Filling up your gas tank correctly not only ensures fuel efficiency but also provides safety for the user and the vehicle.
Select the Right Fuel Type for Your Vehicle
To avoid confusion, drivers should first understand the type of fuel their vehicle uses for operation. Currently, most cars in Vietnam run on gasoline or diesel. Therefore, if you have just acquired a car, rented a self-drive vehicle, or borrowed a car from friends or family, it’s essential to know whether the vehicle requires gasoline or diesel before refueling.
Additionally, when you arrive at a gas station, inform the attendant whether your vehicle uses gasoline or diesel to prevent any mix-up in fuel types.
Identify the Fuel Cap Location Before Parking
To save time and minimize unnecessary maneuvers at the fuel station, drivers should determine whether the fuel cap is located on the left or right side of the vehicle by checking the dashboard for a fuel gauge symbol accompanied by an arrow. The direction of the arrow indicates where the fuel cap is located on the vehicle.
Avoid overfilling the gas tank. (Illustrative image).
Be mindful of how to open the fuel cap, as each vehicle may have different mechanisms. Some vehicles may have a release button integrated into the driver’s seat or below the dashboard. Others may simply require you to press on the cap to open it.
Turn Off the Engine Before Refueling
Many drivers wonder if they need to turn off the engine while refueling. In reality, many drivers have a habit of leaving the engine running during refueling, which is extremely dangerous due to the risk of fire or explosion.
During the refueling process, fuel will escape from the nozzle, and gasoline vapors are highly flammable. If the vehicle’s engine is still running, it continues to generate heat (from the combustion of the fuel-air mixture), which can lead to a fire. Therefore, the safest way to refuel your vehicle is to turn off the engine beforehand.
Avoid Using Mobile Phones
At every gas station, there are usually signs prohibiting flames. Therefore, drivers should not smoke in these areas and should also refrain from using mobile phones while refueling. Although this has been warned, in practice, some drivers in Vietnam still casually use their phones while their vehicles are being refueled.
This behavior poses a high risk of fire since gasoline can account for about 5% of the air’s vapor concentration. When using a mobile phone, the strong signals can generate electric sparks, increasing the fire risk.
Thus, it is advised to stay at least 50 meters away from the gas station before using your mobile phone.
Choose a Reputable Gas Station
When you need to refuel, choose familiar and reputable gas stations. These locations usually offer high-quality fuel, accurate measurement systems, and clear pricing displayed on LED or LCD screens on the pump, making it easier for customers to understand.
If you must refuel on unfamiliar roads, experienced drivers recommend choosing gas stations frequented by trucks and taxis. Taxi and truck drivers often travel these routes regularly, giving them more experience in selecting reliable gas stations.
Refuel in the Early Morning
Gasoline is a liquid and expands with temperature changes. Experienced drivers suggest that refueling during cooler temperatures, such as early morning or late at night, is more beneficial than during hot afternoons.
Additionally, avoid refueling while fuel tankers are filling the gas station’s storage tanks. This is when the pressure in the station’s tanks rises, causing gasoline to expand and evaporate. Consequently, you may end up paying for vaporized fuel.
Refuel by Volume, Avoid Requesting “Full Tank”
Gas prices are often fractional, leading many people to purchase gas in round amounts, like 500,000 or 1 million VND, for convenience. However, this method can facilitate dishonest practices by gas station employees, as the pumps are often programmed to manipulate prices based on the total amount.
Avoid doing personal tasks or using your phone while refueling. (Illustrative image).
To prevent being overcharged when refueling, customers should buy fuel by volume, such as 10 liters or 20 liters, depending on the vehicle’s tank capacity. This way, the pumps will dispense the correct amount of fuel in liters, as this volume is regularly checked and has near-absolute accuracy.
Additionally, professional drivers recommend not asking for a “full tank” since safety mechanisms in pumps often have reverse suction features to prevent overflow. However, this means that fuel has already passed through the meter, and the customer will still pay for the fuel that was siphoned back.
Moreover, consider the amount of fuel needed to buy the right volume, as overfilling the tank can lead to waste and cause the vehicle to carry excess weight, resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Request to Reset to “0” on the Fuel Pump
At some gas stations, in an effort to expedite sales, they may assign two employees to operate—one handling the nozzle and the other managing the display. However, this method can easily lead to fraud, as the person operating the nozzle can easily manipulate the fuel flow, and it’s challenging for customers to monitor both simultaneously, making it easy for dishonest actions to occur.
Moreover, despite being criticized, some gas stations employ a “connecting” method, where the pump display does not reset to “0” when you start refueling. This practice is prohibited under fuel business regulations due to the inherent discrepancies in calculations between two fuel dispensing sessions. Therefore, it’s essential to voice concerns when encountering such practices at any gas station to avoid risks.
Avoid Personal Tasks While Refueling
It’s advisable to pay close attention to the actions of the employees and the display on the fuel pump instead of getting distracted with personal tasks. By observing closely, you can detect any suspicious behavior from the gas station staff and also confirm whether the fuel meter is accurate and functioning correctly.
Some gas stations may employ tactics to deliberately extend the fuel nozzle away or out of sight to make it difficult for customers to monitor the meter. In such cases, you can move your vehicle closer and choose a suitable position to observe. When gas station staff notice that customers are paying attention, they are less likely to attempt any fraudulent tricks.
