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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people don’t use both lanes in the petrol station?

248 replies

Horcrux · 01/12/2019 17:05

Do people not realise that the hose reaches around to the other side so that you don’t have to wait to use the tank closest to your cap?
Or do people know this but have a reason for not doing it?
AIBU for parking on either side?

OP posts:
Somanysocks · 01/12/2019 18:50

Hurdy, doesn't Renault spell trafic with one f?

egontoste · 01/12/2019 18:52

I don't because I have shoulder trouble and hauling the hose round the back of the car hurts.

Wingedharpy · 01/12/2019 18:52

I can't get the lid off so I don't ever put petrol in the car.

steff13 · 01/12/2019 18:53

No way I can pull a hose over the top.

You wouldn't pull it over the top, you would pull it around the back.

Ultimately, though, it doesn't matter if you choose to use the pump on the correct side or not. You do you.

Hurdygurdy24 · 01/12/2019 18:53

Hurdy, doesn't Renault spell trafic with one f?

They do. Autocorrect changes it to tragic

Aragog · 01/12/2019 18:59

At our local petrol station they don't stretch far enough for larger, and especially higher, vehicles. And you can't pull far enough forward to go round the back as the space between the end of the pumps and the shop front is too narrow - you'd block that route meaning people couldn't leave. One in a smaller car but not in a long and tall 4x4 type vehicle, or a van.

I dont have the problem in my car anymore - electric, so I just plug it on at home - the hose on that goes far enough to park either way and still reach.

Yeahnahyeah1 · 01/12/2019 19:02

I have a pick up truck and it won’t reach, but while I would normally just pull it over the car, if I was driving a car, it doesn’t bother me that people won’t. Just scoot round them.

ChickenofDoom · 01/12/2019 19:04

Tried it once, it didn't reach. I'd rather wait for 4 minutes than play will-it-reach-roulette (and potentially have to join the back of the very queue I'd now be at the front of if I'd waited) Grin

Aragog · 01/12/2019 19:05

If you look on your dashboard, where the symbols are lit up, it shows a little symbol of a fuel pump. Whatever side the handle is on, indicates the side of the car the fuel cap is. I only learnt this recently.

Not on all cars it would seem though.
I remember telling someone this a while back, and feeling all positive and sure it was always the case. Wasn't on their car!

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 01/12/2019 19:06

I find those people willing to queue weird, but then I always appreciate them because I am driving off with a nice full tank (filled from whatever side the pump is on) while they are still waiting!

littlemeitslyn · 01/12/2019 19:07

Same as Lego

littlemeitslyn · 01/12/2019 19:08

And I don't pay at pump😳

littlemeitslyn · 01/12/2019 19:09

And it's eleventy billion

BooFuckingHoo2 · 01/12/2019 19:11

I drive a large 4X4 and I’m not strong enough to pull the hose round.

Lexplorer · 01/12/2019 19:11

Some people getting arsey because THEY can do it so EVERYONE can do it. And if they don't they are stupid? So what if I want to fill up on same side as the filler cap? I know the hose will reach but I don't want petrol splashing on the car if that's all right with you. Also I don't live my life at breakneck speed where every second counts. So just go on the side where there's no queue if you want to and leave me on my side where the queue is. No need for insults Hmm

RaininSummer · 01/12/2019 19:14

I know it reaches but I find it very hard work dragging the hose across and holding it firmly enough to stop wanting to spring back so I usually do queue up for the good side.

KTCluck · 01/12/2019 19:15

I tried it once. It reached, but was quite tight, the hose was at an awkward angle, it kept cutting out, and I found it uncomfortable for my pathetic weak wrists. I also couldn’t see the screen on the pump so had no idea how much I had in. I normally just fill it up until it clicks off but I was sick as a chip and ended up with just half a tank.

I’d rather wait the extra few minutes thanks.

MissMarpletheMurderer · 01/12/2019 19:22

18:18TabbyMumz

"I never know which side the filling cap is on"
If you look on your dashboard, where the symbols are lit up, it shows a little symbol of a fuel pump. Whatever side the handle is on, indicates the side of the car the fuel cap is. I only learnt this recently.

I promise you this is not true

raspberryk · 01/12/2019 19:25

There are still some stations near me where they have the old pumps and hoses and they most definitely wouldn't reach, either around or over. They would probably only reach to the middle of the back of the car.

When they have the signs that say the hoses ate long enough that's when I don't understand it.
Except if you had a partner like my ex who would have murdered me if I so much as rested the hose on his precious car.

CareOfPunts · 01/12/2019 19:25

I do do it rather than waiting but I find it quite stressful and would prefer to use the side where the cap is. Every time I have to fuel on the wrong side I worry I’ve not parked sufficiently to enable me to get the hose over and I’m going to look like an arse struggling with it

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 01/12/2019 19:26

Why does filling the far side always seem to involve spilling fuel everywhere and scratching your vehicle for everyone but the people who fill up on the far side?

UnderperformingSeal · 01/12/2019 19:45

You don't even have to make the hose reach all the way round the car, you can turn the car round so the filler cap is on the right side too.

Elphame · 01/12/2019 19:45

Luckily I have a lowered sports car so the hose will always reach over. I’ll fill from whichever pump will get me out of there quickest

Lexplorer · 01/12/2019 19:52

Why does filling the far side always seem to involve spilling fuel everywhere and scratching your vehicle for everyone but the people who fill up on the far side?

I know, if only we were as clever as them.

busybarbara · 01/12/2019 19:56

My pet hate is when there are multiple pumps in a row and people in front won’t go round onto the empty pumps if the back one is busy. If there’s space I drive past and go onto them myself but you get some looks