How to pump gas

Let me tell you a story about my friend Maggie (the name has been changed to protect the innocent).  

Maggie turned 16 and had just passed her driver's test. She wanted to go on a drive to get her first taste of freedom. She started the car and was a few blocks away from home when she saw the gas light go on.  At this point, Maggie had 2 options: she could go to the gas station and get gas or she could turn around and wait for her parents to fill up the gas tank for her.  

Many teenagers would let their parents fill the car with gas because they would pay for the gas, but what if you had to get to work, school, or a sporting event and couldn't wait?  What would you do then?

New experiences can be scary, especially when you don't want to look like you don't know what you're doing. Here are some easy steps that will help you so you will be able to look like a pro.

Before you even leave the driveway to drive to the gas station there are 2 things you need to do.  

First, look on the dashboard and find the gas gauge. Next to the icon of a gas pump, you will see a small arrow. That arrow points to the side of the car where the gas tank is located. In other words, put that side of the car next to the gas pump. Noticing this helps you avoid looking silly when you pull in with the wrong side of your car next to the pump.  

Second, figure out how the gas door opens.  You may need to Google this if you can't figure it out. Some cars have a lever or button on the inside of the car with the gas icon. In some cars you simply have to open the gas door, there isn't a trick about it. And other cars have gas doors that open by pushing on them. Weird, I know. Figuring that out before going to the pump helps reduce your anxiety.

Once you have figured those 2 things out, you are ready to drive to the gas station and follow these simple steps for success:

1. Park next to the gas pump aligning the gas door with the gas hose.  Don't stress about this too much, the hose is long and can reach even if you don't get it right next to it.

2. TURN OFF THE CAR.  It's dangerous to pump gas with the car running.

3. Open the gas door.  You figured out how to do this before you left the driveway.  Turn the gas cap to remove it.  Don't lose this.  Usually, it is attached by a cord but if it isn't, keep it in your hand so you don't lose it.

4. Look at the gas pump display.  Each pump is a little different but they all have prompts to follow.

5. Insert your credit or debit card.  If using a debit card, you will be asked for your PIN.  If the card is a credit card and the pump asks for your PIN, you can press the button next to "bypass pin" and it will then ask for your zip code.  The display will tell you when to remove your card.

6. Lift the gas hose nozzle from the holster and select the type of gas you want.  This depends on how much you want to pay and what your car requires.  After you press the button next to the type of gas you want the numbers on the pump will zero out to show that you are ready to pump gas.

7. Put the gas hose nozzle in your gas tank and pull the handle.  You are now pumping gas!

8. The hose should stop pumping gas when the tank is full but you want to watch it just in case something malfunctions.  Don't get back in your car.  Stand next to the pump to ensure you can quickly respond if something goes wrong.

9. When the tank is full and the pump turns off, remove the gas hose nozzle from your tank and return it to the holster on the gas pump.

10. Replace the gas cap.  It's important to make sure it's tight.  Then close the gas door.

11. The machine will ask if you want a receipt, you decide.  You can tell it "yes" or "no."

You did it!  You successfully pumped your own gas and you did it like a pro.  Now you can go for a drive!