by B. L. Babb

Created on: May 20, 2010

Pumping gas at a station is not rocket science.  Generally you have to open you tank, get the nozzle into the fuel opening, activate the pump, and squeeze the handle for gas to flow, however, there are many factors to consider to ensure safety for you and the other consumers at the station.

Give serious consideration to not waiting until your engine is sucking on fumes in tank before filling.  This can lead to more problems many don't consider.  For example, how many realize that the gas in the tank not only makes the engine go, but it also lubricates and cools the fuel pump typically located inside the gas tank in the majority of cars sold today?  By running low, you give less of the cooling fluid for this.

Also allowing your tank to run towards lower levels allows for greater condensation to form inside the tank contaminating your gas with water.  Since ethanol is the standard today pumped at our gas stations, water no longer sinks to the bottom of the tank with the gas floating safely at a higher level but instead mixes with the gas (due to the alcohol) and goes into your fuel system. 

The less gas in the tank the more water that can form on the inside walls of the fuel tank.  In addition, less gas means more water in parts per million (PPM) in the gas than if the tank was kept at a higher level.

Once the decision has been made to fuel, the rest is not difficult.  Simple safety precautions should prevail to ensure a quick refuel.

Park close enough to the pump to allow the hose to reach your vehicle easily while leaving a safe distance between the car and the pump for your to transit in between.Park close enough to the pump to allow the hose to reach your vehicle easily while leaving a safe distance between the car and the pump for your to transit in between.

Ensure you shut the engine off.  This is required nationwide.  Signage at the stations will confirm this for you.  However, an added personal safety precaution, if traveling alone, is to ensure you lock your vehicle during the refueling process, especially if you will be going inside to pay for your purchase.  This simple step can greatly reduce your chances of an encounter with someone with criminal intentions.

Remove the gas cap and place it in a location where you cannot forget it.  If nothing else, place it on a plastic bag in the driver's seat to remind you to reinstall it before driving off.  Look around at the entrances/exits

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