I filled up the other day and the pump cut out after every few pence worth of petrol. In the end I got fed up and went into the kiosk and said that I was going to move to another pump. The attendent said that they had just had new nozzles fitted to some of the pumps and that they were "a touch sensitive". She wasn't joking! The lenght of time that automatic cut-out nozzles have been around I'm surprised that they haven't got them right yet.
--
L'escargot.
|
|
I know what you mean, when I goto the local esso or sainsburys that ALWAYS happens to me, every station seems ok though? must be there pumps?
|
|
Not only the pumps but some cars are better fillers than others.My Escort for example will take a truck diesel pump at full blast.
|
It seems the 'angle of your dangle' is all important. With the nozzle placed in it's natural resting position, filling my accord takes forever, raising it slightly seems to make all the difference. My Mercedes hearse however can take it from all angles, so to speak. The Merc limo, however, is a bit more temperamental. Don't you think it just adds to the excitement of filling up though? Ooh, will it fill, won't it fill? What pasties will they have in today? Will the attendant smile at me this year? Do I need another bag of charcoal briquettes? (Is xmas mania creeping in?)
--
let me be the last to let you down....
|
Yes, I've noticed this quite often.
Worst I ever found was a diesel pump at Waitrose Abergavenny - refused to allow more than 20p at a time into a car with which I'd never had any probs at all. I gave up in the end, after I'd got diesel all over my shoes...
Surely erring slightly on the low side for setting the pump pressure would be better? Is there anything staff can do about it?
|
|
|
Don't you think it just adds to the excitement of filling up though? Ooh, will it fill, won't it fill?
Not really, bores me filling me just want to get it over and done with, when the pump stops and starts just makes me mad :)
|
|
|
Sometimes helps over-sensitive nozzles if you turn them upside down, i.e. with the trigger vertical.
Seems to help on the Punto - I think it stops the fuel foaming as it hits the bend in the pipe just beyond the filler cap. Or something...
- Gromit
|
Never did work out why it's deemed safe on the continent to enable the little trigger underneath that locks the pump on and let the thing fill automatically, (switches off when full) but not here.
|
I suppose someone could if they wanted take the nozzle out and then start flooding the forecourt with petrol whilst they do a runner?
I know chances are slight but who knows nowadays?
|
|
|
|
I always wedge the filler cap under the trigger soI can keep my hands warm in my pockets. It?s one of those boring moments when a cigarette would be nice.
|
|
|
"Never did work out why it's deemed safe on the continent to enable the little trigger underneath that locks the pump on and let the thing fill automatically, (switches off when full) but not here."
we live in a nanny state
|
A lot of filling stations on the continent still have a man/woman come out and fill your car for you while you wait!
I'm ashamed to say I felt quite cool and privileged, sitting in my spider while blokey filled her up and then wiped windscreen / checked tyres AND was willing to check the oil as well!
He took my money, bought the change back to me although I gave him most of it back as a tip :)
Ah... Italy, such a civilised country ;)
JaB
|
|
|
|
the little trigger underneath that locks the pump on and let the thing fill automatically
I used one of these in the States, except the cut-off didn't work. So I was stood at the back of my car staring at Denver airport waiting for the car to fill and some guy had to come running over to point out that my car was full a couple of gallons ago.
Never trusted them since.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For ease of filling up nothing has come close to the old Beetle. Tank situated under the bonnet with 3inch diameter cap so you could see the level of petrol. Also no problem wondering how much fuel was left, when engine spluttered, turn lever 90 degrees and you had exactly 5 litres left.
Added advantage of full tank together with spare wheel acting as a crumple zone in case of front end collision!!
|
Added advantage of full tank together with spare wheel acting as a crumple zone in case of front end collision!!
Yeah right! Well I've survived the frontal impact due to my handy fuel tank, pity about 40 litres of petrol in my lap and is that a spark................................................
|
|
|
|
