Fifty years ago, gas station attendants would fill up your gas tank for you , we know, it seems like the lap of luxury! Now learning how to do it is a rite of passage (unless you live in New Jersey or Oregon, where only gas station attendants are allowed to pump gas), just like getting behind the wheel for the first time in a deserted parking lot.
We've broken the process down into 11 steps to help you safely fill up your gas tank. We've even included a few tips on how to fill a gas can in case you run out of gas on the side of the road.
1. Pull Up to the Pump
First, you need to get your car into position at the gas station.
Start by locating your gas tank. If you're outside your car before you drive to the gas station, you'll see the fuel lid, usually located above the rear wheel on either the driver's or passenger's side. If you're already in the car, no need to hop out and check , there should be an arrow next to the fuel gauge pointing to the correct side. You can also consult your owner's manual.
Then select a pump at the gas station. Pay attention , some pumps only dispense diesel fuel, some only dispense regular gas and some dispense both through separate nozzles. Make sure the pump you pull up to has the type of gasoline your car needs.
Carefully pull up to the pump as close as possible, getting the gas tank near the pump while leaving as much space as you can (usually 2 to 3 feet) to navigate between the car and the pump.
Once you're in the right spot, put your car in park (or neutral if it's a manual transmission) and turn off the ignition. If it's hot out and you have kids or pets in the car, roll down the windows to allow air to flow since the inside of vehicles can heat up quickly in the summer heat.
Get out of the car with your method of payment, but leave your cigarettes, lighters, vapes and cell phones in the car for safety. Open flames (like cigarettes and lighters) have been known to ignite gas fumes, and static electricity from electronics has caused at least one gas station fire.
2. Select Your Method of Payment
To prevent you from driving off without paying, nearly all modern gas stations require you to pay before you pump your gas. You can either use cash or credit card to pay the cashier inside, or use a credit or debit card to pay at the pump.
To pay inside:
- Find the number of your pump.
- Go inside and inform the attendant how much gas you want at which pump. For example, if you tell them you want $20 of gas and pay with a $20 bill, they'll program the pump to shut off once it dispenses $20 worth of gas.
- Pump the gasoline required by your car's manufacturer (see the section below for more details).
- If you overpaid because you wanted a full tank, return to the cashier for your change.
To pay at the pump:
- Follow the instructions on the screen to scan your credit card.
- Pump the gasoline required by your car's manufacturer (see the section below for more details).
- If you don't want to fill up the entire tank, monitor your total on the screen. Release the trigger when you reach the amount you want to pay.
If you're among the 29 percent of Americans with a loyalty membership for a gas station, don't forget to let the cashier know or follow the prompts at the pump to swipe your member card or enter your member number.
3. Open the Fuel Lid and Remove the Gas Cap
First, open the fuel lid covering your gas cap. In some cars you may be able to do this manually with your finger at the pump, or you may have to pull a lever or press a button in the car (like you do for the trunk or the hood). Check your owner's manual if you aren't sure how to do this.
The open fuel lid will expose the gas cap, which you can now unscrew (remember, lefty-loosey!). Most modern gas caps have wire connecting it to the tank so you can let it hang freely. If yours isn't attached, set it someplace where you won't lose it. Some fuel lids may have a place to rest your gas cap or you can set it on top of the car. (Just don't forget to reattach it, or it will fly off the car when you drive away and cause the yellow check engine light to illuminate.)
H2: 4. Remove the Nozzle From the Pump and Insert It Into Your Fuel Tank
Grab the nozzle from the pump. Make sure you pick up the right one if it has a pump for regular gasoline and one for diesel (which usually has a green handle).
Insert the nozzle into the gas tank until it is secure. You shouldn't need to hold it in place while pumping gas.
5. Select the Fuel Grade You Want
Most standard U.S. gas stations offer three different fuel grades:
- Regular (87)
- Mid-grade (sometimes called Special) (89-90)
- Premium (91-94)
The names may change depending on the gas station brand, but the numbers should be universal. They represent the different octanes of gasoline, which refers to the compression required to ignite the gas.
Consult your owner's manual to see which fuel grade you should use (most require 87 or 89 octanes). Using the wrong fuel grade can potentially damage your engine.
Once the gas pump nozzle is securely placed in your gas tank, press the button indicating the fuel grade you want to dispense. For safety reasons, most gas station pumps will not allow you to make this choice until you have already lifted the gas nozzle off the pump, but always follow the prompts on the gas pump.
6. Start the Pump
Start releasing gas from the nozzle by pulling the trigger. Lock the trigger in the on position so you can let go while the tank fills.
7. Wait While the Pump Fills Your Tank
Do not leave your car while the pump is in operation. You can clean your windshield or watch the pump's display to track how much gasoline enters the tank and your total cost.
Don't get back into your car, even when it's cold or rainy. In a few cases, doing so has created enough static electricity to ignite gasoline vapors when exiting the vehicle to remove the nozzle from the gas tank.
An automatic shutoff will activate when the gas tank is full or you reach the total you've prepaid, whichever occurs first, so the fuel tank should not overflow. You'll hear a distinct click before the pump shuts off.
8. Remove the Nozzle and Replace It on the Pump
When the pump clicks off and the trigger returns to the off position, carefully remove the nozzle from your gas tank to avoid spilling. Point it away from you as you turn it back to the pump and hold it vertically. Then return the nozzle to the pump.
If the pump dripped gasoline on the car or pavement, grab a paper towel to clean it up. Most gas stations keep them near the windshield squeegee on the side of the pump.
9. Recap Your Fuel Tank and Close the Fuel Lid
Screw the fuel tank cap back into place (righty-tighty!). Securely tighten it by turning it until you hear a few clicks. Otherwise, your gas or yellow engine light may illuminate on the dashboard.
Close the fuel lid.
10. Accept or Decline Your Receipt
If you paid at the pump, the screen will ask if you want your receipt. If you want a receipt, follow the instructions to print it; if you don't want one, follow the prompts to close out the transaction.
11. Reset Your Fuel Odometer
Get back into your car and turn it on. Then reset the odometer so you can track your mpg. This process varies by make and model, so refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions.
How To Pump Gas Into a Gas Can
If you've run out of gas on the side of the road or need gasoline for lawn equipment, you can use a DOT-approved gas container to safely transfer gasoline from the pump to your vehicle or equipment.
To safely fill a gas can:
- Place the gas can on the ground. Putting it on the pavement grounds the can to avoid static electricity, which can ignite gas vapors. You want to place the can about 5 feet away from your car to avoid exposing gas vapor to a hot exhaust manifold.
- Follow the steps above to pay for your gas.
- Open the lid of the gas can.
- Place the nozzle into the gas can. You'll need to hold it for the entire fueling process because, unlike when the nozzle is in your car's gas tank, it won't be secure.
- Follow the steps above to select your gas octane.
- Start pumping gas by pulling the trigger and holding it. Fill the can about 95 percent full to prevent spills or overflow. Most plastic gas containers have a line showing where to no fill beyond that level.
- Insert the nozzle back into the gas pump.
- Replace the lid of the gas can.
- Store the gas can in the trunk of your car or the bed of your truck to avoid inhaling gas fumes. Secure the gas can so it won't fall over, as spilled gasoline is easy to ignite.
Run Out of Gas? AAA Roadside Assistance Can Help
It happens to the best of us , you think you have enough gas to get to your destination, only to find yourself stranded on the side of the road with a car that won't run. If this happens to you, walk to the nearest gas station or call roadside assistance.
When you call AAA roadside assistance, one of our team members can deliver you enough gas to get to a gas station (e.g., typically only a couple of gallons) 24/7. All you'll have to pay for is the cost of gas! If we can't get gas to you, we'll tow your car to the nearest gas station instead.
With a AAA membership, you can also access our other roadside services, including towing, flat tire support and battery replacement or jump starts. Join today!