Rajan Wilcox
Filling up your car with fuel is a simple process, but it can be daunting if you've never done it before. The first step is to find a petrol station and join the queue. Once you've found a pump, you need to check which side of the car your fuel cap is on and open it. It's important to make sure you don't put the wrong fuel in your car. Diesel is usually black, and petrol is usually green but will be labelled as unleaded. Once you've put the correct fuel in your car, you need to pay. If you're not using pay at the pump, you'll need to go into the kiosk and tell the cashier which pump you used and how much fuel you put in.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check fuel cap side | Check dashboard for fuel gauge and arrow pointing to the side |
| Know how to open fuel cap | Key-operated, push door, press button inside the car, twist-off, flip open |
| Petrol or diesel | Petrol is usually green and labelled unleaded, diesel is usually black |
| Payment method | Pay at pump, pay at the counter, or pay at the cash desk |
| Payment options | Cash, Card |
| Minimum amount | 5 litres |
| Premium fuel | More expensive, recommended for older cars |
| Fuel cap | Re-attach as tight as possible to avoid fuel loss |
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What You'll Learn
Finding a petrol station
There are over 8,000 petrol stations in the UK, with Shell leading the market in most regions of England, BP leading in Scotland, Maxol in Northern Ireland, and Texaco in Wales.
If you are looking for a specific brand, you can search for a petrol station online by entering a town, postcode, or address. This will bring up a map and a list of service stations in the surrounding area. You can then click on "Get Directions" to navigate to the station or "Station Details" to view more information, including opening hours, amenities, address, and telephone number.
Alternatively, you can use a fuel card to access petrol stations. Some fuel cards are brand-specific, which may limit your options when travelling across the country. However, there are also universal fuel cards, such as Soldo's prepaid system, which can be used at any petrol station in the country, offering flexibility and convenience.
Finally, if you are near a supermarket, many offer self-service petrol stations, such as Tesco, where you can pay directly at the pump.
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Opening the fuel cap
Once you've located the fuel cap, you'll need to open it. This can vary depending on the make and model of your car. Some fuel caps are key-operated, while others are push doors, or you may need to press a button inside the car. Some simply have a small gap where you can place your finger and pull it open. If you're unsure how to open your fuel cap, it's worth checking before you arrive at the petrol station to avoid feeling stressed.
After opening the fuel cap cover, you'll see the actual fuel cap. This may be a twist-off cap or key-operated. If it's a twist-off cap, simply twist it to the left to remove it. If it's key-operated, insert the key and twist. You can then place the fuel cap somewhere safe, such as on the raised edge of the pump.
It's important to remember that the wrong fuel can cause significant damage to your engine, so always double-check that you're using the correct type of fuel for your car. Diesel is typically black, while petrol is usually green and labelled as unleaded.
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Choosing the correct fuel
Diesel and unleaded petrol are the two most common types of fuel. Diesel is usually black, while petrol is typically green. The pump icon on your dashboard will often have an arrow pointing to the side of the car where your fuel cap is located. This can help you determine whether your car needs diesel or petrol fuel. It is harder to put diesel into a petrol car because the nozzle is often larger than the opening to the petrol tank, so most cases involve petrol being put into a diesel tank.
If you put the wrong fuel in your car, do not turn on the ignition. If you realise in time, leave the car switched off and call your breakdown service for assistance. If you have already started driving, pull over when it is safe to do so and switch off the engine.
Some petrol stations offer premium versions of fuel, which are more expensive but won't damage your car if you use them by accident. Premium fuel is recommended for older cars, especially if they are nearing an MOT.
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Paying for fuel
If you're not using pay-at-pump, you'll need to pay for your fuel at the kiosk. First, make sure you know your pump number, which will be clearly displayed by a flag or sign above the pump, and as a sticker on the pump itself. Then, lock your car and head to the kiosk. Tell the cashier which pump you're using, what type of fuel you've put in, and how much you've taken. You can also specify whether you want a receipt or an invoice.
If you're paying at the pump, put your card in the card slot and enter your PIN when prompted. You can then take your card out, and the pump will charge you for the fuel you use.
It's a good idea to check you have the money to pay for fuel before you fill up. One option is to keep a credit card in your car that's solely for petrol. If you're paying in cash, you'll need to take your keys and money with you when you get out of the car.
If you're unsure about the type of fuel you need, diesel is usually black, and petrol is usually green but will be labelled as unleaded. Petrol stations may also offer premium versions of fuel, which are more expensive but won't hurt your car if you put them in accidentally.
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Refuelling your car
Step 1: Find a Petrol Station
Locate a petrol station near you and join the queue. If you have a preference for a particular station, you can check fuel prices beforehand. Petrol stations typically refill their pumps between 5 am and 10 pm, but this may vary.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Before reaching the pump, check which side of the car your fuel cap is on. You can usually find this information on your dashboard near the fuel gauge, where an arrow points to the side of the fuel cap. Ensure you know how to open your fuel cap, as different cars have different mechanisms. It could be key-operated, a push door, or require a button to be pressed inside the car.
Step 3: Choose the Right Fuel
Determine whether your car runs on diesel or petrol. Diesel is typically dispensed from black nozzles, while petrol is usually green and labelled as unleaded. It's crucial to get this right, as putting the wrong fuel in your car can cause significant engine issues and costly repairs.
Step 4: Start Refuelling
Get out of the car with your keys and payment method. Open your fuel cap and remove the nozzle from the pump. Insert the nozzle into your car's fuel hole and squeeze the handle to start fuelling. Keep an eye on the pump's screen to monitor the amount of fuel and the cost. If you have a specific budget, stop squeezing when you reach the desired amount. If you want to fill your tank, continue until you hear a thunk, indicating it's full.
Step 5: Payment
If you're using a pay-at-pump system, insert your card and enter your PIN. Otherwise, note the number of the pump you're using and head to the kiosk to pay at the counter. Provide the pump number, fuel type, and the amount you filled. You may also need to specify your preferred transaction type, such as a receipt or invoice.
Step 6: Final Checks
Once you've finished refuelling and paid, return the nozzle to the pump and securely tighten your fuel cap. A loose cap can reduce fuel efficiency, allowing fuel to escape as vapour. Check your surroundings for pedestrians and other vehicles, then start your engine and drive away carefully.
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Frequently asked questions
Filling your car with fuel in the UK is a straightforward process. First, find a petrol station and join the queue. Then, check which side of the car your fuel cap is on—you can usually find this out by checking your dashboard, where there's often a little pump icon with an arrow pointing to the side of the car with the fuel cap. Get out of the car with your keys and money, and go to the fuel cap. If you need to unlock it with a key, put it in and twist to the left. If not, you'll usually just flip the panel open. Then, you'll see the actual fuel cap, which you either twist open or pop up. Now, remove the nozzle from the pump and place it where you removed the fuel cap. Ensure it's firmly in the car, then squeeze. Keep an eye on the fuel pump monitor to check how much you're putting in and how much it's costing you. If you want to fill your tank up completely, wait until you hear a thunk noise. When you're finished, return the nozzle to the pump and replace your fuel cap.
If you're using pay at pump, put your card in the card slot and enter your PIN when prompted. You can then take out your card, and the pump will charge you for the fuel you use. If you're not using pay at pump, put your fuel in, lock your car, note the number of the pump you're using, and head into the kiosk to pay at the counter.
Diesel is usually black, and petrol is usually green but will be labelled unleaded. Make sure you don't put the wrong fuel in your car—approximately 150,000 drivers put the wrong fuel in their cars every year in the UK. It's harder to put diesel into a petrol car because the nozzle is often larger than the opening to the petrol tank, so most mishaps involve putting petrol in a diesel tank. If you do put the wrong fuel in, don't put your key in the ignition. Leave the car switched off and call your breakdown service for assistance.
If you're running very low on fuel, you might not have much choice. However, if you know that petrol is cheaper elsewhere, you might want to hold on and go there. You can check fuel prices before you join the queue. Petrol stations will display the pence per litre for petrol and diesel.
There isn't a strict best time of the day to fill up your car. However, it's recommended that you avoid the petrol station just after the fuel tank arrives, as fresh petrol tends to carry sediment with it, which can wear down your car's engine.
