Pumping gas into my car for the first time
Posted by WestQuiet6564@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 36 comments
So basically I just got my new car as a gift with it basically filled with gas, but regardless in about a week I'll have to fill it up myself. I kinda got an half ass explanation by my boyfriends dad so I have questions.
- So my car clicks after the tank is full and it automatically stops filling. Well if I only want to do like 10 dollars would I squeeze the handle button until the screen reaches 10 dollars then let go of the button so it stops releasing gas??
- This is similar to my first question. If I go in and ask for 10 instead of paying at pump, will the nozzle click like as if you were filling it up while paying at pump?
Sorry I think these are worded bad LMFAO.
MrHighBeam@reddit
An important point:
To prevent damage to your car's EVAP system, once the gas tank is full and the pump automatically clicks and stops filling, do not try and squeeze the handle to overfill it.
You will see a lot of other people do it, but those are just people who doesn't know how their car's EVAP system works.
imothers@reddit
Not directly related to pumping gas, but take some time learning how to check tire pressure, oil and other fluid levels under the hood. Pay attention to how the car sounds and feels while you drive. Pay attention to the lights that come on before you start the car, and go off after the engine is running.
It is a good idea to go somewhere with open space and no cars or traffic, and try emergency braking as hard as you can. Feel the ABS come on (assuming you have ABS).ABS makes the brakes feel weird even though they are working normally. If you have to do an emergency stop for real, knowing what to expect is a good thing.
Octoferret@reddit
Something you may not even be aware of that could be confusing is just opening the gas cover on your car. On some cars, it's locked and you have to release it from inside. There's often a lever on the floor in front of the driver's seat to pop it open, but in any case your car's manual would show you how to do it.
InformationOk3060@reddit
The first time I put gas in my Honda s2000, after 5 minutes I had to google where the cover release was. My stepfather borrowed it and had to call and ask me where it was after not being able to find it either. The stuck it in the door frame.
seanman6541@reddit
Also, (only happened once in my entire family) if the pump fails to stop and overflows your tank, DO NOT remove the nozzle. Push up on the big paddle that the nozzle pushes in when it's docked in its holder on the pump. This makes the pump think you put the nozzle back and it will stop pumping. If it doesn't, yell for help and push the big red emergency stop button usually located on the outside of the building or sometimes in with the clerk.
Waste-Middle-2357@reddit
I quickly skimmed the comments and didn’t see anyone mention anything about fuel type.
If your car doesn’t specifically ask for premium fuel, you don’t need it. Regular is fine.
Pumps are color coded, but not to a universal standard. Sometimes black handles indicate diesel, which, if your car runs on gas, will destroy your engine, and vise versa. Diesel nozzles are usually too big to fit in a gasoline tank, but gasoline nozzles will fit into a diesel tank.
Sometimes diesel is indicated by a yellow handle, and sometimes yellow means ethanol blended gas. Sometimes gas is indicated by dark green handles, and sometimes green also means diesel.
Select the right fuel type for your car to avoid costly repairs.
Educational-Bid-3533@reddit
Yes, buying a preset amount will slow the flow then click off automatically. Don't overstuff the tank, it'll just mess things up.
BayazFirstOfTheMagi-@reddit
I'm that person always putting $20 in their car and the slowing down pisses me off so much, like I I prepaid $20 so slow it down at 19.80 not at 18.00 lol
seanman6541@reddit
Can't accidentally give you a tenth of a cent free you know!
Interesting-Yak6962@reddit
Yes, the nozzle will automatically click off when it is full. Although this will not happen, if the pump is running unusually slow. If the pump is running really slow like this, just be aware it might not click off and it could overflow, but this rarely happens.
So just give them whatever you think will be more than enough money to cover it and fill it up and then until it clicks and then go get your change back.
Ricelyfe@reddit
Yes to both. Going in and just asking to “put 10 on pump x” is the safest way to do it. You only paid $10, they won’t give you free gas.
I’ve never held til I hit a specific dollar amount.
Make sure you fill it with the right kind of fuel. It’ll say on the gas cap.
SOTG_Duncan_Idaho@reddit
You can squeeze the handle to stop pumping gas. Yes
Note: even after the click it's possible to put more gas in the tank, but don't do this. It causes more pollution and get get like 200 more feet of range.
If you prepay, the pump will go until either the tank is full or the amount of money is reached. Make sure you know how much fuel you can put in the tank before prepaying.
P0300_Multi_Misfires@reddit
Filling up after the first click causes damage to your carbon canister which in newer vehicles is very temperamental. So when it clicks it means the tank is full. Do not squeeze the handle to add more or you may end up with a check engine light
Polluted_Shmuch@reddit
I noticed gas attendants doing this, (multiple, in multiple locations) in Oregon when self service wasn't allowed, some offered to "top it off", some did it automatically without asking.
Ticked me off everytime. So glad they allow you to pump your own gas now.
loopsbruder@reddit
Drove me nuts too. For people who got so passionate about the law requiring them to fill my tank, it was surprising they didn't care about the other law that bans topping off the tank.
TumblingOcean@reddit
If you go inside and prepay with a card and don't use it all, it'll go back on the card.
Blepikko@reddit
The clicking sound is from the pump stopping not your car. The reason it stops by itself when your tank gets full is so it doesn’t overfill it’s a safety mechanism. And I don’t know about you, but some nozzles at my gas stations are just really shitty and will stop pumping but you can still add more. You just have to release and hold it again. If you pay a certain amount at the register, it will stop pumping and click when it gets to that amount on the screen I hope I answered all of your questions. Also some gas pumps have a little metal piece. You could either push up or down with your finger so you don’t have to squeeze the pump. It will hold it there itself and pump gas.
Blepikko@reddit
That metal piece right there I just found out what it was a couple months ago and I love that when the pump is cold I don’t have to touch it or if I’m putting a lot in and don’t feel like holding it for that long I just prop it up.
BriscoCountyJR23@reddit
I prefer the pumps that you could select how much in dollars you wanted to fill and it would stop. These days I use the Shell app to do that but I have to select from fixed values.
CastorCurio@reddit
One thing to point out (if you're in the US): some states have pump handles with a little lever that allow you to keep the pump running without holding it and some don't. In NY you will need to hold the larger lever on the the handle the entire time to get gas to flow.
Also sometimes the gas doesn't start flowing right away. Just release the handle a few times and it should start flowing.
opaqueism@reddit
And if it still doesn’t, try lifting the nozzle out of your gas tank a tiny bit. Some vehicles won’t allow gas to be pumped when the nozzle is too far in.
EarlyLibrarian9303@reddit
Both good points. If the gas handle doesn’t have that little kickstand-like lever to keep the gas flowing til your tank is full, you’ll have to squeeze it yourself. Do NOT consider wedging a tennis ball or something similar to activate the handle. Station personnel will lose it because it’s dangerous.
Also dangerous: using a cell phone while pumping, or getting in the out again of your car. You risk static discharge, and sparks and gasoline do not mix well anywhere except inside an engine.
228P@reddit
I've put gas in my cars thousands of times and don't even think about it. Thanks for reminding me that even what we may consider mindless tasks like pumping gas or tying our shoes, someone had to teach us.
You got this. Pretty soon you'll be more concerned about how slow the gallon numbers move and how fast the dollar numbers move on the pump. :)
trixicat64@reddit
Well, not the car clicks, the handle clicks. In Germany you also could snap the nozzle, so you don't have to hold it constantly and it switches off automatically as soon as the tank is full. Not sure if thats a thing in the US, but i think so. You also should double check, if your taking the right type of fuel. If you switch petrol with diesel, you can damage the car. Not sure about the payments, this part is completely different than in Germany. In Germany you pump the gas first and then go inside to pay, i've heard that in the US you do it the other way around. Instead some gas station have a button, were you can preselect the amount of money you wanna spend maximum.
TumblingOcean@reddit
In the US the disel spout is shaped different and the handle is colored green (around where I live anyways) so it would be rather hard to accidently switch it it's a wider spout so you would have to fight to get it in.
Also if you pick up the disel handle the screen will flash DIESEL in some gas stations as well.
WestQuiet6564@reddit (OP)
You go in and pay first here usually because I've worked at 2 gas stations and that's what we do but I'm not 100% sure.
Hot-Win2571@reddit
Prepayment is often required in high crime areas. In most areas, you can either pay at the pump (there's a credit card reader) or prepay inside. Sometimes the outermost pumps are prepay, to reduce driveoffs.
opaqueism@reddit
You’ve got it on point!
I haven’t read any comments yet so my apologies if this has already been mentioned. Most pump handles have a little thing underneath where when you squeeze the “trigger”, there’s a spot to place the bottom part of the trigger into and it holds it in place so you don’t have to keep your finger on it the whole time you’re pumping gas. Just a lil tip/trick that I wish I would’ve known for my first 3-4 years of driving lol.
ivanispaco@reddit
Yep it will click when your car is full (under normal operation). It's always a good idea to never leave pumping gas unattended as well. Things happen, pumps malfunction, issues with the car can cause fuel spills as well, so don't just set the handle and walk away. You can slightly squeeze the handle to say get an extra few cents to round up to the next dollar. (I recommend NOT doing this if you're filling up. If you overfill your fuel tank, it can cause issues with your cars EVAP system. When the pump kicks off, leave it be.)
If you pre-pay, the amount is pre set and will shut off automatically at the requested amount.
Obviously there are the common practices for pumping
-be courteous of others. If you're at a busy station, don't stay blocking a pump while you text everyone and their mother. Also try not to block the diesel pumps if you drive a gasoline car. Diesel pumps are typically less numerous so they may be waiting for people to move so they can access a pump.
-I like to purchase pre-paid fuel cards every paycheck. Card skimmers are a thing, even if not common. I'd rather scan a pre-paid card that's only good for fuel, and just has ~$80 on it, than risk my credit/debit card. Some companies, such as speedway, also give an additional discount for fuel cards (.03/gal are speedway).
-Fuel rewards programs. If your local station has one, join it. You have to get gas anyways, may as well earn rewards! There are also certain apps that give cash back on fuel purchases.
-the windshield scrubbers at most fuel stations isn't actually windshield washing fluid. Just dyed water. However, it's still better than having a filthy window.
Hot-Win2571@reddit
If you're paying at the pump, first you insert your credit card.
Then you take the nozzle out of the pump. You might need to flip a lever so the pump knows that you've removed the nozzle (this may be optional if the pump detects that the nozzle has been removed). You'll have to push a button to choose what type of gas. Then you're ready to pump.
peenutlover69@reddit
You're absolutely right on both! You can stop filling whenever you want by squeezing and releasing the handle. And it will automatically stop at the preset amount you pay for inside
peenutlover69@reddit
Also I am US if that makes a difference
WestQuiet6564@reddit (OP)
I'm in the US too, thank you
basement-thug@reddit
You're are in the US?
NefariousnessFew4354@reddit
You are correct. There are also YouTube videos shows you full process. Congratulations on your first car 👍
WestQuiet6564@reddit (OP)
Thank you!