petrol pumps
Thirteen years I've been driving. Thirteen years. And last week, for the first time ever, I discovered that by lifting up the piece of petrol pump hose that is lowest to the floor, while still holding the dispensing part in place, you don't spill petrol or diesel down the car and you pull the hose out.

I can't believe I never worked this out before.

Seeing as it passed me by for so long, I thought I'd share it here, as I feel it's too obvious for Top Tips.
( SeasonTicketless is too often the statue, and rarely the pigeon., Wed 22 Oct 2008, 12:00, 5 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I'm so glad you decided to.

( mike woz ere 7442200 & 7696970 getter, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 12:33, Reply)

If you lift it high enough
you get the contents of the hose into your tank too, free* fuel.

*you don't have to pay for that bit, as the person behind you needs to to refill the pipe before filling.
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 12:55, Reply)

That aint true Ethel
Modern pumps have the valve in the spout so you only pay for what comes out of the end, not what's in the hose.

Personally I have never got petrol down my car, though I once got £30 off Sainsburys when I complained about the auto cut off not working and the pump spilling petrol on my trousers.
( Bazongaloid, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 13:54, Reply)

i only realised
after reading on b3ta that a petrol pump will stretch round to either side of the car. i was one of the dizzy girls who sits there in a Q for a right handed space to come free.

now i love to screech up past the waiting morons and smirk as they watch and learn from my b3ta induced excellence!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 14:22, Reply)

Yesterday
on the way back from a job interview (so I was wearing the only smart clothes I own) I got petrol, and had to use the pump on the "wrong" side. I was a bit too far away and the hose was only just long enough to reach but it was at a funny angle and evidently not far enough in, as when I pulled the trigger an impressive fountain of petrol gushed from the nozzle, all over my shoes, smart trousers and coat. I felt like a spakker.

Also, I knew someone who knew someone whose bike ran out of petrol and he had no money, but managed to get home by stopping at every garage and emptying the hoses. This was a long time ago, and doesn't come from a very reliable source so it may not be true, but I'd like to think it is.
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Wed 22 Oct 2008, 15:08, Reply)