Petrol Filling: Should You Refuel Your Car in the Morning or Evening?
There is a common belief that buying petrol early in the morning or late in the evening can help you get more fuel for the same amount of money. The idea is based on temperature: cooler fuel is believed to be denser, meaning you may supposedly get more petrol when temperatures are lower.
But does this actually make a meaningful difference? For petrol, the answer is largely no.
This means the temperature of petrol inside the storage tank does not simply rise and fall with the air temperature during the day. As a result, the change in petrol density between morning, afternoon and evening is very small.
Even though liquids can expand or contract with temperature, the difference in the quantity you receive at a fuel station due to normal daily temperature variations is too small to provide a practical financial advantage.
Petrol, on the other hand, is a liquid and is stored in underground tanks at fuel stations. Therefore, the commonly discussed temperature-related differences associated with CNG should not be directly applied to petrol.
You will not get a noticeably fuller tank just by visiting a petrol pump early in the day.
However, mornings can have another advantage. Depending on the location, you may encounter shorter queues and less crowding, making the refuelling process quicker and more convenient.
So, instead of waiting for cooler temperatures, choose a fuel station based on price, convenience and service, and refuel whenever it suits you.
Disclaimer: Fuel prices can change and may vary by city and location. The information provided is for general informational purposes only.
But does this actually make a meaningful difference? For petrol, the answer is largely no.
Why petrol temperature does not make much difference
Petrol at fuel stations is generally stored in underground storage tanks. Since these tanks are below the ground, the fuel is relatively insulated from rapid changes in the outside temperature.This means the temperature of petrol inside the storage tank does not simply rise and fall with the air temperature during the day. As a result, the change in petrol density between morning, afternoon and evening is very small.
Even though liquids can expand or contract with temperature, the difference in the quantity you receive at a fuel station due to normal daily temperature variations is too small to provide a practical financial advantage.
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What about the CNG theory?
The confusion may partly come from CNG. CNG is a gas, and temperature can have a more noticeable effect on its behaviour and pressure.Petrol, on the other hand, is a liquid and is stored in underground tanks at fuel stations. Therefore, the commonly discussed temperature-related differences associated with CNG should not be directly applied to petrol.
Is morning the best time to fill petrol ?
If you are filling petrol, there is no significant financial benefit to choosing morning over afternoon or evening simply because the weather is cooler.You will not get a noticeably fuller tank just by visiting a petrol pump early in the day.
However, mornings can have another advantage. Depending on the location, you may encounter shorter queues and less crowding, making the refuelling process quicker and more convenient.
Petrol prices vary by city
While the time of refuelling does not offer a meaningful quantity advantage, the price of petrol varies across cities. Based on the prices provided, the rates are:- New Delhi: ₹102.12 per litre
- Mumbai: ₹111.21 per litre
- Kolkata: ₹113.51 per litre
- Chennai: ₹107.77 per litre
- Gurugram: ₹102.97 per litre
- Noida: ₹101.96 per litre
- Bengaluru: ₹111.68 per litre
- Bhubaneswar: ₹108.97 per litre
- Chandigarh: ₹101.54 per litre
- Hyderabad: ₹116.15 per litre
- Jaipur: ₹112.66 per litre
- Lucknow: ₹101.86 per litre
- Patna: ₹113.37 per litre
- Thiruvananthapuram: ₹115.49 per litre
So, instead of waiting for cooler temperatures, choose a fuel station based on price, convenience and service, and refuel whenever it suits you.
Disclaimer: Fuel prices can change and may vary by city and location. The information provided is for general informational purposes only.
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