How to Fill Your Car Up With Gas

There are unforeseen variables when filling your car with gasoline for the first time.

If you've just acquired a new vehicle, nothing is more embarrassing than standing in front of a gas station wondering exactly what to do. Different cars take in gasoline differently. It's not always as simple as taking off the gas cap and filling up the tank. You need to know what type of gasoline your car takes, where the gas cap is and how to open it.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle
• Gas Station

Instructions

1. 

   Putting the wrong type of gas in your vehicle can affect its performance.

   Read the vehicle's owner's manual to learn what type of gasoline your car takes. Most cars can take regular gas, which is the cheapest, but higher-end vehicles, like Mercedes and BMWs, tend to run better on the higher-grade gas. Only use diesel gasoline for diesel-powered vehicles.

2. 

   Avoid turning around within the islands of a gas station.

   Walk around your car to find the exact location of the fuel tank and gas cap. Many foreign vehicles will have their fuel tank and gas caps on the passenger's side of the vehicle. Most American carmakers put the fuel tank and gas cap will be on the driver's side of the vehicle. Pull into a gas station island on the proper side.

3. 

   Certain cars require a key to open the gas cap covering.

   Master opening your gas cap. Some vehicles models, like Hondas, require you to push a lever on the inside of the car to open the cap. Some vehicles require a key. Many cars and trucks have a handlelike portion on the gas cap covering that simply pulls open. On certain high-end vehicles, like Mercedes-Benz, drivers push the covering on the opposite side to open it.

4. Fill your vehicle's fuel tank with gasoline. Many stations allow for credit or debit payment right at the pump, making it easy to fill the gas tank. If you're paying with cash, the station will most likely require you pay ahead of time, so make your best guess before you pay. If you know the size of your tank, this will be easier.

Tips & Warnings

• Fill your car tank up with gasoline in the morning when the temperature is cool. Gas stations store their reserves underground, and the cooler the ground, the denser the gasoline.

• Don't fill your tank over capacity. When the gas line clicks off, your tank is full. It can be dangerous to continue pumping past that point as overflow spills can easily occur. Be sure the car is off before you fuel up. Do not smoke anywhere near the gas line.

References

• Car Deal Expert: How Far Should You Fill your Fuel Tank