A guide to refilling a car with petrol

Filling up your car with petrol is easy, and soon enough it will become part of your routine.

How do I know which fuel I need? 

Before you head to the petrol station, be sure to know which fuel your car requires. If you accidentally put in the wrong fuel, it can damage your engine. 

Check your vehicle’s handbook or inside your fuel filler cap for which fuel you need. 

In the vehicle’s handbook, you will also find out if your car needs a specific type of fuel. This could be unleaded, super unleaded, or premium fuels.  

How to find which side your fuel cap is on? 

You don’t need to search around your car to locate the fuel cap. In some cars, you will find a small arrow on the dashboard indicating which side the fuel tank is on.

What to bring before filling up a car with petrol?

Petrol stations don’t require any paperwork from you in order for you to fill up your car. Simply, just bring a method of payment in order to pay. Ensure that you have your payment method handy and available to pay before you put fuel into your car, as it is a criminal offence to leave a petrol station with new petrol in your car without paying. Just like any other shop.

Tip: Check online or ask someone you know whether the petrol station you will visit offers contactless payment, or whether you need to bring your physical card with you. 

How to fill your car with petrol at a petrol station

1. Drive to your desired petrol station and fill up at a petrol station close to a pump. Try to choose a pump that is on the same side of your car, so you have enough hose length to fill your car. You may need to queue for a short time if there are no pumps available.
   
2. Once you are at a pump, secure your car, turn off the engine, and take your keys with you for safety.
   
3. Open your fuel flap. Some cars may require you to unlock the fuel flap with your key, then turn it clockwise, or some may have it as a push of a button. Check your car handbook for further advice.
   
4. Choose the right fuel. Take your time double-checking; you are picking up the right hose that is for petrol. Typically, there will be petrol written out with a coloured green handle, and diesel will be written over a black coloured handle. Pick up the right nozzle once you are ready.
   
5. Insert the nozzle into the car’s fuel tank. Ensure that the nozzle is securely in place in order for it to work. Gently squeeze the trigger so the petrol can come out. If nothing comes out, try different angles while remaining inside the fuel tank so petrol can safely come out.
   
6. Watch the fuel meter go up towards your desired budget amount, or the petrol will automatically stop coming out once your fuel tank is full.
   
7. Once you have enough fuel, gently slide the nozzle out of the fuel tank and gently tap the nozzle up and down, while still inside the tank, to let any petrol drip into the tank. Then, gently put the nozzle back into the machine holder.

How to pay for petrol at a petrol station  

There are two ways to pay for petrol at a petrol station: 

Paying at a pump – Before you pick up the fuel nozzle at the machine, some petrol stations have payment stations at the pump, so you can pay by card. Most petrol stations will have you insert your card into the card reader and enter your PIN, so make sure you bring your physical card with you. However, some modern petrol stations will have a contactless system, so check your options while you are at the pump. 

Paying at a kiosk – If there is no payment machine at the pump, or you don’t have your physical card on you, check which pump you are at by looking at the number above your pump. Make sure your car is locked and secure and enter the kiosk. Here, the worker will ask which pump you are at and help you pay for your petrol, just like when you pay for any other purchase. 

What to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car?

If you have accidentally put the wrong fuel in your vehicle, do not panic or worry.

Firstly, take out your keys from the car and do not start driving. Put your car in neutral and try to roll your car into a safe place so others can still use the pump. Feel free to let the staff at the petrol station know what you are doing so they can help you be safe.

Call your roadside assistance and let them know that you have put in the wrong fuel and where you are. They will send someone out and assist with the damage to see whether it can be a simple fix or if the vehicle needs to be taken to the garage.

Now you know how to refill your car with petrol and are ready to hit the roads.