There are less and less full-service gas stations.Self-service can be quicker and you can save money by knowing how to fill your tank properly.You can learn to operate the pump, pick the most appropriate gasoline, and complete the process to get on your way safely.For more information, see Step 1
Step 1: Pull up the pump you have.
Pull up with your gas tank opening as close to the pump as possible to make sure you pull up on the correct side of the vehicle.Since it's dangerous to pump gas with your car running, you need to get out of the car.You should be at the correct variety of pump.Some pumps are only for Diesel vehicles, while others only pump regular gas.Both kinds of gas will have nozzles on each side of the pump.Good pump safety is practiced.Before you pull up to the pump, make sure you don't have any cigarettes around the gas and leave your cellphone in the car.Several gas station flare-ups have been linked to cell static.
Step 2: You can pay for your gas by selecting your payment method.
You have to pay for the gas before you pump it.You can pay with a credit or debit card at the pump or inside the store.Just slide your card and follow the instructions.If you want to confirm payment, you'll have to enter your PIN number or zip code.There are machines that will prompt you to enter an amount.When you've pumped $20 worth of gas, the pump will cut off the gas.Press enter if you want to fill your tank.Pay the attendant.They need to know how much gas you want to pay for and the number of pumps you're parked at.You can use cash or a card.When you get to that amount, the cash amount will show up on the pump.If you want to fill up your tank and pay in cash, you'll have to overpay, pump your gas, and then return to the counter to get your change.This is not new.Just tell the attendant you're going to try to fill it up, pay more than you think you need to, and then go back to the counter for your change.If you're a member of a rewards or loyalty program, you should insert your member card at this point.Points can be added to your balance at participating gas stations.
Step 3: The gas cap should be removed from your car.
To get to the gas tank, you'll need to open the door.You can either open it with your fingers or press a button inside, depending on your model.If connected with a wire, hang the gas cap from it.
Step 4: Take the nozzle out and put it into the gas tank opening.
You need to remove the nozzle before the machine will allow you to pump gas.Pushing the nozzle into the gas port of your car is the safest way to do this.Diesel and regular can be supplied by the gas pump if you see two nozzles.The Diesel nozzle is usually too big to fit in the port of a regular gas tank.The wrong type of gas can ruin your engine.You don't have to hold onto the handle while you pump because the nozzles are made to fit into the tank.Many people will hold onto the pump the whole time, but this is not necessary.It should be fine if you've inserted it fully and securely.
Step 5: Choose the grade of gasoline.
You can choose between regular, mid-grade, and premium gas at most gas pumps.Depending on the branding of the gas station these grades may have different names, but the octane rating is mostly universal.The owner's manual can be used to determine the most-appropriate octane for your vehicle.Regular or mid-grade gasoline is preferable for most vehicles.The amount of gasoline that can be compressed during the compression stroke is referred to as the octane rating.Higher-octane gas will ignite later in the stroke.In high- performance engines, higher- octane gasoline is used to prevent knocking.The majority of vehicles won't benefit from high-octane fuel.
Step 6: You can make your selection by pressing the button.
You can select the grade of gas by pressing a button.If you'd like to use a variety of gas, make your decision based on octane-grade and price, and on some older machines there's a little seat on the bottom of the "holster" where the gas pump sits in the machine.You have to flip it up before you start pumping gas.You can do this on newer machines by pressing a button.You're ready to start pumping gas once you've activated the pump.
Step 7: Start.
If you want to start pumping gas, you'll need to press the "Start" button on most pumps.You'll be ready to start pumping gas whenever you're ready, because this will turn the gas on and prime the pump.To make sure the pump goes back to zero, look at the dial.Once you've made your selection, this will show that the pump is ready to go.You can watch the price and volume of gas at the pump.
Step 8: The gasoline can be activated by pulling the Trigger on the pump.
The gasoline will flow out of the hose and into your fuel tank if you gently squeeze the pump nozzle.The gas flow can be made easier on your hand if you lock thetrigger on most pumps.All modern pumps have self-stop mechanisms that will cut off the flow of gasoline when the tank is full, or when you have reached the amount for which you've pre-paid, whichever happens first.When the tank is full or when the machine cuts it off, you'll hear a click.
Step 9: Before filling the tank, cut off the gas.
Some people disagree about the accuracy of the cut-off mechanism.Some consumers think that if you fill the tank to full, you're paying for more gas that goes back into the pump unused.If you want to avoid waste, keep your tank less than full.It's true that some stations have vapor recovery systems that feed back into the pump, used to recover gasoline, and also that gasoline expands in the tank, making a super-full tank somewhat unnecessary and wasteful.
Step 10: Remove the nozzle and replace it with a different one.
Remove the nozzle from the tank and let the last drips fall in.If you raised the holster tab, you can replace the nozzle into the pump.It's common for a small amount of gas to trickle out of the nozzle as you remove it, so be careful to avoid getting it on your shoes and clothes.There are paper towels at the side of the pump that you can use to clean up spilled gasoline.It can emit an odor.
Step 11: Make sure your gas tank is in working order.
Return the gas cap to its place and close the door to the tank after a few clicks.
Step 12: Accept or decline the receipt
At this point, the gas pump will stop working.You can either print a receipt or reject it.If you want to retrieve your receipt, you may need to return to the shop.