How to get gas in the US?
That might sounds like a silly question to any American driver, however, not ever country proceed the same way as to how to get gas into your car.
Pay first!
While you might be used to just park your car next to the gas pumps, open your gas tank and pour the gas until the pump reaches the amount you want to pay, and then sit in line to pay… the way Americans do it is a little different…They pay first!
You will tell me, but how do they know how much to pay? As a foreigner myself, this is what I thought too. So you can read the car manual and figure out how many gallons you car holds and then do some math to calculate how much it would cost you for x gallons. Or you can try to put in a minimum and see how long it will last and figure it out over time… prices keep changing anyways! And don’t worry if you pay too much, you can always go back to the cashier and get your change back. One fact to keep in mind as well is that most gas stations do not impose a certain direction of entering as the tank can be on either side of the vehicle. However, on most gas stations, the hose is long enough to reach the tank, even if your car faces the wrong way.
So step by step to get gas at a gas station in the US:
Park and turn off your car. Go to the cashier or the automatic credit card payment machine directly on the gas pump. You might be asked to pay an extra charge for paying with credit card over cash and most gas stations do not accept foreign credits cards at the pay machine of the gas pump. The easiest way is to go inside and pay the cashier either in cash or with your credit card. Once you are back to your car select the fuel your car needs (rental cars usually have a sticker on the tank cap, which one to use) by pressing the button with the gas selected. At some gas stations, you will have to lift the holder of the nozzle to start the pump. Then you can pump gas by holding the trigger until the pump stops automatically. If it ends up costing you less than you prepaid, go get your change, get in your car and leave.
Be aware!
New Jersey and Oregon on the other hand have banned self serving gas stations. For safety reasons, laws had been passed to assure that only trained persons could handle such a flammable liquid. Economic reasons are also mentioned; those states kept the gas pumpers to save jobs. And finally welfare reasons are suggested: disable and elderly person needs the assistance. In those states, just park your car and wait to be served! However, a small tip is appropriate, as most of the time, they will also clean your windows and check your oil.
Now you are ready to get gas at an American gas station! Have a safe drive and enjoy your trip!
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Thank you for this post! As a foreigner I wish I had found such useful information before coming in the States. No one had told me I was supposed to pay before serving myself gas and I was really confused!