A quick fueling guide for first-time and new drivers
How to put gas in your car
Summary
Filling your vehicle with gasoline is an essential task to keep the vehicle running and functional. If you are a first-time driver or a new driver, below are steps on how to fill your vehicle with gasoline depending on the type of vehicle you have and the method of payment you are using to pay for the gas.
1. Park the vehicle
Every vehicle’s gas tank is located either on the right side or the left side of the vehicle. To determine which side your gas tank is on follow the steps below:
- Look at your vehicle’s dashboard to locate the gas gauge.
- The gauge will display a gas pump symbol and an arrow pointing either to the right or to the left, indicating the side your gas tank is on.
- Determine which side your vehicle’s gas tank is on and park on the side with your tank closest to the pump.
- Place the vehicle in park and turn off the vehicle.
2. Access the gas tank
Determine if your vehicle’s gas tank door opens from the inside with a button or lever or manually from outside the vehicle.
Opening the gas tank door inside the vehicle
If your vehicle’s gas tank door open from inside your vehicle, follow these steps:
- Locate your vehicle’s gas tank door button or lever on the driver’s side of the vehicle, commonly located by the floor of the vehicle between the driver’s seat and driver’s door.
- Push or pull the button or lever to open the gas tank door.
- Step outside the vehicle to your gas tank and open the gas tank door.
- Push down and twist the gas cap to the left (counter clockwise) until cap is released.
- Stow the gas cap in a secure place or let hang free.
Opening the gas tank door from outside the vehicle
If your vehicle’s gas tank door opens manually, follow these steps:
- Step outside the vehicle to your gas tank and pull or press to open the gas tank door.
- Push down and twist the gas cap to the left (counter clockwise) until cap is released.
- Stow the gas cap in a secure place or let hang free.
3. Pay for gas
When paying for gas, determine whether you will pay using cash, a debit card, or a credit card, and then follow the applicable steps:
Paying with cash
- Select Pay Inside on the gas pump screen.
- Notate the gas pump number you are at and walk to the gas station kiosk to pay the attendant with cash.
- Retrieve any cash back from the attendant if applicable once fueling is complete.
Paying with a debit card
- Select Pay with debit on the gas pump screen, swipe your card, and enter your PIN associated with the card.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to being fueling.
Paying with a credit card
- Select Pay with credit on the gas pump screen, swipe your card, and enter your Zip Code associated with the card.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to being fueling.
4. Fuel the vehicle
Once your method of payment has been accepted, follow these steps to begin fueling:
- Select the appropriate fuel grade option based on your vehicle’s gasoline requirement*.
- Remove the gas nozzle from its compartment and insert it securely into your gas tank.
- Pull up the gas pump’s lever under the handle to start fueling your vehicle until the tank is full and fueling has stopped, or until the desired amount of gas has been reached**.
- Remove the gas nozzle from your gas tank and insert it back into its compartment on the gas pump.
- Replace the gas cap back onto the gas tank on your vehicle and twist to the right (clockwise) until fully locked and you hear a click, then close the gas tank door.
Additional Information
*Most gas stations have four fuel grade options: Diesel, Unleaded 87, Unleaded Plus 89, and Unleaded Premium 91. The gas cap or gas tank door will usually indicate the recommended fuel grade. If unknown, refer to the Owner’s Manual located in the vehicle’s glove box on the passenger side dash.
**You can press down the handle’s lock that is located toward the bottom of the nozzle handle to lock the auto-pump. This will allow it to fuel your vehicle without having to hold down the handle. It will auto-stop when your tank is full.