Following the recent item on the gentleman and the conversation with the filling station staff.
This is an Aussie's experience filling up in the USA.
www.aussieinamerica.com/differences/gas.htm
Enjoy!
|
|
I found the credit-card pumps in the US an absolute joy to use when I was over there. Can't imagine why they're not in use more over here, instantly solve the problem of drive-aways.
|
How strange,I posted that link in the 'needless queueing' thread
last night.There is some other good stuff on there,check the christmas link which goes on to a discussion of American electrics(via decorations),quite shocking,pun intended.
|
How strange,I posted that link in the 'needless queueing' thread last night.
Sorry to duplicate. I did not see your posting and thought it worth a new thread.
As an ex Sierra man I hope I am excused.
|
As an ex Sierra man I hope I am excused.
Of course,obviously a case of'great minds'.
|
|
|
|
I could never get my card to work in one of those pumps. So I always had to go into the store, hand over some cash, fill up the car (hoping I had handed over enough cash to fill the tank) before going back in for my change. Frustrating.
------
AngryJonny (was E34kid)
|
|
|
|
A funny article but a bit ridiculous. The systems here are all pretty much the same and couldn't be much simpler. The only wrinkle is some pumps make you flip up a lever when you have removed the pump handle and some don't. Most times there are even hold open latches so you can sit in the car while the pump ticks over - useful when it's 10F outside.
Some pumps in California are a bit fussy and tend to cut off, but that's due to some daft environmental legislation to do with preventing petrol vapour escaping during fueling.
|
Most times there are even hold open latches so you can sit in the car while the pump ticks over - useful when it's 10F outside.
It's those, not mobile phones, that cause petrol station fires. They've done it on Mythbusters and Braniac. When you get out the car the first time you tend to earth yourself by holding on to the bodywork or something, but when you get back in, if you're wearing nylon it generates static by rubbing against the seat. If the door is already open the tendency to earth yourself is lower. Get in and out a few times and you can get a spark. Boom.
------
AngryJonny (was E34kid)
|
|
Strange synchronicity going on here,I posted about that last night as well.In the states don't they have a means of sealing the filler and sucking up the fumes whilst filling?That would make it safe.In hot weather I have to remember to push the door shut with the glass when I exit,otherwise I get quite a jolt,or,if I have a passenger,let them get out first:)
|
I'm surprised people don't know this, but there's a way of exiting a car and guaranteeing no static shocks:
1. Before you even exit the vehicle, before you even start getting out of your seat, place one hand firmly on the exterior bodywork of the car and *LEAVE* it there
2. Get out of the car normally, but (and this is the important bit) DO NOT REMOVE YOUR HAND from the vehicle body work at any time!
3. Once both of your feet are on the ground outside the car, it's safe to remove your hand from the vehicle bodywork.
Congratulations -- you've exited the car without getting a shock.
The way this works is that any static that you might build up while exiting the vehicle, which is caused by the friction between you and the seat, carpet, etc. is discharged as soon as it is generated, as opposed to being stored up and discharged when you first touch an earthed object.
|
I'm surprised people don't know this, but there's a way of exiting a car and guaranteeing no static shocks:
This never works for me - I still get a shock as soon as my foot touches the ground even though I keep my hand on the paintwork throughout. Some cars are worse than others, a Toyota Carina E being the one I'd regularly get zapped by.
The first time I was in the US it took 2 of us ages to figure out that you were supposed to flip up the lever first...
|
|
|
|
well.In the states don't they have a means of sealing the filler and sucking up the fumes whilst filling?That would make it safe
Not in all states. In California I struggled with a pump where you not only had to hold the trigger, but there was some sort of very strong micro switch in the rubber cowling where the pump nozzle meets the filler pipe, which meant you had to push the pump on to the car as well. Very tricky. Gotta love those enviros!
|
|
|
|
Not quite the same but in my local bp garage you have to give them your money/card before they will activate the ultimate fuel pumps.
to many people driving off when they have filled up and then see the price per litre(joke)
No the truth is that the ultimate fuels are the furthest from the kiosk and thats where the flyby's go.
|
My problem at the foirst fill-up in the US was being asked for cash up front but not having a clue how much the (nearly empty) Neon would take.
I gave up $20 and just about squeezed it all in.
|
My problem at the foirst fill-up in the US was being asked for cash up front but not having a clue how much the (nearly empty) Neon would take. I gave up $20 and just about squeezed it all in.
I did the same some years back. I was in a rush so couldnt be bothered to work out a likely quantity/cost, fuel warning light was on, so I asked for $15 worth. The cashier asked me twice, "are you sure you want $15 worth?", and I said yes.
I only managed to squeeze in $12 and the tank was full, and that was in a Ford Taurus, Granada sized thing. And I also had the flip up lever problem!
|
Presumably the Aussie was filling up (with tears)...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
|
|
|
|
>> Most times there are even hold open latches so you can >> sit in the car while the pump ticks over - useful >> when it's 10F outside. It's those, not mobile phones, that cause petrol station fires. They've done it on Mythbusters and Braniac. When you get out the car the first time you tend to earth yourself by holding on to the bodywork or something, but when you get back in, if you're wearing nylon it generates static by rubbing against the seat. If the door is already open the tendency to earth yourself is lower. Get in and out a few times and you can get a spark. Boom.
Everybody does it, even in this lawyer-choken litigation crazed land, and yet there is no epidemic of exploding cars!
|
|
During a holiday in Arizona a while back, both my then partner and I were getting sharp static shocks (conspcicuous blue flashes at night) when getting out of the hire car. Cause? Rubber-soled sandals. Cure? Leather-soled shoes. The former were preventing the steady and unnoticeable discharge of the built-up static, which the latter allow.
|
I suspect that Aussie could not read, not to mention other bits of the tale that just don't add up. All the "pay at the pump" stations I have been to have instructions displayed on a little LCD screen telling you what to do and when to do it. The local Asda has a pay at the pump kiosk and that too has the little LCD screen offering instructions.
"Insert Card"
"Remove Card"
"Select grade"
etc etc
The flip handle pumps are a dying breed and I don't think I have ever come across one at a Pay-at-the-pump.
An absolute joy are the Mobil "Speedpass" stations. Register with Mobil giving them your credit/debit card details and you are issued with a little fob to attach to your keyring. Pull up to the pump, wave the fob at the pump which reads your individual ID code and you are good to go. There is even a reader inside at the till so you can buy goods in the shop just as easily.
|
Most the Tesco fuel stations I use have the pay at pump facility too. Never understood why more places don't offer this, perhaps they want us to visit their shops in the hope we buy something else!
|
|
|
|
|
|
