What’s up, road travelers?
On this video, we’ll see how to fill up the tank in the United States.
As you know, the self-service culture has a high value in America
and there are many services that are carried out by the customers themselves.
Self-service fueling is definitely one of them.
So, here we go!
First of all, it’s important to know the answer to this question:
You need to know this in order to properly stop the car at the gas station:
This is an important tip,
because the fuel hoses in the States may not be long enough to go around the car,
so it’s best to park with the gas tank door facing the pump.
After doing that, you gotta:
It’s for safety reasons, guys!
The third thing you gotta do is:
Despite the lack of proof that a cellphone can actually cause an explosion,
there is some concern about the static energy caused by a cellphone.
Near a gas pump, from where lots of substances can escape during the process of filling up the tank,
an explosion is possible.
So, there is a rule by the National Association of Fire Protection
that requires people not to use their phones while pumping gas.
Better safe than sorry, right guys?
Well, the fourth step must be done before you get out of the car, which is to:
Remember that they open from the inside.
We saw that when we talked about car parts.
OK, so far so good.
But what about actually pumping gas into the tank?
Well, at most gas stations in the U.S., you’ll have to pay first to have access to the fuel.
And you can do that in two ways:
you can either pay the clerk, who is usually inside the convenience store,
or you can pay at pump.
If you choose to pay the clerk,
check the pump number where you parked the car and go into the store.
To start a conversation, the clerk by saying:
Oh, just a reminder:
don’t say good night when you start a conversation, OK?
Good night is a farewell, not a greeting.
So, after you greet them,
tell them the amount you wish to pay and the pump number.
Like this:
Then, you pay cash or with your credit card,
and the clerk will program the pump to release the gas.
They do it from the computer inside the store.
When it’s done, the clerk may say:
Notice that we use SIR to talk to a man and MA’AM to talk to a woman in a polite way.
Manners, people! Very important!
Then, thank them for the help and go back to your car.
The nozzle will be ready to be removed.
Now, if you prefer to pay at the pump, you’re gonna interact with a machine,
and start from the payment part.
There should be an instruction like this on the screen:
It can be debit or credit.
Then, you’ll see:
Some pumps require typing in your zip code
or your home phone number to release the nozzle.
In this case, inserting your hometown zip code or your home telephone number won’t do.
Use the zip code or phone number from the place where you’re staying.
That should do the trick.
Keep the numbers with you in case you need them again.
Some gas stations may offer a car wash to be included.
If that’s the case, you’ll see this question on the screen:
It’s up to you.
Sometimes, you’ll see something like this on the screen:
Then, type in how many dollars you wish to spend on gas.
Oh, there’s usually a minimum of ½ a gallon required to deliver.
It’s quite possible that no one would go to a gas station just for two litters of gas,
but there’s no harm in knowing that.
So, from this point on, the process is the same,
whether you’ve payed the clerk or at the pump.
As soon as the payment is authorized,
you’ll see an instruction on the screen:
Then, you’ll choose the grade of gas you want.
There is usually diesel, specific for some vehicles;
unleaded or regular, which is the cheapest grade;
plus and premium,
which are different kinds of a special gas usually used in sophisticated cars.
These grades of gas will vary in quality and price.
If you’re not sure which kind is right for the car, choose the regular or unleaded gas,
except if the car is powered by diesel, of course.
If you wanna make sure, check the car owner’s manual.
When you make that choice, remember to check if you’ll have to press a button, like here:
Or if you’ll have a different handle for each kind of gas grade, like here:
After doing that, insert the nozzle in the gas tank,
and press the lever on the handle to start the gas flow.
If you have inserted the amount of money you’ll pay,
the handle will automatically click the lever off once it reaches that amount.
If not, it will continue pumping gas until the tank is full.
If you don't have the option to pre-set the amount
and you wish to spend just 20 dollars, for example,
pay attention to the screen and turn off the lever when you reach that amount.
An important detail to consider is that,
in the U.S., liquids are measured in gallons.
One gallon is approximately 3.7 litters.
And the gas price is per gallon too.
When you’re done, remove the nozzle from the gas tank,
close the lid and the fuel door carefully, and put the nozzle back in the pump.
If you end up using less money than the amount you’ve paid for,
let’s say, you paid 40 dollars, but you only needed 35 to fill up the tank,
No need to worry.
Go to the store and get the change.
You can say something like:
And don’t be surprised if you don’t have to say anything before the clerk gives you the exact change.
They can see pretty much everything from inside the store
and they’ll know when they have to give the change.
Just thank them at the end, OK?
Well, if everything is fine and you pumped in all the gas you paid for,
just press YES on the screen to get your receipt.
If you still don’t have a full tank because the amount of money you inserted was short,
all you gotta do is repeat the same process.
And that’s it! Simple, right?
Now, if you’re insecure, ask for help.
It’s possible that the clerk will not be able to assist you, ’cause they can’t leave the store unattended.
In this case, ask someone who is pumping gas too to give you a hand.
You can approach them and say something like:
Remember to use EXCUSE ME when approaching someone
and COULD and PLEASE whenever you’re asking a favor.
That’s a polite way to request something.
Well, that’s it!
I’m sure it’ll be very easy to pump your own gas when you are in the U.S.
Now, don't forget, do the follow-up exercises to help you remember the content.
I will see you next class!
Drive safe!