Oregon members, wth? No topping off

[AMink]

I just found out that Oregon no longer allows "topping off". For me, that's another 3 or more gallons after the pump shuts off. It drives me nuts that I can't even pump my own in Oregon, but this is crazy. At one time, a few years back, I was told that you can pump your own diesel in OR. Is that true?



The reason I ask about this is that we travel to Washington at least once per year. I hate not being able to fill the tank as far as I usually do. I guess it's an OCD thing. :-laf I want to see the fuel at the top of the filler. Hopefully, since we're going a different route this year, I can get through Oregon without having to fuel.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

2 options - if filling up around your local area prior to a trip, you can use a 5 gallon or so gas can at home to top off there. Another possible option, is joining a cardlock outfit such as CFN or Pacific Pride - you not only pump your own fuel - but also get a pretty nice price discount on the fuel. I use Pacific Pride in this and other areas when traveling - and get nearly 50 cents per gallon savings on diesel, and 30 cents a gallon on gas, as compared to the regular posted prices in the same areas...

 

[24V-DSL]

Yeah, I'd just plan it to cruise on through.



I've tried the "pump my own" a few times, but the station attendants freeze in their tracks. They don't know and won't do something without express management approval. Not sure it's even still ok by law.



Funny, I'm in the minority and always have the pull at the click because I can only get in about another gallon, and it takes longer than it's worth for me. Bugs the hell out of me to sit behind another truck for up to five minutes while the attendant is topping off. New law is in effect in my area, but obviously hasn't caused me any stress.



No offense to all you "top it off" owners.

 

[ata]

Yes you can (legal) pump your own Diesel in Oregon. But there are not many places that will let you do it. I let them start it and when they go to start someone else I get out and finish filling it. Not many people will stop you but there are some. Or just tell them to put it on as slow as it will go. That will get my truck real close to full. Or use the Truck Stops most of them if you don't get out and fill your own tank you will be sitting there a long time.

 

[SRadke]

Several of my local station no longer pump diesel for you. Self serve only. Hadn't heard of the no top off thing, not sure that's actually gotten here yet.

-Scott

 

[hwebster]

WTF? Legally you can't pump your own fuel??? Head for the hills... . The lawyers are winning!!!:-laf

 

[TRLRTRSH]

If I remember correctly it's the State Fire Marshall who controls the filling stations and who can pump fuel. He thinks the citizens of Oregon are too stupid or incompetent to pump their own gas.

 

[24V-DSL]

The Oregon voters are responsible for this no self-service law. It has been on the ballot multiple times over the years, and the voters overwhelmingly vote self-service down. Part of it is driven by disgust for the oil companies spending millions to try to bs us into thinking it's better for us. There's consistently a 4-5 cent lower price on gasoline between us and Washington state which is self-serve, so people say "what the hell"? And, get this... . the station where I buy 90% of all my fuel has the cheapest diesel prices in a 40 mile radius, and they wash my windshield.



I think New Jersey is the only other state that doesn't allow self-serve.

 

[Jefff929]

I pump my own, no one has ever said squat. Like ata I sometimes will let them start it then I go out and finish off.



On the '09 Jetta, we can't top it off, it will pee on the ground. Last night I let the attendant do it, I was cleaning the window, and I warned him but it was too late. The fuel spill was his fault entirely, I said, "don't round it up. " but it was too late he had already squeezed the handle. :-laf



With the truck or the '02 Jetta you are talking about an extra 60 to 90 miles of range, that can matter some places I go with the truck.



I also have a PP cardlock card for the local BioDiesel place, it is good for PP Dino Diesel too. So often I don't deal with attendants anyway.

 

[Tractorat]

When I drive thru Oregon, I've been known to start pumping fuel myself (diesel and gas) from force of habit. The worse thing that has ever happened was that an attendant may have come out and maybe looked at me for a few seconds. But I always just look confused ( I always look confused anyway) and say "oops, I forgot. You guys are supposed to pump fuel down here, right ?" I do this even more if it looks like Im going to have to wait for him to get to me. Also, if I want it topped off (Ive never trusted the Or gas attendants to do this for me), I just stand by the pump and wait for it to finish. Then I take over and add the last couple of gallons.



As far as a law against topping off, what are they going to do ? How will they enforce it ? Shave your head and send you to San Diego ?

 

[TRLRTRSH]

Oregon: A Paradise for the Mentally Incompetent by Eric Englund





FYI

 

[rjrkihap]

I have not heard about the no-top-off rule. In fact, the gas station attendant always asks if it is OK for him "to top it off". I have heard that it's better not to top off, so I wonder if this "no-top-off" will become a new law. Wouldn't surprise me.

Ron

 

[AMink]

I have not heard about the no-top-off rule. In fact, the gas station attendant always asks if it is OK for him "to top it off". I have heard that it's better not to top off, so I wonder if this "no-top-off" will become a new law. Wouldn't surprise me.



Ron

It became law on July 1.

 

[AMink]

Oregon: A Paradise for the Mentally Incompetent by Eric Englund





FYI

That's funny. One of the last times I fueled in OR, one of the highly trained fuel transfer specialists managed to dump about 1/2 gallon of fuel down the side of my truck. I might dribble a little, but this was about $1. 50 worth of fuel!

 

[EGroeneveld]

The no top off is being followed by the pump jockeys now. What I do is get fuel at the Aurora exit Shell where they have a island in the truck (semi) area for diesel, 85% ethanal and biodiesel. It is self service which I then top off. The other spot I go to is the Shell in Keizer on River Road and they will let you pump your own diesel if you just get out and do it. The no self service rule is for gas not diesel but many stations train their pump jockeys that it applies to everyone.

 

[Regcabguy]

The 3rd gen guys can do the "tank vent mod" relocating the vent higher up and just pump till it stops. It's full.

 

[ata]

I went and looked it up. The NO TOPPING OFF LAW applies to GAS only. The reason for it is AIR POLLUTION. They have a list of the bad VAPORS thats going to destroy the world and us.

 

[JMetzger]

I was just in Oregon last week & filled at the Pilot Travel Center truck stop near Medford twice & I filled my truck myself. They (Pilot)told me that trucks stops you fill yourself & that they do not fall under that law. For what it is worth.

 

[tolmsted]

You must watch the attendants like a hawk, I did!

End of last May I pulled into a Fred Meyers Fuel Station in southern Oregon. The price must have been good as the place was swarming with customers all over the place trying to figure out what lane they need to be in. All lanes had about 5-6 cars & trucks, RV's etc, in line. I watched the parade & show as I waited my turn. Oo.

Three islands, three attendants, the attendant came to my window as I shut off the (do I have to say Diesel Engine?) engine. He asked me, what do I want? I said DIESEL FUEL, FILL IT UP!!

So you all know, I have a utility bed and a GREEN FUEL CAP THAT STATES DIESEL


This idiot removers the Diesel fuel cap and grabs the GASOLINE HANDLE AND PRESSES THE PREMIUM BUTTON, TURNS AROUND AND SHOVES THE SPOUT IN THE FILL HOLE. I'm watching this in the side mirror and can not believe my eyes as I fly out the door screaming at him to stop before he can pull the trigger. He looks surprised at me as I shoved him a side. #@$%!#@$%!#@$%!

I showed him the fuel cap and asked if he looked at it? He said, "no I didn't look at the cap"! He said I requested Premium fuel ! WRONG !!! I told him I was going to pump my own diesel fuel and he said "you can't pump your own gas, state law"

I was so mad, I said " you idiot, I'm not going to pump gas, I'm going to pump DIESEL FUEL !" He then said "OH! I guess it's OK if you pump Diesel" and walked away... . GO FIGURE

#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!#@$%!


Sorry to hijack this, it hit my hot button and I lost control.

Tom

 

[Jefff929]

Sorry to hijack this, it hit my hot button and I lost control.



Tom

:-laf not a big deal Tom, we deal with it every time we fill up.