brigade and the risk was minimal.

With regards to fuel I've found Tesco, Esso, BP and Total 95RON's are crap in the bike (when on my normal riding, which is a lot of urban riding and stop-start) and have had similar results to Messie with the ASDA Diesel (poor consumption but a lovely amount of noise from the unburnt fuel being dropped into the pipe).

I've found Shell, ASDA, Tesco 99 (desperate and all left on forecourt) and Gulf are some of the better fuels for efficiency and my typical riding.
What I found is with the poorer fuels I get between 100 and 110 to a tank (12l to reserve) and around the 120 mark on the better fuels

dizzyblonde

27-10-11, 08:52 PM

In regards to Tesco, have any of you had problems buying bike Mags there? My Step Son, who is very nearly sixteen years of age (and has his first Bike sat in the Garage waiting for him to be able to get his license.) was refused a sale when he tried to buy a copy of Ride Magazine. Tesco have a new policy that does not allow the sale of Bike Mags to anyone who is under twenty five and cannot produce ID that shows they are over eighteen. I was never aware that Bike Mags were age restricted.
.

YOu what????????? Thats just pathetic!!!!!!

Thats like the stupid idea that you need ID to buy a pair of flippin baby scissors!!! Anyone who doesn't know what baby scissors are, they are rounded at the end, so you can't stab anyone!

Specialone

27-10-11, 09:01 PM

Stingo

27-10-11, 09:06 PM

Sounds like it's time to fuel up the outrage bus...Tesco or Asda? Morrisons maybe?:D

The Idle Biker

27-10-11, 09:57 PM

Without derailing this thread even further, this is why I hate the recent explosions in big supermarkets, they are too controlling, kills high streets, they bully suppliers into supplying at barely able to make a living prices but sell at big profits.

Tesco are fecking everywhere, even the local convenience stores in areas are bloody tesco expresses.

Complete derail, yellow card offence specialone, I agree though, get off your bike and pump the petrol over the forecourt and burn em down.

I distance myself from my earlier comment, this is not an instruction.

As for the OP and the experience, its just another stupid ridiculous rule symptomatic of corporately administered health and safety bollox.

Ohh back to me Speckled Hen. Cluck cluck

loonytoon

27-10-11, 10:15 PM

Loonytoon,Please enlighten me "Watered down" watered down by what------I would have thought that completely illegal to sell fuel that is sold as RON95 which did not comply with the petro-chem regulations for that grade of fuel

well as you say it has to meet regulations yes which it does just they dance right on the limits. having more of the contaminantes in it which most companys take out. its one of the way they can push the price down

maxinc

28-10-11, 07:23 AM

SV650Racer

28-10-11, 08:05 AM

A few weeks back a fuel pump safety mechanism didn't work and kept pumping fuel after the tank was full creating a large puddle of petrol all around my bike. I'm really glad I wasn't sitting on the bike as this would have nicely soaked me in petrol. I'm pretty sure complaints from experiences like this forced such rules in place.

Get over it and enjoy the ride. Is not worth fighting the little people serving the big corporations for such issues. The only things you will find are frustration and disappointment.

a friend of mine was filling her R1 up and the same happened, she got covered in fuel and so did the bike, was really scarey. Just put into youtube petrol station fire..slim chance of it but god would I want to be able to run as quick as **** if it kicked off and not be sat on my bike!

Static is the worst offender, sat on bike and not discarging the static is very dangerous.

JamesMio

28-10-11, 08:28 AM

There was a guy on Pistonheads that claimed to have worked for one of the main Oil companies a few years ago that explained the whole different Fuel brands thing really well. Of course, he might well have talking BS, but I could certainly see the sense in what he was saying.

*EDIT - Couldn't find that post, but this one on MSE explains it well too http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=864763&postcount=14

I can't remember the exact details, but it was along the lines of:

There are X number of oil refineries in the UK (e.g. Scotland's is at Grangemouth).

The way that the petrol/oil distribution system works is something like, say Grangemouth is owned by BP (which I think it is actually), do you really, really think that all the other branded petrol stations in Scotland are getting fuel delivered to them from another refinery, way down south?

Of course not, it's all coming from the same place (in this case, BP), and then re-branded to a different name at the pumps. Pretty much the same way that Gas is all supplied by one main network (Transco?), but there are hundreds of different billing companies out there.

So, with this in mind - is it really that likely that the Shell garage opposite BP Grangemouth refinery are getting 'Shell branded' petrol/diesel transported all the way up from England (bearing in mind the actual cost of fuel to do so)...?

I, personally, don't think so.

-Ralph-

28-10-11, 08:47 AM

Static is the worst offender, sat on bike and not discarging the static is very dangerous.

What is so dangerous about it? Is that sparks from the static can ignite the fuel?

I just ask because I would tend to count "dangerous" as how likely you are to get hurt doing it, ie: driving a car is 'safer' than riding a motorbike, as in a like for like accident, your more likely to be seriously hurt on the bike.

How many riders per year end up engulfed in flames? By my reckoning I'd say riding the bike to and from the petrol station was many, many times more dangerous than sitting on it whilst filling up with petrol. About 5000 riders per year are seriously injured on UK roads. If there were just 1% of this amount (50 riders per year) ending up in a fire, getting off would be a hard and fast safety rule everywhere, and we'd be so used to getting off, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

STRAMASHER

28-10-11, 08:52 AM

I honestly dont see what the problem is with getting off the bike.

Don't get as much fuel in. (I commute, so hate stopping. Bike gets brimmed.)

Slippy sliddy floor.

Use any side of pump.

Happened to me for the 1st time in 20yr last week, BP Milton, old trollop, "Get off the bike, H&S."
Sooner we get pay at the pump everywhere the better.

dizzyblonde

28-10-11, 09:10 AM

well as you say it has to meet regulations yes which it does just they dance right on the limits. having more of the contaminantes in it which most companys take out. its one of the way they can push the price down

Forgive me here, but if a Tesco lorry goes to a refinery that hands out the same fuel as a BP lorry, and loads up their tanker......where the hell in the process does 'more contaminants' come into it? You can't add or subtract anything when it comes from the same source.....I very much doubt that either tanker of fuel goes to anywhere for special treatment once its loaded up, so BP can't be any different to Tesco.

As for DT....hes only been hauling trucks up and down the country for an eternity, knows nowt that bloke:rolleyes:

Messie

28-10-11, 10:02 AM

I can see the logic behind what people are saying about one refinery etc; so what would explain the consistent differences I have found in different forecourt suppliers?

-Ralph-

28-10-11, 10:14 AM

I can see the logic behind what people are saying about one refinery etc; so what would explain the consistent differences I have found in different forecourt suppliers?

Your daughters right foot.

It's an average reading. If she is averaging 40mpg and you are averaging 60mpg, it will drop to 50. You won't suddenly see it climb back up to 60mpg either by changing the fuel you run on, or by changing the driver, with the change in circumstances it would recover gradually and probably take several tanks to recover back up to 60mpg.

Since you've said you get 50 odd from ASDA fuel, and 60 odd from another fuel, I assume you must be resetting your fuel computer and clearing out your daughters driving data when you fill up? (as an average can't just jump up like this). The fact that you then get 60mpg I suspect has much more to do with the fact your daughters data has been erased, and you are now driving, than anything to do with the brand of fuel in your tank.

I have the same problem with my wife, and I find the good average can get destroyed in one journey with her driving, and no matter how economically I drive, I can't get it back to normal without resetting the computer.

-Ralph-

28-10-11, 10:25 AM

PS: If you want to test it, ignore your fuel computer and don't let your daughter drive the car for a couple of tanks. Fill up at ASDA until the pump clicks off, and reset your trip computer. Drive as normal. Next time you fill up do it at your preferred premium brand until the pump clicks off, note the mileage on your trip and the number of litres you have put in and reset your trip again. When you get home manually calculate what MPG you achieved on the ADSA fuel. The next time you fill up, again note your mileage from your trip, and the number of litres you put in and when you get home calculate your MPG on the premium brand fuel.

You might find your paying a few extra pence per gallon for no gain.

maxinc

28-10-11, 10:34 AM

I can see the logic behind what people are saying about one refinery etc; so what would explain the consistent differences I have found in different forecourt suppliers?

Chance, wind, temperature, traffic, silly MPG counter and a lot of other variables.

I've been filling the bike from pretty much every petrol station (including ASDA, TESCO, BP, Shell, Texaco, Esso etc.) but I always fill up and calculate the MPG based on miles / petrol used with an app on the iPhone. It has been pretty consistent 55-57mpg since I bought the bike.

With the car however, I tend to fill up at the petrol station near home 90% of the time and the variations are quite large based on the same App, I get anything from 24 to 37mpg. I think cars being much heavier, are much more susceptible to large MPG variations depending on driving style and conditions.

SV650Racer

28-10-11, 10:35 AM

What is so dangerous about it? Is that sparks from the static can ignite the fuel?

I just ask because I would tend to count "dangerous" as how likely you are to get hurt doing it, ie: driving a car is 'safer' than riding a motorbike, as in a like for like accident, your more likely to be seriously hurt on the bike.

How many riders per year end up engulfed in flames? By my reckoning I'd say riding the bike to and from the petrol station was many, many times more dangerous than sitting on it whilst filling up with petrol. About 5000 riders per year are seriously injured on UK roads. If there were just 1% of this amount (50 riders per year) ending up in a fire, getting off would be a hard and fast safety rule everywhere, and we'd be so used to getting off, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

I race, ride bikes and understand dangers, I also understand statistics and also sods law. For the sake of getting off the bike, which really isnt that much hassle, you have to get off anyway to pay!. Id rather not even run the 1% risk of not being able to get away quick enough should an accident occure when filling up thanks.

You ask whats so dangerous about it?. Static, sparks, fuel vapour..

http://youtu.be/IdcPeW1XwKs

One lucky lady!

maxinc

28-10-11, 10:44 AM

I just ask because I would tend to count "dangerous" as how likely you are to get hurt doing it, ie: driving a car is 'safer' than riding a motorbike, as in a like for like accident, your more likely to be seriously hurt on the bike.

How many riders per year end up engulfed in flames? By my reckoning I'd say riding the bike to and from the petrol station was many, many times more dangerous than sitting on it whilst filling up with petrol. About 5000 riders per year are seriously injured on UK roads. If there were just 1% of this amount (50 riders per year) ending up in a fire, getting off would be a hard and fast safety rule everywhere, and we'd be so used to getting off, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

From I rider's perspective I totally agree with you BUT from a petrol station perspective, a single incident where a biker dies in flames as a result of a malfunctioning pump is enough to cause them serious trouble, so coming up with a simple "don't sit on you bike when you fill up" rule is an easy way to cover their backs.

I'm not saying don't sit on your bike when you fill up, just don't be offended when asked not to do it by the station's employes.

andrewsmith

28-10-11, 10:48 AM

Messie

28-10-11, 10:49 AM

Nope none of the things suggested are the culpit. The average MPG is a constant readout that changes very quickly. For example on cold mornings I see it start lowish (around 56) then creep up as the engine warms up.
Ralph - daughter has filled it up then used half a tank or so then passes it back to me. It reads 50 ish when I get it then stays at that as I drive it. The I fill it at Texaco and within 2 miles it's back up to reading 60 or so.
This has happened twice now (the third time was a lesser amount of fuel)

maxinc

28-10-11, 10:59 AM

Daughter has filled it up then used half a tank or so then passes it back to me. It reads 50 ish when I get it then stays at that as I drive it. The I fill it at Texaco and within 2 miles it's back up to reading 60 or so.

On my dash the MPG indicator varies from 15 (on acceleration) to 180 (going down a slope) on a pretty normal stretch of road. There are too many variable involved here. Unless you get a full tank of fuel from each petrol station and calculate the MPG as Ralph suggested, there is no way of proving this.

Sir Trev

28-10-11, 11:16 AM

Sooner we get pay at the pump everywhere the better.

Not as far as I'm concerned. Had my card cloned at a petrol station once (could not prove it of course) so always use cash now. If they all go to pay-at-pump I will get more irate gits wanting me to move so they don't have to wait two minutes while I'm inside. It's bad enough now but imagine the fuss if everyone gets used to quicker drive-offs...

Back to the OP - get a centre stand kit. Upright bike and full tank every time while keeping the pump monkey happy on his H&S power kick.

Messie

28-10-11, 11:21 AM

On my dash the MPG indicator varies from 15 (on acceleration) to 180 (going down a slope) on a pretty normal stretch of road. There are too many variable involved here. Unless you get a full tank of fuel from each petrol station and calculate the MPG as Ralph suggested, there is no way of proving this.

That's a different readout; it's showing how many mpg you're using right then.
The one I mean is an AVERAGE mpg, which stays much more constant. I can get the one you desrcibe as well but it's different to the one I'm talking about

maxinc

28-10-11, 11:39 AM

That's a different readout; it's showing how many mpg you're using right then.
The one I mean is an AVERAGE mpg, which stays much more constant. I can get the one you desrcibe as well but it's different to the one I'm talking about

You said it is changing quickly so I assumed is was the current MPG. If the average MPG varies that much in 2 miles it only shows how inconsistent it could be.

Assuming you have driven to the petrol station from a cold engine and averaged 50mpg, then reset the average MPG counter and seen 60mpg it only shows that cold engines use more fuel until they are up to normal temperature.

If you didn't reset the average MPG counter a the petrol station, to average 60mpg shown would mean that Texaco fuel would have actually give you 70mpg or more. Even more considering that you mixed it in 1:2 ratio with presumably less efficient fuel.

I'm not trying to tell you may not be experiencing a variation in fuel efficiency, but that the readings you are using can not lead to such conclusions.

Messie

28-10-11, 11:47 AM

It's a computer, it doesn't need resetting! It changes to it's pretty constant level after new fuel within about 2 miles! Refilled on a hot engine both times. As I said, I know it uses more fuel on a cold day.

Anyway, enough about this. This is a thread about boycotting some fuel stations because of the way they treat some bikers. Back on topic ...

gruntygiggles

28-10-11, 12:00 PM

First off...yes, the reaction is a little OTT, but I don't buy into the "there are worse things happening in the world" posts as yes, there are, but just because people post things like this, it doesn't mean they don't also think about more serious things. I for one, don't like to dwell on the many disasters, upsetting events as life can be hard enough sometimes without adding to that. Doesn't mean I don't get affected by them, think about them or give them my support. It just means I don't do it in public.

So, fair enough for bringing your rant to us, BUT...I would put it down to a power mad little jobsworth being an idiot rather than getting quite so worked up about it. Don't put it into perspective by comapring this issue to earthquakes...put it into perspective by thinking about being a supplier of a highly combustible product and having to try your best to ensure the safety of users.

There is a fire risk on forecourts, if you are on the bike and a spark ignites, you have less chance of a safe escape than if you are at the side of the bike already on your feet. You are right to question the attitude of the staff member, but not the attempts by Tesco to ensure YOUR safety.

Also, did the employee come over all guns blazing? If he did, then fine, but if he just came and made a request and you reacted with the kind of frustration you have demonstrated in your OP, then maybe he just felt the need to defend himself.

I for one can't remember a time that I got off the bike to fill up apart from whilst on my CBT. I have also never taken my helmet off to fill up and pay, nor I have ever been asked to.

By all means have a good rant, but I see little point in letting it affect you to the degree it has. It will only increase your blood pressure and will not have any effect on Tesco AT ALL. Currently, it's only an issue for you, so I would just let it go. I may or may not agree with Tescos policy on this, but that is irrelevant. If they didn't have this policy and something did happen, they would be dragged over the coals for not having the policy in place, so they can't win. Out of the occasional disgruntled customer or the consequences of someone being badly injured...I can understand their reason for implementing such policies.

maxinc

28-10-11, 12:00 PM

It's a computer, it doesn't need resetting!

It doesn't need but it can be reset for every trip, hence the Trip Computer they tend to call it. But you are right about getting back on topic now ... although I'm not going to boycott Tesco :P

dyzio

28-10-11, 12:19 PM

the attempts by Tesco to ensure YOUR safety.

Aren't you a bit fed up with things others stop you doing, apparently for YOUR safety?

grimey121uk

28-10-11, 12:36 PM

100's of people die in the world each day of poverty, the world economy has gone to crap many people dies each day from horrible diseases like cancer and your upset because you have to get off you bike when filling up.

Get real!

dyzio

28-10-11, 12:42 PM

Sell your bike and donate the money to charity then!

The Guru

28-10-11, 12:52 PM

...Grangemouth is owned by BP (which I think it is actually)..
Ineos Group (and now PetroChina are a major share holder)

...the Shell garage opposite BP Grangemouth refinery..
Its a BP Petrol station... and expensive.

LankyIanB

28-10-11, 12:53 PM

Ok - Fuel brands - The stuff that is shipped from refineries/docks to the various terminals is pretty much the same, slight differences depending on the type of crude, but there's a spec for the stuff that it has too meet.

Most of the shipping round the country is done by pipeline, the pipeline company is part owned by a few of the majors.

Once at the terminal the various companies tend to have their own tanks. The big brand stuff will often have an additive tank next to it that adds the right amount of additive to the fuel as it goes into the delivery tanker. This additive addition used to be done manually by the driver but after the formula shell ****-up where engines were damaged by too much additive being put in by mistake, in-line automated became the way to go. Supermarket stuff may not have all the same additives as the big brand stuff.

Sitting on the bike, thankfully petrol doesn't often go up in flames at filling stations. If it was a regular occurrence, there would be far more paranoia than there currently is. However the thing you don't want is spillage. Petrol isn't very good for the skin, and to spill it into your crotch is especially bad as there's a few bits of quite thin more permeable skin there.... The idea of having petrol soaked clothes against the family jewels for any length of time isn't one I'd entertain....

If you meet blokes who've worked in the oil industry in jobs where you get petrochems on your hands, you'll find they often will wash their hands before they have a pee and then again after. The bogs at refineries are full of graphic pictures of some of the nasty things that can happen to certain parts of the anatomy when they get contaminated with hydrocarbons. It's a habit that stays with you long after you leave the industry....

daveyrach

28-10-11, 12:55 PM

I have 2 petrol station within 1/2 mile of my house one Shell one Tesco, both always same price so they can compete and always the cheapest around. I have always filled my bike up with helmet (sometimes balaclava) on as well as sitting on my bike and I even go in and pay with my lid still on, never once had a problem.

dizzyblonde

28-10-11, 01:02 PM

Your daughters right foot.
.

This is the problem in our house. We fill up at Sainsburys most often, I despise the Shell garage down the road, I swear they rip you off in there.

When you have a fuel consumption at between 20-30 mpg dependant on whose foot is on the pedal, and what we are doing with the car(obviously) it kinda becomes a game after a while. A game of trip resets and tyre pressure checks. Just had a new set of shoes on the front and its improved MPG.

Now whose foot do you think can exceed that average, I'll give you a clue, it ain't numb foot, who makes that V6 roar for the fun of it:rolleyes:

gruntygiggles

28-10-11, 01:14 PM

Aren't you a bit fed up with things others stop you doing, apparently for YOUR safety?

Yep...very much so, but I am not a big company that a/ would pay a massive penalty if the unthinkable ever did happen and b/ doesn't give two hoots about 1 disgruntled customer.

I know why the OP is annoyed, I just think it's a waste of energy.

dyzio

28-10-11, 01:28 PM

I know why the OP is annoyed, I just think it's a waste of energy.

Teach me! ;)

monkey

28-10-11, 01:45 PM

I read this expecting it to be a request to boycott Tesco because they club seals or burn old people with soldering irons.

OP I don't suppose you've thought that your crusade might encourage Tesco to enforce their rules more stringently and hence affect ALL bikers who happen to use them, all because one single time in eight years they pi$$ed you off.

-Ralph-

28-10-11, 05:48 PM

I race, ride bikes and understand dangers, I also understand statistics and also sods law. For the sake of getting off the bike, which really isnt that much hassle, you have to get off anyway to pay!. Id rather not even run the 1% risk of not being able to get away quick enough should an accident occure when filling up thanks.

You ask whats so dangerous about it?. Static, sparks, fuel vapour..

http://youtu.be/IdcPeW1XwKs

One lucky lady!

Thats a main US phenomenon as most UK and European pumps don't have the holding clips

+1, she only had that problem because she got back in the car and recharged her static. The UK doesn't have lock-on pumps. I've never seen a biker getting hurt because of this, nor even heard about it via forums, etc. I doubt there's even one rider hurt in a year by straddling his bike. That's why it isn't an issue at the vast majority of forecourts. The statistical risk is minuscule. If you are that safety concious at a petrol station, maybe you should consider giving up riding bikes :lol:

It's a computer, it doesn't need resetting! It changes to it's pretty constant level after new fuel within about 2 miles!

What car do you have? Every car I've ever had with a fuel computer, has calculated the average over the distance between manual resets. Mine currently shows my average mpg over about the last 10,000 miles.

If you did 495 miles at 50mpg on ASDA fuel, then 5 miles on Texaco, it would still only average 50.1mpg over the 500 miles, and on most cars this is what would be displayed.

To have got back up to 60mpg within a few miles of leaving the petrol station, your car must be clearing out the historical data every time you switch your ignition off and on again.

SV650Racer

28-10-11, 05:58 PM

^ I didnt realise there was a difference on the pumps, even though holding or locking on the pump if static occurs and gives off a spark the same thing would happen, agreed though the chances are slim.

Id just rather not take the risk of that or what happened to a friend of mine, being soaked in fuel when sitting on a hot bike isnt my idea of fun, that incident was bloody scarey. All her kit was basically trashed.

andrewsmith

28-10-11, 06:48 PM

+1, she only had that problem because she got back in the car and recharged her static. The UK doesn't have lock-on pumps. I've never seen a biker getting hurt because of this, nor even heard about it via forums, etc. I doubt there's even one rider hurt in a year by straddling his bike. That's why it isn't an issue at the vast majority of forecourts. The statistical risk is minuscule. If you are that safety concious at a petrol station, maybe you should consider giving up riding bikes :lol:
If you did 495 miles at 50mpg on ASDA fuel, then 5 miles on Texaco, it would still only average 50.1mpg over the 500 miles, and on most cars this is what would be displayed.

Thats got to be a first us agreeing

leebex

28-10-11, 06:55 PM

blimey just seen this thread.

Ive never sat on the bike to fill it with fuel, I feel much safer getting off. Cant boycot tesco, they sell 99ron fuel and its the only pump provided fuel that doesnt cause carb icing for me in the cold weather. Not that is got cold enough yet though.

kiggles

28-10-11, 07:49 PM

i think your wasting your time over a pointless argument. ok yes it seems a little bit of discrimination, but i sometimes fuel bike when sitting on it, but fuel it mostly standing. i will agree it is annoying to take off helmet before you top up. (this has only happened to me once and it was annoying). i think your better off spending your spare time relaxing then wasting time and money on phone calls which will probably not get you very far.

its like saying to drivers don't use your phone. no matter how many reasons you give them not to. the only way they will probably learn is if they have an accident while holding their phone. even then still use it in the car. i could go on for ever talking about how much it annoys me. but i rather just forget about it and accept some people are just C***S.

although there was one time someone was on their phone with there window down, the sensible thing was to do was to go up to the window and rev loud as i could. childish but felt goooooodddddd

chrisinflight

28-10-11, 08:04 PM

OK, went to my local shell. Filled up sitting on the bike, stood up put bike on side stand, (slowly as my alarm arms itself) , took one winter glove off and counted the cash on the seat. ( I went over by 28p silly me.) I never spill a drop anywhere but in the tank.
Went inside stood in queue and paid. Had my full face helmet and tinted De Walt safety glasses on.
Waited for any comment but none. This is how I do it.
cheers,

Tim in Belgium

28-10-11, 08:24 PM

I like the Tesco super octane stuff when I have a turbo'd car or high performance engine, works nicely, no issue :thumbsup: plus their fuel is so dam cheap :D And for these reasons, for this boycott I'm oooouuuwwwwt!

Daveog

28-10-11, 08:30 PM

I believe the latest APSE Blue book doesnt have the not to fill up while sitting on the bike entry anymore it was revised last year and that was removed

A useful counter-argument for the arsenal.

Get over it and enjoy the ride. Is not worth fighting the little people serving the big corporations for such issues. The only things you will find are frustration and disappointment.

I'm not saying don't sit on your bike when you fill up, just don't be offended when asked not to do it by the station's employes.

although I'm not going to boycott Tesco :P

Agree with all of these points! Never think to fill up on the bike, but might start doing so now to fit some more in for the commute. I tend to pay at pump just to save time, and haven't yet been asked to remove my helmet when paying at the counter.

i rather just forget about it and accept some people are just C***S.

:winner:

vjones777

30-10-11, 01:29 AM

Yet another example of how the UK has become a namby pamby state. If I douse my gonads with petrol, surely that's my affair. If I want to fill up standing on my head, what business is that of anyones.
OK, I can see its nice for someone (employee or bystander) to politely point out the dangers, but if I decide to go ahead anyway, they shouldn't have a policy prohibiting anything. If you're not endangering anyone else, then it's no ones business.
If anything, it's health and safety that need getting rid of IMO.
OK, rant off.