Why Cant Petrol Pumps Be Fully Mechanised?

[bednobs]

ihave a disability, and although driving is fairly easy with an adapted car, putting petrol in is an enormously physical take - from opening the petrol cap, to manhandling the hose to get it in, and most difficult, squeezing the pump.
As i was doing this yesterday, i was thinking to myself, it would be much easier if you could put in how much you wanted and it dispensed itself, rather than squeezing. I would guess most people want either a fixed payment amount (say £50); to fill up; or a fixed literage so it seems possible (tome anyway!) so why hasnt that been invented i wonder?

[murraymints]

GOOD IDEA !

[woofgang]

I find that the auto shut off doesn’t always work so I guess auto filling would be a recipe for disaster. My local Shell garage has an attendant who will fill for you, might be worth seeing if you have a local garage with this service.

[jno]

at a guess, it has to be made difficult to start the flow of petrol because spilling it is dangerous. Likewise, I wouldn't really trust a machine to do it properly; machines don't always work. I've seen ones that stop when they reach a preset amount (of money or litres) but you still have to squeeze.

[douglas9401]

If you were to pre select an amount of more than the capacity of the tank, you'd either have it all over the forecourt or have to faff about in the kiosk getting a refund.
Why not avail yourself of assistance available from staff via the call button?

[rockyracoon]

Don't some garages do this at night, already. You have to pay before you fill. Saves people driving off without paying.
Unless I've got the wrong end of the stick.

[Zacs-Master]

Remember when a hooman been would actually fill your car for you?

[Islay]

I think they have that in USA - I would have to check with hubby but when we have filled up over there I know he pays a set amount and then it is dispensed - it might be done by the cashier as its prepay in some places.

[bednobs]

Most garages have a disabled call system (or you can just hoot till someone comes) but it makes it tricky if you want to pay by card and dont want to/cant walk to the shop bit, so rather negates the point of someone coming to you anyway.
It's far to organised to get cash somewhere before you need petrol :)

[jno]

hooman beens are expensive, ZM, especially in this country; and it seems we'll be unable to import cheap ones. So the robots are taking over. Get with the programme.

[Prudie]

Lots of garages on the continent only sell by pre-paid amounts but you still have to squeeze.

[Zacs-Master]

For sure

[jno]

Islay, yes, I've seen totally automated ones in Australia with no humans on site at all, but I invariably have to wait for another customer to show me how to work them. And you still have to squeeze.

[Islay]

I get my husband to fill my car up - although I don't know how much longer I can get away with that!! lol

[Islay]

Yes you still have to squeeze - shame though

[jno]

perhaps what needs to be invented is a squeezer? Clip it on and push a button and it contracts; push again when you're filled up and don't forget to take it off and slip it into your handbag.

[EDDIE51]

I used to work as a filling station attendant. Some people virtually expected you to do a full service of the car as well a put the fuel in.
They would want the oil and water checked and filled, windscreen cleaned , tyres checked.
They would only buy a couple of gallons as we were a few pence more than the self service stations, so they would get the car 'serviced' at the attended station and the fill up down the road at the self service.
bednobs , all stations I know will fill the car for you if they know you are disabled, not sure how you let them know though.

[douglas9401]

They could expect all they liked, Eddie, they wouldn't be getting though.

[EDDIE51]

^ The station I worked at had a reputation for providing 'full attended service' it even advertised free oil & water checks. Long since closed now though.

[TWR]

Beds, if you use the same garage on a regular basis, try giving them a phone call to request an attendant to top up your car when you arrive.

[mikey4444]

In America, fuel pumps can be locked on, but not here in Britain, for safety reasons I am guessing.