Why do people do this at petrol stations?

Question

Why do some drivers block the forecourt queing up when there are plenty of free pumps but they want the pump the same side as the petrol cap?

The pumps are designed to reach around cars, Tescos have started putting signs up telling you to use each side but people still feel the need to hold everyone else up.

Do you do this? Why? Why? Why?

Answer 1

They reach if you drive cars or vehicles of a certain size, and before everyone below berates me for saying this, The hoses will not reach over a larger car (land rover)

and you run the risk of scratching paint.

But I have the choice of 2 vehicles, and even my Citroen requires a great 'pulling' of the hose to reach!

Answer 2

Is this the major issue in your life at the moment?

Answer 3

It's really embarrassing if you try to use the wrong side and the hose won't reach that's why.  I often wait in a queue rather than risk it, although I wouldn't consciously block anyone else's access to the free pumps.  God gave us free will and I choose to use mine by waiting, so there, grumpy.

Answer 4

Probably because they are totally unaware of their surroundings!

Some people float through life in a bubble.

Our local filling station has huge laminated signs saying DO NOT pull the pump around your car, and there are people who still try, (these hoses are way too short!)

Just feel glad that you are not one of the annoying ones eh!

Answer 5

They lack the ability to pull close enough to the pump for the hose to reach across or around.  

They lack the brain power to enter a suitable pump from the other side.

Thier brain is just too small to think of other alternatives to having the cap next to the pump..

Are you seein a pattern here?

These folks,  by the way,  are most likely the same ones that pull up to a gas pump and THINK THEY ARE IN A FRIGGIN'  PHONE BOOTH!!!!      No courtesy or common sense.

Answer 6

I know of one reason i do it, being a spray painter and worked nearly all of my career on cars, it scratches the paint with the hose.

Answer 7

remember the days when on the pump you saw this big pipe which looked like you could stretch it all the way around the forecourt. well now all you see is a nozzle on a pump, think people panic when they see that not realising how far the hose pulls out. great question!

Answer 8

I get gas late at night so I don't have to deal with crowded gas stations. But, I'll refuel my car anyway I want, thank you much.

Answer 9

First of all not ALL gas pumps have hoses that long, -(I know this, because we have 2 cars with the filler on right side instead of left)......  And I guess the reason is the same as why people won't let anybody get in from the other direction, -so that you have to get in line and back into pump in order to get gas. --"They just don't get it!!" And they never have stopped top think abouit it!  And as a matter of fact there is not a station within 50 miles that has a station with hose that will reach the other side! (And I live in Texas where the gas comes from)!

And then what about the pickups that have filler pipes on both sides?  I have one of those too, and when taking a long trip, it is a real pain!!, -frontwards into one pump, backwards into another pump! And of course you have to pay for gas on first pump, before you can pump on the second one,--  unless there isn't a line, - so you can turn around and reverse directions!

Life just "ain't" ideal!

As Jesus said,- "forgive them father, -for  they know not what they do!"

Answer 10

I'll use the pump on the fuel cap side thnx and save my paintwork :-)

Answer 11

Basically because they're lazy.



I have never seen any damage or even marking to a car's paintwork from a petrol hose. This is an 'urban legend'.

As for the Yank who seems to think that they're not long enough... Well, either he's got a car that's far too big (even for the USA) or he's not confident enough to park close to the pump.

You'll also notice some people don't switch off their engines while they're waiting. Thus they're polluting the atmosphere AND wasting the very stuff that they're waiting to buy (at about £102/litre).

That really does perplex me.

This is either because they have some strange idea about saving the battery (not really a problem these days), or they're lazy and don't even think about it.

Of course, you're not one of these are you?

Answer 12

It's called human nature.  People are selfish, blind and stupid.

It's like slow drivers who hog the outside lane.  They are too moronic to realise they are holding everybody else up; and if they knew, they probably wouldn't care.

Answer 13

Lack of common sense of drivers and petrol stations.Is stupid and it just means it takes longer to get to a pump.I fill on either side of a pump.

Answer 14

Stupid, selfish, beligerant?

Answer 15

Actually, I find that they don't *always* reach the other side (OK, most do, but not all).

What's more annoying is the prat who blocks the pumps while he goes in to pay at busy periods. And you can bet your life that when he comes back out, it'll take half an hour to put his change away, put his seatbelt on, start the engine, adjust his mirrors, adjust his seat..........

Answer 16

I'm 100% with you on this one.

Answer 17

I've noticed that as well. I've actually had some funny looks from people as I pull the hose over the boot of my car to refill from the 'wrong' side. I think they think I'm somehow cheating!

Answer 18

Because they are lazy dumb idiots.

I don't do this.

Answer 19

i did this earlier today i cant get the hose to reach over my range rover roof to get the nozzle in. so they DO NOT ALWAYS WORK.