Don't people realise they don't have to use the pump on the same side of their car's fuel cap?

Jonathan_Powell

Not complaining as it benefits me, but I always wonder why people are so insistent on using the fuel pump closest to the side of the cap. This morning there is a massive queue for fuel. Thing is, there are entire lanes free. I pull up and simply stretch the hose to the other side of the car. Even as I am finished, no one else bothers to do the same. 

motorguy

I think some people think the hose doesnt stretch or are concerned it will hit and possibly scratch their car.

I prefer to use it on the same side as my cap but i wouldnt not use one on the other side and carefully pull it round.

bengalknights

Some people are concerned about scratching there vehicle and so use the one by the nearest side, my wife does this!

Jenni_D

Some people struggle to judge the distance between the nearside of their car and the pump. (You often have to place the car quite close in order for the pump nozzle to reach an offside filler cap). That's my assumption anyway.

Like above, I prefer to use a pump where the nozzle is the same side as my cap, but I'm not averse to doing the opposite. (In fact I did that very thing a couple of evenings ago where I encountered the exact same scenario as the OP describes).

GeordieGeorge

I’ll use the “wrong” side if there’s a queue, but it does mean being careful that the dirty, gritty, wriggly hose doesn’t touch the paintwork.

Grumpy_chap

Answering the title of the thread:
I know, but this:

bengalknights said:

Some people are concerned about scratching there vehicle and so use the one by the nearest side

Besides, why always in a hurry?  The pause can be a good thing.

warby68

I know it but its awkward, a bit messy and tricky standing on the far side when other cars are passing so I'd rather spend the minute waiting for a free nearside pump.

Biggus_Dickus

As above,...some people are averse to pulling a manky, sticky, gritty fuel pump hose  across their car for fear of marking paintwork etc,...which is fair enough.

In addition, if you have a large car you often need to park very strategically to actually get the pump nozzle into the filler cap;...some hoses are longer than others. Nobody wants to embarrass themselves heroically fighting a losing battle with a hose that is slightly too short,..whilst others drivers point and laugh!

 

Sea_Shell

I've occasionally used the "wrong" side, but yes I did need to get very close to the pump on the nearside, and pull forward further than you think.

Even then the nozzle ends up almost upside down.

unforeseen

There are some garages that insist you use the pump on the filler side.

I have also come across pumps where the pipes are intentionally too short to reach across the car.

For those 2 reasons, I always go for the pump on the filler side. 

neilmcl

I've seen petrol station pumps in the US where the hose is held aloft by a small overhead gantry so it doesn't matter which side you fill up as the hose doesn't get dragged or pulled across the car. Never seen them in this country though.