Learning how to drive a car also means learning how to pump gas out of it. This is something that you must know before getting your license. Whether you are a new driver or have been driving for forty years, here is a piece of important information to take into consideration the next time you’ll go to the gas station:

Step 1: Move to The Gas Station

Sometimes you may think that going to the gas station is a silly thing when you want to know how to pump gas. No, it’s a crucial step. Immediately you go to the fuel station, and you must ensure that the car’s fuel tank is located on the right side close to the pump.

Most modern cars have the gas tank found either on the passenger or driver side of the car, just close to the rear. But in some classic vehicles, the fuel tank is located at the backside. Check on the fuel gauge on the dashboard. It should indicate a tiny arrow directing you to the location of the gas tank.

This is essential when going to the gas station, but you don’t understand which way to go. Immediately you move to the right side for fueling, position the car in the park then turn off the vehicle. Never pump fuel while the engine is on.

Step 2: Pay for The Fuel

If you feel paying for the fuel at the pump is the best option for you, then you must begin by choosing the payment method on the keypad then slide your payment card on the machine to start.

The car won’t get charged until you finish pumping the gas. But in some gas stations, you must place a dollar to verify your account. Other machines will ask you for the total, although that’s rare. When you are at one, estimate the total amount you want to add in, and the tank will automatically shut off once it gets to that number.

Step 3: Open The Fuel Tank

When driving an older car, you should open the tank using a latch found on the exterior of the vehicle.

With a modern car, the lever or latch to pull to open the fuel the tank is found somewhere beneath the dashboard.

If you want to release the fuel door, make sure you do that first before you exit the vehicle, as this saves your time from coming back to the car before pumping it.

After opening the fuel tank, remove the fuel cap. But don’t move to this step until you get ready with pumping.

When the gas cap is removed, the tank might be leaking fuel vapors in the air. That’s not good for the environment. Therefore, ensure the cap is off only when fueling.

Step 4: Select The Fuel to Use

When it’s your first time to get to a gas station, you might get confused about the different grades available to you. It’s vital to understand the varieties before you select. But the first thing to know is determining whether your car runs on diesel or gasoline.

Remember, putting diesel on a gasoline engine can cause severe mechanical damages causing you to replace the entire fuel system plus the engine. That’s a bill that should be avoided. The good news is; each fuel type is colored differently to assist you in identifying them easily.

Immediately you determine the fuel you want to use, dial the button associated with it, and you’ll be ready to move to the next part on how to pump gas.

Step 5: Now Pump Your Car

All the steps above should never be a stressor when fueling your car. This is the trickiest part that requires some patience.

Begin by removing the fuel nozzle away from the pump. Make sure you lift the lever too, then place the nozzle inside the gas tank. Ensure its inside, then put the handle in place. When the nozzle isn’t placed inside properly, the automatic shut-off might fail to work properly.

Having done that, depress the pump’s handle, then lock it properly. There is a metal tab that helps you lock the handle open. Be sure to set this, then allow the pump to shut off immediately the vehicle’s tank is full.

While pumping the vehicle, you’ll realize that the machine is recording the quantity of fuel entered inside the tank and the corresponding cost. In case the pump shuts off before the tank is full, that’s an indicator that there’s a problem with its vapor recovery system.

As you wait for the fuel tank to get full, please consider the following.

  • Never move away from the car while it’s getting filled. In case the fuel spills or overflows, you’ll cater to the loss.
  • Be careful not to overfill the tank. Immediately the tank is full, the tank stops automatically.
  • Don’t risk topping it off, or else you’ll end up damaging the onboard recovery system.

Step 6: Finalize The Task

Immediately the nozzle turns off, pull it out as the tip is pointing up to prevent drips. Don’t tap it on the filler neck as its constructed using non-ferrous materials that can create sparks, thus damaging the neck surface or the nozzle.

After that, return the nozzle to its holder. After that, replace the fuel cap to its position and make sure it’s tight. If the cap doesn’t produce three clicks, then tighten it until it stops.

Immediately the car is put back together, collect the receipt

That’s how to pump gas to your car.

Warnings

  • Never smoke close to the gas pumps as fuel is flammable and can cause disaster.
  • Never use your cell phone while at the gas station. A spark from the phone can lead to an explosion or even fire.
  • Never re-enter the car as its fuels. If you want to move inside for some reason, ensure to hold the vehicle’s metal frame to release all the static electricity.
  • Examine the manual before fueling to check on the quantity of gasoline needed.
  • Never fill up the tank while the fuel truck is offloading fuel at the station.

How to Pump Gas Out of a Car

  1. Using Two Tubes to Siphon Gas

Here, two lengths of rubber tubing are used while siphoning gas into a container

Materials Needed

  • Soft cloth material or rag
  • Small air compressor or air pump
  • Rubber tubing
  • Gas can

immediately you assemble the needed materials, here’s the process:

  • Start by fixing the two lengths of tubing (one longer than the other). Make sure you connect the shorter tube on the fuel container and the longer one on the gas tank.
  • Having done that, carefully seal the filler neck with a soft material or a rag. This helps in maintaining the pressure that was formed through blowing air on the tank from moving around the tubes.
  • Now blow the air on the shorter horse. You can blow air with your mouth or using a low-pressure air pump.
  • Never use a high-pressure pump as this can cause the fuel to come out of the tank in huge amounts damaging the fuel tank system.
  • please be careful not to inhale fuel coming out from the tube when using your mouth to blow out air. Cover the end of the hose with your thumb once you stop exhaling to protect the fumes from getting in your lungs.
  • Gas should come from the other tube to the prepared container with the low pressure used.
  • Immediately the fuel starts flowing, make sure that there’s no pressure on the pipes. The fuel will just come out unless you kink the hose or remove the tube.
  • Finally, remove the tubes from the gas tank once you finish. Don’t forget to tighten the gas cap before you start driving.
  1. Using A Siphon Pump

It’s essential to place the siphon pump on the vehicle’s trunk if you stay far from a gas station. However, here is a step-by-step guide on using a siphon pump on a fuel tank.

  • Find a fuel-safe container that will hold the fuel, then remove the fuel tank cap of your vehicle.
  • Then check on the workings of the pump. Each siphon pump has a tube coming out at the end. Check on the markings to know the tube that you must insert inside the gas tank.
  • Most pumps come with a handle, and others feature only a rubber bulb or a squeezable plastic. Also, there are battery operated or electric siphon pumps.
  • After that, connect the tubes. Fix one end side on the fuel-safe can and the other end on the fuel tank.
  • Then squeeze the bulb several times to trigger the siphon action. Stop pressing the bulb immediately the gas starts flowing. The fuel should come out of the tubing until you remove the tube.
  • Lastly, remove the pumping tube from the fuel tank once you finish transferring your desired amount of fuel.

How do you pump gas properly?

Why would it be illegal to pump your own gas?

Pumping your own gasoline was believed to be a fire hazard. Therefore, not long after, Huntington passed a city-wide regulation that would require gas retailers to offer full-service pumps. Any driver who is caught fueling their own vehicle would experience the repercussions of heavy fine payments.

How do you put gas in a gas can?

Why can’t I pump gas into my tank?

Sound like you refueling control valve may be bad. This is a one way valve that connects the fuel tank to the EVAP Canister. It’s purpose is to send vapors to the canister instead of the air when you are refueling. If it’s plugged up it will not allow vapors to escape fast enough and cause the pump to shut off.

When I’m pumping gas it keeps stopping?

Gas is likely getting backed up somewhere between the filler neck and the gas tank. So, gasoline rushes back up your car’s fuel filler tube, toward you, instead of into the tank, hits that sensor hole on the nozzle and shuts off the pump before the tank is full.

Will the gas pump stop when tank is full?

Does a gas pump automatically stop when the tank is full? Gas pumps are mechanically designed to automatically stop pumping gas as soon as the tank is full. The nozzle valve shuts automatically once the gasoline blocks the air in the Venturi tube.

Is it better to fill gas tank full?

Keeping a full tank of gas is most beneficial to your car over the long run. Your gas tank is an empty space, and whatever space is not filled by gas is filled with air. Air contains water vapor, which can condense on the sides of your fuel tank. This condensation can cause two problems.

When should I fill up my gas?

Filling up all the way is good, waiting till you are on empty is bad. If you wait til you are on fumes this will strain your fuel pump. It will start to suck up all the debris and water at the bottom of your tank. This can clog the filter and lead to you having to replace the fuel pump assembly.

How can I pump gas without holding it?

* Tip: You can usually lower a small lever on the handle of the fuel nozzle that will keep the trigger activated so that you don’t have to hold the nozzle the entire time you’re filling your tank.

Can you pump gas before paying?

Pay the clerk inside for the gas before you start pumping.

Most gas stations require you to prepay with cash so you can‘t drive away without payment. Give them the cash so they can activate the pump for you. Some gas stations may let you pay after you pump the gas.

Do you turn your car off when getting gas?

Make sure you put your vehicle in park and turn the engine off before pumping gas. You should also switch off any auxiliary 12-volt power sources such as phone chargers and cigarette lighters because, while rare, they can be a potential igniter of a fuel fire.

How can I pump my own gas?

What states can you not pump your own gas?

In the United States, gas jockeys were often tipped for their services, but this is now rare as full-service stations are uncommon except in the states New Jersey and Oregon (counties with more than 40,000 residents), the town of Weymouth, Massachusetts, and the town of Huntington, New York, where retail customers are

How much do vintage gas pumps weigh?

A vintage pump ships in 2 boxes with the pump base weighing 75 lbs and the top weighing 25 lbs. The visible top pump is larger and weighs 60 lbs.

What if I prepay for too much gas with a debit card?

If you prepay an amount that is greater than the amount put into your vehicle, you have to go back inside the store to get your change.

What happens if you prepay gas and don’t use it all?

When you prepay for the gas, you‘re paying for the full tank. If you bring it back a quarter full or even 90 percent full, there’s no refund for the gas you left in the tank. If you don’t use every last drop, you‘re paying for gas you didn’t use.

Why does gas station charge me $100?

That means your money can be held or frozen so you can‘t use it until the transaction clears. “This could take a while. It has to clear the gas station, the credit card company, the bank. There’s no set time of how long the hold stays on there.

Why am I paying so much for gas?

Most of what makes gas more expensive in the Bay Area is true statewide as well: The price is high because of higher taxes and stricter environmental restrictions. California taxes on gasoline involve a combination of state and local charges: Gasoline excise tax of 41.7 cents a gallon (47.3 cents after July 1)