SAN ANTONIO — With gas prices still hovering close to record highs drivers are trying to save money in any way possible. That leads us to tonight's Verify which actually relates to the weather.
THE QUESTION
Is it true that when you fill up in the morning or at night when it is cooler, you'll get more gas for your money?
THE SOURCES
- Daniel Armbruster the spokesperson from AAA Texas
- Brian Martucci from Moneycrashers.com
- GasBuddy
THE ANSWER
WHAT WE FOUND
Daniel Arnbruster, the spokesperson from AAA Texas told us, "Roughly about every 19 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll see about a one percent increase in volume, with the energy content remaining the same in motor fuel. So, even if you do get a little bit of expansion, it's not going to be enough really to go out of your way to change your habits when filling up."
Martucci agrees and says it is about how the gas is stored too. He said, "Gas is stored in underground tanks, right? And they're insulated from the the atmosphere. So any temperature changes that occur are going to be basically negated by by that."
Gas Buddy went on to explain..."...even though it technically does expand in warmer air, the amount is variable, and would likely only save the consumer a few cents on an entire fill-up."
So no, it is not true, when you fill up in the morning or at night when it is cooler you will not get more gas for your money. Unless you think a few cents is enough to make it count.