Drivers only just realising petrol stations have 'secret button' to make fuel come out

It’s something you’ve probably done a thousand times without thinking about it (well, unless you have an EV).

But when buying petrol, many drivers are only just realising that there’s something about the way petrol pumps work that they had never considered until now.

A Tiktok star has blown drivers’ minds with a little known nugget of information about how petrol and diesel pumps really work on the forecourt.

The truth is, according to Amelia Gartner, that pressing the trigger on the fuel pump doesn’t actually make the petrol come out.

Garner was shocked to find out in her video that pressing the button on the petrol pump is not what starts the fuel flow - it actually sends an alarm to someone sat inside the petrol station, who then sends a signal back to the pump to unlock it.

She told her followers: “I'm sorry, am I the only person in the world who did not know that when you put this petrol thing in your car and press down the button that doesn't make the petrol come out?

"It sends an alarm to the person inside the petrol station and they have to push a button to make the petrol flow out. Like, what?!"

“Why was this never taught in school? Mind blown…”

The reason, as other drivers pointed out, is because the petrol station staff need to reset the amount between each driver - you don’t want to be forking out for someone else’s diesel - and they also need to visually check you and your car to make sure you’re not underage, or doing something stupid like smoking while you’re holding the nozzle.

Only when they’re happy that you’ve got the pump in a safe manner with your engine off will they press the button and allow you to start filling.