11 replies to this topic

[brockit79]

Hi there,

I was just wondering how you go about filling your motor vehicles up with fuel, I don't have anyone around who can help me today and I would like to not leave it until tonight, do I have a choice? In the UK are there attendants who help?

I will be braving the motorway for the 1st time post injury tomorrow. I am not so good with getting my chair in and out the car but I figure that I will find a way that suits me.

How did you guys find your 1st long journey on the motorway completely independently? Have you any tips?

I tempted to drink very little so I don't have to stop.

Thanks for reading.
Brockit79

[Edinburgh Colin]

Sent you a pm

[Wobbly]

Some stations have a little dicreet button you can press for help x

[T6 Incomplete]

The funny thing about that button is that you usually have to get out of your car to push it. I don't know about the UK, but in the US if there is more than 1 person working at the station, you are supposed to be able to honk your horn 3 times and the other attendant will come out and pump your gas. I never did try it and now just get out on my own and pump it. You will get better with transfers the more you do it.

[knightrider]

Those buttons are always out of reach unless you get out to press it then there's no point lol.

First find a garage that doesn't have steps, i pulled up at one once and went into pay and tipped out my chair lol, the step was narrow from door to end of step, pulled door open and BAM! lol.

When you pull up at the station, park up on the outer pumps that way you'll have enough room to get out, then just take your time. If you're not comfortable getting in and out of your car just yet, just flash your lights or beep your horn to get their attention and show them your blue badge. Then hopefully they'll know for next time.
But if you do get out and do it, it's nothing to worry about, just don't rush for other people and the more you do it the easier and less stressful it gets.
I sometimes go to one that's in a quiet village and is never busy, they recognise me and come out.

You'll be fine on the motorway, i find motorways easier to drive on, less stress and more of a straight forward drive. If you've got a satnav use it, if not print off or copy directions off the AA website. Yeah don't drink too much before you go and you'll be fine, but if the journey is a long one and you think you need to go there are plenty of service stations about. But i reks you'll be fine. Don't stick behind lorries for too long, you might miss the turn off sign
Most of all enjoy the drive

[pikey]

I ask someone who is filling up to tell them in the petrol station I need help, it saves me a lot of trouble.

[Edinburgh Colin]

Hey Brok,
This is the device I was talking about but I have had mixed success, mostly the staff in the shops have not been trained or you see them looking around with blank expressions trying to figure out what the noise is! KR has the right idea, find a local station where they can get to know you and fill up there. Unless you are regularly driving long distances and filling up in strange locations in which case bigger is better when it comes to getting help as usually there is more staff.

Read what it says on the website for £15 it's not bad having it in the car and you get a list of participating stations.

http://www.service-c...rvice-call.html

Good luck and enjoy your drive and your session when there. Let me know how you get on.
EC

[knightrider]

Ah EC, I was going to get one of those things when i was first injured they looked like a great lil device, but never got one in the end. I also heard funny stories with people using them, like you said the staff looking around wondering where the beep was coming from haha. It's a shame staff are under trained with them because the idea of it is a winner for us.

We all have the worry about the unknown, like filling your car up with fuel etc, we all find a way like with the tips above or by yourself, we cool peeps can adapt to anything, just takes practice, getting out there and doing it or finding a happy medium. You'll be fine Brok and enjoy the trip

[julibugs]

I am really lucky where I live, we are in a large village and we have a small repair garage and petrol station which is still run by attendants, I always make sure I have cash and although they are a little more expensive than the supermarkets they often put a bit of extra fuel in because you are a loyal customer. I always make sure that I have cash on me so that I don't have to go in and use the card machine. Last week I got six duck eggs free with my fuel.

When I'm not at home and I have to fill up I get someone to either press the button or ask inside for assistance for me, often people will offer to fill my car up for me.

Don't worry about your first long journey, just take it steady and plan a few rest stops along the way.

[edlee]

If you're planning a longer trip,, You obviously won't be stopping at familiar stations,, so I suggest,, as was mentioned earlier,, that bigger is better,, but I also suggest that you get out and pump your own. First,, because you will be amazed at how empowering it feels,, and two,, you will need to practice for when the attendant simply refuses to come out.

All the stations I've seen for the last 15 years or so, have had credit card readers,, so going inside isn't ususally necessary,,, and even if it is inaccessable,, make them come out to get the money after you have your fuel,, serves them right for not offering help in the first place,, the rat b**tards.

Above all,, enjoy yourself,, and don't let anyone rush you,, whether pumping gas or looking at the scenery,, they can go around.
ed

[rollingtrouble]

I usually point my pistol at someone near the pump and make them do it at gunpoint. That way you don't have to be nice and ask for help. I find they are very accomodating, and quick about it. If they are with someone else, I'll usually direct them to go inside and get me a soft drink and a bag of chips, or their friend gets it! This way seems to work better than all that honking and people looking at me weird, and never coming out to help me get gas.

[edlee]

And you can make them pay for it, too. Damn,, another good reason to keep that gun in the car.
ed