I was debating whether to post this here or in my "Helping to Spread the TDI Gospel" thread I started a few months ago. But since it happened earlier tonight while fueling up, it's definitely a fuel up story.
I was fueling up tonight at Haffner's on Route 3A in Hudson NH. I fueled up at the Diesel truck pump like I normally do. I got the usual weird looks from the mob of gassers in line at the gas pumps, who were blocking the other Diesel pumps. The Diesel pumps are located in the middle of each gasser island, so they get blocked frequently.
Anyway, I get done fueling up, go back inside and get my change because you have to pre-pay at this station, get back in my car and pull around to the parking area in front of the convenience store. I get out, pop the hood, and fill up my washer fluid reservoir because it was nearly empty. I left the engine running so everybody can hear the TDI engine idle. I drop the hood, and just as I get back into my car and getting ready to leave, I'm approached by two Hudson police officers on bicycles. They had noticed the lettering on my TDI (see my sig below) and one of them asked me "How do you like your TDI? What's TDIclub all about?" The look on their faces was priceless after I mentioned that the 700 miles on one tank and 50MPG numbers are for real.
One of them mentioned he drives a Toyota Corolla gasser and gets around 31MPG. He was surprised to learn that Toyota has a Diesel version of it in Europe. He asked "Why don't they bring that here?" We chatted for about 10 minutes about TDIs, TDIclub, and the situation with Diesel cars in this country and how things are different in Europe. One of them also said "Wow, it's very quiet too!" Overall, it was a good conversation and some positive TDI publicity!
The officers had parked their patrol car in the gas station's lot and were gearing up to start their evening bicycle patrol in the area while I was fueling up. I kind of had a gut feeling I was being watched by them when I was filling the washer fluid reservoir because my Golf's butt was facing them from across the lot. Anyway it was fun helping to spread the TDI Gospel. They noticed my license plate (N1DAS) because one of them is also a licensed ham radio operator (didn't get his callsign). So we also talked briefly about radio stuff too.
It was fun! More of us should help spread the TDI Gospel whenever the opportunity presents itself.
More Diesel demand --> More Diesel choices!
~ n1das