Filling fuel cans at SAINSBURYS

[Wayne Rogers]

I know this was discussed a few months ago,but does anybody know exactly what the law is about the number of fuel containers that can be filled at a petrol forecourt?
Because the shut off valves at my local Sainsbury's are so sensitive it takes ages to feel my onboard fuel tank,so I have started going to the petrol station with my old fuel tanks from my old boat then filling the boat with a funnel.Every time I go there I get asked the same question, how many cans are you filling up? They tell me that you can only fill two at a time by law.Is this a Sainsbury's policy or are they correct in saying it is by law.

[Mr-d]

At the bottom of this page..
At filling stations, there is no specific legal restriction on the type or number of containers that can be filled (although Petroleum Licensing Authorities often use licensing conditions to limit the containers sizes). The legal limits are on how and where they are subsequently kept.

Anyway, if they become fussy, im sure that you can find someone else who is happy to receive your (hopefully) hard earned cash in return for petrol, especially at the rate you'll be using it!
I think BP is becoming just as competitive as our local Safeway here...
Dont know if its the same down there.

Hope to have helped,
Cheers,
Daniel.

[Biggles]

I've been awaiting a call back from Hampshire Trading standards with regards this matter for the last week.

I thought I would get the correct answer from the council as different petrol stations seem to interpret the law differently. And also the RYA have different information to what other people say.

It seems to be a very grey area.

What I would like to be able to do is fill two 25 Ltr Outboard red plastic cans and then carry them in my car back to the boat. It would seem legally you can carry 20 litres in the 5 Ltr Green plastic cans or 20 ltrs in specific 10 Ltr metal cans. For most of us that means a few trips to the petrol station.


This law is under constant review. As such I think all RIBNet members who use petrol stations should ring up their local Council and air their views. It can't do any harm and it might even get the message across.

[tcwozere]

Not sure about anyone else, but no way would I put supermarket petrol into my boats engine.. let alone an Optimax..

[PeterR]

Forgive me for perhaps being nieve but is super market fuel sub standard

[tcwozere]

There are too many rumours abound that the quality doesn't match those of the Major oil companies.. Yes it does come from the same refinery... But, Shell, Texaco and Esso, etc, all use additives before it goes into your car.. As far as I know, supermarkets don't.. It's similar to which two stroke oil to use, peep's recommend the decent expensive stuff..

[Richard B]

What's the point of going to a supermarket to buy petrol anyway?

I usually find there's a branded filling station cheaper... for me currently my local Shell station.

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Mr-d

I think BP is becoming just as competitive as our local Safeway here...

A Safeway, at Ardnamurchan?

[Wayne Rogers]

I don't tend to look around for the cheapest petrol I only use Sainsbury's as it is the nearest petrol station to me.If they don't want me to fill three containers of petrol every week at around £60.00 a go I will take my business elsewhere along with all the diesel I use each year for work covering around 50000 miles.And I'll get the wife to shop for food elsewhere while I'm at as well.Must be nice to dictate to your customer's and cap there spending.

[Richard B]

I've never had any problems filling portable tanks, but then I've always filled the cans behind the car, so it's probably not clear that I'm not filling the car itself, and certainly not obvious how many, what size and what type of cans I'm filling.

I suspect that petrol station staff get the hump if they think that there's a risk of a spill, because then they have to clear it up and spread sand around!