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Mon 21 Apr 2008 19:29

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Nsar

Stopped off at the services on the M61 and went to put some air in the tyres. Had my 20p piece ready so I was a bit miffed to find the air was 50p, but very surprised to find that it was 50p if I wanted to use the water hose.

I thought M-way service stations had some legal obligation to provide certain facilties FOC?

Anyone know for sure?

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Mon 21 Apr 2008 19:59

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Optimist

I think paying for air or water anywhere is a rip-off and have noticed that round here BP and Shell have gone back to both for free because that's what the local supermarket forecourts do.

I don't know what the answer is but would have thought they have a legal obligation to allow you to, how shall I express it, disburse water for free.

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Mon 21 Apr 2008 20:35

Paying for Water at M-way Services - jc2

Our local petrol station turns off the water from the office;if you want water,you go in and ask them to turn it on.Why??-"travellers" come in and fill large numbers of containers!!

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Mon 21 Apr 2008 20:38

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Pugugly

Probably as mundane as the fact that people leave the tap running, it may be as simple as that or that its a "control measure" in the risk assessment surrounding slippery surfaces. These days if you provide a service (whether free or paid for) to the public you have to take account of the dumbest punter - its really that bad.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 14:20

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Stuartli

Probably as mundane as the fact that people leave the tap running>>

All the types I've used (attached to a hose) have required you to squeeze a lever to run water.

We have a very big Tesco Extra near me where I buy fuel and use the free air and water facility.

The BP garage just 50 yards away charges 20p for air. I've no qualms with that as it's not a cheap facility to provide and maintain, especially for the last reason given by Pugugly.

Edited by Stuartli on 22/04/2008 at 14:21

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Mon 21 Apr 2008 20:36

Paying for Water at M-way Services - jbif

Motorway Service Area (MSA) operators have a USO "universal service obligation" ?to stay open 24-hours a day to ensure motorists always have somewhere to stop, rest, refresh themselves and refuel their vehicles.

IMO, that does not mean they cannot charge you for some (or maybe all?) of those facilities.

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Mon 21 Apr 2008 22:07

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Doc

I thought M-way service stations had some legal obligation to provide certain facilties FOC?

I think the only service that must be free is toilets.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 13:57

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Snakey

If I can find ana air pump that works I'll happily pay 50p, usually as I've visited 5 garages to find one that isn't broken or missing.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 15:08

Paying for Water at M-way Services - jc2

Usually because someone has driven off with it still attached or hooked round some bit of the bodywork.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 15:57

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Falkirk Bairn

Stopped off at the services on the M61 and went to put some air in

the tyres. Had my 20p piece ready so I was a bit miffed to find

the air was 50p but very surprised to find that it was 50p if I

wanted to use the water hose.

If your radiator needs water Should you be running along a motorway anyway. If it is the washer bottle why didn't you check the oil & water before you left on a "longish journey"

My sons' have the answer - come to the gargae of mum & dad's - foot pump, water + screenwash + litre of Mobil 1 - all free to be provided FREE I understand.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 16:29

Paying for Water at M-way Services - qxman {p}

A local supermarket provide air and water for free. They don't seem to have a problem keeping it working either.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 16:33

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Cliff Pope

You'll just have to smuggle some out of the restaurant. Drinking water is free.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 17:46

Paying for Water at M-way Services - lotusexige

To be honest I would expect most people on this forum would check the fluids and the tyres weekly or so or before setting out ony any longish journey. Its is pointless checking the tyres after driveing a couple of miles as they will have warmed up and they will in fact warm up more if underinflated.

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 23:15

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Nsar

Falkirk Bairn

Honestly, the sniffy, judgemental comments you get on this forum are one of its least appealing features. 20 miles up the motorway isn't a long trip. Tyres felt a bit squishy so I stopped to check and thought I'd top up the washer.

Got any other tips to bring me up to your impeccable standards?

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Tue 22 Apr 2008 23:47

Paying for Water at M-way Services - Mr Tickle

I usually adopt the following procedure:-

1. Buy bottle of pop from shop in M'way services
2. Drink contents
3. Go to Gents/Ladies and fill empty bottle with water
4. Take free water to car and top up.
5. Return to conveniences to relieve oneself of liquid imbibed at 2, above ;-)

The old mini I had for my 1st car had a screenwash bottle which could easily be removed, without tools. It was a simple job to take it to the nearest tap (e.g. 3 above) and refill it for free. I once refilled the radiator this way (umpteen bottles full) when a hose blew.

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