Everything is a little different when you’re driving in a foreign country, from laws and etiquette to where and how you pump your fuel. This handy guide gives you the lowdown on getting gas in 30 different countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, the Middle East and North America.
It’s important to know information like this before you go because there are no standard procedures followed in every nation. Fortunately, all of these questions and more are answered by CarRentals.com’s Pumping Gas by Country guide. For example, here’s what to expect in China:
Whether you’re in a rental car or your own personal vehicle, there are a lot of things to consider when looking to make a pitstop in another country. What are gas stations called there? Are there any major chains to look for? Is it common for them to accept credit cards? Do you pump the gas yourself or does someone do it for you? If they do pump for you, should you tip?
You also have to consider the available grades of petrol usually available in each country. That’s not as big of a deal if you’re renting a vehicle there, since they should give you a car that uses the fuel available to you there, but it could be a problem if you’re trying to drive your own car somewhere. It’s vital you use the right type of fuel, or you could severely damage the vehicle – costing you both travel time and tons of money.
Getting off the beaten path and exploring a country by car can be far more interesting – and adventurous – than sticking to metropolitan areas and public transport, but it’s easy to be caught off guard, too. If you plan on taking to the countryside, it’s a good idea to fill up anytime you see a petrol station. These can be few and far between when compared to the highway system of Australia, so try and stay topped off. And make sure you have plenty of cash on you – both for gas stations that won’t take cards (or if yours won’t work there), and for the occasional “fine.” You can check out the rest of the guide’s 27 countries at the link below.
The Ultimate Guide to Pumping Gas by Country [CarRentals.com Blog]
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One response to “How To Find And Pump Petrol For Your Car In Different Countries Around The World ”
France – fuel outlets are often in the parking area of supermarkets hidden on the edge of town. There are periods of the day when they are closed because the cashier is at lunch.
If you’re a tourist in any country, do not leave it to the evening to re-fuel. Your credit card may not be accepted at the pump and you may have an overnight wait until a cashier is available. At one Norwegian station well above the Arctic Circle, I lucked out with a truck driver who used his card for my fuel and I paid him in cash.