Petrol stations are now almost all self-service, which means you have to fill your car's tank yourself. This allows faster operations and saves a little, but it is important to know how to proceed. You need to know how a petrol pump works, choose the right type of fuel and complete all operations quickly and safely. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Payment
Step 1. Pull the car up to the gas pump and turn off the engine
Try to park so that the tank opening is as close as possible to the pump; Also make sure you approach on the right side. Since it is dangerous to refuel with the engine running, turn off the car.
- Check that the pump is delivering the type of fuel you need. Some are for diesel only, others for gasoline only, and still others are multi-dispenser. The latter have two dispensing guns on each side.
- Remember the security measures. Before approaching a distributor, get rid of the cigarette you are smoking, which could set off a fire, and leave your cell phone in the cockpit. Static electricity emitted from batteries has been linked to many bursts at gas stations.
Step 2. Choose your payment method
You have to pay before choosing the fuel. You can use your credit card, debit card or cash.
- To pay to the distributor, simply enter the debit / credit card in the appropriate column, and enter the PIN to confirm the operation. If you pay in cash, insert the banknotes in the appropriate slot. Some machines ask you to enter the amount you want to pay, in this way the fuel supply will stop automatically once the entered amount is reached. For example, if you enter the value of € 20, the pump will block at this level. If you want to fill up, skip this part and press "Enter" or "Confirm". If you used cash, you will have a lot of petrol in relation to the value of the banknotes, in which case there is no change.
- To pre-pay at the service station, contact the clerk. You will need to tell him how much fuel you want to buy and the number of the pump you are parked near. You can use cash, debit or credit card. The amount you paid will appear on the vending machine display, which will automatically block once this figure is reached. If you want to fill up and pay in cash, you will probably have to overpay, fill the tank and then go back to the office to get the change. Simply tell the clerk your intention and then go back to get the money he owes you.
- If you are a member of a loyalty program, insert your card here (or before your credit / debit card, according to the instructions on the pump). This may result in a discount or add points to your balance at participating gas stations.
Step 3. Remove the fuel cap from the vehicle
To do this you will first need to open the door. Depending on the model of your car, it may be necessary to press a button inside the passenger compartment or simply lever it with your fingers. Unscrew the cap and place it in a safe place; alternatively let it hang from the safety cable (if available).
Step 4. Remove the dispenser from the dispenser and insert it securely into the tank opening
In most petrol pumps it is necessary to raise the gun before choosing which type of fuel to dispense. The best thing to do is insert the gun quickly into the tank by pushing it all the way down.
- If the dispenser has more than one gun, then it means that it supplies both diesel and petrol. The one for diesel usually has a larger caliber, is blue or yellow in color and is too large to fit in the opening of a petrol tank. Make sure you take the right kind of fuel or you will ruin the engine.
- Gas pump guns are built to fit into all tank openings without having to hold them steady with your hand. Even if you notice that many people keep their hand on the gun while dispensing fuel, know that this is an unnecessary action. If you have inserted the gun correctly, you will have no problem.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing the Fuel
Step 1. Choose the right type of fuel
In Italy unleaded 95 octane petrol is available, although in some cases the various oil companies offer "premium" or special 98 or 100 octane versions that contain additives that improve engine performance (or at least they should); According to the brand of the service station, the name of these improved versions of fuel changes. To understand which type of petrol is best suited to your vehicle, read the use and maintenance manual. In most cases, 95 octane green is just fine.
The octane number refers to the amount of fuel that can be compressed in the piston before it explodes. A gasoline with a low octane number bursts first, while one with a high octane number has a delayed injection. This is preferable in high performance engines to prevent them from “knocking” and to generate more power. Most normal engines do not benefit from high octane fuels
Step 2. Make your choice by pressing the button corresponding to the fuel type
A selection button corresponds to each petrol mixture. When you've made your considerations based on price and octane, hit the appropriate button.
In older dispensers you can find a lever on the bottom of the dispensing gun housing that you will need to rotate before choosing the type of fuel. In modern digitized vending machines, all you need to do is press a button. Once the pump is activated, you are ready to refuel
Step 3. Press “Start”
When you have selected the type of petrol, you will probably have to press the start button (especially if it is a multiple dispenser). This activates the pump and prepares it, which means that when you are ready you can pull the trigger on the dispensing gun.
Check the display to make sure it is at zero. This way you can be sure that the pump is ready for use after selection. As you refuel, check how much gasoline is being delivered and the cost
Part 3 of 3: Deliver the Fuel
Step 1. Squeeze the gun “trigger” to activate the flow of gasoline
Apply gentle pressure to allow fuel to enter the tank. Most dispensers have a latch that locks the trigger in place allowing you to let go.
All modern petrol pumps have an automatic blocking system that stops the flow when the tank is almost full or when the prepaid amount is reached. You will hear a "click" when this happens
Step 2. Consider stopping the gas flow before the tank is full
There is a lot of discussion about the accuracy of the automatic locking device. Some consumers believe that, by filling the entire tank, some petrol flows back into the pump, even if it has been paid for. To avoid this waste, do not fill the tank to the maximum.
Some petrol stations have a vapor recovery system that brings them back into the dispenser and it is equally true that the petrol inside the tank expands making "full to the brim" useless and expensive (for your wallet and for the environment)
Step 3. Remove the gun from the tank and put it back in its place
Release or unlock the trigger by placing it back in the initial position and let the last drops of gasoline fall into the tank. Put the gun back in its housing; if it is an old distributor remember that you have to lower the lever that you had previously rotated.
It is quite normal for some fuel to drain from the pump when you remove it from the tank. Be careful with shoes and clothes! If a little petrol wets the body, dry it immediately with paper that is often made available by the service station. These drops are not dangerous, but they still leave a bad smell
Step 4. Insert the fuel cap
Screw it in fully until you hear a “click”, then close the door.
Step 5. Accept or reject the receipt
At this point, some distributors will emit a "beep" to confirm the conclusion of the operation. You can print the receipt or reject it by pressing the “No” button. Depending on the type of service station and the payment method, it may be necessary to return to the office to get the receipt.
Advice
- Avoid gas stations that have just been refueled by the tank truck. When new fuel is pumped into the large tank of the pump, the sediments at the bottom are stirred and moved to the surface. It is better that these deposits do not enter your car.
- Fill up in the morning, when the temperature is lower. As the day gets warmer, the gasoline vapors expand and you will pay more for less fuel.
- Near the "trigger" of the dispensing gun there is usually a block that allows you to release the pressure on the trigger without interrupting the flow of gasoline. Do not be afraid that there will be overflows, because the gun has a locking system as soon as it senses that the tank is almost full.
