My apologies. I did not read the first comment clearly enough, and the 2nd comment did not clarify the actual complaint.

> It makes no sense to reduce a volume to a surface.

It kinda does, it is the (average) cross section of the fuel flowing from tank to engine.

Sure, but to be useful you need flow rate, at which point you're basically back to calculating volume. Gas is purchased in volume, and stored in volume. Why not keep the measurement of use as volume per time or distance?

I wish people like you who make these intelligent,factual, and short comments could have a reputation value on HN. This value could give you some automatic upvotes or a more prominent location displayed.

Meh, I'm not always right, and often wander int territory of conjecture (though I like to think I try to be clear about which is which).

I'd rather keep the freedom to post as I please rather than limit my expression just to chase clout.

It's not for you, it's so that factual information is promoted