Shell says it has resolved gas concerns

Shell Marianas announced yesterday that a problem in its regular unleaded gasoline that caused mistakes in the fuel gauge readings of some cars on Saipan has already been resolved.

Shell Marianas president Phil Stalker, in a statement issued yesterday from the Shell corporate office in Saipan, said: “As we indicated last week, Shell detected a fuel composition problem with regular unleaded gasoline available on Saipan, that caused fuel gauges in a few makes and models of automobiles to malfunction. In response, Shell immediately took steps to treat all of its inventory and the problem has been resolved.”

If customers are still experiencing difficulties with their gas gauges and they consider themselves Shell customers, Stalker said they should call 323-0647 and a customer service representative will explain the appropriate next step to resolving each customer’s concerns.

“Again, I would like to thank our customers for their patience during this episode and we look forward to continuing to be Saipan’s Station of Choice,” Stalker said.

Earlier, Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc. also assured motorists that its regular unleaded gasoline are being treated to prevent faulty fuel gauge readings on some vehicle makes and models.

Mobil said it has secured additives to address the high level of sulfur in its regular unleaded gasoline, which had resulted in complaints of faulty fuel gauge readings on certain vehicles. The additive does not affect engine performance, according to Mobil.

Cecile Bamba Suda, Mobil’s public affairs manager, said that, although elevated sulfur levels led to faulty fuel gauge readings in certain vehicles, the problem did not affect vehicle performance and safety. She said the fuel supply was compliant with regulated standards at all times.

“Fuel level sensors in vehicle gasoline tanks rely on the conductivity of a metal strip. Some automobile manufacturers use a ‘silver strip.’ This particular strip can be very sensitive to the presence of free sulfur which reacts with the silver and may affect the operation of the sensor so that the fuel gauge no longer indicates the correct level of gasoline in the tank,” Suda explained.

Reports said there were motorists who experienced the problem, whose vehicles unexpectedly ran out of fuel.

Mobil customers experiencing faulty fuel gauge readings may report the problem at 483-3367.