Another day on the job here at the gas station, and I’ve seen just about everything.
The “get every last drop in the tank” types, the nozzle tuggers, the nozzle ripper-offers!
Even a few near explosions!
So, I decided to spread the message.
Here are the most common mistakes people make while fueling up!
1.
Putting gas in any container If I see you with an empty jug of milk out
there, I’m shutting your pump off.
Yep, I can do it from inside the store!
You can only pump gas into approved portable containers.
You also can't fill them up inside your car or its trunk because static electricity can
ignite fuel vapors.
Always put the container on the ground.
And don't forget that gas expands, so you should leave 5% of the container space empty.
2.
Being distracted Think of it this way – every time you pull
up to the pump, you’re about to handle a highly toxic and explosive material.
So nonchalantly scrolling through your social media feed is no way to handle such a high-stakes
situation.
Otherwise, you could overflood the tank and cause a spill.
You might also accidentally pump diesel into your gas-powered car.
Distractions are also why so many people forget to take the nozzle out of their tank, drive
away, and rip the whole thing off the pump!
Exactly why we put those “No Cell Phone” signs up!
3.
Not looking at the pump screen Don’t assume all pumps are accurate and
in perfect working order.
Equipment can go bad, and gas station workers might not notice it right away.
Hey, we’re usually swamped!
Instead of looking down at your phone or watching those fancy little TVs many stations are putting
on the pumps, your eyes should be on the pump screen.
Before you start refueling your car, make sure the screen says $0.00 so that you don't
get charged extra.
Also, look out for stickers on the pumps that tell you the date of the last inspection.
They check that customers are getting what they pay for.
By the way, which of these gas-station no-no’s are you guilty of?
Let me know down in the comments!
But I’ve got more, so let’s keep rolling!
4.
Topping off your tank Gas needs room to expand, right?
Topping off your fuel tank can affect your car’s performance and could possibly damage
the engine because of the built-up pressure.
Plus, once a gas tank is full, there’s no way to fit any more in there.
There’s a reason the nozzle kicks off when your tank has all the gas it can hold – don’t
push it and risk causing a spill.
5.
Using your card at the pump.
Because you don’t want to come into the store and make small talk with me, I get it.
But watch out!
There’s this thing called card skimming – which is when an illegal reader is attached
to a payment terminal.
And don’t look at me – I didn’t do it!
Anybody can walk up to the pump and put that thing on there!
Then data from your credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe winds up in the wrong hands,
and you’re seeing all kinds of transactions you didn’t make!
Just come pay inside.
Grab yourself a coffee while you’re at it!
It’s fresh!
Ok, kinda fresh…
6.
Walking away while pumping If you come in for that coffee I brewed over
an hour ago before the morning rush, don’t pop in while your gas is pumping.
Again, I’ll shut your pump off.
I know there’s that handy little stand you can pull out to keep the gas flowing even
if you’re not holding the nozzle.
But it’s not there so that you can do other things while your car fills itself.
Remember that part about pumps not always working perfectly?
That automatic click-off might not work, and you’ll have a nasty spill!
Well, I’LL have a nasty spill to clean up, so please don’t…
7.
Not checking your tires Checking your tire pressure is a good gas
station habit to get into.
I even have a nice air pump you can use…for a price!
If your tires are underinflated, you don’t get as good gas mileage.
Then you end up spending more because you have to fill up more often.
You can find the proper tire pressure for your car on a sticker in the driver's side
door or in your owner's manual.
But never use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall.
Wouldn’t want any explosions.
On that note…
8.
Not touching your car before pumping gas Remember that thing about static electricity
igniting invisible fuel vapors?
Well, get this: when you get out of the car, your clothes sliding against the seat fabric
creates some static charge.
And when you grab that metallic nozzle, a spark can happen.
Just like when you accidentally shock someone, right?
Only, instead of giggling and seeing if you can do it to your friend again, that tiny
spark can light up those gas vapors!
To dispel any electric charge on you, just touch a metal part of your vehicle before
you reach for the nozzle.
9.
Not washing your hands after a fill-up Escalator rails, ATM buttons, even your own
mailbox!
They’re among the dirtiest public surfaces.
You know what’s on the top of that list?
Gas pump handles.
They’re covered in germs because everyone and their cousin have touched them.
So, you hang the handle back on the pump, scratch your eye, bite your nails, and next
thing you know, you’ve got a nasty virus.
Just keep some hand sanitizer with you at all times, and use it as soon as you’re
done filling up.
Don’t wait until you’ve reached your destination because you’ll already have spread those
germs all over your car, phone, and your face!
10.
Driving in circles You can’t imagine how often I see people
driving in circles around the gas station because they forgot which side their tank
is on.
Then they’ll pull up on the wrong side and try to stretch the nozzle over the car!
A pretty hilarious spectacle to watch, not gonna lie.
Here’s a little trick not many people know: look at the dashboard and find the small arrow
near the gas gauge.
If it’s pointing left, the car’s tank is on the left.
If it points right, well, you get it.
11.
Not locking the car You’re gonna pop in real quick to prepay
on pump 9.
And maybe some coffee?
Come on, it’s not THAT stale!
Fine…
But did you lock your door?
Uh-oh, listen up!
Stealing from unlocked cars at a gas station has its own special name: sliding.
Even if you’re quick about grabbing your snack or paying for your gas, skilled thieves
will already have “slid” into your car, grabbed anything valuable, and fled the scene
with time to spare!
12.
Buying premium gas There are so many myths connected with premium
gas, so let’s bust them all in one go: - “Premium gas means better mileage.”
Nope!
You’ll only see a difference if you’re driving racecar speeds.
- “Premium makes your regular engine perform better.”
Wrong.
You won’t feel any change unless you have that high-end engine.
- “Regular gas can ruin a premium engine.”
Negative…well, sort of.
One fill-up with the less expensive fuel won’t mess with your engine.
But just one!
Doing so regularly is a bad idea.
Bottom line: get premium only if your car requires high-octane gasoline.
13.
Not knowing how to handle an emergency Let's say you place the nozzle inside the
tank and suddenly see it’s caught on fire.
What’s your next move?
Scream and run away?
Me too, but here’s what you should do.
First, don't remove the nozzle – just back away.
Shut off the fuel at the pump using the emergency shut-off switch.
Then, let me (your friendly gas station clerk) know about the problem right away so I can
shut off all the pumps with the one master emergency control.
Kinda always wanted to push that big red button.
But then again, kinda not!
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friend!
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Just click to the left or right, and stay on the Bright Side of life!