So a funny thing happened the other day

[Fallon]

I was fueling up Ziggy and about a gallon into it, the pump shuts off. I go inside and I'm like WTH? the attendant looks at me like I'm retarded and says: "Uh, you know you just put diesel in your car?" I said: "I hope so!" After explaining that it is indeed a diesel and piquing his interest and entertaining a barrage of questions about my fuel mileage, zip,, pep, etc. he turned the pump back on and let me finish fueling without interruption. The whole thing was kind of weird/funny. I wanted to say something to the effect of "Oh! My hero!" Not.

Anywho. I wondered if anyone else had any weird looks/comments from people who aren't aware that the car is a diesel.

[Blugg]

Did you marry him

[Smileybug]

I'm just waiting until I'm out driving and fill up our Mk1 Jetta with diesel. Not a lot of people realize Jettas were around in the early 80's, let alone diesel models (and a Turbo Diesel at that!). I feel like any female filling any car at a diesel pump (with the exception of maybe a big pick-up) is going to get some looks/comments. Not a ton of diesels out there to begin with, and most assume women know nothing about cars...*sigh*

[Blugg]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

I'm just waiting until I'm out driving and fill up our Mk1 Jetta with diesel. Not a lot of people realize Jettas were around in the early 80's, let alone diesel models (and a Turbo Diesel at that!). I feel like any female filling any car at a diesel pump (with the exception of maybe a big pick-up) is going to get some looks/comments. Not a ton of diesels out there to begin with, and most assume women know nothing about cars...*sigh*

Your very lucky, here in the uk the attendants know nothing of cars

[Fallon]

Originally Posted by Blugg

Did you marry him

Umm, no. ha ha. If only it were that easy! I'm generally an inch or two taller than the guys, so I think I intimidate them. This guy was more curious about my car than me. ha ha

[Blugg]

Originally Posted by Randi

Umm, no. ha ha. If only it were that easy! I'm generally an inch or two taller than the guys, so I think I intimidate them. This guy was more curious about my car than me. ha ha

Funny thing is, i read recently that owners of Red cars are more likely to be single than any other car color. So i thought i'd chance it

[Fallon]

Figures. I guess I sealed my fate when I bought Ziggy.

[jazzcat]

pumps get shut off on me filling up wifes golf about once every couple months..

[MichelleRoze]

Happens all the time. Either it's an older style pump and they won't turn it on for me. Or, I get people walking up to me in a panic, trying to "save" me from killing my motor. Then of course, once they learn it truly is a diesel, the "wow you must get great gas mileage". I'm always tempted to say "no, I get great FUEL mileage. Gas would be bad..." lol But they wouldn't understand.

There are two things that bug me more than that. Gasoline cars taking the ONLY diesel pump at the station (because it's duel) and then telling me to go find another pump....um...can't I need diesel! OR truckers telling me to find another pump because they think I'm one of the gassers!!! lol

[Fallon]

Gah! I've only had to fill up Ziggy three times here in town and EVERY freaking time I have to wait for someone at the diesel pump. They always look puzzled as I sit in my car waiting for their pump, when all the other gas pumps are open. There should be a sign or something.

[MichelleRoze]

They do. lol The sign should be that it has a diesel pump handle connected to it. But talking with my gasser friends, they are totally oblivious to that.

My fav. is when they fill up on the driver side....so I pull up, nose to nose....making them BACK UP...in order to give me the pump. Sorry, my filler nozzle is on the passenger side...and YOU"RE blocking my DIESEL pump. I'm evil I know.

[jazzcat]

people that are at the gas/diesel pumps when there are 10 other gas only pumps anger me...i've pulled up behind someone to fill up while they are doing it as well to sort of make a statement lol

[woofster]

It's amazing how few people realize these cars come with diesel engines. My neighbor was surprised when he found out I had a diesel engine. I get a few odd looks at the diesel pump as well, probably people who are thinking,"OMG, he's at the grey pump!"

[CoriBug]

There's an extremely loooong thread on TDIClub about this very topic - lots of great stories! I've had a few conversations in the almost 6 years I've owned Daisy but no one has ever shut the pump off or tried to "warn" me about pumping diesel. There seems to be a greater awareness of diesels here - more diesel cars, people using biodiesel or vegetable oil, recycling veggie oil from restaurants, and Colorado State is developing biodiesel from algae. In fact, I recently stopped to fill up at a station and the lady on the other side of the pump asked me "How do you like your diesel?" She recognized the sound. A couple months ago, my mom and I got in Daisy in downtown Fort Collins as a Golf TDI parked next to us. I could hear the purr of the engine. As I started Daisy, I heard the woman say to the man, "there's a diesel!"

[archiebug]

None of these issues in the UK i'm afraid, Diesel to petrol cars are split almost 50/50. And we are slowly going back to highly efficient small capacity Turbo Petrols rather than 'dirty diesels' as they are better for the environment, cars like the Polo/Golf Bluemotions, 99g/km in emissions and fuel economy that matches if not betters the Diesels.

Also those cars get free road tax in the UK

[Scarab_TDi]

Originally Posted by woofster

It's amazing how few people realize these cars come with diesel engines. My neighbor was surprised when he found out I had a diesel engine. I get a few odd looks at the diesel pump as well, probably people who are thinking,"OMG, he's at the grey pump!"

Grey? Must be a Canadian thing. Here in the US we have green. Compared to the black handles, they stick out like the Jolly Green Giant's sore thumb, hehe.

[Fl_bug]

These are some funny stories guys!! I'm looking forward to getting my TDI someday in the future