Don't Believe These Gas Myths!
Posted: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
by Mykalanne Gutierrez
Junk-Yard-Bids.com
I think we all tend to freak out when the price to fill up our Fuel Tank rises - I know I take it to the extreme; I have a 4 Runner so I’m allowed to freak out the way that I do. Here are the myths explained, as well as the facts about the myths.
Myth : Boycotting different gasoline brands will decrease the overall gas prices
- Here are the facts to that myth:
1. Most companies can’t change the way supply & demand works - none of us have that kind of power. The way it works is that prices go up when more people buy a product; the prices go down when people buy less of a product.
2. The only practical way of lowering gas prices is to buy less gas .. and I think that we all know that that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
Myth : Having part in a one-day “gas out” will bring the gas price down
Another way to write this: “It has been calculated that if everyone in the United States did not purchase a drop of gasoline for one day and all at the same time, the oil companies would choke on their stockpiles.” I wonder who really all believes this !
- Waiting on the facts to this?:
1. Gas that fills up our Fuel Tank is a fungible, global commodity. This means that it’s subject to change depending on supply and demand. Only a significant and important continuous reduction in demand will change the price in the long run.
2. This whole “gas out” thing is urging people not to buy gas for O N E day - after that, people are going to need gas according to the way they drive and how far they drive.
Myth : Using your cell phone will touch off gas station explosions
There are a few a things you may read that will make you believe this really happens (if you're like my mom, then you believed this when you first heard it): “there was an incident where a driver suffered burns and his car severely damaged when gasoline vapors ignited an explosion while he was talking on his mobile phone standing near the attendant who was pumping the gas. All the electronic devices in gas stations are protected with explosive containment devices, (intrinsically safe) while cell phones are not. READ YOUR HANDBOOK!”
- Oh how people like to start rumors:
1. The CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) stated that there is no evidence at all when it comes to a cell phone causing an ignition or any type of explosion anywhere in the whole wide world.
2. Another thing is that there have been no records of creating a fire using only a cell phone - it’s pretty much impossible to do. This was confirmed by a 2004 episode of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel.
Aren’t you glad we proved these myths to only be myths when it comes to the gas station and filling up your Fuel Tank at the pump? Now you have less to be worried about.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Great information Mykalanne. I love myth-busting!
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