# Diesel refuel handle **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2018, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142 "2018-07-02T04:56:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142/1 "2018-07-02T04:56:45Z")
I got a diesel truck last year, which means I refuel using the green handled dispenser. What I’ve noticed is that, after refueling, the hand i used to manipulate the dispenser ALWAYS smells of diesel. Occasionally I remember to use a paper towel to hold the handle, and it’s OK (No odor). Rarely does this happen with the gasoline handle, and on those occasions i figured the previous refueler must’ve spilt gas on the handle. What gives with the diesel handle? Are we diesel fuelers really that sloppy? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142/2 "2018-07-02T05:13:43Z")
WAG: Diesel doesn’t evaporate nearly has fast as gasoline, so it remains on the handle much longer. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142/3 "2018-07-02T05:33:52Z")
Yeah. I used to have to pump 125 gallons of diesel into my truck every 2 days. I had a pair of these just for pumping fuel. I kept them in a pocket in the driver’s door. Try[them,](https://www.constructiongear.com/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/s/csgcgrb1000029000_-00_rugged-blue-leather-palm-gloves_4.jpg)they’re cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142/4 "2018-07-02T07:14:24Z")
Over here in Europe pretty much every diesel pump has a plastic glove dispenser for precisely that purpose. As it is an oily substance it is pretty persistent. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142/5 "2018-07-02T08:45:03Z")
I find that you need to watch where you put your feet around the diesel pump too. A petrol spillage will evaporate fast, but diesel stays on the ground where you can pick it up on your shoe and transfer it to the carpet in your car. Days later you will still be smelling it. ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142/6 "2018-07-02T20:25:04Z")
> [@Oly](#): > > I got a diesel truck last year, which means I refuel using the green handled dispenser. I stopped for gas at a BP near Ashland, Ohio a couple weeks ago and the gas pump handles were green while diesel was black. I double and triple checked to make sure I wasn’t stroking out, but that’s really how it was. Totally backwards from every other gas station I’ve ever seen.