How to Fill Up a Gas Tank

We all have to fill up our gas tanks to keep us getting where we want to go. Get your fill on the proper way to fill up your gas tank at the gas pump.

Step 1: Determine gas tank side
Check to see what side of your car the gas tank is on and pull up to the gas pump accordingly.

Step 2: Turn car off
Place the car in park and turn off your car.

Step 3: Pay
Pay at the pump with a credit card or pay the attendant inside the station.

Step 4: Open gas cap
Open the door to your gas tank and unscrew the cap. Lift up the gas nozzle and select the octane level you want for your gas.

Tip
Look in your owner's manual for the recommended octane rating to use for your car.

Step 5: Squeeze nozzle
Squeeze the nozzle and fill up your tank on slow mode. Turn your head away so as to not breathe in the fumes.

Tip
Many pumps have a locking mechanism so that you can let go the handle while it continues pumping until the tank is full.

Step 6: Remove nozzle
Remove the nozzle from the gas spout and place it back into position once the tank is full. Do not keep pumping after it automatically shuts off.

Step 7: Screw up gas cap
Screw the gas cap back on and shut the door. Fill up your gas tank once it gets to about half empty and make sure your tires are fully inflated to help increase your gas mileage.

Did You Know?
As of 2008, $4 per gallon was the highest inflation-adjusted price for gasoline in the United States since 1918.

[Apacheoilcompany]

Some people may think this video is unecessary but it's actually a very useful and practical tutorial. Thanks for this, Howcast!

[annettabrown]

I’m an 86-year old woman recently widowed and really appreciate this video. Thank you.

[BecauseWeAreIAm]

Yay! I just got my first car ever and embarrassingly didn't know how to pump gas!

[JenniM]

you will need a vehicle..you don't say?

[ArcticAstrophysics]

Two VERY important rules to follow:
1, Don't keep pumping, even if you want it at that $40.00 even mark. Most cars have very expensive emission systems and overflowing your tank will cause the gas to overflow into those systems, and they are expensive
2, Don't let it run empty. Electric fuel pumps are lubricated by fuel, if it goes empty and you keep trying to drive it you will burn up the pump and they range in price from 300-600 dollars for just the pump, add in labor and it can easily be a 1000 dollar job because you have to drop the tank on most vehicles.

[bugzgrrl]

Thanks for the video. Ya save my life. Never filled up the gas or opened the fuel cap before.

[XxXRlGOXxX]

Fuck bro. I went with my vehicle and manual but forgot my patience.

[Sweethartsun]

Now I know. They only tell you how to drive the car, but they don't tell you how to fill it up properly.

[t]

how do i open that metalic flap? instructions not clear... head stuck in pump

[robertlargent]

Don't leave or get back into your vehicle while pumping the gas. Any accidents, theft or overfill is yours to pay for. Read the disclaimers on the dispensers.

[MrSupercar]

In England it's the other way round. You fill up and then pay the clerk. Also the pumps only work when you squeeze the trigger. They cut out when you release it, provided you reach the minimum delivery.

[bee]

Another serious question though: what do I do if I accidentally over pump and fill up my tank to the brim, like it's spilling?

[thedarkness]

"Turn your head away so as to not breathe in the fumes" No...I rather like the fumes :P

[saraho]

As far as I know if you pay too much you can just go back in and they will give you change! It is very hard for it too overflow... because when the tank is full it will push back on the nozzle and it will click and stop pumping... if it overflows tell them!! Ps im from Ireland not US so I dont really know cos we dont prepay!!

[Sean-mefv]

How do you know how much it’s going to cost to completely fill the tank before you’ve even filled it? What if you pay too much and the tank is full before you get your money’s worth? Gasoline is definitely something to pay for AFTER we have pumped the gas.

[Meowkid]

Hhhhh thanks video from 10 years ago, I’ve been told how to fill up my gas like, , , 3 times now but I can’t ever remember because I don’t drive too much.

[yaboiz]

Hey so let's say you say I need 20 dollars on pump 6 and you fill up and you do 20.01? Does it automatically shut off at 20 dollars or what?

[mrsamii]

After you finished pumping gas in ur car can you turn ur engine on to go

Please reply reply please

[klpng]

Well, i'm not an American and our system is different, so i need to watch this.

[manta]

@MultiTalanted oregon and another state you legally need a attendant to fuel your car so maybe some people might benefit from this but its rely not that hard