IS THE PETROL PUMP YOU USE DISPLAYING THE TRUTH?
Motorists are becoming increasingly aware of the petrol pump: Is it delivering the
correct amount of fuel? Is the volume of petrol/price displayed accurately? Am I getting
what I have paid for?
With this in mind, the National Measurement Institute (NMI) has put together advice
that aims to clarify these issues.
Q1. How is a petrol pump approved for trade use?
NMI approves all petrol pumps used for trade in Australia; approval includes assessing
and testing the design and structure of the petrol pump against international
requirements.
Q2. Who is monitoring the accuracy of petrol pumps?
NMI’s Trade Measurement Inspectors conduct routine, targeted and random audits on
service stations around Australia to test the accuracy of trade approved petrol pumps.
They also inspect and test petrol pumps to investigate consumer complaints submitted
to NMI.
Q3. What is the smallest volume of petrol that can be accurately delivered from a
petrol pump?
The smallest volume accurately delivered from a petrol pump is typically 2 Litres (L).
Since the early 2000s, all new petrol pumps are required to display the minimum
delivery amount where it is clearly visible to the customer.
Q4. What causes the petrol pump to potentially display incorrect information?
The digital display segment of a petrol pump is made up of seven individual bars and a
fault in any one of these bars can cause the display segment to show an incorrect
number. This is a fault that needs to be corrected and could attract a fine from an NMI
Trade Measurement Inspector.
Q5. If the petrol pump is displaying incorrect information, how do I know that I
am being charged the correct price?
In almost all installations, petrol pumps are connected to a console inside the service
station shop; this allows the service station staff member (console operator) to
authorise the use of a petrol pump by the customer and display the volume of
petrol/price from the petrol pump, at the time of payment. Even if the petrol pump
display is faulty, the petrol pump’s price computing software will calculate the correct
information and communicate it to the console, which is then used to charge the
customer the right amount.
Q6. Does a petrol pump have a measurement limit of error that is legally
allowed?
Yes—a petrol pump is legally allowed to deliver between a maximum of 0.3% more
than the volume shown on the indicator and a minimum of 0.3% less than the volume
displayed on the indicator.
Q7. There is a legally allowed price computing error limit for the smallest volume
of petrol delivered. How do I know this price computing error will not increase
for larger deliveries of petrol?
The design of a petrol pump does not allow this price computing limit of error to
increase for larger deliveries of petrol. For example, a price computing error of 1 cent
for a 2 L delivery will not increase to an error of 15 cents for a 30 L purchase, which
could be considered a normal transaction for most consumers.
Q8. What else should I be aware of when using a petrol pump?
After you have picked up the nozzle of a petrol pump, and before you start filling your
petrol tank, make sure the display of the petrol pump is indicating all zeroes on the
volume and total price indicators.
Q9. How can I report an inaccurate petrol pump to NMI?
You can lodge a complaint via the following options:
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complete our online form
call our hotline on 1300 686 664
email us infotm@measurement.gov.au
Want to know more?
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Read our Guide to the Sale of Petrol, Diesel and LPG
Find out what trade measurement is all about and how it can benefit you.
Read our Top Ten Tips for Consumers when purchasing measurement based
goods.
National Measurement Institute
Bradfield Road, Lindfield, NSW 2070
PO Box 264, Lindfield, NSW 2070
Phone: 1300 686 664
Email: infotm@measurement.gov.au
www.measurement.gov.au
The purpose of this communication is to provide you with general information only and
should not be relied upon for any legal, business or personal purpose. Nothing in this
communication shall be taken in any way to replace the provisions of the National
Measurement Act 1960 (Cth), the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009
(Cth) and any other legislative instruments made pursuant to the National
Measurement Act 1960