Refueling a car is an everyday matter for every motorist. Any car, even the most economical one, sooner or later will ask you to "eat". However, in this seemingly simple matter there are a lot of nuances. And today we’ll look at how to refuel a car at a gas station.
When?
Absolutely all modern cars are equipped with a special indicator on the panel board, which lights up when there is not enough fuel in the tank. As a rule, this light turns on when less than 7-10 liters of gasoline are left in the car. This is the minimum fuel level in the tank. But, seeing this signal on the dashboard, do not panic, because gasoline does not end immediately. That is, we will still have a reserve of about 50-100 kilometers. On this way, you can find the right gas station and buy the necessary amount of fuel.
Experts recommend refueling the car not when the red lamp is lit on the panel, but when the arrow on the scale has exceeded half. That is, if less than half of the fuel is left in the tank, then it's time to find a gas station.
Search for gas stations
This point should be given special attention. Fuel at a gas station can differ significantly in its properties, composition and quality, even if it is the same AI-95. Therefore, each gas station has its own reputation. You can find out how faithful a particular station is from reviews left on specialized resources, or from friends and acquaintances. By the way, gas stations must have a certificate for their products. It should indicate when the fuel was purchased, what quality (octane number), and also from which manufacturer it was purchased.
It is better not to drop by at unknown gas stations or at gas stations with suspiciously cheap fuel prices. Most often, they increase the octane number "in place", with the help of additives. That is, from the 92nd, the 95th gasoline is obtained . Of course, the quality of this mixture is much inferior to the real AI-95. Therefore, in order not to clog the fuel system of the car, choose one network of gas stations where you will constantly refuel the car. Diesel cars of the last years of release are especially affected by low-quality fuel. Repairing a diesel fuel system can cost tens of thousands of rubles. Basically, problems are observed with a high-pressure fuel pump (being repaired or replaced), nozzles (cleaning with a potent agent or ultrasound is performed), but sometimes with filters (you can’t get a little blood here, there’s only one way out - a complete replacement).
Often, bona fide gas stations set very high fuel prices. But if you think that refueling at a cheap station would be a more economical solution, you are deeply mistaken. And the point here is not only the clogging of the fuel system with dirt and deposits. A car with low-quality gasoline loses acceleration dynamics and power, while increasing fuel consumption. All this negatively affects the wallet of the car owner. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and choose one company. You may even be given a discount as a regular customer.
Gas stations
Where to gas a car? In Russia, there are much fewer such gas stations than gasoline ones, so choosing a company here is much more difficult. But about gas stations, you can find relevant reviews. Remember that a poor-quality product can damage the gas reducer, and this is a significant expense.
How to refuel a car at a gas station? About the rules
There are a number of rules for refueling a car at a gas station. Let's look at them in detail. So, first you need to find out which side the tank hatch is located on your car. It can be left or right. Drive to the column only from the side where this hatch is located. Otherwise, you or the tanker will have to pull the hose through the entire machine. But its length may not be enough, and then you need to turn around or go to the next column. Hassle, in a word. And if it’s your turn?
Pay attention to the location of the gun during refueling. If it is poorly fixed or does not reach the neck of the tank, it can fly out when fuel is supplied. At the same time, no one will return money for spilled gasoline on asphalt.
Before refueling, the engine of the car must be turned off. Before refueling a car, you must drop off all passengers. Most often, such requirements are set by methane stations. For passengers they have small cabins, arbors, where they can wait time. And most importantly - during refueling it is strictly forbidden to smoke near the car. Even simple gasoline vapors can provoke an explosion at a gas station, the consequences of which are easy to predict.
Sometimes it happens that, for no apparent reason, the pistol lever sticks. In this case, the fuel supply to the tank is stopped. How to behave in such a situation? You should go to the cashier and say that there is no fuel. After he gives you specific instructions (most often it is recommended to remove the gun, hang it and put it back in the tank), the fuel will start to pour at normal speed.
How to refuel a car at a gas station? Octane number
At all gas stations there are several types of fuel, among which there is always diesel and gasoline. The latter has octane numbers from 72 to 100. It can be AI-80, AI-92 and AI-95. It is clear that a diesel car cannot be refueled with gasoline, and vice versa. In this case, the car will definitely not go, and the motor will be subject to replacement or major repairs. But you can vary the octane number. At conscientious gas stations in a foreign car, it’s quite safe to pour the 92nd instead of the 95th, as the manufacturer pointed out. Cars on 92 gasoline go the same way as on the 95th. But here you need to know the line. Bentley on the 72nd gasoline obviously will not pass even 10 kilometers. Such an experiment can turn out to be very sad for the driver. Therefore, liquid with an octane rating below AI-92 is not recommended to be poured into the tank of a foreign car.
If a tanker approached you, be sure to tell him the brand of fuel and only after that go go pay the money in cash. Here you can specify a specific amount, the number of liters or order a "full tank".
How to fill a car at a gas station yourself?
What to do if there is no refueling agent at the gas station? This situation most often happens at gas stations. Here, you almost always have to do everything yourself. So how to gas a car? To do this, drive up to the desired column, turn off the engine and put the car on the hand brake (or gear). Then unscrew the cork (if it is a propane cylinder). After that, it is necessary to remove the refueling gun from the column and insert it into the neck. But so that it does not fly off during the fuel supply, you need to press the lever and fix it with a "dog" in this position.
After that, you can go to the cashier and pay the amount. Then you just have to wait until the tank is full. After refueling, press the gun lever. So he unfastens from the clamp. After that, hang the gun on the column, screw the cover. Now you can hit the road again. These were all gas station rules.
note
An important point: after refueling with gasoline, residual fuel can spill out of the gun. In order not to stain yourself and the car, keep the lever with your nose to the top and at the maximum possible distance from clothing. At gas stations do not be alarmed if the gun comes unfastened with a huge noise.
Conclusion
So, we figured out how to refuel a car at a gas station. As you can see, all the rules are quite simple. The main thing is to choose a suitable network of gas stations and periodically clean the fuel system (if you have a diesel car). Do not go around gas stations where prices are above average, the tenth expensive. Miser pays twice. After all, with low-quality fuel, the next trip may be the last for your vehicle.