A DRIVER is taking the owner of a gas station to court for allegedly selling watered-down fuel after she was left with a $2,900 repair bill.
State officials have been investigating the Amoco station, which is located along a heavily trafficked stretch of Highway 42 in Clayton County.
The issue dates back to April, when the Georgia Department of Agriculture shut down the premium and mid-grade fuel pumps at the station.
It came after one customer claimed the gas caused damage to her vehicle.
The driver alleges that the company is refusing to reimburse her for the cost of repairs despite reaching out to them “several times”.
Mechanical issues
In April, Marilyn Benson filled her Mercedes-Benz with $50 worth of premium fuel but shortly after setting off her vehicle reportedly began experiencing mechanical issues.
“I was, like, ‘Oh, my God what happened to my car,” Benson told Fox 5. “My car engine light came on about five minutes after purchasing the gas.”
Benson took her vehicle to a service center, where she received a repair estimate of $2,900.
“That’s when he said, testing the gas, that it smelled very weak,” she said.
According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Fuel & Measures Division, inspectors visited the site in May and found four inches of water in the premium fuel tank.
Both the premium and mid-grade pumps were determined to be contaminated and were subsequently shut down.
‘Shutdown disregraded’
On Tuesday, investigators returned to follow up on claims that the shutdown order had been disregarded.
While the station has since been cleared for operation, the underlying issues have not been resolved, and the woman has not been reimbursed for her repair costs.
“I reached out several times, at least four times, to reimburse, and he said he’s not fixing my car,” said Benson. “I’m going to take him to small claims court in Clayton County.”
The Georgia Department of Agriculture states that gas stations found to be selling contaminated fuel are liable for any resulting damage to customers’ vehicles.
The department advises that if consumers suspect contaminated fuel, they should:
- Have a mechanic take a fuel sample.
- Contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture Fuel & Measures Division to file a complaint.
- Obtain a copy of the inspection report to confirm contamination.
- Identify the owner of the station.
- Request the insurance company’s contact information to file a claim once contamination is confirmed.
How To Pump Gas
There are several steps you can take to safely pump gas.
Find Your Pump
Drive up to a pump, aligning your car’s fuel tank with the nozzle. Look for the fuel indicator arrow on your dashboard or the manual to know which side your gas tank is on.
Pay for Your Gas
You can either pay at the pump with a credit/debit card or pay inside. If paying inside, give the attendant your pump number and the amount you want to spend.
Open Your Fuel Lid
Use the lever or button inside your car to open the gas tank lid, or open it manually if your car doesn’t have a lever. Unscrew the gas cap.
Pick the Right Nozzle
Grab the correct nozzle from the pump (regular, premium, or diesel). Insert it securely into your gas tank.
Select Fuel Grade
Choose the fuel grade (usually regular, mid-grade, or premium). Check your car’s manual for the recommended fuel type.
Start Pumping
Pull the trigger to begin pumping. Most nozzles have a lever that locks in place so you don’t have to hold it.
Wait for Automatic Shutoff
Keep an eye on the pump. It will automatically stop when your tank is full. You’ll hear a click when this happens.
Remove the Nozzle and Close the Tank
Carefully remove the nozzle, return it to the pump, and make sure the gas cap is tightly secured.
Get Your Receipt
If you paid at the pump, decide if you want a receipt. If you do, print it; if not, finish the transaction.
Reset Your Odometer
Inside your car, reset the fuel odometer to track your mileage. Usually, turning your car back on will reset it.
Source: AAA.
