How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself
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How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself

It would seem that it could be easier than filling the car with another portion of fuel. In fact, for some drivers (mostly newcomers), this procedure is one of the most stressful in the process of driving.

Consider some principles that will help the motorist correctly perform the procedure at the gas station, which often allows self-service customers. It is especially important to remember the safety rules so that you do not have to pay for the damage of other people's property.

When to refuel?

The first question is when to refuel. It would seem that the answer is obvious - when the tank is empty. In fact, there is a slight subtlety. To refuel the car, you need to get to the gas station. And for this you need a certain portion of fuel.

Given this factor, experts recommend taking the lead - learn to determine at what stage the tank will become almost empty. Then it will not be necessary to stop passing cars, and ask to tow to the nearest gas station (or to ask to merge a little gasoline).

How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself

Another detail. In old cars, a lot of garbage can accumulate in the gas tank over the entire period of operation. Of course, a filter is installed on the suction pipe of the fuel line, however, if literally the last drop is drained, then there is a high probability of debris getting into the fuel line. This can lead to accelerated clogging of the fine fuel filter. This is another reason why you should not wait for the arrow to completely lie on the limiter.

To prevent this situation, manufacturers equipped the car dashboard with a warning light. Each car has its own indicator of the minimum fuel level. When buying a new car, you should test how far the vehicle will travel since the light comes on (at the same time, you need to have at least 5 liters of fuel in stock).

How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself

Many are guided by the odometer - they set for themselves the maximum mileage through which they need to refuel. So it’s easier for them to find out whether there is enough fuel for the trip or whether he can get to the right gas station.

How to choose a gas station

Although there may be many different gas stations in the city or along the travel route, you should not think that any will. Each supplier sells different products. Often there are gas stations in which the fuel is of extremely low quality, although the price is at the same level as in premium companies.

After buying a vehicle, it is worthwhile to ask friends of motorists what services they use. Then you should observe how the car behaves after refueling on a specific column. This will help determine which company sells gasoline that is suitable for the vehicle.

How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself

Even if you have to travel far, you can see on the map at what intervals suitable stations are located. Some motorists during the trip calculate the distance between such gas stations, and “feed” the car, even if the light bulb has not yet come on.

What are the types of fuel

All motorists know that for each type of engine their own fuel is developed, so the gasoline engine will not work on diesel fuel. The same logic applies to diesel ICE.

But even for gasoline power units, there are different brands of gasoline:

  • 76th;
  • 80th;
  • 92th;
  • 95th;
  • .

At gas stations, consoles are often found, such as "Super", "Energy", "Plus" and so on. According to suppliers, this is an “improved formula that is safer for the engine.” In fact, this is ordinary gasoline with a low content of additives, which affect the quality of combustion.

If the car is old, then in most cases its engine “feeds” on the 92nd grade of fuel. The 80th and 76th are extremely rarely used, since this is already a very old technique. The engine, which runs on the brand 92, will function well on the 95th gasoline. Only in this case there is no need to overpay.

How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself

If the car is new, and even under warranty, then the manufacturer accurately indicates which gasoline should be used. Otherwise, the vehicle may be withdrawn from the warranty. If the service book is not available (it contains various recommendations, including the brand of engine oil, as well as the type of gasoline), then as a hint to the driver, the manufacturer made a corresponding note on the inside of the gas tank hatch.

How to refuel?

For most motorists, this procedure is so simple that a detailed refueling description may seem ridiculous. But for a beginner, these reminders will not hurt.

Fire safety

Before refueling a car, it is imperative to remember fire safety. Gasoline is a flammable substance, therefore it is strictly forbidden to smoke in the gas station.

Another rule is the mandatory shutdown of the engine near the column. You also need to be careful that the gun is completely placed in the filler neck of the gas tank. Otherwise, it may fall out (if the fuel is supplied automatically after payment). Gasoline spills onto asphalt, which can cause a fire. Even a slight spark may be enough to ignite the vapor of gasoline.

How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself

Since there is a potential danger at the station site, all drivers are asked to drop passengers out of the car.

Gun lever stall

This is not a frequent occurrence, but it does happen. During refueling, the automatic gun fires and fuel stops flowing. In this case, you can do the following:

  • Leave the gun in the filler neck and go to the cashier. Report a problem. Next, the station employee will say that you need to hang the gun on the column, then reinsert it into the tank, and refueling is completed. This can happen due to the fact that gasoline does not enter the tank well, and the device recognizes it as an overflowing tank. Also, this can happen due to the fact that the motorist did not fully insert the gun. Due to the pressure reflected from the walls of the filler neck, the automatics work, falsely identifying this as a full tank.
  • You can not fully press the pistol lever (approximately half turn) until gasoline goes. But this is only if the tank is not filled, otherwise gasoline will simply go through the top.

Phased refueling technique

The refueling process is quite simple. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

  • We drive to a suitable column (they indicate what gasoline is in this tank). It is necessary to determine exactly which side you want to stop the machine, since the filling hose is not dimensionless. You need to drive up from the side of the gas tank hatch.How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself
  • I'm shutting down the engine.
  • If the refueling worker did not come up, you need to open the gas tank hatch yourself. In many modern cars, it opens from the passenger compartment (a small lever on the floor near the trunk handle).
  • Unscrew the tank cap. In order not to lose it, it can be put on the bumper (if it has a ledge). Do not put it on the trunk, as drops of gasoline can damage the paintwork or at least leave behind greasy spots on which dust will constantly accumulate. Often, tankers put a lid in the area of ​​a shot gun (it all depends on the design of the column).
  • We insert a gun into the neck (on it and in the place where it is installed, there is an inscription with the brand of gasoline). Its bell should completely go inside the filler hole.
  • Most gas stations are activated only after payment. In this case, pay attention to the column number. At the box office you need to inform this figure, the brand of gasoline and the number of liters (or the amount of money for which it is planned to refuel the car).
  • After payment, go to the gun and press its lever. The column mechanism pumps into the tank the amount of fuel for which it was paid.
  • As soon as the pump stops (characteristic noise stops), release the lever and carefully remove the gun from the neck. At this point, drops of gasoline can get on the car body. In order not to stain the car, the handle is slightly lowered below the level of the filler neck, and the gun itself is turned so that its nose looks up.
  • Do not forget to tighten the tank cap, close the hatch.

What if there is a gas station at the gas station?

In this case, when the car enters the refueling area, the refueller usually approaches the customer himself, opens the fuel tank, inserts the gun into the neck, monitors the refueling, removes the pistol and closes the tank.

How to refuel a car at a gas station yourself

In such situations, the driver is expected to place his car next to the required column on the correct side (the fuel filler flap to the column). When the tanker approaches, he needs to be told what type of fuel to fill. You also need to check the column number with him.

While the refueller will carry out all the procedures for refueling, you need to go to the cashier, pay for the required amount of fuel. After payment, the controller will turn on the desired column. You can wait for the end of the filling near the car. If a full tank is filled, the controller first turns on the dispenser, and then reports how much fuel has been filled. The refueller needs to provide a receipt for payment, and you can go (first make sure that the pistol does not stick out of the tank).

Questions and answers:

How does a gas station pistol work? Its device has a special lever, membrane and valve. When gasoline is poured into the tank, the air pressure raises the membrane. As soon as the air stops flowing (the end of the pistol is in gasoline), the pistol fires.

How to properly fill gasoline at a gas station? Refuel with the engine turned off. A pistol is inserted into the open filler hole and fixed in the neck. After payment, gasoline will start pumping.

How do you know when you need to refuel your car? For this, there is a fuel level sensor on the dashboard. When the arrow is at the minimum position, the lamp comes on. Depending on the settings of the float, the driver has 5-10 liters of fuel at his disposal.

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