The service stations that offer a complete service are increasingly scarce. Self-service can be quite a bit faster and knowing how to fill your tank properly can also help you save some money, making it the quickest and most informed option. You can learn how to operate the pump, select the proper variety of gasoline, and complete the process to achieve your goal more quickly and safely. Read Step 1 for more information.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Paying for Gas
Step 1. Turn off your car and pull the pump
When pulling the pump, keep your gas tank opening as close to the pump as possible. Make sure to pull on the correct side. You need to turn off your car and get out of it, as it is dangerous to fill the tank while the car is running.
- Make sure you are using the correct dispenser. Some pumps are designed for diesel vehicles only, while some are designed for regular gasoline only and others for both. The dispensers that supply both types of fuel have two nozzles on each side.
- Take the necessary security measures. Before pulling the pump, extinguish any cigarettes that could cause a fire hazard near gasoline and leave your cell phone in the car. Many times a relationship has been found between cellular static and various gas station fires.
Step 2. Choose your payment method and pay for your gas
You have to pay for your gas before choosing the gasoline variety and starting to fill your tank. You can pay with a credit or debit card directly at the pump or with your card or in cash at the service station.
- If you are going to pay at the pumpJust swipe your card to get started and follow the instructions. It is very likely that you will have to choose between a debit or credit card, and enter your PIN code or your postal code to confirm the payment. Some machines will allow you to enter an amount. If you enter $ 20, the pump will cut off the gas supply when you have filled the equivalent of $ 20. If you want to completely fill your tank, simply press ENTER to skip this step.
- If you are going to pay in advance within the station, pay the manager. You must tell him how much gasoline you are going to pay and the number of the pump where you are parked. You can use your card or pay in cash. The amount you pay will appear on the dispenser screen, which will cut off the supply when you have reached that amount. If you want to fill up your tank and pay cash, chances are you'll have to overpay, then fill up your tank, and finally go back to the window to get your change. This is a very common option. Simply tell the attendant that you are going to fill up your tank completely, pay more than you think you will need to pay, and go back to the window to get your change.
Step 3. Remove the tank cap from your vehicle
To access the gas tank, you will probably have to open the gas tank door. Depending on your model, you need to press a button on the inside to open it or simply open it with your fingers to see the tank top. Unscrew this cap and put it in a safe place or leave it hanging if it is connected with a cable.
Step 4. Remove the nozzle from the dispenser and insert it firmly into the gas tank opening
On most machines, the nozzle needs to be removed before the machine will allow you to select a variety of gasoline and start pumping. The safest way to do this is to remove the nozzle and immediately insert it into your car's tank inlet, pushing it in until it is snug.
- If you see two nozzles on the fuel pump, it means that the fuel pump supplies diesel and regular gasoline. Typically the diesel nozzle is slightly larger and green in color and the nozzle is usually too large to fit into the inlet of a regular gas tank. Make sure you choose the right variety for your car, as using the wrong type of fuel can damage your engine.
- Jet nozzles are made to fit into your gas tank without you having to hold them while pumping fuel. Although there are many people holding the spout all the time, this is not necessary. You just have to make sure you have entered it properly and that is enough.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing Your Gasoline Grade
Step 1. Choose a suitable grade of gasoline
At most pumps, you can choose from three grades of gasoline, based on its octane rating: regular grade (87), medium grade (89), and premium grade (91-93) gasoline. Depending on the brand of gas station, these grades could have different names, but the octane is almost universal. To determine the best octane number for your vehicle, consult your vehicle's owner's manual. For most vehicles, regular or medium grade gasoline is the most suitable and even the most preferable.
Octane refers to the amount of gasoline that can be compressed during the compression stroke before the gasoline ignites. Low-octane gasoline will ignite faster and high-octane gasoline will ignite later during that run. High-octane gasoline is traditionally used in high-performance engines to avoid shock and create horsepower. Most vehicles do not need high octane gasoline
Step 2. Make your choice by pressing the corresponding button on the dispenser
Each grade of gasoline will have a button that you can press to select it. Once you have made your decision based on octane rating and price, choose the variety of gasoline you would like to use.
On some older machines, there is a small seat at the base of the "boot" where the gas pump sits in the machine. Before choosing a gasoline variety and starting to fill your tank, you have to turn it over. On newer digital machines, you can do this by simply pressing a button. Once you have activated the pump, you are ready to choose your gasoline and start filling your tank
Step 3. Press START
After choosing the variety of gasoline you want to use, you will likely need to press the "START" button on most pumps. This will activate the gasoline and prime the pump, which means that you are ready to pump your gasoline whenever you want.
Look at the spout dial to make sure it returns to zero. This will indicate that the dispenser is ready to pump once you have made your choice. As you fill the tank, you can see how much gas volume is being added and the price
Part 3 of 3: Pumping Gasoline
Step 1. Pull the pump trigger to activate the gas
Gently squeeze the trigger on the pump nozzle, allowing the gasoline to flow out of the hose and into your tank. On most pumps, you can lock the trigger to allow gasoline to flow constantly without holding it.
Today, all modern pumps have self-locking mechanisms that cut off the flow of gasoline when the tank is completely full or when it has reached the amount you paid, whichever comes first. You will hear a clicking sound when the tank is completely full or when the machine cuts off the supply
Step 2. Consider shutting off the gas supply before fully filling the tank
There is some discrepancy about the accuracy of the locking mechanism of some jets. Some consumers believe that if you fill the tank to the maximum, you are actually going to pay for more gasoline that flows back to the pump without using it. To avoid waste, keep your tank almost full.
Some stations have vapor recovery systems that return to the pump, which are used to recover gasoline. Additionally, that gasoline expands in the tank, allowing the tank to overfill, which is unnecessary and wasteful both financially and environmentally
Step 3. Remove and replace the mouthpiece
Let the trigger return to its original position and remove the nozzle from the tank, dropping the last drops. Return the handle to the "down" position (if you raised it) and replace the nozzle on the spout.
For a small amount of gasoline, it is normal for the nozzle to drip a little while you remove it, so be careful that some drops fall on your shoes and clothes. If you spill any gasoline on the side of your car or around the tank inlet, there are usually paper towels available on the side of the pump that you can use to clean up the spilled gasoline. This is not dangerous, but you can get the smell of gasoline
Step 4. Close your gas tank
Put the tank cap back in place and turn it until it clicks a few times and closes completely, then close the gas tank door.
Step 5. Accept or reject a receipt
At this point, the gas pump will probably beep. You can print a receipt to complete the transition or press "no" to decline. Depending on the service station and your payment method, it may be necessary to return to the station to obtain your receipt, if you wish.
Advice
- There is usually a small latch near the trigger that keeps the trigger open so you don't have to stand still holding it. Don't worry if a little gasoline spills; gas pumps automatically cut off the supply when your tank is almost full.
- Fill your tank in the morning when the temperature is still cool. As temperatures rise, gasoline vapors expand, causing you to pay for gasoline that will appear to have decreased when it cools.
- Avoid going to stations where a tanker has just refueled them. Recent gasoline pumping can cause sediment and sludge at the bottom of the gas station tank, mixing and rising to the top. And of course, you don't want that in your tank.