How can I stay safe while refuelling my car?
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT has asked the public to halt all unnecessary travel, if you have to use your car during the coronavirus crisis, sooner or later you’ll be faced with the prospect of filling it up with fuel.
Many fuel stations offer contactless payments, either at the pump itself or through a smartphone app. These systems mean you can complete your fuel purchase at the pump and comply with social distancing rules.
If you drive an electric or plug-in hybrid car, you’re likely to be familiar with contactless systems because these are already widespread among electric car chargers.
Fuel pumps might have been picked up by hundreds of other drivers in the 72 hours it’s said the virus can live on metal and plastic surfaces, so either put on disposable gloves before you pick up a pump, or wrap some paper towels around it; throw these away in a bin as soon as you’ve finished filling up.
If you have disinfectant wipes, use one to wipe down the fuel nozzle (or electric charging connector if you’re using an electric charging station) before replacing it. Similarly, wipe down any part of the fuel pump you’ve touched, such as the touchscreen you’ve used to make your payment, or the contactless card area. Bin the wipe when you’re done, and before you set off, remember to clean your own hands using another wipe or hand sanitiser. The most important thing is to make sure your hands are clean both before and after you’ve filled up.
Fully fill the car’s tank with fuel to maximise the time before you’ll need to come back for more and ensure your car is fully prepared for any urgent trips you might need to take. The same goes for electric cars: get a full charge, so that you won’t need to come back for more every few days.
If you have to pay in person at the counter, maintain a two-metre distance from other people and use a contactless payment method where possible. It’s also advisable to avoid peak times, when more drivers will be visiting the fuel station.
58 June 2020