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Filling station

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Modern filling station, Preem in Karlskrona, Sweden
An Ampol station in Australia in the late 1940s.

A filling station, gas station or petrol station is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants for road motor vehicles. The most common fuels sold are gasoline (petrol) or diesel fuel.

Some stations carry specialty fuels such as liquified petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, hydrogen, biodiesel, ethanol, or kerosene. In recent times filling stations have also begun to sell butane and added shops to their primary business, and convenience stores are now a familiar sight alongside pumps.

The term "gas station" is mostly particular to the United States and Canada, where petrol is known as "gas" or "gasoline." Elsewhere in the English-speaking world the form "petrol station," "petrol pump," or the old-fashioned term "petrol garage" is used. In the United Kingdom the single noun garage is still commonly used, even though the petrol station may have no service/maintenance facilities which would justify this description. Similarly, in Australia, the term service station ("servo") describes any petrol station. In some regions of America, filling stations usually have a mechanic on duty, but this is uncommon in other parts of the world.

History of American filling stations

As automobiles became popular in the United States, the need for gas stations arose. Henry Ford's use of mass-production techniques to manufacture automobiles made it possible for consumers to purchase cars at an affordable price. This increase in car ownership resulted in a greater demand for filling stations. The first gas station was built in 1907 by Standard Oil of California (now Chevron) in Seattle, Washington. Early on, they were known to motorists as "filling stations". Standard Oil began erecting roadside signs of their logo to advertise their gas stations.

Types of filling stations in the United States

File:Gas station (night).jpg
Filling station operating at night

There are generally two types of filling stations in the US: premium and discount brands.

Filling stations with premium brands sell well-recognized and often international brands of gasoline, including Esso, Exxon, Citgo, Chevron, Mobil, Shell, Sinclair, BP, and Texaco. Non-international premium brands include Petro-Canada and Pemex. Premium brand stations accept credit cards and often issue their own company cards. These stations often charge higher prices as well. However, the stations also have numerous locations and more available pumps. They tend to be more modern, cleaner and have brighter lighting. For ease and convenience, many of these stations have fully automated pay-at-the-pump facilities. Premium gas stations tend to be highly visible from highway and freeway exits, as they use tall signs to display their logos.

Discount brands are often smaller, regional chains or independent stations, offering lower prices on gasoline. Most purchase wholesale gasoline from independent suppliers or from the aforementioned major petroleum companies. In some cases, discount brands accept cash only; others may accept credit cards. Usually the customer must walk inside the store or up to the window to pay, and obtain a receipt later. Discount stations tend to have few locations and, in some cases, use outdated technology (i.e., non-digital readouts on pumps) and are less well-kept than premium stations. Additionally, these discount gas stations are often located well away from highway and freeway exits; many are tucked away in obscure commercial and residential neighborhoods. An exception to these trends is the discount brand ARCO (a division of BP), which maintains a combination of modern and outdated stations.

Examples of discount gas station chains in the USA are Valero, Rotten Robbie, and USA Gasoline. Lower-priced gas stations are also found at some supermarkets (Albertsons, Kroger, Safeway, and Vons), convenience stores (7-Eleven) and Cumberland Farms, mass merchandise stores (Wal-Mart) and membership warehouse stores (Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's). At some stations (such as Vons, Wal-Mart, Costco, BJ's, or Sam's Club), consumers are required to hold a special membership card in order to receive the discounted price. Some convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, have co-branded their stations with one of the premium brands.

Filling stations outside the United States

Some countries have only one brand of petrol station. In Mexico, where the oil industry is nationalized (state-owned) and prices are regulated, the country's main operator of petrol stations is called Pemex. In Scandinavia, the main operator is Statoil. In Malaysia, Petronas is the dominant player; the operator is also moving overseas with the aim of becoming a multinational brand. Most multinational brands such as EssoMobil and Shell use their brand worldwide, except Chevron which uses its inherited brand Caltex in Asia Pacific, Australia, and Africa, and its Texaco brand in Europe and Latin America.

Price at the pump

Gasoline prices in North America

Pay-at-the-pump gasoline pump in Indiana during the price spike in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The gasoline market in North America is very competitive. Nearly all filling stations in North America advertise their often-changing prices on large signs outside the stations.

In the United States and Canada, federal, state/provincial and local sales taxes are usually included in the price, although Petro Canada has started to provide a complete tax breakdown on purchase receipts. Gas taxes are often meant to fund transportation projects such as the maintenance of existing roads and construction of new ones.

In the United States, the states of California and Hawaii typically have the highest gasoline prices. In Canada, prices are highest in the provinces of British Columbia and Quebec, and the lowest in the oil-producing province of Alberta. The provinces of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia (starting July 2006) have laws regulating the price of gasoline. At times, PEI will actually have the lowest cost of gas in the country due to these regulations.

Individual gas stations in the United States do not have much control over gasoline prices. The wholesale price of gasoline is determined according to area by oil companies which supply the gasoline, and their prices are largely determined by the world markets for oil. Individual gas stations are unlikely to sell gasoline at a loss, and the margin—typically between 7 and 11 cents a gallon—that they make from gasoline sales is limited by the fact that gasoline is a commodity. A gas station which charges significantly more than the wholesale price will lose customers to other gas stations. Because of this, most gas stations sell higher-margin food products inside their convenience stores.

During many holiday weekends, when American road travel is at its peak, gas prices tend to soar and then drop again as the holidays come to a close; this is due to a fluctuation in demand. Boycotts against individual gas stations to protest against perceived high gas prices have largely failed.

Even with oil market fluctuations, prices for gasoline in the United States are among the lowest in the industrialized world; this is principally due to a difference in taxes. While the price of gasoline in Europe is more than twice that in the United States, the price of gas excluding taxes is nearly identical in the two areas. It is not unheard of for Canadians and Mexicans close to the U.S. border to drive into the United States to purchase cheaper gasoline at gas stations in border communities.

Due the heavy fluctuations of gas price in the United States of America, some gas stations offered their customers the option to buy and store gas for future uses, such as like the service provided by First Fuel Bank.

Petrol prices in Europe

Old gas pumps from the former Soviet Union

In European Union (EU) member states, gas prices are much higher than in North America due to higher fuel excise or taxation, although the base price is also higher than in the U.S. The high fuel prices can be unpopular (particularly after inflationary or retail increases), and have led to harsh criticism of taxation policy from some quarters. Occasionally there are some national protests, although in the UK a large-scale protest in the summer of 2000, known as 'The Fuel Crisis', caused wide-scale havoc not only across the UK, but also in some other EU countries. The British government eventually backed down by indefinitely postponing a planned increase in fuel duty.

Petrol prices elsewhere

In other energy-importing countries like Japan, petrol costs are higher than in the United States because of fuel transportation costs or taxes. On the other hand, some of the major oil-producing countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Venezuela provide subsidized petrol at well below market prices. This practice tends to encourage heavy consumption. Hong Kong has some of the highest pump prices in the world, but most customers are given very deep discounts as card members.

Features of gas stations in the United States

Payment methods

In small towns and rural areas, gas stations generally allow customers to pump gas first and pay afterwards. Due to the higher incidence of crime in large urban areas (especially drive-offs), customers must generally pay before pumping fuel.

Modern gas stations have pay-at-the-pump capabilities — in most cases credit, debit, and ATM cards are accepted. At some stations, cash is also taken at the pump, although customers must collect their change at a cashier window which is often bullet-proof.

Full service vs. self service

Traditionally most United States filling stations have offered a choice between full service — in which an attendant operates the pumps, often checks the vehicle's oil level and tire pressure, and wipes the windshield, then collects payment (and perhaps a small tip) — and self service, in which the customer pumps the gas. Until the 1970s full service was the norm, and self service was rare.

Today, few stations advertise full service, and those that do usually only provide mini service unless a manager is involved. However, full service stations are common in wealthy and upscale areas. The cost of full service is usually assessed as a fixed amount per gallon.

Minimum service vs. full service

All stations in New Jersey and Oregon, however, are mini service; attendants are required to pump gas because customers are explicitly barred by statutes in both states from pumping their own gas. Both states prohibited self service in the 1940s due to fears that foolish customers would handle gasoline improperly. Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality has also ordered a ban on self-service gasoline due to inexperienced pumpers being a significant source of groundwater and air pollution. Oregon's state fire marshal has also ordered a ban on self-service gasoline. Today, these states enforce the law because of the rapid increase of drive-offs, where people fill up their car and drive away without paying for gas. In 1982, Oregon voters rejected a ballot measure sponsored by the service station owners, which would have legalized self-service gas.

Contrary to popular belief, this does not make all gas stations in these states "full service by default." At most gas stations, "Mini Serve," standing for "minimum service," is the norm. Patrons can still get their tires, oil and wipers checked and windows cleaned at full-service islands, but at minimum-service islands, workers simply pump gas. At ARCO stations, customers must still go inside to pay for gas from mini-serve islands.

There is a widespread belief that mini-serve is more expensive. However, a comparison between gas prices in Portland, Oregon and its suburb of Vancouver, Washington show prices at mini-serve stations in Oregon are on average 3 to 10 cents cheaper than their self-service counterparts in Washington, suggesting the net effect of adding attendants to the price may be small or non-existent. This comparison may be skewed by the difference in state gasoline taxes between Oregon and Washington.

The constitutionality of the self-service bans has been challenged. The Oregon statute was challenged in 1989 by ARCO, and the New Jersey statute was challenged in 1950 by a small independent service station, Rein Motors. Both challenges failed. In addition, throughout the rest of the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that the equivalent of "mini-serve" be provided to any individual displaying a disabled parking placard.

Interestingly, in both New Jersey and Oregon, it is legal for customers to pump their own diesel (although not every station permits diesel customers to do so; truck stops typically do). The rationale is that truck drivers are expected to know how to refuel their vehicles safely and in an environmentally sound fashion as part of their job.

Other goods and services commonly available

Many gas stations also have convenience stores which sell food, beverages, cigarettes, lottery tickets, motor oil, and sometimes auto parts. Prices for these and other items tend to be higher at convenience stores than they would be at a supermarket or discount store.

In many U.S. states, beer, wine, and liquor are sold in gas stations, though this practice varies according to state law. Some states such as Massachusetts do not allow any alcohol to be sold in gas stations, while Nevada allows the sale of beer, wine, liquor, and the operation of slot and video poker machines at gas stations.

Many gas stations also provide squeegees, towels, and toilet facilities for customer use, but a large number of discount gas stations do not provide these amenities. As with many public facilities the world over, the cleanliness and quality of gas station toilet facilities vary. Many gas stations have air compressors with tire gauges and water machines. Some machines are free of charge, while others charge a small fee to use (usually 25 cents to US$1). In many states of the U.S., state law requires that paying customers must be provided with free air compressor service. In most cases, a token provided by the attendant is used in lieu of coins.

Some gas stations are equipped with car washes. Car washes are sometimes offered free of charge or at a discounted price with a certain amount of gas purchased. Conversely, some car washes operate gas stations to supplement their businesses.

There are a number of gas stations with a fast food outlet inside, such as McDonald's, Jack in the Box, Pizza Hut, Sbarro, Taco Bell, or Wendy's. These are usually "express" versions with limited seating and limited menus, though some may be regular-sized and have spacious seating. In Canada, it is common to find a small Tim Hortons outlet inside gas stations.

Service stations

U.S. service station (1950s)

In the U.S., a filling station that also offers services such as oil changes and mechanical repairs to automobiles is called a service station. Until the 1970s, the vast majority of gas stations were service stations; now only a minority are. This kind of business provided the name for the U.S. comic strip Gasoline Alley, where a number of the characters worked.

In the UK, a 'service station' refers to much larger facilities, usually attached to motorways (see Motorway service area (UK)) or major trunk routes, which provide food outlets, large parking areas, and often other services such as hotels, arcade games, and shops in addition to 24-hour fuel supplies and a higher standard of restrooms (UK: toilets). Fuel is typically more expensive from these outlets due to their premium locations. UK service stations do not usually repair automobiles.

In parts of the U.S., this arrangement occurs on many interstate freeways and some toll roads and is called an oasis or truck stop. In many cases, these centers might have a food court or cafeteria. In the U.S., the Travel Centers of America is one of the largest full-service chains.

Often, the state government maintains public rest areas directly connected to freeways, but does not rent out space to private businesses. As a result, such areas often provide only minimal services such as restrooms and vending machines.

In turn, private entrepreneurs develop additional facilities like restaurants, gas stations, and motels in hodgepodge clusters on private land adjacent to major interchanges. Because these facilities are not directly connected to the freeway, they usually have huge signs on poles several hundred feet high. This way, travelers will be able to spot them several minutes in advance and exit accordingly. Sometimes, the state will also post small official signs (normally blue) indicating what types of gas stations or restaurants are available at an upcoming exit; businesses may add their logos to these signs for a fee.

Octane

Main article: octane rating

In the United States, all gasoline is unleaded and is available in several grades, which are differentiated by octane rating: 87 (Regular), 89 (Super Unleaded), and 91 (Premium) are typical grades. In certain regions, fuels rated at 92 and 93 octane can also be found. Minimum octane levels are often lower in the Mountain States, where regular unleaded can be rated as low as 85 octane. A lower octane fuel is sufficient in the Mountain States because the higher altitude in these states reduces the need for high-octane fuel.

Fuels in the U.S. are described in terms of their "pump octane", which is the average of their "RON" (Research Octane Number) and "MON" (Motor Octane Number). Labels on gasoline pumps in the U.S. typically describe this as the "(R+M)/2 Method".

Some nations describe fuels according to the traditional RON or MON ratings, so octane ratings cannot always be compared with the equivalent U.S. rating by the "(R+M)/2 method".

In Europe, petrol is unleaded and available in 95 (Eurosuper) and 98 (Super Plus) octanes; in some countries, 91 octane petrol is offered as well. Some stations offer 98 RON with lead substitute. In the UK, leaded 99/100 RON petrol has been reintroduced (legally) on a very limited basis for use by classic car enthusiasts and racers by the independent oil company Bayford Thrust (also the UK licensees of the famous Gulf Oil brand).

Differences in fuel dispensers

In Europe, the customer selects one of several color-coded nozzles depending on the type of fuel required. The filler pipe of unleaded fuel is smaller than the one for leaded (substitute) ones. The tank filler opening has a corresponding diameter. This is to prevent filling the tank with the wrong fuel. Leaded fuel damages the catalytic converter. In some European countries, leaded fuel is no longer generally available, or LRP (lead replacement fuel) may be the only such fuel available.

In most stations in the USA and Canada, the pump usually has a single nozzle and the customer selects the desired octane grade by pushing a button. Some pumps require the customer to pick up the nozzle first, then lift a lever underneath it. Others are designed so that lifting the nozzle automatically releases a switch. Some older stations still have separate nozzles for different types of fuel. Where diesel fuel is provided, it is usually dispensed from a separate nozzle even if the various grades of gasoline share the same nozzle.

European motorists occasionally pump gasoline into a diesel car by accident. The converse is almost impossible because diesel pumps have a large nozzle which does not fit the filler, and diesel in a petrol engine — while creating spectacular amounts of smoke — does not normally cause permanent damage if it is drained once the mistake is realised. Even a gallon of petrol added to the tank of a modern diesel car can cause irreversible damage to the injection pump and other components through a lack of lubrication. In some cases the car has to be scrapped because the cost of repairs exceeds its value. The issue is not clear-cut as older diesels using completely mechanical injection can tolerate some gasoline — which has historically been used to "thin" diesel fuel in winter.

Smoking, static electricity, and mobile phone use

It is forbidden to use open flame and, in some places, a mobile phone on the forecourt of a gas station. This is because of the risk of igniting gasoline vapor. The safety issue with mobile phones, however, is disputed. While mobile phones can distract people and increase the chance of an accident occurring, there is no significant danger from the radio waves emitted by a mobile phone. In fact, many petrol station display towers in the UK are also relay transmitters for the mobile phone networks.

Although it has been claimed that a faulty mobile phone can cause sparks or a build-up of static electricity in the user, this has not yet been conclusively proven, however mobile phone manufacturers and gas stations still tend to ask the users to switch off their phones. One is more likely to get a spark from wearing nylon clothing than from a mobile phone [1]. Also, the static charge acquired by a person as he or she leaves the car (due to triboelectric charging from friction between the person's clothing and the car seat) is thought to be the culprit in over 50% of fires which occur during refuelling. Usually, when a person leaves the car, he or she must open the door covering the gas cap and remove the cap itself, thus dissipating any static charge through a small shock as he or she is "grounded" to the car's metal body.

However, if the person has set the pump to continue filling automatically, returns to the car, then leaves the car again to check the pump before it has fully stopped, an explosion could easily result. This is because after the person has left the car for the second time, he or she is likely to remain electrically charged up to the point of touching the nozzle, at which point the concentrated vapour expelled from the tank can be ignited by sparks jumping from the person's hand to the nozzle. In the UK automatic filling is outlawed except for HGVs filling with diesel fuel to minimise the risk of fire. A recent investigation by the Discovery network found that the main culprit in most gas station fires were women, as they are 6 times more likely to get in and out of their vehicles during refueling.

It is therefore always good practice, especially in arid climates, to safely ground oneself by touching any part of the car away from the gas tank port before filling the tank or touching the filling nozzle. The effect has also been noted in several instances where portable gasoline tanks were filled in the back of a pickup truck which had a plastic "bed liner". These tanks should always be removed from the vehicle and filled while on the ground.

Miscellany

Gas station maps

U.S. gas stations previously offered free road maps as a strategy to build brand loyalty, but the oil companies stopped distributing free maps in the 1970s. Currently, stations sell maps produced by the American Automobile Association (AAA), Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), and other auto clubs in the world, as well as professional mapmaking firms like Rand McNally and tire makers like Michelin.

Gas stations in film and TV

Well-known gasoline/petrol station brands

Like many gasoline stands in Japan, this one has hoses that pull down from above.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Category:Petrol stations.
Look up fill up in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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