Stories when filling up at "gasoline station"

[Jimmybid]

What I seem to be getting lately is stations that have only one diesel combo pump (gas and diesel) but several gas only pumps. It never seems to fail that the gas folks will drive into an empty station and pull right up to the diesel combo pump. I just wait my turn and let them listen to that great TDI engine...

Ik im a dick for it but anytime there’s someone at the diesel/gas pump for gas (here we don’t really have diesel only pumps) I always ask them if they like their diesel while Every time and they get embarrassed and leave

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Which trans, the slip-o-matic? How often did you change fluids?

01M automatic ("auto-tragic"?). Adaptive logic disabled, sport program selected.

Not original transmission, though - I'm on my 3rd: 1st replacement hit at 68K, second 180K after that, still on the third. Been replacing the fluid/filter annually or at about 30K miles, whichever ends up aligning on my schedule. The current box has been running mostly on Royal Purple fluid, and seems to be holding up mostly well - the star wheel had to be replaced 2 years back, and the holes for the pan bolts are all starting to suffer thread fatigue, but it's still shifting good. It even survived the output VSS going bad on the highway once (I babied it the rest of the way to work and back home, as it was shifting late and hard because of that).

 

[Butcher6ix]

All-

I've got an interesting story for all 'yal.

This past w/e, when I was filling up my baby (what do you think I was talking about - duh, my Golf), a Mercedes Benz was waiting for the pump...

To make a long story short, when I was ready to pull out of the station, the guy in the Benz asked me what I was pouring into my tank, and I said it's the Power Source (or was it Power Service?). I added that it "increase cetane rating by up to 6 points....." He then replied and said that he uses the Amsoil equivalent.

He also blurted out that "your motor run so quietly"...then I laughed and pulled away, and made sure that the spool of the turbo can be heard.

Anyone with similar stories? Share'm all here!

P.S. Anyone with pros and cons of either Amsoil or Power Source (Service) products?!

What’s a Meeeer…Sadeeeez…Bends? Sounds like a fancy way of identifying scuba induced sickness at fancy-type hotel resorts!

 

[Ton]

This isn’t me but my youngest was at the pump…… she’s having her NB filled when a concerned patron comes over and says that her car is making a terrible noise…..and she should check her oil as he can hear the lifters knocking…..
she said to me….she puts a smile on her face and informs the patron that’s it’s a diesel…… she said he just stood there with his mouth open

Lifters knocking? Too many bad jokes out of that story.

 

[Ton]

I'll put in my 2 cents, went to a truck stop expecting to get cheaper DEF, worst refueling experience in my life. The pump won't except anything but corporate cards, neither nozel fit, pumps ran to fast. EVERYTHING went wrong, don't do it....

I can do it with a high speed truck stop nozzle. You just squeeze enough to get the fuel flowing.

 

[Ton]

I have had the gas station attendant fuss @ me for using the dedicated high speed pumps in Elkton, VA . It was the Liberty station to be precise. He said I was plugging up the pump preventing big trucks from getting fuel @ his station.

 

[kjclow]

I'm sure all those big rigs were fuming that you took 10 minutes to fill.

 

[romad]

I have had the gas station attendant fuss @ me for using the dedicated high speed pumps in Elkton, VA . It was the Liberty station to be precise. He said I was plugging up the pump preventing big trucks from getting fuel @ his station.

I'm curious as to why you didn't just use the auto diesel pumps? I try to stay away from having fight with the high speed nozzles.

 

[Ton]

I'm curious as to why you didn't just use the auto diesel pumps? I try to stay away from having fight with the high speed nozzles.

I like big nozzles.

 

[ryansportwagen]

Last fall, I was in Grand Marais, MI at a place called Bayshore Market. Their one diesel pump has a "typical" gasoline-sized nozzle which does not trip the mechanism that unlocks the filler inlet. So I felt around in there with my fingers and then used a pen in to hold it open. It worked and I felt clever.

 

[romad]

Last fall, I was in Grand Marais, MI at a place called Bayshore Market. Their one diesel pump has a "typical" gasoline-sized nozzle which does not trip the mechanism that unlocks the filler inlet. So I felt around in there with my fingers and then used a pen in to hold it open. It worked and I felt clever.

Here are the three sizes of fuel nozzles:

1. Leaded Gasoline/Auto Diesel Nozzle: outside diameter of 15/16" (23.63mm)
2. Unleaded Gasoline Nozzle: outside diameter of 13/16" (20.64mm)
3. Truck Hi-Flow Diesel Nozzle: 1 3/16" (30mm)

Unfortunately, most gas station employees are either too lazy or uninformed and end up putting unleaded gasoline nozzles on auto diesel pumps. I figure that is what happened at that location.

 

[03TDICommuter]

Filled up tonight at a cheap truck stop place that also sells gasoline, E85, etc. Used their large diameter pump and pretty sure the pump was inaccurate. Said I put in 15.8 gallons when I've only ever put in 14.9 gallons in the 2 years I've had this vehicle, and the MPG calculation would also be wrong if I filled 15.8 vs 14.8 that it should have been.

It was satisfying to pull past the long line of cars waiting for the gas/small nozzle diesel pumps to the lone diesel only, large nozzle pumps, but if it's going to charge me wrong, forget it. I did get weird looks from folks the bigger trucks using the other diesel only, high flow pumps. Nobody said anything though.

 

[romad]

Filled up tonight at a cheap truck stop place that also sells gasoline, E85, etc. Used their large diameter pump and pretty sure the pump was inaccurate. Said I put in 15.8 gallons when I've only ever put in 14.9 gallons in the 2 years I've had this vehicle, and the MPG calculation would also be wrong if I filled 15.8 vs 14.8 that it should have been.

It was satisfying to pull past the long line of cars waiting for the gas/small nozzle diesel pumps to the lone diesel only, large nozzle pumps, but if it's going to charge me wrong, forget it. I did get weird looks from folks the bigger trucks using the other diesel only, high flow pumps. Nobody said anything though.

Maybe the force of the high flow pump expanded your fuel tank?

 

[kjclow]

I'm curious as to why you didn't just use the auto diesel pumps? I try to stay away from having fight with the high speed nozzles.

Station I use to use did not have diesel pumps on the car side and only one car pump on the big rig side. I had more than a few big rigs tell me to go ahead of them. Probably thought some good looking babe was going to get out of the beetle. Nope, just a middle aged man.

 

[jmodge]

Station I use to use did not have diesel pumps on the car side and only one car pump on the big rig side. I had more than a few big rigs tell me to go ahead of them. Probably thought some good looking babe was going to get out of the beetle. Nope, just a middle aged man.

..or worse yet, you were just what they expected. I have a station in my neck of the woods like that. The speed pumps I mean, not truckers trying to pick up middle aged men

 

[Ton]

..or worse yet, you were just what they expected. I have a station in my neck of the woods like that. The speed pumps I mean, not truckers trying to pick up middle aged men

Thank you for the laugh. I needed it.

 

[kjclow]

..or worse yet, you were just what they expected. I have a station in my neck of the woods like that. The speed pumps I mean, not truckers trying to pick up middle aged men

TMI! Glad the tea is still brewing or it would be all over my laptop.

 

[jmodge]

Despite advances in health care, laughter is still the best medicine

 

[st50maint]

“Oregon lawmakers last week gave final approval to a bill that ends the state's ban on self-service gas pumps, a prohibition that has been in place since 1951. The change will take affect ASAP after Gov. Tina Kotek signs the bill into law. The Oregonian newspaper says this leaves New Jersey as the only state remaining to require gas station attendants.“

Oregon ends its 72-year ban on self-service gasoline - Autoblog

Oregon lawmakers last week gave final approval to a bill that ends the state's ban on self-service gas pumps, a prohibition that has been in place since 1951.

www.autoblog.com

 

[romad]

And NJ's law doesn't apply to diesel fueled vehicles anyway. Of course some of the imbecile attendants don't understand this.

 

[csstevej]

I’m in nj….went to get fuel…..I always get out when they refuel as they keep telling me to pull up to a gas pump..I keep telling them no it’s diesel…..we’ll today was a new one…I pull up and pop the fuel lid and proceed to watch the attendant turn the cap clockwise for close to two minutes without coming off and ratcheting . He looks at me shaking his head….can’t speak a lick of English . I push his hands out of the way , grab the nozzle and start fueling…..
It’s illegal for me to fuel my own car…..but you have attendants that can’t remove a fuel cap nor speak English…..seriously!!!

 

[J_dude]

I’m in nj….went to get fuel…..I always get out when they refuel as they keep telling me to pull up to a gas pump..I keep telling them no it’s diesel…..we’ll today was a new one…I pull up and pop the fuel lid and proceed to watch the attendant turn the cap clockwise for close to two minutes without coming off and ratcheting . He looks at me shaking his head….can’t speak a lick of English . I push his hands out of the way , grab the nozzle and start fueling…..
It’s illegal for me to fuel my own car…..but you have attendants that can’t remove a fuel cap nor speak English…..seriously!!!

Man that’s next level ridiculous, so are bolts/screws reverse thread in his home country?! I thought that was a fairly universal system, righty tighty...

 

[romad]

It’s illegal for me to fuel my own car….

As I recall, it it only applies to gasoline, not diesel. Knowing how the NJ government considers their citizens are too stupid to refuel their own vehicles, I would not be surprised to see them mandate only attendants will be able to recharge EVs at public chargers!

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Full-serve for EV Charging? As much as I hate to give the politicians ideas, I can't help but think the debates on that would be quite entertaining to watch.

Csstevej, sounds like you won't be going back to that particular station (I had one once where I was topping off and the attendant came over and, despite my asking him twice to let me finish, flipped down the lever that cut off the pump before I finished venting. Rather than argue I have simply never returned to that station - there's plenty of other ones in the vicinity of that one where they don't bother me about that, so they get my business instead).

As to the NJ Self-Serve law (link: https://www.nj.gov/labor/safetyandhealth/resources-support/laws-regulations/gasact.shtml), it does mention in the introduction the "safety" aspect regarding fire risk, but it's also very explicitly stated that the self-serve ban does not apply to Diesel.

Anyway, here's the relevant bits:

From: N.J.S.A. 34:3A-4 et seq. Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety
34:3A-5. Definitions
As used in this act:

"Attendant" means a retail dealer or employee of a retail dealer.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Labor.

"Fuel" means any liquid commonly or commercially known or sold as gasoline, or other inflammable liquid, which is sold for use as fuel in the internal combustion engines of motor vehicles.

"Gasoline station" or "station" means a place of business located in the State and used for the retail sale and dispensing of fuel into the tanks of motor vehicles.

"Retail dealer" means a person operating a gasoline station.

From N.J.A.C. 12:196:
12:196-1.1 Purpose; scope

(c) The provisions of this chapter will not be applicable to:

1. The operation of marine service stations;
2. The operation of service stations for the fueling of aircraft;
3. The dispensing of diesel fuel; or

The operation of employer gasoline stations that are solely for the use of a company's employees and are not open to the public.



That said, I think it's easier to simply patronize stations that understand this whenever you can instead of engaging with pump attendants that are either incapable or unwilling to understand the above...

 

[csstevej]

The problem in nj with trying to pump your own diesel is you need their card to unlock the pump to allow pumping.
I watch attendants at several different stations I use are either smoking or on their cellphone talking to someone breaking all kinds of laws…

 

[John Wesley Hardin]

TorDiesel,

I hear that the likes of Polo and Tommy Hilfiger are coming out with their version of a new cologne! It doesn't beat a splash or two of diesel before going out to work or to the night clubs!

True that. I usually splash a little of my own urine on one side of my neck and Red Diesel # 2 on the other side . After a hard night of drinking with a Red Dirt Girl , were behind the dumpster at the Walmart parking lot! Works every time

 

[Rob Mayercik]

The problem in nj with trying to pump your own diesel is you need their card to unlock the pump to allow pumping.
I watch attendants at several different stations I use are either smoking or on their cellphone talking to someone breaking all kinds of laws…

Usually, yes. There are exceptions, though - a BP on Route 3 West in Clifton near Rt 21 comes to mind, their pumps don't require attendant cards.

I have found that having attendant start the pump and then taking over for venting/topping works for me - in 22.5 years with my Jetta, the only time I had a "problem" with an attendant was that one time I mentioned in my previous post. Every other attendant has been content to let me deal with venting/topping, reholstering the pump nozzle, and getting the receipt - frees them up to service other customers.

 

[joeyvans]

I've had my '12 JSW for nearly 3 years now, and FINALLY last month a gal yelled at me from another pump, "STOP! You're pumping diesel!" I responded with a calm, "I hope so," and went back about my business. I took a quick glance back after a bit and she still had a dumb look on her face. I waved after pumping and drove off. Lo and behold, my engine didn't brick after a mile or so. I honestly didn't think it would take nearly 3 years for someone to comment at a pump. After all, I do live in North Dakota... where everyone sticks their nose in other people's business because we have nothing better to do around here.

 

[norbert77]

I hate the look I get from pickup drivers when I fill up the beetle

 

[kjclow]

Years back, I used to fill the beetle in with the big rigs. Talk about strange looks. Also, from the cashiers when I came in with only purchasing 13 gallons. Not a lot of car pumps 20+ years ago.