Stories when filling up at "gasoline station"

asgoodasdead

Well-known member
Joined
May 6, 2019
Location
NJ
TDI
2011 Jettta Sportwagen TDI
so it finally happened. had an attendant fill my tdi with regular gas -_-. i pulled up to the diesel pump(but it was one of those dual hose pumps that does both) handed him my card and said "fill it diesel" and went inside the store to use the bathroom. came back out and the car was all filled up and done. i drove out of the station and like half a mile down the road the car stalled out and wouldnt start back up. at the time i didnt even think of it, and just assumed my fuel pump went. so i had it towed to vw and assumed it was gonna be a new fuel pump under warranty and they assumed the same until they went to work on it and realized the tank was full of regular gas. worst part is i never got a reciept from the gas attendant and by the time it was all realized it was almost a weeek after the fact. so i didnt bother going to the shell station and putting up a fight id probably lose. $600 lesson learned to be more diligent and avoid filling up anywhere besides my local station where they know me as soon as i pull in and i dont even have to tell them anything
 

Rob Mayercik

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Location
NJ, U.S.A.
TDI
2002 Jetta GLS, Baltic Green/Beige
Ouch. Even though self-serve is allowed for diesel in NJ, I always let the attendant start things up (particularly at stations where an attendant card is required to start the pump, like a Speedway I frequent), and I watch very carefully while that happens to ensure I don't have that issue.

Since you paid by card, you can get the date/time/amount of the transaction from that and then see if the station can pull up the transaction based on those parameters (assuming they'd be cooperative about it)...
 
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BuckeyeMan71

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2020
Location
Ohio
TDI
03 Jetta wagon
Every where I go when I fill up my baby I always get “ hey you know you just put diesel in your car” and I turn to them with the biggest smile and say yes I do know and diesel is the only way to go. They look at me funny until I start her up and they hear the beautiful sound of my girl purring at them as I pull away.
when I goto to stations that only have one combo pump I’m the ******* that will get out and tell the person who’s about to put gas to move to a different pump because this pump was meant for my car🤣😂🤣😂
 

fredthe

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Location
Bowie, MD
TDI
2013 Passat SEL Premium DSG, 2015 Golf Sportwagon SEL DSG
So I did a stupid thing a couple of weeks ago, but the only thing damaged was my pride.

I was visiting a friend in upstate NY, and we were discussing where to fuel up before the 300+ mile trip home. He was a former TDI owner, and mentioned that one of the stations even had off road diesel. Well, I ended up going to that station, and pulled up to a pump with two diesel hoses. One had a full-size nozzle, and the other had the leaded-size nozzle needed to fit my TDI. That was labeled #2 Diesel (OK, it's all the same) but the price wasn't visible. I did note the standard and off-road labels on the pump, but it noted that off-road required going inside, no pay at the pump.

You probably know what happened. I ran my card, pushed the button for the hose that would fit, and started pumping. I figured since the pump started that all was fine, but after about 3 gallons decided to check. Yep, I was pumping nice red-dyed fuel into my car :eek:

Stopped pumping, complained inside that their pump wasn't well labeled, and figured I'd finish filling up somewhere else. As I was leaving I pulled to the other side of the pump, where (a) the off-road button clearly said off-road (not #2) and the correct hose had the correct nozzle. Put in about 10 gallons, and figured that at least I had the pair of receipts showing that it was an honest mistake. Note that the off-road was only 5 cents cheaper.

I did end up changing the fuel filter a couple of days ago (it was time for the periodic 20k change) and there was no sign of red. And next time I visit him I know which side of the pump to use :)

(Edited for typos)
 
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GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
What are even the chances of getting dipped? And what kind of fines are associated with that? never heard of anyone around here having it happen, and i never have. I know some truckers that have a few times, but thats kinda different. Anyone in a TDI ever get their tank dipped? If thats possible...idk if the tube can bend with the neck of the tank.
 

scooperhsd

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Location
Kansas City KS
TDI
NB, 2000, RED(5 Speed conversion) 2015 Golf SE
Fines are STEEP if you get dipped and the official finds red diesel. Likelyhood of a diesel auto getting dipped ? close to zero ( I wouldn't say zero). Far more likely to dip trucks (especially in farm country).

If it came down to it - no on-road fuel available, but there is the off-road - I'd do it, and get a reciept from the attendent that I did, in fact, pay the taxes.
 

amgff1984

Active member
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Location
CT
TDI
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDI
I've seen a couple of Mercedes owners at the stops but they haven't been very conversational.

On the other hand, quite a few Dodge/Cummins drivers have spotted the diesel nozzle going in and have asked me what kind of mileage I get.

To date, nobody has told me to stop putting diesel in my car.

I was refueling my plane two weeks ago and mentioned the diesel aircraft engines that run on Jet A and the line guy said he wanted to get a TDI. Smart fellow! I told him to check out tdiclub.com.
Post COVID and no one is conversational at the pump... or anywhere.

Times have changed.

And I'm replying to a post from when I was still in high school.

BTW, no one has told me I'm putting the wrong fuel in, but I have gotten looks at the diesel pump.
 
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Rob Mayercik

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2001
Location
NJ, U.S.A.
TDI
2002 Jetta GLS, Baltic Green/Beige
I've had my TDI about 19.5 years, and I've not had really any conversations other than the one I posted years ago in this very thread. I've always chalked it up to being a "coincidence of region"...
 
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amgff1984

Active member
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Location
CT
TDI
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDI
I've had my TDI about 19.5 years, and I've not had really any conversations other than the one I posted years ago in this very thread. I've always chalked it up to being a "coincidence of region"...
I ran into an old friend pumping gas next to me last summer. He had a MK4 and it was in decent shape. That's about the extent here.
 
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AndyBees

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 27, 2003
Location
Southeast Kentucky
TDI
Silver 2003 Jetta TDI, Silver 2000 Jetta TDI (sold), '84 Vanagon with '02 ALH engine
I've been driving VW diesels since January, 1980 .............. one freaking time an attendant wouldn't turn on the pump because she thought I was about to put Diesel Fuel in a gasoline car. That incident was five or six years ago. I've driven my Diesels in all of the lower 48 states as well as up thru Canada to Alaska!
 

lilsmokey

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Location
Unfortunately, DC Area
TDI
2014 Sportwagen
The best I have is from this last May. During the gas shortage every station was out of gasoline, but they still had diesel. This was wash DC where no one has any common sense. I was filling with diesel and forty cars came in thinking I was filling with gas. It was a great moment knowing that diesel people were not filling plastic bags and Tupperware up thinking they were smarter than everyone else. Also good to know that I could go the next 600 miles before refilling and gasoholics will be back frantically looking for fuel again in 350 miles.
 

Cosmo's UNA

Active member
Joined
Nov 20, 2019
Location
VIRGINIA
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
We are visiting family in upstate NY and it is about a 1k round trip so I'm scouring the Gas Buddy and Gas Guru app on the phone for something less than 40-50 cents more than what I'm used to paying where I live. I find a place that is out of the way but on the way back from a side trip to a State Park it is convenient. I pull into the station and although the pump island is newer, the building itself is old timey. I scan the island pumps no diesel, then look to the building and there it is, very close to the corner of the building, the kind of location where I recall seeing Kerosene back in the old days. As fate would have it the fuel tanker is filling the station and for me to use the Diesel pump I would have to park very near and directly behind the tanker. I receive his OK and having a no-card pump I pop in the store to get the pump turned on. He turns it on w/o the usual, "How much fuel, dollar amount?" or leaving a credit card. Somehow I feel different and I realize that is the way it used to be when I first got my license...you pumped your gas and then walked inside to pay for it. I was happy all round as the price was only 10 cents more than my cheapest price where I live and 30- 40 cents less than any place in the general area.
 

csstevej

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 12, 2004
Location
north nj
TDI
2001 golf tdi 4 door auto now a manual, mine, 2000 golf 2 door M/T son's,daughters 98 NB non-TDI 2.0, 2003 TDI NB for next daughter, head repaired and on road,gluten for punishment got another tdi 2001NB,another yellow tdi NB
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🤣🤣
 

Tdijarhead

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Location
Lawrenceville PA
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
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
[/QUOTE]


That reminds me of the time I was not pumping diesel but coming out of a local bank, I had left my golf running while I ran in to do business and a lady comes out the door behind me and tells me I have a lifter knocking. I was surprised she knew what a lifter was, after I told her it was a diesel she seemed to realize that they are a little more noisy than a gasser.
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
We are visiting family in upstate NY and it is about a 1k round trip so I'm scouring the Gas Buddy and Gas Guru app on the phone for something less than 40-50 cents more than what I'm used to paying where I live. I find a place that is out of the way but on the way back from a side trip to a State Park it is convenient. I pull into the station and although the pump island is newer, the building itself is old timey. I scan the island pumps no diesel, then look to the building and there it is, very close to the corner of the building, the kind of location where I recall seeing Kerosene back in the old days. As fate would have it the fuel tanker is filling the station and for me to use the Diesel pump I would have to park very near and directly behind the tanker. I receive his OK and having a no-card pump I pop in the store to get the pump turned on. He turns it on w/o the usual, "How much fuel, dollar amount?" or leaving a credit card. Somehow I feel different and I realize that is the way it used to be when I first got my license...you pumped your gas and then walked inside to pay for it. I was happy all round as the price was only 10 cents more than my cheapest price where I live and 30- 40 cents less than any place in the general area.
We have a local station like that. Diesel pump is in the corner away from everything else. I never see anyone at that pump and therefore won't stop to use it either. Your 03 is more forgiving on fuel quality than my 10. While on vacation before Christmas, I paid about 40 cents more per gallon because I was on the island and we were heading home on Christmas day. More concerned about what would be open than the price of fuel.
 

Johhny04

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Location
Markham, Ontario
TDI
2003 Jetta TDi
We are visiting family in upstate NY and it is about a 1k round trip so I'm scouring the Gas Buddy and Gas Guru app on the phone for something less than 40-50 cents more than what I'm used to paying where I live. I find a place that is out of the way but on the way back from a side trip to a State Park it is convenient. I pull into the station and although the pump island is newer, the building itself is old timey. I scan the island pumps no diesel, then look to the building and there it is, very close to the corner of the building, the kind of location where I recall seeing Kerosene back in the old days. As fate would have it the fuel tanker is filling the station and for me to use the Diesel pump I would have to park very near and directly behind the tanker. I receive his OK and having a no-card pump I pop in the store to get the pump turned on. He turns it on w/o the usual, "How much fuel, dollar amount?" or leaving a credit card. Somehow I feel different and I realize that is the way it used to be when I first got my license...you pumped your gas and then walked inside to pay for it. I was happy all round as the price was only 10 cents more than my cheapest price where I live and 30- 40 cents less than any place in the general area.
That's what pumping fuel is like for us up here all the time. Drive in, fuel up and then pay inside. The first time I drove to the US when younger, I was shocked. I had to prepay for fuel? I looked at the attendant with a funny face and asked why? I never have to do this at home, LOL.
 

csstevej

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 12, 2004
Location
north nj
TDI
2001 golf tdi 4 door auto now a manual, mine, 2000 golf 2 door M/T son's,daughters 98 NB non-TDI 2.0, 2003 TDI NB for next daughter, head repaired and on road,gluten for punishment got another tdi 2001NB,another yellow tdi NB
Lol I live in New Jersey….it’s illegal for me to touch a gas nozzle…..sometimes even the diesel pump they wont let me touch , even though it’s legal to do that……
Yet I’m surrounded by states that I have to pump my own gas……..way to go Jersey 🙄🙄🙄🙄
 
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kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
but think of all those gas jockies that have jobs in NJ and Washington!
 
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csstevej

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 12, 2004
Location
north nj
TDI
2001 golf tdi 4 door auto now a manual, mine, 2000 golf 2 door M/T son's,daughters 98 NB non-TDI 2.0, 2003 TDI NB for next daughter, head repaired and on road,gluten for punishment got another tdi 2001NB,another yellow tdi NB
Who are always talking on there cell phones while pumping gas……
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
Yup, I can never remember which side of the Columbia I get gas on.
 
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TDIx3

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2021
Location
US, TN
TDI
2015 Passat 2004 LR Disco 2 (x2)
My biggest kick was the same as another posted, about when the pipeline got hacked last year & people freaked & did the impulse run on the gas pumps. I waited it out for several days, as I still had around 1/3 tank of fuel. I wanted to let the station I use run totally out of gasoline before going in to fill up, just to watch the swarm hit the station when they saw a car at the pumps. It never failed that about 5-6 cars would roll in & do the lap around the pumps, only to see bags covering all the gas pumps, & then stopping to look at me with confused looks on their faces. Pure entertainment!
 

norbert77

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2022
Location
Petrolia
TDI
01 beetle
Never had a diesel complaint, but I did have a few truck drivers circled the pump and give me the looks.

The funniest was when I was crossing the border in my little blue 01 beetle with the flower still in the vase. I went to the border guard handed my passport, he asked why I'm going then he looks at the car and asked me whose car it is. It's mine. He nods asked me some more questions, that it says to me so, really, whose car is it? It's mine I see so we chat a little longer, he looks at me again and asked me for the third time, okay seriously, whose car is that? I said I got the ownership I can show you but he said that's fine. I guess me, 5'10, 230 lb shaved head and the 50 inch chest is not your average VW beetle driver
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
Never had a diesel complaint, but I did have a few truck drivers circled the pump and give me the looks.

The funniest was when I was crossing the border in my little blue 01 beetle with the flower still in the vase. I went to the border guard handed my passport, he asked why I'm going then he looks at the car and asked me whose car it is. It's mine. He nods asked me some more questions, that it says to me so, really, whose car is it? It's mine I see so we chat a little longer, he looks at me again and asked me for the third time, okay seriously, whose car is that? I said I got the ownership I can show you but he said that's fine. I guess me, 5'10, 230 lb shaved head and the 50 inch chest is not your average VW beetle driver
Ok - this one cracked me up! :D
Thanks for sharing. 👍
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
Never had a diesel complaint, but I did have a few truck drivers circled the pump and give me the looks.

The funniest was when I was crossing the border in my little blue 01 beetle with the flower still in the vase. I went to the border guard handed my passport, he asked why I'm going then he looks at the car and asked me whose car it is. It's mine. He nods asked me some more questions, that it says to me so, really, whose car is it? It's mine I see so we chat a little longer, he looks at me again and asked me for the third time, okay seriously, whose car is that? I said I got the ownership I can show you but he said that's fine. I guess me, 5'10, 230 lb shaved head and the 50 inch chest is not your average VW beetle driver
I had a friend's daughter always commenting that I was the only guy she ever saw driving a beetle. She was only about 10 at the time, so I let it slide. Makes me feel old to realize that she's now in her mid 30s!
 
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DivineChaos

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 27, 2019
Location
Minnesota
TDI
mk6 jetta sportwagen tdi
Last week I was at a small station. The clerk wouldn't authorize the pump. I did it 4 times figuring there was an issue. I washed in to talk to the clerk. Before I could even say a word. She snarkily said "you know that's diesel right?"
Really? You'd think theirs be a reason why I pushed the diesel button and grabbed the green nozzle more than once. It's a diesel car, that's why I'm getting diesel. Wanna come out and look? Activate the dang pump.

This is the second time a clerk did that. But the first time, they weren't rude about it.
 
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