What is this, why is it there and why can’t I use it?

thezappa · 10 Jun 2019 at 19:52

I’ve seen them on pumps for years and never worked out what they’re for. I thought they were for flicking back and keeping the pump engaged without holding it until it clicked but it doesn’t do it. So, anyone know? Help me out here.

energy · 10 Jun 2019 at 20:17

It's exactly what you think it's for but AFAIK it's UK regs that don't allow it to be used. You can restore functionality by carrying a suitable pin to insert into the holes in the trigger.

bremen1874 · 10 Jun 2019 at 20:20

They work on the dedicated truck pumps.

mjt · 10 Jun 2019 at 20:25

They can be used to hold the valve open, but as you can see there, there is no pin for it to latch on to, thus you having to hold the valve open manually.

Those three holes are where a pin would go, so you can latch the 'hold-open' clip.

[TW]Fox · 10 Jun 2019 at 20:55

It's there to make filling with fuel far less tedious and annoying and it's ridiculous we are not allowed to use it.

They can in Germany.

Malevolence · 10 Jun 2019 at 21:05

You used a mobile phone on a petrol station forecourt? You monster.

Diddums · 10 Jun 2019 at 21:12

[TW]Fox said:
It's there to make filling with fuel far less tedious and annoying and it's ridiculous we are not allowed to use it.

They can in Germany.

And Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, and I think Murica too.

And these are only the ones I know of.

M1k3H · 10 Jun 2019 at 21:21

Same in Cyprus, was shocked coming to the UK and realising that firstly I had to put fuel in my car myself?! And then, on top of that, I have to keep squeezing the trigger?! Monsters. :mad:

dvinell · 10 Jun 2019 at 21:44

Many years ago, that did what it was supposed to do.
You clicked it into place, and used your free hands to light a cigarette as the car filled up.

Amp34 · 10 Jun 2019 at 21:55

Diddums said:
And Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, and I think Murica too.

And these are only the ones I know of.

Yep, US and Canada. Useful when you’re putting 130l of fuel in.

NVP · 11 Jun 2019 at 00:02

dvinell said:
Many years ago, that did what it was supposed to do.
You clicked it into place, and used your free hands to light a cigarette as the car filled up.

Now we simply put the petrol cap on the trigger and boom hands free once again to vape away

Dr Who · 11 Jun 2019 at 03:02

M1k3H said:
Same in Cyprus, was shocked coming to the UK and realising that firstly I had to put fuel in my car myself?! And then, on top of that, I have to keep squeezing the trigger?! Monsters.

I miss that, and drive in oil changes, windscreen cleans, 1cyp£ for new wiper blades, oh and even when they are closed they all have credit card pumps to use.

NVP · 11 Jun 2019 at 05:23

Bloody immigrants coming over here and cussing our petrol pumps! Grrr

Gaygle · 11 Jun 2019 at 07:12

NVP said:
Bloody immigrants coming over here and cussing our petrol pumps! Grrr

Make pumps great again!

M1k3H · 11 Jun 2019 at 07:50

Dr Who said:
I miss that, and drive in oil changes, windscreen cleans, 1cyp£ for new wiper blades, oh and even when they are closed they all have credit card pumps to use.

+1 to all that, apart from the cheapo wiper blades. They are horrid! My dad buys those, and whenever I drive his cars in the rain the sound is unbearable!

Gaygle said:
Make pumps great again!

This

The-Plethora · 11 Jun 2019 at 09:10

On some cars the petrol filler cap can be removed and wedged in the handle for the same thing, tried it a couple of times and it works but safer to keep an eye on things.

NVP · 11 Jun 2019 at 09:30

The-Plethora said:
On some cars the petrol filler cap can be removed and wedged in the handle for the same thing, tried it a couple of times and it works but safer to keep an eye on things.

Yessir!

NVP said:
Now we simply put the petrol cap on the trigger and boom hands free once again to vape away

mrk · 11 Jun 2019 at 11:27

I don't even want to have to get out of my car when getting fuel. I want someone to fill-up for me like those American stations.

Maccy · 11 Jun 2019 at 11:35

mrk said:
I don't even want to have to get out of my car when getting fuel. I want someone to fill-up for me like those American stations.

And say in your finest Queen's English "fill her up please"?

Nasher · 11 Jun 2019 at 11:36

There is a small garage close to my parents where the one guy working there insists on filling it up for you.

I'm sure health and safety will ban people from filling up their own cars eventually